This table shows how the level of competition affects the standard of lighting. The different classes correspond with different lighting requirements within the same sport.
The table below contains the minimum required lighting information for several sports.
Horizontal and Vertical Spill Light: This is light thrown where it is not wanted. The increased use of outdoor lighting can result in overspill causing a nuisance to neighbours. There are ways of decreasing or eliminating this problem. Firstly, by the use of floodlights and luminaires which do not throw light outside the area such as the FL500 floodlight. Secondly, and in conjunction with the first method, in sports areas where boundaries are very close and the area to be illuminated open and very large, by communication with the neighbours in order to devise a plan by which the floodlights will only be used until a specified time on a specified number of days a year. For the bedroom window problem, most luminaires can be fitted with blanking pieces to eliminate light in a certain direction. Where a lighting scheme is prepared by CU Phosco the spill light can always be shown and is in fact usually asked for by planners.
Skyglow: This is the halo effect caused by the large number of outdoor lighting fixtures. Skyglow is seen when looking towards a town from the countryside and makes it difficult for town dwellers to see any but the brightest stars. Skyglow can be minimised by using floodlights with a limited or zero upward light such as the FL550.
Upward Light Ratio (‘sky glow’) indicates the amount of light emitted directly by the floodlight installation into the air. This is shown in the diagram below;
The CU Phosco FL550 has full cut-off characteristics, so the ULR = 0% i.e. no light is emitted directly by the floodlights above the horizontal plane.
Glare: This is the annoying effect caused by badly aimed floodlights with inadequate light control. This can be avoided by the choice of a better floodlight with greater light control, or properly aiming and using baffles and louvres in existing units. Modern well designed lighting luminaires with effective reflectors or refractors can eliminate this problem.