Guide 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:
• to ensure the safety of the players and other people involved
in the game
• to provide better viewing for spectators
• to 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:
• Illuminance in the direction of a camera. Illuminance on vertical planes
This calculation is undertaken for fixed camera positions.
• The 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:
• Minimum/Average: this is the ratio of the lowest to the average
level of illuminance.
• Minimum/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
Glare poor colour rendering Ra21-50
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
t
igh
ill l
Sp

Light trespass

ht
l lig
Us efu
Spill
light
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

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:
• Determine the level of play and the objectives of the venue.
For example, will play be televised or not?
• Arrange 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.
• Draw 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.
• After 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

Installation and luminaire mounting
There are two principal installation possibilities. If there
is a spectator stand of sufficient height then this can
be used for all or part of the lighting. A professionally
accredited sports lighting engineer will be able to help
determine what is possible but, as a general rule, for
outdoor venues the tilt angle should never be greater
than 70° and for indoor venues it should ideally never
exceed 60°.
70 °

Masts must always be situated outside the over-run

5m

area, as shown below. For hockey, they should be a

minimum of 5 m beyond the back lines and 4 m behind
the side lines.

Side mast arrangement:

This method can provide good levels of uniformity but
has the disadvantage that there is not always a clear
playing view down the pitch.

Corner mast arrangement:

A corner mast system can be used to improve specta-
tor viewing or if the stands are not high enough. If there
101,44 m
91,44 m

is to be television coverage, care should be taken to

ensure that masts are situated so that there is sufficient
vertical illuminance as this can sometimes prove difficult
in the central area of the side lines.
5m

4m 54,86 m 4m
62,86 m

10 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches

Aiming and commissioning
The luminaires must be aimed in accordance with the
lighting design and this should be backed up by measure-
ments to ensure that the installation fulfils the require-
ments of the lighting design. Detailed information is
provided in the GAISF lighting guide.

• Measurements should be carried out using a calibrated

illuminance meter.
• For testing, a grid measuring a maximum of 10 m x
10 m should be laid out with a point in the centre for
illuminating venues for non-televised events and a grid
measuring a maximum of 5 m x 5 m should be used for
illuminating venues for televised events.
• The supply voltage should be checked before any
measurements are carried out.
• Lamps should have been used for a minimum of 100
hours to ensure consistency.
• After switching on the lighting, sufficient time should
be allowed to ensure that the lamps have warmed up.
The warm-up time required depends on the type of
lamps used; information on this will be given in the
lamp manufacturer’s specifications.
• Measurements should be carried out from the highest
switching mode, working back down to the training
mode.

A measurement record sheet should be used to record

the results (see example on p. 12)

Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 11

Measurement record sheet
10 m 54,86 m
5m
5m
10 m

91,44 m

The grid points for the prefered ( ) and the acceptable minimum number of grid points ( )

12 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches

Project name : .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Measuring equipment :

Type : .................................................................................................................................................................................. Calibration date : .........................................................................................................

Switching mode : ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Measurement type : (tick in box)

Horizontal illuminance

Vertical illuminance
Camera #
toward camera

Vertical illuminance Indicate direction

Illuminance Uniformity

E.min. U1 Emin./Emax.

E.max. U2 Emin./Eave.

E.ave.

Signed on behalf of contractor Signed on behalf of Consultant

.......................................................................................................................................................................................... ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 13

The recommendations
Below are the recommendations for indoor and outdoor hockey venues, including recommendations for:
• Non-competitive events, including physical education: Class III.
• Ball training as well as junior and low-grade club competition: Class II.
• High-grade national club and international competition: Class I.
• Televised events divided into maximum camera distances of >75m, >150m and HDTV.

Activity Eh Ev horizontal vertical GR Ra min Tk*

maint maint max
lux lux U1 U2 U1 U2
Class III Non-competitive including >300 n/a >0.5 >0.7 n/a n/a <55 >20 >2000
Non-televised

physical training
Class II Ball training as well as junior >500 n/a >0.5 >0.7 n/a n/a <50 >65 >4000
and low-grade clubs competition
Class I High-grade national club >750 n/a >0.5 >0.7 n/a n/a <50 >65 >4000
and international competition

CTV > 75 m 1000- >1000 >0.5 >0.7 >0.4 >0.6 <50 >80 >5000
2000 (90**)
Televised

CTV > 150 m 1500- >1400 >0.5 >0.7 >0.4 >0.6 <50 >80 >5000
3000 (90**)
HDTV 1500- >2000 >0.7 >0.8 >0.6 >0.7 <50 >90 >5000
3000
U1 = Minimum/Maximum illuminance
U2 = Minimum/Average illuminance
* The same colour temperature lamps should be used for a venue
** Recommended colour rendering for televised events

The most significant change since the previous edition

is that now the illuminance levels for non-televised
matches have been brought into line with those for
cricket, which previously had slightly higher illuminance
recommendations. Because a hockey ball is of a similar
size to a cricket ball and can move at similar speeds dur-
ing a match it makes sense for the recommendations to
be the same.

14 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches

Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches 15
Links
• Philips Lighting: www.philips.com/sportslighting – email:
info.sportslighting @ philips.com
• GAISF: www.agfisonline.com – email: info @ agfisonline.com
• CIE : www.cie.co.at – email: ciecb @ ping.at
• FIH: www.worldhockey.org – email: info @ worldhockey.org

The International Hockey Federation provides information

on various topics relating to pitches and equipment.
The Rules of Hockey or the Rules of Indoor Hockey contain field,
pitch and equipment specifications including:
• Field dimensions and markings (outdoor/field hockey)
• Pitch dimensions and markings (indoor hockey)
• Goals (outdoor/field hockey)
• Goals (indoor hockey)
• The stick (outdoor and indoor hockey)
• The ball (outdoor and indoor hockey)
• Goalkeepers’ equipment (outdoor and indoor hockey)

Information is available about Synthetic Turf Fields including:

• Performance requirements
• Guidelines for care and maintenance
• Licensed manufacturers/suppliers of synthetic turf
• Licensed manufacturers of hockey balls
• Advice on the requirements and regulations for advertising around
the field of play and on coloured over-runs
(please email: info @ worldhockey.org)

16 Guide to the Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches

Contacts
For further information,
contact your local Philips
Lighting organisation
or send an email to the
following address :
info@sportslightingphilips.com

International Hockey Federation

Rue du Valentin 61
1004 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel : +41 21 641 0606
Fax: +41 21 641 0607
Email: info@worldhockey.com
Web: www.worldhockey.com

Data subject to change

Layout: 2-fi - Lyon / France

Photo credits :
copyright FIH / Philips

Reproduction in whole or in
part is permitted provided
the source is acknowledged