Public Space & Community Lighting
From the Village Hall to the high street, effective lighting builds community. Ensure your civic buildings, libraries, and public walkways meet safety standards while preserving character.
Lighting for the Community
Public lighting compliance is split into two distinct areas: Indoor Community Spaces (governed by BS EN 12464-1) and Outdoor Public Areas (governed by BS 5489-1).
Whether managing a historic church, a bustling library, or a village car park, the goal remains the same: ensuring accessibility, safety, and visual comfort for all ages.
Community & Civic Buildings (Indoor)
Village Halls, Churches, and Libraries serve diverse user groups, often including the elderly who require higher lux levels to read comfortably. Flexibility is key.
| Building / Area | Lux (Ēm) | UGR | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village Hall (General) | 300 lux | 22 | Must be dimmable for social events. |
| Village Hall (Sports) | 500+ lux | 22 | Impact-resistant (IK10) fixtures required. |
| Libraries (Reading) | 500 lux | 19 | Glare control essential for study/screens. |
| Libraries (Shelves) | 200 lux | – | High vertical illuminance to read spines. |
| Churches (Pews) | 150 – 200 lux | – | Sufficient for reading hymn books. |
| Churches (Altar/Pulpit) | 300 – 500 lux | – | Accent lighting to draw focus. |
Outdoor Public Spaces (BS 5489-1)
Outdoor lighting focuses on safety, crime prevention, and orientation. The requirements vary based on traffic volume and risk.
| Area | Lux (Ēm) | Uniformity (U₀) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian Walkways Parks, urban paths |
5 – 10 lux | 0.25 | Focus on facial recognition. |
| Car Parks (Med Traffic) Shopping centers, halls |
10 – 20 lux | 0.25 – 0.40 | Higher uniformity prevents dark spots. |
| Entrances / Exits | 50 lux | 0.40 | Transition zone lighting. |
| Steps & Ramps | 50 lux | 0.40 | Vital to prevent trip hazards. |
Dark Skies & Light Pollution
Uncontrolled outdoor lighting wastes energy and disrupts wildlife (bats, insects) and human sleep cycles.
Compliance Requirements:
- Zero Upward Light: Fixtures must be mounted horizontally (0° tilt) to ensure light goes down, not up.
- Curfews: Dimming profiles should be used to reduce output by 50% late at night (e.g., midnight to 5am) when usage is low.
- Warmer CCT: 3000K or warmer is often preferred in residential or rural areas to reduce blue light scatter.
Built to Last (IK Ratings)
Public space lighting is vulnerable to vandalism and weather. Specification is key.
IK10 Rating
The highest standard for impact resistance (vandal-proof). Essential for bollards and low-level lighting.
C5 Marine Grade
For coastal areas, standard powder coating will peel. Marine-grade coating is required to prevent salt corrosion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lighting requirement for a public car park?
For medium traffic car parks, BS EN 12464-2 recommends 10-20 lux average illuminance. High-risk areas like ticket machines or loading bays require higher levels (50 lux) for safety and security.
What are the lux levels for a Village Hall?
Village halls are multi-purpose. General assembly requires 200-300 lux. However, if used for sports (like badminton), higher levels (500+ lux) are needed. Dimmable switching is essential to accommodate different user groups.
Do Churches need specific lighting compliance?
Yes. While aesthetics are key, reading areas (pews) need 150-200 lux for congregation members to read text. The pulpit and altar often require accent lighting of 300-500 lux to draw focus.