Rules, requirements and standards for lighting sports and training halls

When organizing training and sports activities, we must not forget about the need for proper lighting. Incorrect gym lighting, if installed, can interrupt activities. The technical conditions of a sporting event require diffused daylight indoors.

Lighting standards for sports halls

Sports hall lighting should solve the following problems

• Reduce the risk of injury to athletes;
• Create a work environment;
• It should also provide for the organization of emergency lighting and lighting of escape routes from the hall;
• Zoning;
• Forms a positive impression among competition and training participants, as well as visitors.

Light levels in training halls and sports fields are determined by SNiP. The unit of illumination is lux, or Lx. Lux corresponds to one unit of luminous flux per square meter. Luminous flux is measured in Lm.

Normalization is the light falling on the floor.

Type of sportFluorescent lampsIncandescent lightingAthletics, ice skating150 luxSchool gyms200 lux150 luxBoxing, fencing, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming200 luxFigure skating, hockey300 luxSports games.300 lux on the floor, 150 lux at a distance of up to 2 m from the floor.Table tennis400 lux

Lighting standards for various types of sports facilities:

• more than 50 lux for closed structures;
• 10% higher than the lighting standards established for this type of sport – open-type structures for civil recreation (football fields, garden grounds);
• more than one third of the established criteria – for lighting open facilities intended for training and major sporting events.

IMPORTANT! Lighting for winter sports halls comes from several sources. The main light source should produce slightly less lux radiation. What the Lx lacks will be made up by the power of the optional LED taillights, mounted evenly.

Some basic requirements for gym lighting:

• Allowable ripple factor – 10%;
• Color temperature – about 4000 Kelvin;
• Large spaces are illuminated by spotlights installed at an angle of 27% to the floor.

During sports matches, additional requirements apply to the hall. Artificial lighting should evenly illuminate the playing field on both sides at a distance of 2 meters from the floor.

Each indoor gym should have large windows. The penetration of natural light into sports facilities is critical for human health.

Light coverage is the ratio of the area occupied by the window to the floor area. In gyms, this figure should not be less than one sixth.

General rules for lighting gyms

Basic principles to follow when lighting sports halls:

• No glare;
• Uniform radiation without flicker;
• Natural light lamps that are as close to daylight as possible.

During sports matches, approximately 10% of Lx is directed into the air in the hall, so that the area 2 meters from the floor is clearly visible.

During daily training, the illumination level ranges from 200 to 600 Lux. For large halls, a minimum of 500 Lux should be used. To record sporting events with your camera, you need to maintain a high level of light. 1500-4000 Lux range is desirable. Here 1500 is the minimum limit and 4000 is the recommended limit.

Selection of lamps

To reduce the glare of radiation, organizers install devices with optical systems to limit the light flux.

• Lattice;
• Dark diffusers;
• Blinds;
• Lenses.

Interesting! The main light source should consist of several devices of the same type. Under no circumstances should these be spotlights, as they leave too much glare on the surface of the hall.

Beam aperture angle is the name of the angle at which the emitters produce light of optimal power. In gyms they are often installed gym lamps with an aperture angle of 120°.

Lamps for sports halls are equipped with a special housing. These are frame grilles attached to the device. Their role is to protect the lamps from accidental problems, such as being hit by a ball, and as an additional diffuser in an organized optical system.

Which lamps are suitable?

To organize the lighting in your gym, it is recommended to choose one of the following options

• Fluorescent lamps;
• LED lamps.

Fluorescent lamps are characterized by the formation of a stroboscopic effect on the retina of the human eye. This can be confusing for athletes. To avoid problems, the operation of fluorescent lamps should be additionally controlled using ballasts.

To create a positive mood in the gym, organizers can use RGB lighting.

The best option is to use pendant lights with LED sports lamps with an opening angle of 120°. White LED gym lights produce a soft, diffused light reminiscent of daylight.

Consequences of non-compliance

Improper lighting causes unnecessary eye strain and impairs your ability to work. This leads to

• Deterioration in health;
• Drowsiness;
• Decreased performance.

Important! However, the main problem is increased trauma. In sports, the ability to instantly compare distances between objects and calculate your strength based on this often plays an important role.

When an athlete’s eyes are not functioning properly, the risk of injury increases significantly. As a result, people can end up in hospital for long periods of time, stop playing sports, and in some cases suffer fatal injuries.

Key Findings

Lighting configuration plays an important role in organizing the gym space. Without proper lighting, athletes will not be able to perform at their best. Proper lighting of gyms involves the use of diffused daylight. LED lamps are ideal for this. It is recommended to use several types of lamps. One type should be installed in the hall as the main lighting. In this case, the second type should be used as an additional light source.

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