Several floodlighting Australia requirements need to be considered when thinking about floodlights for your rugby pitch. These are dependent on the level of competition that will take place and the related floodlighting Australia standards for lighting levels and lighting uniformity.
Key floodlighting Australian standards which apply to sports lights include:
The following table provides an overview of the floodlighting requirements for rugby.
Rugby Floodlighting Australia Standards– AS 2560.2.3
| Category | Average horizontal maintained illuminance | Minimum horizontal uniformity | Maximum uniformity gradient | Maximum glare rating | |
| Eh lux | U1Min/Avg | U2Min/Max | UG (per 5m) | GR | |
| Touch and Tag | 50* | 0.3 | N/A | ||
| Ball and Physical Training | 50 | 0.3 | N/A | ||
| Club comp and match practice | 100 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2 | 50 |
| Ball and Physical Training | 50 | 0.3 | N/A | ||
| Club comp and match practice | 100 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2 | 50 |
| Semi-professional comp | 200 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.67 | 50 |
| Ball and Physical Training | 100 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2 | 50 |
| Club comp and match practice | 200 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.67 | 50 |
| Professional comp | 500 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.33 | 50 |
*Most clients request 100 lux minimum for Touch and Tag so that they comply with the higher standard for “amateur level: club comp and match practice”.
New Installation of Rugby Pitch Floodlights?
If installing a new floodlighting system for rugby, there are further standards and guidelines to be considered. It is important to refer to AS 2560.2 figure 2.6.5 which advises possible pole locations depending on your pole requirement and the height of the poles will depend on the size of the field. Clause 1.6 in AS 2560.2 should also be used to ensure glare to players and spectators will be reduced by adopting mounting heights above the minimum values recommended.
What do these terms mean?
Illuminance – the term used to describe the level of light on a surface in lumens/m2 or lux.
Maintained illuminance – is the term used to describe the average illuminance on a reference surface at the time maintenance must be carried out.
Eh lux – Average maintained illuminance.
U1Min/Avg – The lowest recorded lux value on the playing surface divided by the average.
U2Min/Max – The lowest recorded lux value on the playing surface divided by the highest value.
As well as the information provided by the national standards, our team of lighting experts are available to answer any queries you may have about floodlights and to support you through the planning and design stages of your sports lighting project. If you would like to discuss the floodlight requirements for your rugby field with one of our experienced team members, please contact us by clicking here.
To find out more about how floodlights bring added benefits to a sports club, click here to see how floodlights have increased activity at Moranbah Bulldogs AFC.
Useful Links:
Rugby AU Sports Lighting – Australian Standard
NSW Office of Sport – Outdoor Design
Queensland Government Get in the Game – Sports Field Lighting
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page has been collated from various sources, including those provided above in Useful Links. This information may be subject to change at any time by sports governing bodies and standards agencies.
