Ballfield lighting.

A decision concerning the selection of proper lighting can affect sports and recreation facilities for years to come. And as you face questions about lumens, dirt depreciation, tilt factor, Metal Halide, integral ballasts, average maintained, and other terms that sound like a foreign language, you may wonder how you can ever make the right decision. But with the help of qualified lighting professionals and some good research, the decision can be easy and ensure a brighter future for your facilities.

When talking with lighting professionals, let them know how many sites you need to light or re-light and how the facilities are used The illuminating Engineering Society (IES) of North America offers the current guidelines (RP6-88) to properly illuminate a playing surface and should be followed.

Guidelines for Good Lighting

Typically, a recreational softball field is lit to an average maintained level of 30 footcandles (Fc) infield and 20 Fc. out-field. Metal Halide (M.H.) is the preferred lamp source today, mainly due to its color rednering properties. Uniformity - as well as quantity - of light is important. Uniformity is measured as maximum to minimum values. Softball uniformity requirements are 3:1 outfield and 2:1 infield. This means that in the outfield, the minimum Fc. value is no worse than 1/3 of the maximum Fc. value.

The next decision involves the choice of 1000 watt (W), 15000W, or 1650W design. The difference between this are lamp life and total fixture quantity. Lamp life is 10,000 hours for 1000W and 3,000 hours for 1500W and 1650W. In warmer climates, where the season is long, 1000W may be the better choice due to the high number of hours the system will be used. Most systems, however, are 1500W; although 1650W designs are gaining popularity because fewer luminaries are required, which results in initial installation and lower maintenance costs.

After selecting wattage, parameters should be established for calculations to avoid confusion between lighting manufacturers' designs. The grid for calculations and measurements are found in IES publication RP6-88, and it is best to demand average maintained calculations which will assure the required 30/20 Fc. level when the lamps have burned approximately 30%-40% of their rated life. This is achieved by factoring in lamp lumen depreciation, luminary dirt depreciation, and ballast factor. Lamp tilt factor should be used and calculated for each lamp.

Poles, along with pole quantities, also should be addressed. Wooden poles are not recommended due to warping problems that occur over time. Concrete and galvanized steel poles are the preferred for a trouble-free installation and a longer life. All lighting manufacturers offer sports lighting poles that will withstand your particular environment and securely hold their lights so they will not move. Four, six, or eight pole designs are common and should be discussed, in depth for the quality of lighting you need.

Choosing lighting fixture can be done easily by comparing computer designs and emphasizing a competitive bid process. Integrally ballasted (self-contained) luminaries are the most common types used, with some remote ballasted systems available. However, remote ballasted systems can operate at higher temperatures, increasing the chance of failure and locating the ballasts closer to the ground may increase vandalism and liability problems.

A good quality ballast should last 15 to 20 years, so maintenance will not be a factor. Lamp replacement will be the biggest maintenance cost and, for the most part, will require the use of a bucket truck. To keep your operating costs down, be sure lamps can be purchased from a local electrical distributor.

With increasing numbers of sports facilities constructed in residential areas, spill light or "light pollution" has become an issue. Spill control options can add significantly to initial costs, so be sure you require this type of system before requesting it.

Installing the System

Once you have selected your system, work with a local electrical contractor to have it installed. Once the system is installed, it should be checked. Ideally, the best way to do this is to have an independent party take the illumination readings and provide a report. However, that cannot always be done, so have your contractor, specifying engineer, or lighting representative take the readings while you are present. The most common mistake of a lighting evaluation is not putting 100 hours on the system before initial lighting measurements are taken. New systems without a 100-hour burn-in can measure 15%-20% 20% higher and the average maintained level when converted from these initial measurements will be higher.

Lighting Goes Beyond the Field

Of course, an effective lighting system does not end at the fence. You must make sure you have good lighting for parking lots, rest rooms, and concession areas as well. To ensure uniformly good lighting, consider whether a supplier can meet all of your lighting needs during bidding and supplier selection.

When the lighting system is installed and you see that first home run or the first night game, you will be glad that you did your research, used your resources - qualified lighting professionals, and made an informed decision. The benefit of your efforts will be felt for a long time to come.