AE 466 IP#2: Outdoor Sports Lighting
Owen Dalton
AE 466 IP#2: Outdoor Sports Lighting
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Executive Summary
This project addresses the lighting design of an outdoor college baseball stadium. The
project scope was to design the lighting for field of play, meaning the infield and the out-
field of the baseball stadium. Some basic references were given as to where to begin to
develop certain design criteria that should be met within the lighting design solution. Some
of these resources included the Illuminating Engineering Societys recommendations for
sports lighting, the NCAA regulations, Model Lighting Ordinance, and the Institution of Light-
ing Professionals.
Design criteria was developed through research addressing the NCAA requirements
for average horizontal illuminance for both the infield and outfield, ES recommendations for
the coefficient of Variation, and MLO recommendations for Urban Sky Glow, Glare, and
Light Trespass. Many of these considerations drove the design and limited the type of light
fixtures that were used, and where they were placed and aimed.
The design incorporated the use of Hubbell Lightings sports lighting package specify-
ing 1500W Metal Halide lamps. A pole layout was then configured using 8 poles housing all
of the luminaires on the project. Then, each individual luminaire was aimed in order to satis-
fy all of the design criteria. Documentation was kept throughout the entire process and a list
of references is provided in the appendix along with a work log detailing the time spent on
each component of the design. Prospective designs were then calculated and tested using
AGI32 computer lighting analysis software and then the results were evaluated with regards
to the design criteria.
This became a back and fourth process, and the design evolved as a result of the cri-
teria listed and set fourth at the beginning of the assignment. In the end, a solution arose
and was then documented in the following report.
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Table of Contents
Project Description.4
Design Criteria
NCAA Requirements..5
Light Loss Factors....6
Glare......7
Urban Sky Glow..........8
Light Trespass.......9
Specifications
Luminaire Schedule..10
Luminaire Cutsheets.11
AutoCAD Pole Plan..13
Pole Layout.....14
Pole Diagrams and Aiming....15
Lighting Equipment Schedule...23
Equipment Cut Sheets.....24
Appendix
Calculation Results Summary....26
NCAA Requirements Results..27
Light Loss Factor Results..28
Glare Results...29
Urban Sky Glow Results...30
Light Trespass Results32
Statistical Summary..33
Documentation of Process34
Work Log.35
References.36
Copy of Assignment
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Project Description
A small college has asked for a lighting design solution that addresses outdoor sports
lighting with regards to a baseball field for their campus. The design must meet NCAA spec-
ifications for a small college and comply with IES recommendations for outdoor sports light-
ing. The project scope focused only on the playing field, lighting both the infield and the
outfield. Careful consideration of light trespass, glare, and urban sky glow were addressed,
making sure to keep as much of the light as possible on the playing field. The baseball field
consists of both grass and dirt, with reflectances of .26 and .15 respectively. The field dimen-
sions were followed according to NCAA regulations and can be referenced on the follow-
ing page and in the reference section of the report. A rendering of the final solution is dis-
played below.
Rendering: Owen Dalton, AGI32
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Design Criteria: NCAA Requirements
NCAA Classification: Standard Intercollegiate Play
Horizontal light levels: 70 footcandles infield
50 footcandles outfield
Horizontal uniformity: 2.0:1 infield
2.5: outfield
Grid Spacing: 30 ft x 30 ft
Field Size: 330 ft / 375 ft / 375 ft / 330 ft
Glare Zone: No poles are recommended beyond 35 degrees off each
foul line.
IES Classification: Outdoor Facilities, Baseball, Class II
Coefficient of Variation: 0.1 infield
0.17 outfield
Reference: NCAA Best Lighting Practices: Baseball & IES Sports Lighting
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Design Criteria: Light Loss Factors
Light Loss is a major correction factor that should be applied to any good design.
LLFs consider how the luminaire will behave over time with regards to Lamp Lumen Depre-
ciation (LLD), Ballast Factor (BF), Luminaire Dirt Depreciation (LDD), Room Surface Dirt De-
preciation (RSDD) and many others.
Often times, this is calculated using these components, however, after careful consid-
eration of the LEUKOS IES document, it is determined that IES recommends the use of a 0.69
LLF with regards to 1500W Metal Halide lamps in outdoor sports lighting applications.
Reference: LEUKOS
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Design Criteria: Glare
When designing the lighting for an outdoor sports complex, it is important to consider
glare. Although most of the light sources are going to be located high above the playing
field, it is important to ensure that luminaires are not aimed into players and spectators eyes
causing major distractions during play.
According to the Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light GN01:2011
published by the Institution of Lighting Professionals it is recommended to keep glare at a
minimum by ensuring that the main beam angle of all lights directed towards any potential
observer is not more than 70 degrees.
Main Beam Angles
Reference: Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light GN01:2011
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Design Criteria: Urban Sky Glow
Urban Sky Glow is a major issue associated with outdoor sports facilities. It is important
that the design meets the recommendations by the Model Light Ordnance, Illuminating En-
gineering Society, and International Dark-sky Association so that it does not contribute un-
necessary light pollution, especially in a residential neighborhood.
According to the MLO user guide the table below explains the maximum vertical illu-
minance 33 above the tallest light fixture. This project falls under Lighting Zone 2. Therefore
the design criteria says that no more than 0.3 footcandles can shine upwards at 33 above
the tallest luminaire.
For Design Justification (In the Appendix):
According to section VI: Lighting by Special Permit OnlyOrdinance Text, Section B: Com-
plex and Non Conforming Uses, sports facilities, fields, and stadiums can comply with the or-
dinance even if the lighting does not comply with the technical requirements but are con-
sistent with its intent.
To obtain such a permit, applicants shall demonstrate that the proposed lighting installation
has sustained every reasonable effort to mitigate the effects of light on the environment
and surrounding properties, supported by a signed statement describing the mitigation
measures.
Reference: Model Lighting Ordinance: Joint IDAIES
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Light Trespass was an important consideration for this project because the baseball
field is located in a residential area. The nearest residential boundary is 250 feet from all
sides of the stadium and needs to adhere to the Model Light Ordinance and International
Dark Sky Associations recommendations for light trespass.
According to section IV: Non-Residential Lighting, Performance Method #2: Limits to
Off Site Impacts: section a, the design complies if the total lumens on the inside surfaces of
the virtual enclosure are less than 15% of the total site lumen limit.
Design Criteria: Light Trespass
Reference: Model Lighting Ordinance: Joint IDAIES
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Specifications: Luminaire Schedule
Symbol Luminaire
Type
Manufac-
turer
Product
Number Lamp Type Beam Type Watts Count
A
Pole
mounted,
direct,
sports light
Hubbell
Lighting SLS-1500-N
Metal Hal-
ide Narrow 1500 48
B
Pole
mounted,
direct,
sports light
Hubbell
Lighting
SLS-1500-M
-V2
Metal Hal-
ide Medium 1500 36
C
Pole
mounted,
direct,
sports light
Hubbell
Lighting
SLS-1500-W
-V2
Metal Hal-
ide Wide 1500 74
Reference: Hubbell Lighting
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Specifications: Luminaire Cut Sheets
Reference: Hubbell Lighting
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Specifications: Luminaire Cut Sheets
Reference: Hubbell Lighting
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Specifications: Pole Layout
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Specifications: A1 Pole Diagram & Aiming
Reference: AGI32
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Specifications: A2 Pole Diagram & Aiming
Reference: AGI32
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Reference: AGI32
Specifications: B1 Pole Diagram & Aiming
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Reference: AGI32
Specifications: B2 Pole Diagram & Aiming
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Reference: AGI32
Specifications: C1 Pole Diagram & Aiming
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