SPORTS LIGHTING 12-19

A third aiming method which may be used successfully with practice

is to stand an observer on the field ahead of the aiming point (so the line
from the floodlight to the aiming point passes approximately through the
observer's eyes) and observe the floodlight, preferably through binoculars.
As the floodlight is moved by an assistant, the observer then estimates
the position in which the lamp filament (or concentric reflector rings)
appear exactly centered in the floodlight aperture. An alternate observa-
tion method that may be used with the narrow-beam type (specular-
reflector) floodlight is to light the lamp and, with smoked glasses on (prefer-
ably with binoculars), estimate when the entire reflector appears uniformly
bright and at a maximum brightness. The latter methods are inherently
less accurate than the first method but may be satisfactory when relatively
large numbers of medium or wide beam floodlights are directed into the
same general area.
Maintenance. The factors of overvoltage lamp operation and rela-
tively few hours of operation per year should be considered in setting up a
maintenance program for outdoor sports lighting installations. Over-
voltage operation causes lamps to blacken earlier than rated voltage opera-
tion. Consequently, the lamps should be checked periodically for this
dererioration and replaced when it becomes evident. The relatively small
number of hours of operation per year may result in long intervals between
lamp replacements. Therefore, reflectors, cover glasses, and lamps should
be cleaned often enough (between relampings, if necessary) to maintain a
schedule of at least two cleanings per year, or more if the locale is such as to
cause rapid dirt accumulation.
Care should be taken to maintain voltage at the lamps at the selected
level as any variation will have a considerable effect on light output and
lamp life.
Good Practice
Table 12-2 lists recommended illumination levels for a number of sports
and refers to line and photographic illustrations showing sports lighting
installations in which the recommendations have been carried into practice.
(See Figs. 12-12 and 12-13.)
In the following discussion, where various "classes" of sports are indi-
cated, the classifications (A, B, C, Semiprofessional, and so on) follow
"league" ratings where they exist. In general, these ratings are indicative
of the skill and speed of play to be expected and correlate closely with the
relative number of spectators regularly accommodated. This latter factor
determines the maximum distance at which a spectator may be observing
the playing area and consequently has a direct bearing on the angular size
of the object to be seen and, therefore, on the quantity of light required.
Football. American football is a combination of aerial and ground
play requiring uniform lighting from ground level to 40 or 50 feet
above the ground. The problem of providing a good quality of light-
ing is not difficult except in special cases of awkward stand loca-
tions.
15
-
16 .17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25
Figure 12-14 presents data for layouts con-
sidered good practice.