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Rugby floodlight standards

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:

  • AS 2560.1:2018 – Sports Lighting Part 1: General Principles
  • AS 2560.2:2021 – Sports Lighting Part 2: Specific Applications
  • AS 4282:2019 – Control of the obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting

The following table provides an overview of the floodlighting requirements for rugby.

 

Rugby Floodlight Standards Australia – 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
Recreational Level
Touch and Tag 50* 0.3 N/A
Amateur Level
Ball and Physical Training 50 0.3 N/A
Club comp and match practice 100 0.5 0.3 2 50
Semi-professional Level
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
Professional Level
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”.

(The table above provides only some of the key values set out in the standards. For more detailed information, relevant guidance documents and links are available below in the Useful Links section.)

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.

image of AS 2560.2 figure 2.6.5 showing floodlights layouts for rugby fields

 

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.

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.