One proposed layout for the double tennis court. “40D” are fixtures with forty-degree beam spreads; “80D” are fixtures with 80-degree beam spreads.
Recently, a member of the board of directors for a local community association contacted Access Fixtures in search of a lighting solution for a double tennis court and adjacent swimming pool. His goal was to create a permanent and energy-efficient solution.
Revamping the double tennis court facility meant replacing the community’s existing halogen units. Additionally, the adjacent swimming pool required a new LED lighting solution to accommodate swim meets and evening pool-side activities. The uniquely shaped pool did not have an existing, permanent lighting solution; the facility had to rent portable, generator-operated lights for their events. One of the main priorities of the project was ensuring the pool lanes were perfectly illuminated for competitions. For their previous matches, the portable lights had worked fine, but the association felt it made the pool look like a construction zone, which they wanted to avoid.
The tennis courts measured 120 by 108 feet. The customer provided a detailed drawing of the pool area that allowed our specialists to evaluate the area and provide the most accurate suggestions. Due to the size and detail involved in this project, our lighting specialists recommended a photometric design, with the objective of determining whether or not the proposed plan would meet each specification set out by the community association.
Photometric Design Goals
The results of the first photometric analysis concluded that the total number of poles needed to illuminate the double tennis court was nine and that the poles had to be twenty feet in height. Six of the poles would hold a single fixture each and were to be placed one foot behind the surrounding fence. The remaining three poles were to be placed in the middle of the two courts and were to use two fixtures each.
We also suggested another option that used six twenty-foot poles, each holding two LED fixtures. The aim for both layouts was to achieve approximately 30 footcandles throughout the playing area; using different configurations allowed our lighting specialists to evaluate the results and help the customer select the best option.
Shop Tennis Court Lighting Shop Swim Area Lighting
Dimmable Features
Initially, the customer did not see dimming as a requirement for the pool or the tennis courts. What they had mentioned, however, was that they wanted to be able to use the swimming area for both competitive swim meets and social, poolside functions. With this in mind, our lighting specialist recommended adding dimmable features onto the swimming area lighting system—with this capability, not only would these fixtures provide excellent light levels for competitions, but also less-intense ambient light for dances, barbecues, family gatherings, etc. The dimmers would allow them to create the exact light output they needed for any activity. In the end, adding the dimming feature meant that the pool area could be appropriately used for a wide range of activities and that recouping the costs of the project would be a lot quicker.
Lighting Solutions
When this customer first approached Access Fixtures, they were open to using any style of fixture, which made it easier to meet their requirements. An Access Fixtures lighting specialist explored some fixture options with this customer, and having no design or style limitations meant there were more fixtures from which to select. After exploring some options and taking each requirement into account, the BOXE flood light product family from Access Fixtures matched all specifications and requirements.
The 407w BOXE LED shoebox is packed with high-output LEDs that deliver 56,955 total light source lumens. Each BOXE provides a minimum CRI of 70 and has a die-cast aluminum housing for significant durability. Built with major USA-brand components; a choice of Kelvin temperatures; and options for mounting, dimming, etc., the 407w BOXE flood lights were ideal for this tennis and pool lighting project. These fixtures are L70 rated at 100,000 hours, which means at 100,000 hours, they will emit 70% of their initial lumens. One fixture will run for 11.4 years before needing a replacement, but that’s only if you run these fixtures 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With that said, don’t be too surprised to see your fixtures lasting 20 or 30 years.
Footcandle Requirements
In order to achieve the required footcandle levels, the standard, out-of-the-box package with 120-degree beam spreads wasn’t suitable for this particular project. Running the photometric analysis with 40- and 80-degree fixtures allowed us to better distribute the light and hit the necessary footcandle levels. Access Fixtures can easily customize any optics in your 407w LED shoebox fixtures. This is often done to achieve better light by narrowing or widening the beam spread or adjusting the LED boards. You can choose from slanted, narrow, skinny, or type I–IV distribution.
Once the technicalities were resolved, this customer brought the proposal to the board of directors for evaluation. The board approved the project but needed to submit a permit application to their city. This application required information about the voltage drop, light details, wiring diagram, a site plan with the proposed lighting solution, pole-base specs, and information regarding the power supply. Processes such as this typically take some time, but when all information gathered and presented was approved, the community association was happy to go ahead with the proposed lighting solution by Access Fixtures.
How Many Fixtures Were Needed?
Simulating the results with a photometric analysis not only allowed the customer to better understand the results this project would achieve, it allowed the Access Fixtures lighting team to work closely with the customer to make accurate suggestions and changes before the purchasing and installation processes began.
To accommodate the double tennis court, twelve 407w BOXE flood lights with 80-degree beam spreads were used on nine poles. For the swimming pool area, we used a total of eighteen 4000K 407w BOXE flood lights with 0–10v dimming, ten of which used 40-degree beam spreads and eight of which used 80-degree beam spreads.
The Conclusive Lighting Solution
This association was a busy facility and a prominent location for swim meets. It was important to ensure both the pool and double tennis court were well lit to allow the club to grow their facility and activities and ensure a quality outcome.
When all details were finalized and permits were in place, the main priority for this customer was ensuring everything came together at the right time. With a limited timeframe, it was crucial that everything came together when it was needed. By choosing Access Fixtures, this customer felt confident that this would happen.
This customer came to Access Fixtures looking for the best lighting solution for his facility’s tennis and pool club. In just a few weeks, our lighting team had gathered every detail about his space and needs, run multiple photometric reports, and spoke in great detail with the customer on a regular basis, offering advice and suggestions. The delivered solution met every requirement and even went beyond the initial plans via options such as dimming, which allowed them to adjust light levels as desired. Working closely with this customer and his association allowed Access Fixtures lighting specialists to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of a successfully lit facility.
The customer was thrilled with the outcome. He and his association were particularly happy with the level of support from our lighting specialists. Additionally, he was delighted with the organization of the project and knowing that everything came together exactly when it was needed.
Speak to an Access Fixtures Lighting Specialist
Do you have a pool or tennis court in need of better lighting? Access Fixtures will assign a team to your project who will work closely with you to make sure you receive the ideal solution for your performance and budget requirements. We are passionate about lighting and love what we do—we’ll find the best solution for your project. Call us today at 800-468-9925.
