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IS : 1944 ( Part Vf ) - 1981

( Reaffirmed 2003 )
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
LIGHTING OF PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES
PART VI LIGHTING FOR TOWN AND CITY
CENTRES AND AREAS OF CIVIC IMPORTANCE
(GROUP E)

( SecondReprint AUGUST 199.5 )

UDC 628.971.6/7:006:76

BUREAU OF INDI’AN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

Gr3 Jdy 1982

 IS : 1944( Part VI ) - 1981

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
LIGHTING OF PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES
PART VI LIGHTING FOR TOWN AND CITY
CENTRES AND AREAS OF CIVIC IMPORTANCE
(GROUP E)

Illuminating Engineering Sectional Committee, ETDC 45

Chairman Representing
SHRI B. H. MHATRE The Bombay Electric Supply & Transport Under-
taking, Bombay

Members
SHRI A. A. SEQIJEIRA( Al&mate to
Shri B. H. Mhatre )
SHRI G. K. AITHAL Baiai Electricals Ltd. Bombay
SHRI JAGDISHSHARAN ( Alternate ) ” -
SHRI P. K. BANDYOPADHYAY Peico Electronics & Electricals Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. ROY CHQUDHARY( Afkrnate )
SHRI G. S. CHANDRASEKHER Indian Engineering Association, Calcutta
SHRI N.. S. CHARI Crompton Greaves Ltd, Bombay
SHRI R. DAS GUPTA ( Alkrnatc )
CHIEF ENGINEER( ELECTRICAL)-II Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SURVEYOROR WORKS ( ELECT)-III ( Al&rnate )
SHRI H. N. GUPTA Directorate General Factory Advice Services &
Labour Institutes ( Ministry of Labour ) , Bombay
SHRI G. VAIDYANATHAN( Alternate)
SHRI T. S. KUMAR Central Mining Research Station ( CSIR ), Dhanbad
SHRI U. S. NIGAM ( Alkrnute )
SHRI B. MUKHOPADHYA National Test House, Calcutta
SHRI G. BHAT~ACHARYA( Alternate)
SHRI R. V. NARAYANAN Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals, New
Delhi
SHRI ANIL GUPTA ( Alfernak )
SHRI H. C. PANDEY Directorate of Technical Development and Pro-
ce;ty ( Air ) ( Ministry of Defence ), New

SHRIJ. M. REWAL~~WAR( Al&mate )

( Gntind on flag8 2 )

0 CobTight 1982
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This publication is protected under the I&m C@yri& Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infriement of copyright under the said Act.
IS : 1944 ( Part VI ) - 1981

(Continued from page 1 )

Members Re,bre.wntiq
LT-COL B. B. RAJPAL Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Hradquartcrs.
New L‘:lhi
SHRI R. S. KANWAR ( Alternate)
SHRI K. S. SARMA National Physical Laboratory ( CSIR ), New Delhi
&RI K. P. SIIAND~OCUE National Industrial Dcvclopmcnt Corporation Lrd,
New Delhi
SHRI P. S. SHARMA Metallurgical Engineers & Consultants, Ranchi
SHRI G. S. SRIVA~TAVA ( -Jlternafe)
SXRI H. SINHA Illuminating Engineering Society of India, Calcutta
SHRI H. K. ROHATGI ( Alternnfe )
SHRI R. P. SRIVASTAVA,RDSO Railway Board, Ministry of Railways
SHRI V. K. DATTA ( Alternafe)
SHRI P. N. SRINIVASAN PNS Lighting Design Consultnncy, Bangalore
SHRI G. N. THADANI Engineers India Ltd, New Delhi
&RI S. KASTURI RANGAN( A(temate )
SHR: S. P. SACHADEVA, Director General, ISI ( Ex-oficio Member)
Director ( Elec tech )

Secretary
SHRI SUKH BIR SINGH
:Lsistant Director ( Elec tech ), IS1

Panel for Code of Practice for Outdoor Lighting, ETDC 45/P9

c onuener
SHRI B. H. MHATRE The Bombay Electric Supply & Transport Under-
taking, Bombay

Members
DR ARUN KUMAR Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi
SI:RI T. BOSE Calcutta lMetropolitan Development Authority,
Calcutta
SHXI N. S. CHARI Crompton Greaves Ltd, Bombay
CHZEFENGINEER( ELECTRICAL)-II Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SURVBYOROR WORKS(ELECT)-III (&tern&)
SHP~ S. S. GOEL New Delhi Municipal Corporation, New Delhi
SHRI R. N. MATHUR ( dl&rnate )
SHRI M. P. GUPTA The Bengal Electric Lamp Works Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI K. S. SARMA National Physical Laboratory ( CSIR ), New Delhi
SHRI P. K. SAXENA Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI G. L. DUA ( Alternate )
SHRI R. P. SRIVASTAVA,RDSO Railway Board, Ministry of Railways
SHRI G. S. BHATIA ( Alternate )
SHRI A. T. VALIA Peico Electronics & Electricals Ltd, Bombay
SHRI P. K. BANDHOPADKYAY ( Alternate )
MAJ V. C. VERMA International Airport Authority of India, New Delhi
SHRI T. M. C. SRINNA~AN ( Alternati)
 IS : 1944( Part VI ) - 1981

hzdian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
LIGHTING OF PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES
PART VI LIGHTING FOR TOWN AND CITY
CENTRES AND AREAS OF CIVIC IMPORTANCE
(GROUP E)

0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard ( Part VI ) was adopted by the Indian Standards
Institution on 30 November 1981, after the draft finalized by the Illumina-
ting Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved by the Electro-
technical Division Council.

0.2 This part ( Part VI ) of the code is brought out so as to provide

guidelines to the Public Lighting Authorities for preparation of lighting
installation designs for Group ‘E’ roads.

0.3 This standard ( Part VI ) has been prepared in pursuance of 0.4 of

IS : 1944 ( Parts I and II ) - 1970*. Revision ofIS : 1944 ( Parts I and II ) -
1970* is also under consideration of the Committee and it is intended that
Part I of the revised IS : 1944 should cover general principles and subse-
quent parts should deal with the requirements for various groups of roads
as per the standard classification. This standard, therefore, when the revision
of IS : 1944 ( Parts I and II )-1970* is completed, will have the following
parts :
Part I General principles
Part II Lighting for main roads ( Group A )
Part III Lighting for secondary roads which do not require lighting
up to Group A standard ( Group B )
Part IV Lighting for residential and unclassified roads ( Group C )
Part V Lighting for grade separated junctions, bridges and
elevated roads ( Group D )
Part VI Lighting for town and city centres and. areas of civic
importance ( Group E )
Part VII Lighting for roads with special requirements ( Group F )
Part VIII Lighting in tunnels ( Group G ).

*Code of practice for lighting of public thoroughfares (J% revisim ) .

3
IS:1944(PartvI)-‘1981

0.4 In the preparation of this standard ( Part VI ), assistance has been

derived from the following:
i) CIE 32 ( TC 4.6 ) 1976 - ‘Lighting in situations requiring
special treatment’. International Commission on Illumination.
ii) BS 5489 ( Part 9 ) - 1969 - ‘Road lighting: ( Part 9 ) --Light-
ing for town and city centers and areas of civic importance’.
British Standards Institution.

0.5 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of the

standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing
the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.
The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should
be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This part of the code deals with functions, appearance and design
requirements of lighting for towns and city centres and areas of civic
importance ( Group E ).

1.2 It includes lighting for those areas within towns and cities which have
an importance for civic or other reasons, and for which a standard of lighting
is different from and higher than that described in other parts. Such areas
include not only civic centres, but also important shopping streets, boule-
vards, promenades and other places which are focus of social activities
after dark.

2. TERMINOLOGY
2.1 For the purpose of this code, definitions given in IS : 1944 ( Parts I
and II )-1970t and those provided in IS : 1885 ( Part XVI/Set 2 )-1968:
shall apply.

3. GENERAL
3.1 Requirements
3.1.1 When designing the lighting for town and city centres, and areas
of civic importance, the aim should be to provide installations which are
outstanding as compared to those on the approach-roads, and suited to the
environment.

*Rules for roundingoff numerical values ( revtied ) .

tCode of practice for lighting of public thoroughfares (Jirsf revision).
~Electrotechnical vocabulary: Part XVI Lighting, Section 2 General illumination
lighting fittings and lighting for traffic and signal@.

4
 IS:1944(PartvI)-1981

3.1.2 The question of aesthetic appearance, both by day and night,

should be taken into account in addition to the standard and quality of the
lighting, and no account should be taken of extraneous contributions made
by shop window, facia signs, etc.
3.1.3 The iighting has often to cater for large concentrations of pedes-
trians, as well as vehicular traffic, and the type of lighting may with advant-
age be selected so as to encourage social and business activities and make
the locality attractive after dark.
3.1.4 In view of the high standards of lighting desirable, and the require-
ment for general lighting of the whole visual scene, direct or area lighting
is more appropriate than the technique normally adopted for the lighting
for traffic routes. The standard of lighting, however, should be compatible
with the requirements of IS : 1944 ( Parts I and II )-1970* and there should
be proper integration with the lighting of all approach roads.
3.1.5 Since local conditions and requirements vary considerably, these
recommendations are intended to provide only guiding principles. Instal-
lations should be designed as part of 1he total environment to suit local
requirements bearing in mind possible future developments.

3.2 Design and Choice of Equipment

3.2.1 Columns, luminaires and brackets, should be of good integrated

design and should be compatible with their surroundings.
3.2.2 When selecting columns, consideration should also be given to
their structural stability and to their suitability for carrying supplementary
seasonal decorative lighting which may be required on festive occasims.
3.2.3 To create a pleasant and attractive atmosphere, the type of light
source chosen is of importance. As objects will be seen mainly by direct
vision rather than by silhouette, colour distortion should be avoided. There-
fore, lamps with good colour rendering quality are desirable.

3.3 Siting and Appearance

3.3.1 The siting of all lighting equipment should be carefully undertaken

so as neither to detract from the genera1 or particular views of interest
such as buildings, trees and gardens, nor be confusing or incompatible
with the visual scene. The position of luminaires, besides being functional,
should by day and night provide a pleasing layout. The principles for the
daytime appearance of lighting installations laid down in IS : 1944 ( Parts
I and II )-1970*, apply to all roads. Important civic areas such as, shopping
streets, promenades would need special treatment.

*Code of practice for lighting of public thoroughfares (jrst revision ).

5
IS:1944(PartVI)-1981

4. LIGHTING FOR AREAS CARRYING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

4.1 Main Squares

4.1.1 Lighting Criteria - The layout and character of main squares vary
enormously; each poses a special lighting problem. However, the most
essential point is that the lighting of the square should be considered as a
whole and the different types and standards of lighting that may bq required
to enhance the night time appearance should be carefully co-ordinated.
Special considerations may have to be given where open markets, railway
or bus terminal are incorporated in, or adjoin, the main square.

There are generally three lighting areas to be considered:

a) The carriageways where road safety must be the first consideration;
b) The peripheral buildings where the architectural character should
be given prime consideration; and
c) The central part of the square where the lighting should enhance
the amenity of the area.

It is recommended that average level of illumination should be 20 lux.

The following are appropriate methods by which lighting of the required
standard may be produced:
a) By luminaires of special characteristics at an intermediate height,
selected to suit the locality;
b) By luminaires of an appropriate type on high masts or on convenient
buildings;
c) By extending the Group A-2 lighting approach road installation,
either by spacing the luminaires at closer intervals, or by using
light sources of higher wattage in comparison with that of the
approach-roads.
d) By Group A-2 lighting similar to that on the major road, supple-
mented by additional street lighting, or by flood-lighting luminaires
as required.

4.1.2 Types of Installation - The choice of the type of installation will be

dictated by local circumstances, due consideration being given to the parti-
cular characteristics of the surrounding features. It may be desirable to
provide an adequate spread of light to illuminate building facades, or, on
the other hand, it may be preferable to concentrate the major light output
from the luminaires in more downward directions.
In deciding upon the mounting height, consideration should be given
to the total extent of the area and the spacing to height ratio necessary so
as to give adequate coverage and to avoid undesirable diversity of bright-
ness.

6
 IS : 1944 ( Part VI ) - 1981

It is particularly important to avoid an excessive number of luminaires

as these may give rise to confusion and glare. The standard of lighting
required can frequently be more effectively provided by a lesser number
of high lumen power pack luminaires of special optical characteristics at
greater mounting height.
For practical purposes any of the following heights can be selected:
a) Intermediate height of 10 to 15 m with larger dimension luminaires
with low surface brightness for visual comfort,
b) High mast of 15 m and above with appropriate luminaires of
suitable light distribution avoiding glare, and
c) Mounting floodlight luminaires with adequate control on glare,
on nearby buildings taking the advantage of higher height.

4.2 Important Shopping Streets-In important shopping streets the

standard of lighting should be high and should be based on direct vision.
This will generally involve mounting luminaires sufficiently high to allow
appreciable variations in siting and spacing. The possibility of mounting
lighting units on the facades of buildings should not be overlooked provided
that they can be designed so as to harmonize with the surroundings and
be located without detriment to the efficiency and appearance of the
installation.

4.3 Promenades - Promenades can be divided into two categories as

follows:
a) Seaside promenades, which have the sea on one side and building
on the other.
b) Boulevards, tree-lined streets or inland promenades, which are
usually symmetrical with trees on each side backed by buildings
or lawns.

As promenades are usually places of popular resort, a high standard

of lighting is desirable. In both kinds of promenade the design and siting
of lighting columns can make a positive formal contribution to the scene.
In the case of seaside promenades, care should be exercised so as not to
detract from the view out to sea.

5. LIGHTING FOR OTHER AREAS REQUIRING PARTICULAR

TREATMENT

5.1 Pedestrian Precincts - In the lighting for pedestrian precincts,

traffic-free shopping centres and related open spaces, other problems arise
due to the absence of vehicles, the irregular movement of pedestrian traffic,
and the presence of street furniture or decorative features. These factors,
and other purely local considerations, need to be taken into account and
it is necessary that all such lighting schemes are individually designed.
IS : 1944 ( Part VI ) - 1981

5.1.1 Lighting Criteria - Average horizontal illuminance at footway

level, should not be less than 20 lux and the luminaires should be sited in
such a way so as to give adequate lighting in all parts. Where floodlighting
techniques are employed, maintenance problems will mainly determine
the siting of units and in all cases illumination values should be calculated
by the point method, considering parameters like mounting height, beam
characteristics of luminaires, etc.

Imaginative use has to be made of light sources, luminaires and equip-

ment to give the area a bright and cheerful appearance. Some variation
in the standards of lighting is desirable to highlight particular features.

Higher standards of lighting are required under canopies and normal

interior lighting design methods should be used to calculate average
horizontal illuminance, which should not be less than 50 lux.

Here, the luminaire position, however, shall be determined by the

symmetrical appearance of the installation in relation to the module of
the shop units, or structural columns.

The lighting installation should be planned as part of the total environ-

ment and early consultation is desirable so that luminaires, cables, conduits,
etc can be incorporated into the final scheme.

5.1.2 Design of Equipment - Luminaires and columns, or wall brackets

where appropriate, should be carefully selected so as to harmonise with
their surroundings. Great care needs to be exercised in the selection of
type of luminaires and conventional street lighting luminaires will seldom
be satisfactory. Where columns are employed, mounting heights will
usually be 5-6 m for aesthetic reasons and because maintenance difficulties
would arise with greater heights. A symmetrical light distribution will
generally provide the most satisfactory solution.

In cases where such areas can be floodlighted with luminaires mounted

on buildings or masts, suitable screening devices to avoid glare should be
used that will avoid glare when viewed from normal angles.

Where luminaires are incorporated in the soffits of canopies and arcades,

low brightness diffusers are essential; and in these situations, tubular
fluorescent lamps will generally be found to be most satisfactory.

5.2 Public Car Parks - In designing the lighting installation for car
parks particular attention should be paid to the layout and orientation of
the luminaires in order to draw attention to the traffic paths and provide.
warnings of changes of direction. It is also desirable to light traffic circulation E
aisels and a road length of 200 m on either side to permit drivers to change
from diffuse to concentrated attention.
 IS : 1944 ( Part VI ) - 1981

5.2.1 Recommendation - Outdoor car parks will.usually require a reason-

able standard of general lightin g and an average horizontal illuminance
of 10 lux is recommended, but at control points, additional local lighting
may be required. General lighting of this nature can be provided more
readily from floodlight luminaires mounted on high mast spaced at appro-
priate spacing. The height of the mast will be governed by local considera-
tions and parameters like area to be covered.

5.2.2 De@ Sufplements - The choice of light source for car park illumi-
nation will generally be dictated by economics, aesthetic and the desired
photometric requirements.

If the car park area is located near important city squares, then aesthe-
tic consideration should also be given to the structural aspect of the mast.

5.3 Pedestrian Stairways/Footbridges

5.3.1 Whatever the location and surroundings in which a footbridge is

located, the lighting installation should be blended harmoniously into the
whole scene. Precautions should be taken against theft and vandalism.

The lighting on the surface of the footbridge stairways should not bc

less than 6 lux and the stairs should be lit in such a way as to reduce as
much as possible risks of error or accidents.

When the cross is over an unlit road, its lighting should not be disturbing
to the users of that road.

Wheri the crossin? is over railway tracks, its lighting may take into
consideration the special requirements mentioned in IS : 1944 ( Part V )-
1981 *.

5.3.2 Pedestrian Subways - The lighting on the surface of the pedestrian

subways should not bc less than 10 lux for the reason of security at night
and to complement the daylight during day-time. Special attention should
be given to entrances/exists of pedestrian subways for providing adequate
lighting to complement daylight during daytime and same should be
provided with switching flexibility to rcducc lighting level to be in line with
outside road lighting on which pedestrian subway exists. This is to avoid
error and accidents on footways.

*Code ol‘ practice for lighting of public thoroughfares: Part V Lighting for grade
separated ,junctions. bridges and elevated road ( Group D ).

9
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