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OUTDOOR LIGHTING: SAPCA GUIDELINES | 33 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | XXXXXXXXXX | 33 ❶
Light fantastic
Wondering how to light your outdoor sports facilities? Here’s all you need to know, courtesy of leading trade association SAPCA
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The only tension in your sports facility should come from eager onlookers, not the stress of making sure your school sports facilities
are lit correctly. The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) recognises the difficulties in keeping school sports facilities up to scratch and as the recognised trade association for the sports and play construction industry in the UK, consistently raises industry standards. To help improve the quality of school sports facilities, SAPCA has released a Provision of Outdoor Sports Lighting Code of Practice. Quality sports lighting is a substantial investment, so it is essential to be clear from the beginning about the benefits of good lighting, and how it can increase the play value of your facility. Quality sports lighting can provide extended playing hours and increase participation, increase the extra-curricular revenue you earn from your facility (through extended hours and greater membership), and meet criteria for your schools’ entry into a ‘lit league’ competition.
The SAPCA Lighting Code of Practice is designed to clarify, so that you have a greater understanding of the process of sports lighting design, specification, installation and maintenance. It is free of charge and can be found on the SAPCA website, accompanied by Guidance Notes on costs, power supply, different types of lighting available, the planning and tendering process and more. So, what are the key questions to consider before embarking on an outdoor lighting project?
Decide on the type and quantity of lighting required The type, quantity and layout of sports lighting will be different for each sport – and for each level of competition at which that sport is being played. This is because there are major differences in the visual tasks involved between various games: factors such as ball speed, ball size, viewing distance and ball trajectory will all play a part in determining the appropriate lighting scheme. The needs of tennis, for example, where a small, fast ball is used, are very different to those of football with its larger, slower ball. Always check with the governing body of the sport being considered.
Develop a comprehensive lighting design brief
Consider what sports will be played on the facility and how lighting should be laid out, e.g. corner columns, side lighting etcetera. Also address any environmental or planning issues such as light pollution.
Decide what type of company to use SAPCA members who carry out design, installation, testing and electrical installation work are all members of NICEIC, the national register of leading electrical contractors.
01 Different sports need different lighting – consider from the outset the sports being played to ensure that you get the right lighting scheme
02 Lighting at South Bristol Leisure Centre
03 Bear in mind the ongoing
maintenance costs of any lighting scheme – cleaning, repair, re-lamping, system checking and certification
Consider project delivery times These must be reasonable to both parties. Lighting can be installed on an existing facility such as a tennis court in one to two weeks. If the lighting is part of a new, much bigger project, it could be three months or more.
Consider any warranty offered SAPCA members, for example, offer a written warranty covering at least a 12-month period from project handover.
Decide on ongoing maintenance needs from the outset SAPCA contractors will offer a solution that includes future maintenance – cleaning, repairing, re-lamping, system checking and certification.
Consider funding ❸ Contacts T: 024 7641 6316 W:
www.sapca.org.uk
Establish the predicted costs of the overall project at an early stage and make sure this includes any project development fees (e.g. power supply provision, planning application fees). The SAPCA website’s Funding page (
http://www.sapca.
org.uk/funding) lists over 80 funding organisations. For more specific advice, funding consultancy and SAPCA member WCTD Consulting will be happy to help. ISS
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Images courtesy of Abacus Lighting
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