Table Of ContentGuide to the artificial lighting
of hockey pitches
Content
6 Key terms in sports lighting
8 The sport lighting design process
10 Installation and luminaire mounting
11 Aiming and commissioning
12 Measurement record sheet
14 The recommendations
16 Links
Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 1
2 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches
Foreword
There is an increasing need for hockey facilities to be used for long-
er periods each day. In most cases this requires the use of artificial
lighting. This not only maximises the value of any investment in a
synthetic turf pitch because the pitch can be used for longer periods
(e.g. when it is dark), but also enables international competition
matches to be held in the evening when spectators are more able to
attend and, in some climates, when it is cooler.
However, it is important that the appropriate type and quality of
lighting is used for three fundamental reasons:
• t o ensure the safety of the players and other people involved
in the game
• to provide better viewing for spectators
• t o ensure that the significant amount of money spent
on the installation has been well spent.
This Guide provides information about aspects to be considered
when installing or perhaps upgrading artificial lighting. It is part of
a series of FIH publications that provide advice to national hockey
associations and to the owners of hockey pitches. Although it does
not necessarily include detailed specifications for all requirements it
provides a good starting point for planning artificial lighting. Where
appropriate, it includes references to sources of more detailed
information.
The lay reader should not be put off by the technical nature of
some sections of the Guide. The design and installation of appro-
priate lighting is a complex task and these more detailed sections
are intended primarily for the lighting engineers involved in the
installation. FIH recommends that professionally accredited lighting
engineers should always be employed to install lighting. Owners of
hockey pitches are reminded to comply with the relevant national
standards and to ensure the appropriate procedures are followed,
particularly in respect of the recommended lighting level modes and
obtrusive light.
This Guide has been developed in association with Philips Lighting
and incorporates Philips’ expertise and detailed knowledge of sports
lighting.
FIH Equipment Committee
June 2007
Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 3
4 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches
Introduction
Unless it is played in good daylight, like all other sports hockey
requires good lighting to make it safe and enjoyable. This is true
whether the game is being played for recreational purposes or at an
international televised event.
This fifth edition of the Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey
Pitches is intended to be read in conjunction with the latest edition of
the GAISF (General Association of International Sports Federations)
Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Indoor and Outdoor Sports Venues
(2006), which is available from GAISF (www.agfisonline.com) or
Philips Lighting (www.philips.com/sportslighting). It is therefore short-
er than previous editions but contains the necessary information spe-
cific to hockey together with the latest industry recommendations.
As with all projects, the budget available is a key factor in determin-
ing the outcome. There is a growing awareness of the added value
of good quality lighting for any sports venue. Even though it requires
investment, lighting represents only a modest proportion of the
total cost of the installation and, as a rule, it is true to say that if
the right lighting is installed the users, players, spectators and venue
owners are never disappointed. However, if a poor, second-rate sys-
tem is installed this almost always leads to complaints and eventually
to a very costly change or upgrade.
The Guide is intended for anyone involved in the planning or main-
tenance of hockey venues, from local recreational pitches through
to pitches for games at the highest level. In conjunction with the
GAISF lighting guide, it provides the information that is required to
ensure a good result is achieved for the players and for the specta-
tors, whether they are present at the venue or watching the event
on television at home.
Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 5
Key terms in sports lighting
Quantity of light required (illuminance) Illuminance in the direction of a camera
This is the amount of light (measured in lux) that is required for the
sport to be played.
Average maintained horizontal illuminance (Eh)
This is the average quantity of lux over the horizontal playing sur-
face for the agreed maintenance cycle period.
Average maintained vertical illuminance (Ev)
This is divided into two principal types:
• I lluminance in the direction of a camera. Illuminance on vertical planes
This calculation is undertaken for fixed camera positions.
• T he quantity of light on a vertical plane.
This calculation is made for unrestricted camera positions.
In hockey the point of reference is 1.5 m above the playing surface.
Maintenance factors
To guarantee the recommended average illuminances during the
entire period of operation of an installation, particularly for tel-
evised matches, the lighting level should not fall below the specified
values during use. The recommended illuminances are “maintained”
values. To obtain initial values (at 100 hours), a maintenance factor Color temperature table
recommended by a professionally accredited lighting engineer should
be applied to the specified values. Such factors are usually in the
region of 1.25 for normal artificial sports lighting.
10000 K
Illuminance uniformity
Two measurements are normally undertaken:
• M inimum/Average: this is the ratio of the lowest to the average
level of illuminance.
• M inimum/Maximum: this is the ratio of the minimum to the maxi-
mum level of illuminance.
In addition, there may be a Uniformity Gradient specification. 6000 K
See the GAISF guide for more information relating to this.
Switching modes
Lighting should be designed to include different levels of light that
are appropriate to the level of play. The following levels or ‘switch-
ing modes’ are commonly used:
• Training 5000 K
• Competition
• Emergency TV
• International TV
Colour temperature (colour appearance)
This is the apparent colour of a light source and it is measured in
degrees Kelvin. A consistent colour temperature should be main- 2000 K
tained throughout an installation.
6 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches
Colour rendering
Definition Colour Rendering
Colour rendering is the ability of a light source to reproduce surface
Colour matching (advertising) Ra91-100
colours accurately. A colour rendering index is used to describe the
Good colour rendering Ra81-90
performance of the lamp.
Moderate colour rendering Ra51-80
poor colour rendering Ra21-50
Glare
For outdoor hockey venues a Glare Rating (GR) is given based on
a mathematical glare formula. This formula does not currently exist
for indoor venues. Refer to the GAISF guide for more information.
Obtrusive light
This is uncontrolled light that is directed up into the sky or beyond
the boundaries of a sports facility. Refer to CIE 150 (issued by the
International Commission on Illumination) or local regulations.
A good quality hockey lighting installation will fulfil the lighting require-
ments without causing any disruption to local residents or services.
FIH encourages all hockey pitch owners to be “good neighbours”.
Sky glow
Upward light
Light trespass
Residence
Area being illuminated
Property line
Not to scale
If you need more information on key terms in sports lighting, you
can find it in GAISF guide
Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 7
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The sport lighting design process
Because every project is unique,
it is not possible to define one exact procedure for all installations. However, broadly
speaking, the following procedure should be followed:
• D etermine the level of play and the objectives of the venue.
For example, will play be televised or not?
• A rrange for an initial lighting design to be prepared by a professionally accredited sports
lighting engineer to help you to identify any potential difficulties, to answer any questions
that may arise and to estimate the budget required.
• D raw up a detailed lighting design with input from venue management, architects, engi-
neers, broadcasters (if the venue is to be used for televised events) and knowledgeable
hockey participants. Careful consideration should be given to the integration of lighting
with existing or designed structures to ensure that the luminaires can be aimed in accord-
ance with the lighting design, and that the commissioning and maintenance of luminaires
will be possible.
• A fter installation, aiming should be checked against the lighting design and measurements
taken to ensure the results are in line with the requirements.
8 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches
Televised or non-televised?
It is essential to determine whether or not matches are going to be televised at a venue
because the two lighting design approaches are very different.
For non-televised matches the horizontal illuminance on the pitch is considered as the plane
of reference for the pitch. In practice this approach will then provide sufficient illuminance
for players to see each other and to see the ball clearly.
For televised events there are a number of potential reference points. The first is the level
of illuminance in the direction of a fixed camera. The second is the illuminance on a vertical
plane and this is used if there are to be mobile cameras. The third is the horizontal illumi-
nance level. Finally, it may be necessary to calculate the illuminance level in the stands in the
direction of a certain camera to ensure there is sufficient light for spectator images.
All of these calculations need to be carried out by a professionally accredited lighting engineer.
More detailed information on this process is given in the GAISF guide.
Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 9
