The lighting requirements for sports halls vary depending on the activity involved. An even lighting in combination with intelligent lighting systems is a good combination to meet the different needs of the sports. Everything from the size of the ball, the speed of the ball, the size of the playing surface, division, and height of the ball, etc. should be met by the strength of the lighting, the color temperature, the spread of light, the number and placement of the light fixtures.
Lighting for mixed sports
A sports hall which is used for mixed sports, such as handball, volleyball, basketball etc. and has an activity area of 40 x 20 meters, should have 750 lx on the floor during competitions and matches to ensure that there is enough light on the pitch. The lighting intensity during school gymnastics or training in the hall can be lower. To be able to judge the height of the ball, as well as the movement of teammates and opponents, it is important to consider vertical lighting. The location of the fixtures is also important, both in relation to the direction of the light and to avoid general glare. To achieve glare free light, high-quality grids can be retrofitted to the luminaire, this provides both good light and reduces glare.
Zones / room divisions of sports halls
Some sports halls can be divided into different rooms / zones depending on the activity or sport. It is therefore important to consider the location of the luminaires and to divide the luminaires into zones, so that the light control can be adjusted both in relation to the individual zones and when the entire hall is in use. It is recommended to use DALI control in sports halls that need special lighting control.
Attention:
- Luminaires in a sports hall must be able to cope with a bit of everything, so be sure that the luminaire is solidly shielded.
- To save energy, motion sensors can be a good idea, so that the lighting only switches on when there is activity in the hall. If a new sports hall is being built, incorporating daylight can be a good idea – also to save energy.
- A RIP sensor is recommended to reduce energy costs in sports halls due to the high energy consumption.
- If the hall can be divided, remember to consider the location of the lighting fixtures in relation to the partitions, so that the right amount of lighting is ensured for both a divided and undivided sports hall.
Lighting a tennis hall
Slightly different requirements apply when lighting a tennis hall. In addition to the fact that there must normally be 500 lx on the floor/court, there must also be the same amount of lighting 2 meters outside the side lines, as well as 3 meters on the back line for the sake of the game. Glare from the light, like in all other sports halls, is inexpedient and should be avoided. In tennis, the gaze is directed very upwards i.e., when serving the ball. Think about the location of the fixture in relation to the sport to achieve the best lighting. Due to the size of a tennis ball, there are particularly high requirements for vertical lighting to make it possible to detect the movement of the tennis ball. In addition, vertical lighting also supports the movement of teammates and opponents and helps with the registration of a changing background.
NOTE: The standard for lighting sports halls can be found in EN 12193:2007
Lighting of an ice hockey rink
Ice hockey is a fast-paced sport, which influences the lighting requirements. A fast-paced sport requires extra lighting so that both the players, the referee and the audience can perceive what is happening on the pitch. There is a difference in the lighting requirements whether it is training or a match and whether it is professional or lower series matches. If lighting is to be made for training, then there must be 600 lx on the ice, if we are talking about professionals where the match is broadcast on TV, then the requirement is 1000 lx on the ice. If you’ve seen a bit of ice hockey, you’ve probably noticed the spotlights that follow the players during the breaks and create a great show effect. If this lighting result is to be achieved, it must be planned from the start with special spot luminaires and light control.
NOTE: The standard for lighting evenness and aperture number can be found in EN 12193:2007
Lighting a squash court
The floor is not the only surface used in Squash. Squash is played on both the floor and the walls, so it is important to think about the lighting strength and evenness on both the floor and the walls when lighting a squash court. Squash is a fast game with a small ball at high speed that can come from many heights – it is therefore important to have vertical lighting in mind when planning and calculating lighting for a squash hall. Vertical lighting supports visibility and a higher responsiveness, which is important in such a fast sport as squash. To avoid glare, the fixtures can be placed around 1 meter from the side walls.
NOTE: The standard for lighting evenness and aperture number can be found in EN 12193:2007
Lumega’s recommendations
- The most powerful lighting solution: Powerful lighting can be a sensible choice if the lighting is to support an activity or sport that is particularly dependent on good lighting. If you are looking for LED luminaire that can provide powerful and intensive lighting, you can consider our model NS94, which is a suspended luminaire that is very robust and energy-saving.
- The practical lighting solution: It is necessary to have general lighting in the sports hall which manages to illuminate a larger area. If you want a practical lighting solution that functions as all-round lighting in the sports hall, our model NS56 is an obvious option. This model has been specially developed to illuminate rooms with a ceiling height of up to 5 meters, and this fixture also has an incredibly long lifespan of 60,000 hours.
- Shortest payback period: Choosing a lighting system is also a financial consideration. If you want the LED solution with the shortest payback period, you can install the retrofit LED tube NS20. This model is unique in that the LED tube can be used in luminaires that are already installed in the ceiling for fluorescent tubes. So, if there are existing fittings, our NS20 can be used directly in this fitting.
- The architectural lighting solution: Lighting doesn’t just have to be a practical measure – it can also be a stylish and architectural choice. If you are looking for LED lighting that is stylish and designed to form an architectural part of the interior, a linear LED system of aluminum rails is a good choice. You might want to consider our linear system model B7. These are 2-meter luminaires which can either be installed as an unbroken light line from one end of the room to the other, or as light lines that are placed in different places in the room.
How can we help you?
At Lumega, we focus on the quality of light and life, and we can offer you LED products with the latest lighting technology on the market. At Lumega, we design various LED solutions that can be adapted to any environment and tailored to any situation. We can help you design a unique and optimal LED solution for your specific needs and wishes.
Contact us to learn more about the impressive benefits of LED and start your lighting improvement with LED today.
