Case Study - Queen Elizabeth High School – MUGA Floodlighting Installation
Updated: Aug 31
Project Overview
SJB Floodlighting Ltd completed the installation of a new LED sports floodlighting system at Queen Elizabeth High School in Bromyard, Herefordshire, providing improved illumination for the school's multi-use games area (MUGA).
The project included the installation of new floodlighting columns, LED floodlights, electrical infrastructure, pitch-side cabling, controls, testing and commissioning.
The lighting design was intended to provide a maintained average illumination of ≥200 lux with uniformity of ≥0.6, suitable for football use.
A School with Deep Local Roots
Queen Elizabeth High School sits within the historic market town of Bromyard, surrounded by the Herefordshire countryside.
Education in Bromyard has a particularly long history. A chantry school was established in 1394, while the school was later granted a charter for its refoundation as a boys' grammar school by Queen Elizabeth I in 1566. The school's history therefore stretches back more than six centuries.
Today, Queen Elizabeth High School is an 11–16 comprehensive school serving pupils from Bromyard and the surrounding area, retaining its strong connection with the local community.
For a school with such deep historical roots, the new sports floodlighting represents a modern investment in its facilities, helping ensure the school's sporting spaces remain useful and accessible for generations to come.
10m Raise-and-Lower Floodlighting Columns
Four new 10-metre raise-and-lower floodlighting columns, supplied by Abacus Lighting, were installed to support the new lighting system.
The raise-and-lower design provides practical access to the floodlighting equipment for future inspection and maintenance, helping to make servicing more straightforward.
The columns provide a robust and practical mounting solution for the LED floodlights while allowing the equipment to be lowered for future maintenance.
Philips LED Sports Floodlighting
The installation incorporated four Philips BVP 518 asymmetric-beam LED floodlights, with BL optics selected to help minimise the impact of the lighting on surrounding residential properties.
The floodlights were installed on the new 10m columns and aimed to provide an appropriate distribution of light across the playing area.
The lighting design was based on achieving a maintained average of at least 200 lux, with a minimum uniformity of 0.6, making the installation suitable for football use.
The floodlights were also specified with a 10-year guarantee, subject to the manufacturer's applicable requirements.
New Electrical Infrastructure
SJB Floodlighting installed the electrical infrastructure required to operate the new sports lighting system.
The works included:
Pitch-side cabling
New mains cabling
Weatherproof feeder pillar
Local floodlighting switchgear
Manual pitch-side switching
RCD-protected socket
Electrical metering
Hours-run meter
Amenity lighting
Testing and commissioning
Mains cabling was installed between the existing supply location and the new feeder pillar, together with cabling between the switchgear and floodlighting columns.
An amenity light was also installed to provide safe access and egress around the gate area.
Lighting Controls
The system incorporates manual pitch-side switching to provide straightforward operation of the floodlights.
The project specification also considered smart lighting control, allowing the lighting to be scheduled and dimmed.
Testing and Commissioning
Following completion of the installation, SJB Floodlighting carried out testing and commissioning.
The project requirements included electrical testing to BS 7671, recording illumination levels and re-aiming the floodlights where necessary to achieve the intended lighting performance.
Record drawings and manuals were also provided as part of the completion documentation.
SJB Floodlighting is an NICEIC Approved Contractor for street and exterior lighting and the maintenance of electrical installations. The company also holds CHAS and SafeContractor accreditation.
Completed Installation
The completed project provides Queen Elizabeth High School with a modern LED floodlighting system for its MUGA.
The combination of 10m Abacus raise-and-lower columns, Philips LED floodlights, new electrical infrastructure and controlled lighting operation provides a practical sports lighting solution for the school.
The use of raise-and-lower columns also provides an efficient solution for future maintenance of the floodlighting equipment.
Project Highlights
4 × 10m Abacus raise-and-lower floodlighting columns
4 × Philips BVP 518 LED floodlights
Asymmetric beam optics
Designed for ≥200 lux maintained average
≥0.6 uniformity
New pitch-side cabling
New feeder pillar and protective switchgear
Manual lighting control
Amenity lighting
Electrical testing and commissioning
Illumination level testing and adjustment
Suitable for football and MUGA use
SJB Floodlighting – Sports Lighting Specialists
SJB Floodlighting provides complete sports lighting solutions for schools, sports clubs, leisure facilities and other outdoor sporting venues.
Our services cover sports floodlighting design, electrical installation, floodlighting columns, LED lighting upgrades, aiming, testing and commissioning.
For new sports facilities or upgrades to existing floodlighting, SJB Floodlighting can provide a complete installation service from initial design through to final commissioning.
