Expert Sports Lighting Design from Concept to Completion

Every successful floodlighting installation begins long before the first lighting column is erected. A well-designed sports lighting scheme ensures your facility delivers the required illumination levels, complies with planning requirements, operates efficiently and provides an excellent experience for players, officials and spectators alike.

At SJB Floodlighting, we provide a complete design and planning service for sports lighting projects across the UK. Whether you're developing a brand-new sports facility, upgrading an existing installation or preparing a planning application, our experienced team works closely with clients, architects, consultants and contractors to deliver practical, compliant and cost-effective lighting solutions.

From initial feasibility studies through to detailed lighting calculations and installation drawings, we ensure every project is designed around your sport, budget and long-term operational requirements.

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A Complete Design Service

No two sports facilities are the same. Every site presents different challenges, from neighbouring residential properties and planning restrictions to varying levels of competition and future expansion plans.

Our design process considers every aspect of the project before construction begins, helping minimise risk, reduce unnecessary costs and ensure the finished installation performs exactly as intended.

Our design services include:

• Initial project consultation

• Site surveys

• Existing floodlighting assessments

• Lighting performance calculations

• Lux level design

• Column positioning layouts

• Structural loading assessments

• Electrical distribution design

• Cable routing

• Switchgear design

• Control system specification

• Planning support

• Construction drawings

• Technical specifications

• Tender documentation

• Installation support

• Commissioning assistance

Whether you're appointing SJB as the principal floodlighting contractor or simply require specialist design expertise, our team can provide as much or as little support as your project requires.

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Lighting Design Calculations

Modern sports lighting relies on detailed computer modelling to achieve the required performance before installation begins.

Using industry-leading lighting design software, we create accurate 3D models of every facility to predict lighting performance and optimise the placement of columns and luminaires.

Our designs evaluate:

• Average maintained illuminance (Lux)

• Minimum and maximum light levels

• Uniformity ratios

• Vertical illuminance

• Player visibility

• Spectator viewing

• Glare control

• Obtrusive light

• Spill light beyond the site boundary

• Energy consumption

• Maintenance factors

• Future lighting depreciation

This process allows us to refine the design before installation, ensuring every floodlight is positioned to maximise performance while minimising environmental impact.

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Sports Lighting Standards

Different sports and levels of competition require different lighting standards.

Our designs are produced in accordance with the latest guidance from governing bodies and recognised industry standards where applicable, including:

• BS EN 12193 – Light and Lighting: Sports Lighting

• Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) Guidance on Obtrusive Light

• Football Association (FA) guidance

• Football Association of Wales (FAW) requirements

• Football Foundation recommendations

• FIFA lighting recommendations

• World Rugby guidance

• Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)

• England Hockey

• Sport England guidance

• Current BS 7671 Electrical Regulations

Whether you're designing a grassroots training pitch or a competition-standard facility, we ensure the lighting specification is appropriate for your intended use.

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Planning Permission Support

Sports floodlighting often requires careful consideration during the planning process.

Local planning authorities assess factors including:

• Light spill

• Sky glow

• Glare

• Impact on neighbouring properties

• Ecology

• Visual appearance

• Column height

• Hours of operation

A poorly prepared planning submission can lead to delays, redesigns or refusal.

SJB works alongside architects, planning consultants and local authorities to prepare the technical information required for planning applications.

We can provide:

• Lighting impact assessments

• Lux contour drawings

• Spill light calculations

• Column layout drawings

• Equipment specifications

• Technical reports

• Planning consultation support

• Responses to planning queries

By addressing these considerations during the design stage, we help streamline the approval process and reduce the risk of unexpected project delays.

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Environmental Considerations

Modern sports lighting is about much more than simply producing enough light.

Careful design helps reduce environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.

Our lighting schemes are developed to:

• Minimise light spill beyond site boundaries

• Reduce glare for players and nearby residents

• Limit upward light and sky glow

• Protect neighbouring habitats where appropriate

• Improve energy efficiency

• Reduce carbon emissions

• Optimise equipment lifespan

Advances in LED optics allow highly targeted beam distributions, directing light precisely where it is needed while reducing wasted light and improving overall performance.

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Electrical Design

Behind every successful lighting installation is a carefully designed electrical infrastructure.

Our electrical design service includes:

• Incoming power assessments

• Load calculations

• Distribution design

• Feeder pillar layouts

• Switchgear specification

• Cable sizing

• Voltage drop calculations

• Earthing arrangements

• Surge protection

• Control systems

• Future expansion allowances

Every design is developed to ensure safe, reliable operation while allowing for future maintenance and potential system upgrades.

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Value Engineering

Every client has different priorities.

Some projects focus on achieving the highest possible competition standard, while others require the best performance within a fixed budget.

Our design team works closely with clients to identify opportunities for value engineering without compromising lighting quality or long-term reliability.

This may include:

• Optimising column locations

• Reducing the number of luminaires through improved optics

• Selecting higher-efficiency LED equipment

• Reusing suitable existing infrastructure

• Phased installation strategies

• Smart control systems to reduce running costs

The result is a solution that delivers the required performance while providing the best long-term value.

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Collaboration Throughout the Project

Successful sports lighting projects rely on effective communication between multiple disciplines.

SJB regularly collaborates with:

• Main contractors

• Civil engineering contractors

• Architects

• Sports pitch designers

• Electrical consultants

• Structural engineers

• Local authorities

• Schools

• Sports clubs

• Leisure operators

Our involvement from the earliest design stages helps identify potential issues before construction begins, reducing programme delays and avoiding costly changes later in the project.

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From Design to Delivery

Unlike standalone consultants, SJB combines specialist lighting design expertise with practical installation experience.

Because our designers work closely with our installation teams, every drawing is developed with buildability, maintenance and long-term performance in mind.

This integrated approach ensures a smooth transition from concept and planning through to installation, testing and ongoing maintenance, giving clients confidence that the completed system will perform exactly as designed.