Most sports facilities would benefit from a LED lighting installation as well as an intelligent management system that helps reduce energy consumption. Its superior quality of light is well adapted to the activities that take place in these large spaces. Today, we are looking at some special requirements for sports facility lighting.
Essentially, the selected lighting system must correspond to the specific features of the sports installations.
Requirements for Sports Facility Lighting
We must take features into consideration when opting for an LED lighting system in a “standard” sports facility.
First and foremost, sports facilities are often very large and comprise high ceilings. Thus, they require a set of luminaires that is designed for high spaces and bright enough to illuminate every nook and cranny.
It is also imperative to install a lighting system that has minimal glare output as well as steady and consistent luminosity. This helps create a comfortable environment for the athletes and ensures the smooth running of training activities. LED technology prevents excessive glare thanks to the use of low glare asymmetrical optics or light diffusers.
Several sporting facilities are equipped with large windows. This is an important factor in the choice of a lighting system. The windows must allow a fair balance of natural and artificial light. In addition, properly installed lighting sensors that turn off unnecessary lights can help keep electrical costs at a minimum.
More often than not, people engage in assorted sports and training activities in a single facility. They take part in sports like tennis, badminton, aerobics, jogging, etc. Sports complex administrators need to integrate lighting systems adapted to each activity. Thus, each area or zone requires a designated form of lighting. Motion sensors can then avoid unnecessarily lighting unoccupied areas.
Administrators must also deal with a dual problem: ease of installation and access to fixtures in high spaces. They will also want to keep their maintenance work and costs to a minimum. Many LED lighting systems are suited to these requirements.
Lighting Features of Sports Facilities with Designated Arena
What about sports facilities equipped with an arena? The indoor skating rink of a sports complex calls for the installation of special lighting systems.
Sports facilities with an arena require a lighting system that is suited to large spaces with high ceilings. It is similar to what we find in sports complexes without a skating arena.
Skating rinks must be well lit at all times, for people using the space and spectators alike. The light must be constant, without glare or “spotlight” effect. LED high bay bell shape luminaires use very little energy and offer consistent, overall lighting to the ice rink.
We practice multiples sports or recreational activities inside of arenas. Those activities do not necessarily require the same type of lighting. For instance, the degree of luminosity required for a hockey match is not the same as that of a figure skating demonstration. A changeable system that can be adapted to suit various pursuits is therefore essential.
Furthermore, luminaires that need no warm-up period are preferable for arenas. Athletes can begin their workout instead of waiting until there is sufficient light.
Finally, the ambient temperature of arenas is colder than in standard sports facilities. Therefore, it is imperative that luminaires function suitably at a lower temperature to avoid high maintenance costs and ensure a longer lifespan.
Professional Sports Facilities
Professional sports facilities have additional specific needs that differ from those of a regular sports installation.
These contribute to establishing an ambiance and professionalism in an arena:
- RGB lighting
- Dynamic white lights
- Cold lights instead of warm lights
LED lighting offers the convenience of controlling the adjustment of light colors.
The start of a hockey match, the intermission and the shooting of a goal are often highlighted in a spectacular manner with dazzling light shows. Several lighting solutions using LED lights offer compelling entertainment value through light effects.
These professional arenas also have a clear value linked to television broadcasting. This is especially more important since the advent of high-definition television. The global lighting system needs to be of superior quality so they are not disrupted during their televised performance. The color rendering index of the arena’s lighting system must be at a minimum of 90 CRI while maintaining a consistency of 85 CRI for television.
In conclusion
Administrators need to choose their sport facility’s lighting carefully to accommodate players on the ice and satisfy spectators. It is critical to install systems that take people’s visual comfort into account. The lighting must also offer customizations according to the various activities taking place in the sports complex. Meanwhile, they must also keep energy consumption and costs at a minimum.
