Above all, athletes and spectators want to enjoy sports. Without you perhaps noticing it, good and proper lighting contributes greatly to this. In the case of sports hall lighting, it is no different. There must be enough light, there must not be too much glare when looking at the light AND the light fixtures must be safe if a ball hits them. Standards have been established for all these aspects of lighting, which are described in the NEN-EN standards.
NEN-EN standardization for sports hall lighting
Within the NEN-EN there are standards for what constitutes good lighting for a room. So too for sports halls. These standards are used by us when creating a lighting plan. Within the NEN-EN standards for sports hall lighting, three classes are distinguished that say something about the level at which the sport is practiced and to what extent spectators are present. The higher the level, the higher the lighting class. Better lighting is also needed when spectators are farther away from the playing field.
Lighting class 1
Class 1 lighting must meet the highest requirements of internationally recognized competitions. Spectators sit at a great distance.
Lighting class 2
Class 2 lighting is suitable for mid-level competitions. Spectators sit at medium distances.
Lighting class 3
Class 3 lighting is for regional events, training sessions, recreational sports or school sports. No spectators are usually present here.
Different standards for different sports
Lighting classes provide direction when choosing a lighting system. At what level is the sport being played? From there, we can see what standards need to be calculated for the lighting of your project. In order to make the lighting calculation, the sport(s) to be played in the sports hall must be known in addition to the desired class(es). There are different standards within each class for different sports. Below is an overview with some common examples.
| Sports | Lighting class | Light level in Lux | Evenness of illumination |
| Soccer, handball, volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer, etc. | 1 | 750 | 0.70 |
| 2 | 500 | 0.50 | |
| 3 | 200 | 0.50 | |
| Tennis | 1 | 750 | 0.70 |
| 2 | 500 | 0.70 | |
| 3 | 300 | 0.50 | |
| Swimming, water polo, water sports, etc. | 1 | 500 | 0.70 |
| 2 | 300 | 0.70 | |
| 3 | 200 | 0.50 | |
| Horseback riding | 1 | 500 | 0.70 |
| 2 | 300 | 0.60 | |
| 3 | 200 | 0.50 |
For example, tennis and indoor soccer may be practiced in the same room. In that case, it is important to meet the standard with the highest lux value and highest uniformity within the desired lighting class.
Why is safety so important in sports hall lighting?
In a sports environment, objects may come into contact with the fixtures. Think of balls hitting the ceiling. If the fixtures cannot withstand this, then there is a chance that parts of the lighting will break off and fall down with all the risks that this entails. Therefore, fixtures with a high IK value are prescribed in sports halls. For sports hall lighting, a basket to protect the fixture is further installed.
What does evenness mean in sports hall lighting?
The NEN-EN standards for sports hall lighting in most cases specify an evenness of between 0.50 and 0.70. Evenness in lighting is a measure of how consistently light is distributed over a given area. It indicates the extent to which light intensity varies from spot to spot within a room. Good evenness ensures that there are no dark spots or overly brightly lit areas.
In sports halls, evenness is very important. It ensures that athletes and spectators can see clearly anywhere in the hall. Furthermore, it contributes to safety by reducing the risk of accidents that can occur due to sudden changes in light levels. Even lighting also helps reduce eye fatigue and improves the overall experience of sports practice.
A combination of the right fixtures with the right brightness, the right number of fixtures and the right distribution together provide sufficient and evenly distributed light that meets standards.
Why buy sports hall lighting from Ocab?
Ocab stands for quality and effectiveness. Therefore, we provide a five-year warranty on our LED products, unless otherwise indicated on the specific product sheets in the catalog and/or on the website. With Ocab you are assured of professional advice, a strong lighting plan, energy-efficient lighting and knowledge of the current guidelines for sports hall lighting. Please feel free to contact us.