Wall Pack Lighting for Building Perimeters, Service Areas, and Exterior Walkways
Wall pack luminaires are widely specified in commercial exterior lighting designs to improve visibility, reinforce site security, and support safe circulation around building perimeters. Common installation areas include service corridors, loading zones, dumpster enclosures, stairwell exits, and pedestrian walkways—anywhere dependable exterior illumination is required. For most modern projects, LED wall pack lights are preferred due to their long service life, strong efficacy, and compatibility with controls.
When selecting wall packs for professional environments, it’s important to evaluate fixture type, optical control (cutoff), lumen output, and environmental durability—so the system meets performance expectations while minimizing glare and light trespass.
Primary Types of Commercial Wall Pack Fixtures
Traditional-Style Wall Packs
- Designed for broad, forward-throw distribution and general perimeter coverage
- Commonly used on service corridors, secondary building sides, and utility walkways
- Often selected when replacing older HID wall packs with similar mounting locations
Full Cutoff Wall Packs
- Downward-directed light with minimal uplight to reduce glare and spill
- Ideal for properties near neighbors, property lines, and dark-sky sensitive areas
- Supports modern exterior lighting compliance strategies while improving visual comfort
Wall Pack Cutoff Types and Use Cases
| Wall Pack Type | Optical Control | Best Commercial Uses | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Wall Pack | Forward throw, wide distribution | Service corridors, utility walkways, general perimeter lighting | Higher potential for glare and spill if mounted too high |
| Full Cutoff Wall Pack | Downlight-focused, minimal uplight | Building perimeters, property lines, dark-sky sensitive zones | Improves visual comfort and reduces light trespass |
Key Benefits of Commercial Wall Packs
Improved Site Security and Visibility
- Illuminates vulnerable exterior zones to reduce shadows and hiding spots
- Supports camera performance with consistent perimeter lighting
- Improves safety for staff, deliveries, and after-hours access points
Energy Efficiency and Control Compatibility
- LED wall packs reduce energy consumption compared to legacy HID systems
- Most commercial fixtures support 0–10V dimming or integrated control packages
- Photocells and motion sensors can reduce runtime during low-traffic periods
Durability for Exposed Installations
- Commercial housings are commonly die-cast aluminum with corrosion-resistant finishes
- Wet-location performance supported by properly rated gaskets and lenses
- Impact resistance helps protect fixtures in high-traffic service areas
How to Choose the Right Wall Pack for Your Facility
Match Fixture Type to the Application
- Use full cutoff wall packs for perimeter compliance and glare-sensitive zones
- Select traditional wall packs where forward throw is needed for broad coverage
- Confirm mounting height and spacing to maintain uniform illumination
Select the Right Lumen Output and CCT
- Lower mounting heights often require fewer lumens to avoid glare
- Higher-risk zones and loading areas may require higher-output fixtures
- Typical commercial CCT choices include 4000K for general use and 5000K for high-visibility security zones
Confirm Environmental Ratings and Installation Requirements
- Verify wet-location suitability for exposed exterior walls
- Check impact resistance for service corridors and vandal-prone areas
- Confirm voltage compatibility for commercial electrical systems
Related Commercial Lighting Categories
Choosing the right wall pack comes down to balancing optical control, lumen output, durability, and controls. When properly specified, commercial wall packs strengthen perimeter safety, reduce operating costs, and deliver reliable exterior performance for professional facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a traditional wall pack and a full cutoff wall pack
A traditional wall pack throws light outward and forward to cover a wider area from the wall. A full cutoff wall pack directs light downward with minimal uplight to reduce glare, spill, and light trespass near property lines and adjacent buildings.
When should a full cutoff wall pack be specified instead of a traditional wall pack
Use full cutoff when glare control and spill reduction are priority constraints, such as near residential boundaries, tight property lines, or dark-sky sensitive sites. Full cutoff is also preferred where pedestrian comfort and vertical illumination need to be controlled without sending light above the fixture.
How do mounting height and aim affect glare for wall packs
Glare increases when fixtures are mounted too high for their optic or when forward-throw optics are used where occupants view the source directly. Select optics intended for the mounting height, keep output appropriate for the distance to the walking surface, and avoid placing fixtures in direct sightlines at entrances and sidewalks.
How do you select lumen output without over-lighting a perimeter
Start with target illuminance and uniformity at the walking plane and at key vertical surfaces, then validate with photometric data at the actual mounting height and spacing. If hot spots appear near the wall, reduce lumen package, change optic, reduce spacing, or move the mounting height to match the distribution.
What color temperature is typically appropriate for commercial wall packs
4000K is commonly used for general perimeter circulation where visual comfort is important. 5000K is often specified for higher-risk service areas and security-driven applications where higher contrast and detail recognition are prioritized, subject to site preferences and local requirements.
What environmental ratings should be verified for exterior wall pack installations
Confirm the fixture is listed for wet location when directly exposed to weather and verify the gasketed sealing approach used at the lens and driver cavity. Where wind-driven rain, dust, or washdown exposure is expected, verify an ingress rating that matches the actual exposure rather than relying on general claims.
What durability factors matter most for service corridors and vandal-prone areas
Prioritize impact-resistant lenses, robust die-cast housings, and corrosion-resistant finishes suitable for the local atmosphere. In areas with frequent cart traffic or potential contact, fixture shape, lens material, and mounting protection details can reduce breakage and maintenance calls.
How do photocells and motion sensors typically integrate with wall packs
Photocells are commonly used for dusk-to-dawn control where continuous perimeter lighting is required. Motion sensing is used where code and security strategy allow reduced background levels with a step-up to full output during activity, with time delays and minimum dim levels set to avoid nuisance cycling.
What are common wiring and control mistakes with wall packs
Common issues include mixing control protocols, miswiring line and switched legs, and installing sensors where they see passing traffic outside the intended zone. Verify voltage, control method, and sensor coverage during layout, and document the intended operation so commissioning is straightforward.
How do you decide between fewer higher-output wall packs and more lower-output fixtures
Fewer high-output fixtures can create bright spots and darker gaps if optics and spacing are not aligned. More lower-output fixtures often improve uniformity and reduce perceived glare, but increase installation points. Use photometrics to compare uniformity, maximum-to-minimum ratios, and visual comfort for both approaches.
What spacing approach keeps wall pack lighting uniform along long building runs
Use a consistent mounting height and a repeatable spacing module based on the selected optic’s distribution and the desired overlap at the walking surface. Increase density near doorways, stairs, and service zones, and avoid large spacing changes that create alternating bright and dim segments.
What documentation helps prevent rework on commercial wall pack projects
Provide cut sheets, IES files, a photometric plan showing average and minimum levels, and a control intent description that defines dusk-to-dawn, occupancy response, and any dimming profiles. Include mounting height assumptions, voltage requirements, and any glare or spill constraints tied to property boundaries.
Brandon Waldrop
As the lead technical specialist for our commercial lighting technical operations, Brandon Waldrop brings over 20 years of industry experience in product specification, outside sales, and industrial lighting applications.
His career began in physical lighting showrooms, where he focused on hands-on product performance and technical support. He later transitioned into commercial outside sales, working directly with architects, electrical contractors, and facility managers to translate complex lighting requirements into energy-efficient, code-compliant solutions.
Today, Brandon applies that industry experience to architect high-performance digital catalogs and technical content systems, helping commercial partners streamline the specification process and deploy lighting solutions with total technical confidence.