A Guide to the Lighting of Car Parks

CAR PARKLIGHTING GUIDE

A guide to the lighting of CAR PARKS

415


416

For over 40 years Designplan has regularly & successfully supplied high

quality lighting equipment to illuminate all areas of car park installations.

Both private & public owners & operators of car parks have chosen our

fittings because many have been especially designed to meet the

demands posed by often hostile environments encountered & many

years of successful, trouble free service has resulted.

Our lifetime guarantee is available on the majority of fittings suggested

for use, (p29).

The purpose of this guide is to offer assistance to the designer or engineer

in the choice of lighting equipment to ensure that the completed project

is able to offer well lit parking areas, safer stairways, corridors & walkways.

The use of purpose designed fittings which are both easily installed, easily

maintained & which will give long lasting, value for money solutions, will

result in an installation that car park owners, operators & most importantly

users will be pleased with.

Safety & Security through design.

Providing well-lit areas in car parks not only assists in the safety of vehicles

using them but perhaps more importantly offers a much more inviting &

less frightening environment for the public when leaving or returning to

parked cars.

With violent crime seemingly forever on the increase lighting areas to a

high standard is one important weapon which can be used to help

reduce criminal activity & certainly create a less foreboding atmosphere.

The increase of CCTV also demands better lighting to aid this approach

to fighting crime.

There are various guidelines which have been drawn up by professional

organisations to assist designers in choosing the correct level of

illumination & we offer as follows information & guidance based upon

these to help in achieving a successful project.

BS5489-1.2003 provides the lighting engineer with required maintained

values of illumination & states that these should be increased where the

character or usage pattern of the car park warrants it.

Purpose-designed lighting for CarParks & associated areas.


417

The levels given are as follows:

Where ‘EH average ‘is the maintained average horizontal illuminance in

lux.

EH minimum is the maintained minimum horizontal illuminance at any

point in lux.

Outdoor car park- night-time

EH average 30 lux

EH minimum 10 lux

Enclosed or semi-enclosed Multi-storey day & night-time

Independent studies have shown that there is almost certainly a

correlation between lighting levels & people’s fear of crime as indeed

there is between lighting levels & actual criminal activity. Good lighting

therefore plays a dual role in such areas in that it reduces people’s fear

of crime & reduces actual crime.

In order for this fear of crime to be negated people need to be able to

clearly see their surroundings &, just as importantly, to see other people, in

particular their faces which provide much of the information we need to

assess whether the person is likely to be friendly, aggressive or indifferent.

The average & minimum levels given in the British Standard will in most

circumstances provide adequate vertical illumination on the face. There

is however another important aspect to this process of fear reduction

namely colour rendition, which plays an important part in our perception

of a situation. Good colour rendering also helps vehicle identification,

assists with general security & safety measures as well as providing an

overall sense of well being. To this end the use of monochromatic lamps

such as low pressure sodium should be avoided despite their long life &

efficiency. The use however of deluxe high-pressure sodium or fluorescent

lamps which render colour across a wider spectrum is to be

commended.The brief then is to provide the required average &

minimum levels of illumination with good uniformity & colour rendering

over all areas whilst paying particular attention to areas used as

entrances, exists, ramps & awkward changes in direction.

Area EH average lux EH mimimum lux

Parking bays andaccess lanes

75 50

Ramps, corners andintersections

150 75

Entrance/Exit zones(vehicular)

Night Day75 300

n/a

Pedestrian areas,stairways, lifts, lobbies

100 50


418

Entrances & exits to covered car parks are probably going to exhibit

contrast between external & internal conditions that may cause viewing

difficulties. During the night it may be necessary to reduce the interior

level or increase exterior levels & during the day the contrast can be

reduced by increasing interior levels in these areas.

Ramps & awkward changes in direction as well as dedicated pedestrian

walkway areas should be highlighted by additional illumination & possibly

by provision of a different surface colour/finish to the floor on walkways.

The areas around coin operated ticket machines should also receive

careful attention to illumination & colour rendering.

Where required lighting fittings may also be colour co-ordinated with

each floor.

The choice of fittings to achieve these results is important. They should be

tough & vandal resistant, give good distribution with minimum glare

particularly as mounting heights are usually low. Polycarbonate diffusers

should be a minimum requirement with suitably finished metal bodies or

gear/reflector enclosures.

Attention to detail in respect of provision for maintenance in the design

of a luminaire will pay dividends over the life of an installation. Such

features should include individual fusing of fittings, cut out ignitors on

discharge lamps, corrosion resistant features & easily removable gear

trays with plug & socket connections for mains wiring to make installation

& maintenance simple & efficient.

The use of emergency versions of fluorescent fittings to operate in

maintained mode on designated escape routes, stairs, landings &

designated pedestrian areas, should be incorporated in the design.

Efficient use of energy is important with high frequency control gear or

low loss gear & electronic starters being specified.

Fittings mounted in areas of multi-story or partially enclosed car parks

which receive a good deal of daylight can be switched via daylight

linked control systems. Either switching out one of two lamps wired to

provide this separate circuit switching or by the provision of a daylight

linked dimming system. See page 496 for details of the energy

saving and lighting control systems.


419

The engineering of a scheme to produce a satisfactory installation is not

always straightforward. The construction of a multi-storey car park may

leave the lighting engineer with deep square coffered ceilings or deep

structural beams both of which produce problematical cut-off to fittings

installed in the recess thus created.

A low ceiling height usually precludes mounting fittings directly beneath

such beams or coffers & a simple engineering solution often appears

elusive.

With over 40 years experience in the lighting of car parks Designplan is

able to offer a wide choice of standard or suitably modified fittings to suit

particular site conditions, examples of which are offered upon the

following pages.

Monitor mounted upon special reflector


420

Parking Floors

Many fittings suggested within this guide have been specifically designed

for car park use.

Consideration should be given by the designer to the conditions which

are likely to be met on any given project & the choice of fitting should be

made with this in mind.

Our ‘Lifetime Guarantee’ (p29) is available on the majority of fittings

mentioned.

Parkalux

(page 148/149) IP55 IK10++

Parkalux, as the name suggests, was designed with parking

areas specifically in mind. It is a strong fitting manufactured

from steel & has a high IP & IK rating. The polycarbonate diffuser has an

internal pattern to ease cleaning & the fitting is complete with a high

efficiency aluminium reflector to provide exceptional light distribution.

Control gear is mounted upon an easily removed gear tray to assist in the

speed & ease of installation & maintenance.

Twin lamp, single lamp & angle versions are available as are self-

contained emergency (p313) & Auto test (p314) options.

Monitor T8 & T5

(page 150/151) IP22/ IP65 IK10++

Single & twin lamp versions available within the same size body

& diffuser.

A significantly more vandal resistant fitting than Sparta, more so even

than Parkalux.

The design is based upon the Home Office prison cell fitting & has passed

their physical abuse tests.

Monitor has been successfully used in many car parks & like Parkalux &

Sparta will provide many years of trouble free, easy to maintain life.

T5 Monitor (p151) Parkalux (p148)

The following pages divide Car Parks intoseparate areas & describe fittings which willbest meet the needs posed by the particular location.


421

Sparta

(page 146/147) IP44 IK10

Again available in single & twin lamp versions, Sparta has been

used with considerable success in scores of car parks. Where

there is the risk of moderate vandalism occurring specifiers choose Sparta

fitted with Security Plates, to help prevent the easy removal of diffusers.

As with all of our linear fittings Sparta have strong steel bodies which,

unlike plastic bodied fittings, will not bend to the shape of the ceiling.

The polycarbonate diffuser is held to the steel body within slots along the

sides & ends of the fitting, thus no unsightly, breakable clips spoil their

appearance.

Self-contained or central battery system emergency versions (p313) &

Auto test (p314) facility are available in any of the fittings mentioned.

Deluxe Brunel

(page 201) IP65 IK10++

The Deluxe Brunel is among the most frequently chosen

discharge fittings for the lighting of car parks.

Purpose designed to meet the specific demands posed by such

installations, Deluxe Brunel, is manufactured from steel & offers good

vandal resistance.

The control lens is moulded in UV stabilised vandal resistant

polycarbonate & is designed to provide a square pattern of illumination.

The advantages of such a distribution are an increase in spacing ratio &

improved uniformity, thus reducing lighting points & consequently capital,

running & maintenance costs.

The control gear & lamps are assembled onto a hinged gear tray which

provides ease of installation & assist in quick & simple maintenance. Whilst

the standard fitting is provided for surface fixing, semi or fully recessed

version are readily available. In addition a special recess plate can be

manufactured to suit any on site requirements.

Where discharge lighting is being considered, Deluxe Brunel with its many

options , is likely to offer the consulting engineer, designer, installer &

maintenance engineer the best overall package currently available.

Sparta

Deluxe Brunel


422

Roof or Top level of car park

A strong weatherproof fitting is required for roof areas.

General area lighting can be provided by either our Solaris (p267), Post

Top Brunel (p273) or Hermes (p274). All have “black out” tops so that

night sky pollution is minimised.

For wall mounted fittings our Pantheon (p205), Wall Mount Brunel (p286)

or Rampart (p166), all being weatherproof and offering good vandal

resistance, are entirely suitable.

Stairways

T h e re are a wide variety of fittings that are suitable for installation in stairways.

Often these areas are among the most prone to vandalism & since it is vital

for safety to always have good illumination to stairs, the chosen fitting must

be able to withstand the likely level of vandalism that may be expected.

Among the choices available are energy saving compact fluore s c e n t

fittings such as Quadrant (p192), Quadring (p222), Circo (p220), Buccaneer

(p179), Rampart (p166) & Aztec (p199), if discharge lamps are pre f e r re d

then Brunangle (p200) or Tuscan II (p157) would be suitable.

Linear solutions, usually ceiling mounted, include Tuscan (p153), Rampart

(p166) & Parkalux (p148).

It is advisable to include an emergency facility within fittings so that in the

event of mains failure illumination is maintained, thereby mitigating any

risk to car park users. See page 313 for further information.

Post Top Brunel (p273)Pantheon (p205)


423

Toilets

These are areas where vandalism is likely to be at its worst & consequently

the major consideration has to be the strength of any fitting chosen.

Designplan has for many years provided very successful solutions to the

lighting of toilet areas.

There exists a considerable choice of well-built energy saving fittings

designed with just such areas in mind.

Again Parkalux (p148) is ideal or perhaps a version of Tuscan (p153).

Energy saving bulkhead options again include Quadrant (p192),

Buccaneer (p179), RDL (p209), Quadring (p222), Circo (p220), Rampart

(p166) & Aztec (p199).

Ramps

Angle Rampart fittings (p166) are ideally suited to illuminate ramps

leading to car parks.

The body is constructed in heavy gauge aluminium extrusion & has an

immensely strong polycarbonate diffuser secured with cast aluminium

end caps, which in turn are held by stainless steel tamperproof screws.

Even in the unlikely event of a car hitting a fitting it is unlikely that any

particular damage would be sustained to the fitting, since Rampart has

been designed with the most severe vandalism & impact in mind.

Alternatively Angle Parkalux (p148), Maxi Callisto (p256) or Tuscan angle

or recessed (p153) would suit.

Lifts

Lift cars are extremely vulnerable to abuse & the lighting used should be

of a very strong vandal resistant type. If recessed then our Bergen (p167)

or Tuscan (p153)are commonly used.

Most frequently chosen surface versions are Circo (p220) Buccaneer

(p179) & Bastion (p170). Angle fittings set into the corner of the car

include Tuscan II (p157) or Rampart (p166).

Whichever is chosen the provision of an emergency lighting facility is

essential for safety & security.

Quadring Opal (p222)

D872 Angle Ramport (p166)

Bergen in lift car (p167)

RDL (p208)

Maxi Callisto (p256)


424

Flat Area Car Parks

When lighting flat area car parks consideration must be given to aspects

including vandalism & light pollution.

Designplan offer four designs, all of which are weather & vandal resistant

& can be manufactured to avoid undue light pollution.

Solaris (p266) available for either post top or wall mounting.

Hermes (p274 ) is a round polycarbonate bowl with anti light pollution

top, which is supplied with discharge lamps & is suitable for 76mm spigot

mounting.

Concourse (p271) is a post top fitting of unusual design & is

manufactured from polycarbonate & A.B.S. material. Again is suitable for

76mm spigot mounting.

Post Top Brunel (p273) is based upon the Deluxe Brunel design and can

be supplied for one, two, three or four lamps.

Walkways & Subways

Not all walkways & subways are prone to vandalism as can be seen from

the photograph of the Tower of London subway nevertheless the use of

fittings with high IP & IK ratings provides good insurance in the case of

unexpected attacks.

Unfortunately many walkways & subways continue to suffer severe

vandalism. In such cases the paramount aim must be to ensure that the

lighting will withstand the attack made & continue to provide illumination

in, often, sensitive areas.

Rampart (p166), a fitting from our Tuscan range (p153) or Mission (p146)

would provide the best answer, each being designed with vandalism in

mind, and available with our ‘Lifetime Guarantee’ (p29).

Scores of installations throughout the UK & overseas have been

completed with considerable success utilising these fittings.

Tuscan and Centaur, Tower of London (p158 & p300)


425

Emergency Lighting

For obvious reasons emergency lighting has become increasingly

important in all public buildings.

It is essential that escape routes are clearly visible in emergency situations

with adequate lighting levels in all areas to ensure prompt & safe

evacuation of buildings. Emergency lighting is available in many different

arrangements & a description of each is offered on page 313.

Where possible the use of the standard fitting, which has incorporated

within it the emergency control gear & battery will often be the most cost

effective answer. Not only saving on installation time & money but with

the additional benefit of less fittings cluttering the ceiling resulting in an

aesthetically better installation.

Emergency lighting has, by law, to be regularly tested. To ensure

compliance with current testing procedures we recommend the addition

of an ‘Auto Test’ system within emergency fittings-see page 314.

Signs

Purpose made vandal resistant signs to indicate floor numbers, exits, stairs,

lifts etc. are available. The lettering can be either self- adhesive vinyl or

silk screen printed as required. A range of simple signs is available see

page 319.

Energy Management & Daylight Link Systems.

A full range of energy management systems is available for use in car

park installations, these involve the use of high efficiency high frequency

ballasts combined with controls to switch or dim the lamps in relation to

the ambient light.

The controls can be zoned to accommodate differing light levels within

the covered area.

The system is a constant light system with integrated light measurement,

presence detection & optional infrared remote control. This controller

enable operating parameters such as light level, time delay, PIR

operation & power up to be programmed.

See page 496 for details of the energy saving and lighting control

system.

Circo with lettering (p321)

Autosave

Maintained Tuscan (p313)


426

Tailor-made solutions to on site problems.

Car parks often have low ceilings or deep coffered recesses both of

which make the task of lighting more complex than is ideal.

Designplan have over the years assisted specifiers to overcome such

challenges by designing special mounting plates, pattresses & reflectors to

suit our fittings so as to achieve the best solution to any specific pro b l e m .

The photographs shown provide typical examples of special

modifications that have been made to assist in achieving the ideal

solutions for past projects.

Please refer to ‘Bespoke’ manufacture on page 357.

Shown here is a standard Deluxe Brunel together with an especially deep

bodied version designed to fill a coffer & thus provide the engineer with the

solution to the lighting of a car park using the minimum number of units.

Special deep Brunel to fill coffer(p357)

Standard Deluxe Brunel (p201)

Monitor mounted upon special reflector (p357)

Documents

A Guide to the Lighting of Car Parks