focuspaper

Indoor and Outdoor Lighting

INTRODUCTION
Increasing amounts of leisure time and disposable income have seen greater demand for sport and recreation facilities. Traditionally, sport in Australia has been an outdoor pastime. But in recent times, with a broadening range of sports being played, there has been an increase in indoor recreational pursuits. Most indoor facilities are now multi-purpose and this has impacted on their lighting requirements, which require systems to suit a variety of activities. Good sports lighting aims to achieve optimum visibility for participants and spectators (including television) and integrates well with the surrounds. This focus paper examines artificial lighting for both indoor and outdoor sport and recreational activities. It covers technology available and provides a guide to planning a lighting system. Minimum/average that is the ratio of the lowest to the average level of illuminance. Minimum/maximum that is the ratio of the minimum to the maximum level of illuminance.

Lamp
The bulb which houses the light source.

Luminaire
This is the apparatus that distributes the light emmitted from a lamp including all components necessary for fixing and protecting the lamp and connecting to the power supply. It usually consists of a lamp, housing, reflector, lens and control gear.

Modelling and shadows

Modelling is the ability of the lighting to reveal form and texture. Shadows can cause serious problems on a playing field.

KEY TERMS IN SPORTS LIGHTING

This section provides basic definitions of specific terms used in sports lighting.

Colour rendering
Colour rendering is the ability of a light source to reproduce surface colours accurately. Very noticeable colour distortion can be caused by unsuitable lamps.

Quality of light required (illuminance)

The amount of light falling on a unit area of surface (measured in lux) that is required for the sport to be played. The faster the sport and the smaller the playing object, the higher the lighting level. In multi-use facilities swtiching modes are used so the lighting system can be used at all levels.1

Colour temperature (appearance)

This is the apparent colour of the light source and is often described as warm, white or cool. The colour temperature is used to create ambience in a space and should not to be confused with colour rendering.

Average maintained horizontal illuminance (Eh)

This is the average quantity of lux to be maintained over the agreed maintenance cycle.

Glare
Factors which influence glare: Viewing angles. Luminaire light control. Maxiimum tilt angle of the luminaire. Intensity of the source in relation to the installlation height.

Average maintained vertical illuminance (Ev)

This is the quantity of light on a vertical plane and should be calculated for unrestricted camera positions.2

Illuminance uniformity
An adequate level of uniformity is necessary to create balanced lighting conditions so that users eyes do not continually have to adapt to different light levels. There are two measurements:
1 General Association of International Sports Federations. (2006). Guide to the artificial lighting of indoor and outdoor sports venues. France: Phillips Lighting p. 3. Downloaded from www.canoeice.com 2 Op cit. p.5

SELECTING A LIGHTING SYSTEM

Following are points to consider in the process of planning either an indoor or outdoor lighting system. In choosing any lighting system, it is essential to get expert advice. Purchasers of lighting systems often do not have the expertise to design their own lighting systems and need to be guided by the recommendations of a qualifed lighting consultant or manufacturer. Local government authorities (LGAs)

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have planning guidelines on sports lighting and early consultation is advisable to avoid unnecessary delays when seeking planning approval.

Consult lighting designer

Once the objectives have been designed, a lighting proposal needs to be developed. This will define the necessary quantities, types and positioning of the luminaires in order to achieve the objectives. Following are some points to be considered when using a lighting designer: Designers experience in sports lighting referee checks. Designers proposals are they satisfactory? Do they meet Australian Standards? Inspection visit other facilities to check quality. Budget limits are they realistic? Aesthetics integration of design.

Define the need

Type of usagespecialist or multi-purpose. Players needssocial, training, competition. Level of playersjunior, recreational, club, state, national, international.

Define the lighting required

Nature of game illuminance levels, uniformity, glare control. Method of control manual, automatic, electronic. Critical factors sighting ball, aerial shots, backgrounds. Will there be television coverage? Cleaning and maintenance who does it? How often?

Evaluate proposals
Does the design meet your requirements for: Quantity of light (lux levels). Quality of light uniformity, colour, glare control. Capital cost within budget limits. Running costs within budget limits. Life cycle costs maintenance and replacement.
Adapted from the MSR publication Focus on Sports Lighting5

Define budget limits

Raising capital donations, grants, loans. Long term goals complete or staged development. Maintenance costs changing lamps, vandalism. Running costs electricity, cleaning. Asset management cost.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Effective lighting finds a sustainable balance between energy efficiency, quality of light, long life and cost. There is continual concern over glare, light trespass and sky glow created by improperly applied lighting fixtures. Excess light increases construction, operating and maintenance costs of a facility. To reduce lighting pollution and reduce energy costs, consider these sustainable lighting issues when planning your lighting project: For indoor installations, have all opportunities for natural daylight been considered, including light wells, light pipes, rooflights and general design of windows? Have light coloured finishes been chosen internally to improve internal reflections? Have appropriate standards for illumination levels been chosen that provide the required quantity and quality of light consistent with minimum energy demand?
5 Ministry of Sport and Recreation. (1998). Focus on indoor lighting. Perth, WA: Author.

Life cycle costs assessment 3

Whole of life implications of planning, acquiring, operating, maintaining and disposing of the asset. Review full cost of project components across the life of the project rather than choosing the cheapest options.

Asset management principles 4

Asset management decisions are integrated with strategic planning. Evaluation of alternatives that consider life cycle costs, benefits and risks of ownership. Accountability for asset condition, use and performance.
3 Department of Sport and Recreation (May 2005) Life Cycle Cost Guidelines for sport and recreation facilities, Perth WA Author 4 Department of Sport and Recreation (January 2004) Asset Management Guide for sport and recreation facilities, Perth WA Author

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 Have lamps, reflectors and fittings been selected that make use of the maximum output, including areas like corridors and ablutions? Have occupancy sensing controls, daylight linked control and/or time switch controls been considered where light may otherwise be left on both indoor and outdoor? Does your system allow for appropriate light levels for different activities without sacrificing playing conditions or wasting energy Are switches used that can be secured and operated only by staff using a key to prevent vandalism? Alternatively, have electronic timing devices been considered during installation? Has consideration been given to allow light fittings to be cleaned, maintained and lamps changed?

Visual requirements of spectators

It is important that the visual requirements of spectators, i.e. the ability to see the action clearly and comfortably, are met with a good lighting installation. The light sources should provide correct colour balance, directional control and freedom from glare.

Allowance for depreciation of illuminance

All lights lose output over a period of time as they age and light fittings accummulate dirt. To allow for this light drop off over time, a light loss factor should be included in the design to compensate for progressive deterioration between periods when lamps are changed and lights are cleaned.

Cost
There is a wide variety of lighting systems available and there can be a temptation to choose the cheapest. Factors to consider when costing a lighting system are: Initial cost of luminaires and lamps by determining the number of luminaires required for the approved design. Cost of installation. Quality of luminaire materials likely lifetime of product. Power consumption. Cost of lighting consultant. Cost of gear replacement and re-lamping costs. Competent support from the manufacturer is also important when considering cost. Ensure warranty and maintenance program guarantee: Constant light levels and group lamp replacements at the end of rated lamp life. Reduced energy consumption. Monitoring, maintenance and remote on/off control services. System structural integrity.

PLANNING NEW INSTALLATIONS

Most lighting installations are designed by a professional lighting designer. It is essential that the specific requirements are clear at the planning stage. The nature of the activities will have large influence on the quality and quantity of light required. It will also influence the kind of system to be designed. The majority of sport and recreation facilities accommodate a range of sports and other activities. The lighting system must be sufficiently flexible to satisfy the requirements of a full range of activities for players, officials and spectators. This will require a compromise between the lighting needs of different sports. A lighting designer will do this in an efficient and cost effective manner. The following factors must be considered in providing lighting for either an indoor or outdoor facility:

Visual requirements of the participants

There should be sufficient intensity of light to provide visibility and contrast appropriate to the activity and standard of play. The visual requirements of participants and officials will vary depending on the nature of the sport and level of play. The layout of the playing area and positions of participants will determine the best locations for luminaries to minimise glare. The light distribution pattern should be uniform across the playing area, without noticeable bright or dark spots.

Maintenance
When planning an installation, consideration should be given to maintaining it in efficient working order with the least trouble and expense. Maintenance inspections of a lighting installation should include a check of luminaire aiming and screening to ensure that the installation continues to comply with the objectives of the design, including environmental criteria.

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An installation record for the correct operating and maintenance should be prepared at the time of designing the lighting installation, detailing floodlight type, replacement and cleaning schedule. This will ensure longevity and best performance of the installation.

Consideration also needs to be given to the daytime appearance of a lighting system. Local government authorities have local laws governing the installation of floodlighitng to protect the community. They generally cover the height and location of the poles, direction of the light spill and underground cabling.

Power Supply
It is important that power supply requirements are discussed in the planning stages of a lighting installation. When planning a facility upgrade, the supply and operational requirements must be clear from the outset. If using an existing swtichboard, ensure that it has the capacity to cope with the additional requirements. This also applies to power company transformers that may need an upgrade. Consideration must also be given to who is going to pay for the power used, particularly in outdoor installations at multi-use playing fields.

CONSULTANTS
Independent consultant engineers with a background in sports lighting and electrical design should be contacted to assist in the design of sports lighting facilities. A list of qualified persons can be found by contacting the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand at www.iesanz.org and requesting the names of members experienced in the design of sports lighting. Australian Standards can be sourced from SAI Global at the following website www.saiglobal.com. Qualified electrical engineers and structural engineers with Charted Member status in the institution of Engineers Australia and relevant experience in planning of sports lighting are qualified to advise with engineering matters in their respective field, i.e, electrical and/or structural engineering. Local government authorities and state sporting organisations should be consulted prior to the installation of lighting to ensure playing dimensions are adhered to. For example, the minimum run-off areas in a netball court must be taken into account when planning court layouts and pole positions.

Light pollution
Light is not a pollutant in the normal sense, being non-poisonous, noxious or harmful in most instances. Light pollution encompasses many forms of undesirable light and lighting. These are: Light intrusion (light trespass, overspill, light into windows). Glare. Sky glowgeneral term for the halo effect caused by upwardly direct light, forming a flow in the night sky. Beam brightness. Light flicker generally associated with advertising signage. Some degree of obtrusive light may be obtained from even the best designed sports installations. The aim must be to prevent or alleviate any visual disturbance to an acceptance level for the location and application.

INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE LIGHTING DESIGNER

The following information should be provided to the lighting designer to assist the planning process. Drawings or sketches of the playing areas giving main dimensions and showing the proposed locations of spectator areas, changerooms, car parks and any changes in level. In the case of floodlighting, the location of the playing field and its proximity to any highway and nearby residential properties because of light spill. Lighting budget limit including initial costs and running costs. This information is essential for an efficient and economic design.

Community Consultation
Community consultation is an important step in planning a lighting installation. Sports facilities are normally in or near residential areas and are operated most nights of the week year round. The brightest single source of light visible in an evening landscape is often a sport facility. Such lighting is usually the single greatest source of complaints. Most local government authorities will not issue a planning or building permit without consultation with surrounding residents and other stakeholders.
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Type of sport a brief description of the nature of the sport and critical areas, such as goals, sidelines, infield in outdoor facilities and sighting the ball, aerial shots and movement patterns in indoor facilities. In multidirectional aerial sports players and spectators view the playing object from many positions and angles. These sports require vertical illuminance over the height of the entire playing area and horizontal illuminance at ground level. Direct glare at the most frequent viewing directions must of avoid. These sports include badminton, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, squash, tennis and volleyball. Unidirectional aerial sports such as golf at a driving range and skeeting and trap shooting, require horizontal illuminance where the playing object starts and vertical illuminance where the playing object finishes. Future plans information on plans for future expansion of the playing areas or the lighting system. This is necessary for calculating cable sizes, switchboard capacity and control systems. It will assist in saving money when the next stage is built. Maintenance limitations information on maintenance facilities and problems, such as access to the luminaires by a cherry picker or ladder. Note any special conditions such as dust, temperature extremes, humidity, corrosive atmoshphere. Finishes information on surface colours and markings. The main point is the lightness or darkness of materials and finishes used on playing surfaces and surrounds.

Average illuminance expected in service this should specify both the general illuminance across the playing area and the illuminance on specific areas (such as goals) if supplementary or localised lighting is to be used. A light spillage contour drawing should be inlcuded. This plan should demonstrate the light spillage when used at the maximum and minimum lux levels. Initial cost and running cost the estimate of the initial cost should include installation charges. Data on the running costs should include the electrical consumption (including control gear losses), maintenance costs, replacement cost of individual lamps and their rated life in hours. Letter of guarantee once a lighting system and supplier has been selected and the system installed, it is recommended that a letter of guarantee be obtained from the supplier. This letter should guarantee the outputs and inputs of the system including average light levels, uniformity ratios and power consumption.

FLOODLIGHTING
As well as generally upgrading outdoor facilities, operators have turned to floodlighting not only to extend the options for participants but to seek better returns on their investments. The advantages of floodlights are:

Increased use of facilities

Floodlighting facilities enables them to be used in the evenings, giving substantially higher usage rates than equivalent non-floodlight facilities and increasing choice and flexibility of playing times for users. This assists in raising participation levels, improving opportunities for competition, reducing childhood obesity, improving health and social inclusion initiatives.

INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM THE LIGHTING DESIGNER

The lighting designer should provide the following information to client groups so the merits of different schemes can be assessed. It is important to have this information if competitive proposals are being considered so a fair comparison can be made. Lighting layout this should show the number and positions of the luminaires, mounting height, switching arrangements and proposed method of cleaning and servicing the units. In outdoor installations, this should include details of polesnumber, height and finish. Type of lamp recommended this information should specify beam angles, proportions of light emitted upwards or downwards, and access for cleaning and lamp replacement.
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Programming flexibility
Longer operating hours give facility managers and users more freedom in programming and initiating sports development programs.

Additional income
Increased use means greater potential to generate additional income essential with the high capital cost of providing a multi-use facilitiy, although there will be increased wear and tear of the surfaces.

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Usage options
A floodlit multi-use facility adjoining a sports hall can accommodate activities such as netball and basketball, releasing more expensive indoor space for other activities.

School sites
If located on a school site, the school can extend its cirriculumn and after-school activities. Schools are often at the centre of a community. Floodlighting will provide opportunity for community participation in sport and improve health, community cohesion and provide for youth diversionary activity.

EQUIPMENT
In the past fixtures and lighting designs offered little choice for communities and designers seeking to minimise spill and glare in sports lighting. Many facilities, particularly the older ones, continue to produce enormous amounts of light spill into adjacent areas and reflected light into the sky. Recently manufacturers have produced well-shielded luminaires suitable for sports lighting. These designs provide major reductions in the off-site spill and can reduce or even eliminate direct uplight. Proper mounting heights and pole locations have assisted designers in delivering improved lighting quality for players on the field.

Lamp selection
The principal factors for lamp selection are luminous output, lamp life, energy consumption, colour rendering and colour temperature (appearance). The table below shows the properties of different lamps for sports lighting6.
Lamp type Lamp designation
Tungsten

Construction and chief characteristics

Tungsten filament in transparent or translucent bulb filled with inert gas Tungsten filament in transparent or translucent quartz tube or bulb filled with gas filling containing halogens

Range of wattage
Up to 1000 Up to 2000

Relative costs Initial

Low

Comments
Not recommended for sports lighting due to low efficacy Halogens in gas filling prevent blackening, increase life and/or luminour efficacy. Immediate full light output. Simple installation Easily switched and dimmed Not tolerant of overvoltage Restricted to horizontal operation Suitable for indoor more than outdoor. Luminous efficacy affected by embient termperature. Immediate full light output. Easily switched and can be dimmed with special circuits Colour rendering of high efficacy lamps used for sports lighting is generally acceptable Run-up period of 5 min to full light. Re-iginition is about 10 mins unless special circuits are used. Colour rendering acceptable for general use in sports lighting. As above but with better colour rendering. Most commonly used lamp for sports lighting. Run-up period 2 min to full light output. If supply interrupted, re-ignition 1 min if external ignitor is used. Colour rendering not adequate for most sports. June 2009 Page 6

Running
High

Incandescent

Tungsten halogen

Low

High

Tubular and compact flourescent Flourescent

Discharge lamp in which most of light is emitted by layer of flourescent powder on inside of tube

Up to 100

Medium

Low

Mercury flourescent

High pressure discharge with internal coating of flourescent powder

Up to 1000

Medium

Medium

High pressure discharge

Metal halide

High pressure mercuty, clear or coated, single or double ended with halide additives to improve colour rendering High pressure sodium discharge

Up to 2000

High

Low

High pressure sodium

Up to 1000

High

Low

6 Australian Standard Sports lighting Part 1: General principles AS 2560.1 2002

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Luminaire selection
It is important that the luminaire selection is based on the lighting requirements rather than compromising the lighting design to use an inappropriate luminaire selection. There are two possible approaches when considering a lighting design direct lighting and indirect lighting. Direct lighting is the most common approach and the most efficient. If there is to be TV coverage, this is the only option because there is adequate vertical illuminance. Indirect lighting in some indoor installations, such as swimming pools, is a useful solution because the light source is not visible to the participants. This approach relies heavily on reflective properties of the ceiling, position and light output ratio and the cleaning cycle. TV coverage is not possible with this solution.

Arrangement of luminaires
Luminaires should be arranged relative to the sports being played and prevent glare for the players, spectators and judges For example, for a football field installation, the luminaires should not be positioned behind the goal area because of glare. Another example is players serving in tennis. They do not want luminaires at the far end of the court to be in their line of vision when they hit the ball. In large, multi-use facilities with flourescent lighting, it is usual to arrange the lighting in rows between the courts, reducing the risk of glare in the players field of vision.

INDOOR SPORTS HALLS

Most sports halls are suitable for a wide variety of sports and events. These can range from local club level to international competition level. A key consideration when positioning the luminaires is preventing glare. If there is a polished/varnished floor surface, consideration must be given to reflection caused by the luminaires. An example of mounting positions for a multi-purpose indoor hall is shown below. Please note that this is a generic diagram and not for a specific sport.7
7 Australian Standards. (1986). Guide to sports lighting specific recommendations lighting or multipurpose indoor sports centres (2560.2.2). Sydney, NSW: Author.

Possible luminaire mounting zone

Avoid luminaires

Playing area

Possible luminaire mounting zone

Avoid luminaires

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OUTDOOR SPORTS GROUNDS

Following are some examples of lighting designs for outdoor sports.

AustrAliAn rules FootbAll lighting

The diagram below represents the site design layout for an Australian Rules football field.8

Design summary
Level of play Average lux Number of lamps Number of poles Pole height Type of floodlight Club competition 113 24 4 29 metres 2 kilowatt fan-shaped beam

netbAll
The diagram at the right represents the site design layout for a twin netball court.9

Design summary
Level of play Average lux Number of lamps Number of poles Pole height Type of floodlight club competition 208 8 4 12 metres 1 kilowatt symmetrical beam

8 Australian Standards. Sports lighting specific applications lighting for football (all codes) AS 2560.2.3-2007). Sydney, NSW: Author. 9 Australian Standards. Guide to sports lighting specific recommendations lighting for outdoor netball and basketball (AS 2560.2.4-1986). Sydney, NSW: Author.

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bAsebAll/soFtbAll
The diagram at the right represents the site design layout for baseball and softball fields. Lighting should be designed to minimise shadows. This requires lighting from three or four directions. Fixtures are placed on two A poles in the infield, two B poles down the first and third baselines and C poles in the outfield.10
6 pole layout 8 pole layout C1 C1 C2

Deisgn summary
Level of play Average lux Number of lamps Number of poles Pole height training, club competition 250 infield, 150 outfield minimum of 3 6 - 8 poles baseball 25m, softball 20m

B1 C3 C2 C4 A1

Glare control
The beam spread of each floodlight should be selected to put the maximum amount of light on the field without producing a hot spot. The beam should be wide enough to overlap the distribution from adjacent aiming points.
A2 B2

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abacus Lighting. (nd). Sports lighting solutions. Retrieved from www.abacuslighting.com on 10/10/2008. Australian Standards. (2002). Sports lightinggeneral principles part 1 (AS 2560.1-2002). Sydney, NSW: Author. Australian Standards. (1986). Guide to sports lightingspecific recommendationslighting or multipurpose indoor sports centres. Sydney, NSW: Author. Department of the Environment and Heritage Australian Greenhouse Office. (2004). Best practices in lighting program 2004: publication series. Canberra, ACT: Author. International Dark-Sky Association. (nd.) Sports and recreational area lighting. Retrieved from http://data.nextrionet. com on the 20/11/2008. (use only as a guide). Kosiorek, A. (nd.) Exterior lighting: glare and light trespass. Retrieved from http://data.nextrionet.com on the 20/11/2008. (use only as a guide). Sport England. (2007). Environmental sustainability: promoting sustainable design for sport. London: Author. (use only as a guide).

10 Australian Standards. (1994). Guide to sports lighting specific recommendations baseball and softball (AS 2560.2.6). Sydney, NSW: Author.

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