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Foot-Candle Levels for Outdoor Lighting the Ultimate Guide

  • June 26, 2023
  • By Stefan Trajkovski

Foot-Candle Levels For Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide

Outdoor lighting plays a critical role in enhancing visibility, safety, and aesthetics. Understanding the right foot-candle levels for various outdoor environments is essential to achieve the desired lighting effect while ensuring safety and energy efficiency.

What Are Foot-Candles?

A foot-candle (fc) is a measurement of light intensity defined as the amount of light reaching a surface one foot away from a uniform light source. This measurement helps determine the adequate brightness needed for different outdoor areas.

Why Are Foot-Candle Levels Important?

Appropriate foot-candle levels ensure proper visibility, safety, and comfort. They also help designers comply with industry standards and codes.

Recommended Foot-Candle Levels For Outdoor Lighting

The following tables outline the recommended foot-candle levels and uniformity requirements for various outdoor applications:

Table 1: Foot-Candle Levels for Common Outdoor Applications

Application Recommended Foot-Candle Levels (fc) Uniformity Ratio (Max to Min)
Parking Lots (General) 0.2 – 0.5 15:1
Parking Lots (Enhanced Security) 1.0 – 2.0 4:1
Pedestrian Walkways 0.5 – 2.0 4:1
Building Entrances 5.0 – 10.0 3:1
Roadways (Local) 0.4 – 0.9 6:1
Roadways (Major) 0.9 – 1.2 3:1
Sports Fields (Amateur) 20.0 – 50.0 2:1
Sports Fields (Professional) 50.0 – 150.0 2:1
Loading Docks 5.0 – 10.0 4:1

Factors To Consider When Designing Outdoor Lighting

  1. Purpose of Lighting: Understanding whether the goal is safety, security, or aesthetics.
  2. Uniformity: Providing even lighting helps eliminate dark spots and improves visibility.
  3. Glare Control: Avoid excessive brightness that can cause visual discomfort.
  4. Energy Efficiency: Using efficient lighting fixtures to reduce energy consumption.
  5. Compliance with Standards: Adhering to IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) standards or other applicable codes.

Conclusion

Getting the right foot-candle levels for outdoor lighting is essential for safety, aesthetics, and compliance. Whether designing a parking lot, pedestrian walkway, sports field, or roadway, understanding the recommended fc levels and uniformity requirements is the key to successful lighting design.

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Stefan Trajkovski

Stefan Trajkovski

Contact me at stefan@stetralighting.com

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