The CIBSE recommends that for energy efficient lighting the criteria shown on the left should be followed. For sports halls, ‘optimise’ replaces ‘maximise’ for natural lighting. This is because daylight in a sports hall must not contain any direct solar component. Therefore, optimising the available natural light in conjunction with the expected heat losses, internal gains; ventilation and heating requirements, will produce a hall that is energy efficient and functional.

Artificial Lighting

Buildings should utilise daylight as much as possible. However, electric lighting will be required on dull days and at night. The source of artificial light for a sports hall will greatly affect its lifetime energy consumption. Good control is essential. Combined lighting requires lamps with a colour temperature of about 4000K, to match daylight, and these should be screened from view to avoid glare and direct comparison between daylight and a bare lamp. Luminaires must be compatible with sport, and as such usually feature anti-glare louvres.

Most “black box” halls have tended to use high-intensity discharge lamps, but modern preference is for high frequency dimmable fluorescent tubes in luminaires with deep louvres. A study by Sport England of energy efficiency and ambience indicated that compact fluorescent represented best value and should be specified for sports halls. The efficiency of high frequency fluorescent lighting is up to 30% better than standard fluorescent, and also has the benefit of dimming. Initial costs are greater, but this is soon paid back in reduced running costs. For daylit halls, fluorescent lighting is the only acceptable light source to match the daylight.

Alternatives, such as mercury halide and sodium are less popular, as they are difficult or impossible to dim; have long warm-up periods and are point light sources. Fluorescent lighting is less prone to glare problems and, in both linear and compact form, can be integrated successfully with daylighting because of their good colour matching. There are several types of fluorescent luminaire on the market, one was specially designed for sports halls. Other, linear types, can be used successfully if fitted with louvres to avoid glare.

Flickering lights are a source of discomfort. It is common practice to use high frequency control gear in fluorescent lighting systems to raise the oscillation rate to one which is indetectable to humans and increases lamp efficiency.

Low Illuminance and High Illuminance

Attitudes towards office and sports hall lighting have both changed dramatically in recent years. Previously lighting design tended to focus on illuminating the workplane, be it desk or sports hall floor, to a specific illuminance. For offices and sports halls, 500 lux was normal, when 300 lux could often suffice for most situations. More recently a lower background lighting level with task lighting has improved energy efficiency in offices, however this is not recommended for sports halls, where large distances and heights are covered in a short time by people and objects.

Understanding Daylighting of Sports Halls

Designing Artificial Lighting for Daylit Sports Halls

Energy Efficient Lighting

• maximise natural daylight.

• avoid unnecessarily high illuminance.

• incorporate the most efficient luminaires, control gear and lamps.

• include effective lighting controls.

Offices and sports halls are now benefiting from the use of ‘high illuminance’ lighting. This refers to the appearance that a room takes on when the light is allowed to shine on all surfaces, such as walls and ceiling, rather than just the work/playing plane. A room appears much brighter and pleasant, and does not necessarily require increased energy use - especially if daylighting is included in the design.

The lighting design needs to consider the colours and reflectances of the hall, and vice versa, so that areas such as ceilings are illuminated correctly. The photo on the left shows the ceiling of a daylit hall, which is grey and is of a low reflectance. The chosen luminaires are capable

of providing uplighting, but this facility has not been used here, and even if it were, the poor ceiling reflectance would not help. The ceiling also appears cluttered, which does not help badminton players.

One reason for the ceiling’s poor appearance may be the incorporation of the perforated acoustic panel because the hall is multi-purpose, hence demonstrating the conflicts to be resolved in much sports hall design. The inclusion of facilities for theatre and music can be assumed from the row of stage lights on the beam.


		The CIBSE recommends that for energy efficient lighting the criteria shown on the left should be followed. For sports halls, ‘optimise’ replaces ‘maximise’ for natural lighting. This is because daylight in a sports hall must not contain any direct solar component. Therefore, optimising the available natural light in conjunction with the expected heat losses, internal gains; ventilation and heating requirements, will produce a hall that is energy efficient and functional. Artificial Lighting Buildings should utilise daylight as much as possible. However, electric lighting will be required on dull days and at night. The source of artificial light for a sports hall will greatly affect its lifetime energy consumption. Good control is essential. Combined lighting requires lamps with a colour temperature of about 4000K, to match daylight, and these should be screened from view to avoid glare and direct comparison between daylight and a bare lamp. Luminaires must be compatible with sport, and as such usually feature anti-glare louvres. Most “black box” halls have tended to use high-intensity discharge lamps, but modern preference is for high frequency dimmable fluorescent tubes in luminaires with deep louvres. A study by Sport England of energy efficiency and ambience indicated that compact fluorescent represented best value and should be specified for sports halls. The efficiency of high frequency fluorescent lighting is up to 30% better than standard fluorescent, and also has the benefit of dimming. Initial costs are greater, but this is soon paid back in reduced running costs. For daylit halls, fluorescent lighting is the only acceptable light source to match the daylight.


	Alternatives, such as mercury halide and sodium are less popular, as they are difficult or impossible to dim; have long warm-up periods and are point light sources. Fluorescent lighting is less prone to glare problems and, in both linear and compact form, can be integrated successfully with daylighting because of their good colour matching. There are several types of fluorescent luminaire on the market, one was specially designed for sports halls. Other, linear types, can be used successfully if fitted with louvres to avoid glare. Flickering lights are a source of discomfort. It is common practice to use high frequency control gear in fluorescent lighting systems to raise the oscillation rate to one which is indetectable to humans and increases lamp efficiency.

	Low Illuminance and High Illuminance Attitudes towards office and sports hall lighting have both changed dramatically in recent years. Previously lighting design tended to focus on illuminating the workplane, be it desk or sports hall floor, to a specific illuminance. For offices and sports halls, 500 lux was normal, when 300 lux could often suffice for most situations. More recently a lower background lighting level with task lighting has improved energy efficiency in offices, however this is not recommended for sports halls, where large distances and heights are covered in a short time by people and objects.

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