Swimming Pool Lighting: Safety & Compliance Guide

Expert swimming pool lighting solutions from JHP Electrical—ensuring safety, compliance, and clarity with Sport England and BS standards.

Lighting in commercial swimming pool facilities—whether leisure centres, schools, or health clubs—is far more than a design feature. It is a critical element of safety, compliance, and operational excellence. At JHP Electrical Services, we specialise in delivering lighting solutions that meet the highest standards across the UK, ensuring visibility, reliability, and regulatory alignment. We are also proud members of SAPCA, the UK’s trade association for the sports and play construction industry.

Why Lux Levels Matter in Pool Lighting

Lux measures light intensity, and in swimming pool environments, it directly affects visibility, supervision, and user safety. Poor lighting can lead to accidents, hinder lifeguard performance, and breach compliance standards.

Sport England’s Swimming Pools Design Guidance recommended illuminance levels are:

These figures align with BS EN 12193 and CIBSE LG4 standards, ensuring both safety and compliance.

Design Considerations from Sport England

Sport England outlines several critical design aspects for pool lighting:

• Glare and Reflectance: Lighting must minimise glare and reflections from the water surface. Poor angles of incidence—especially from side wall luminaires or windows—can obscure lifeguards’ view beneath the water.
• Luminaire Selection: Indirect lighting is preferred to reduce specular reflection. Underwater lighting (dry or wet niche) can improve visibility and swimmer safety.
• Maintenance Access: Fixtures over pools must be safely accessible, in line with CDM Regulations.
• Emergency Lighting: A maintained system is recommended to ensure safe evacuation during power failure.
• Corrosion Resistance: All materials must withstand humid, chlorinated environments. Luminaires should meet a minimum IP54 rating, and dissimilar metals should be avoided to prevent galvanic corrosion

Technical Expertise from JHP Electrical

Our NICEIC-approved engineers take a holistic approach to pool lighting design and installation:

• Anti-Glare Solutions: Strategic placement and shielding to protect lifeguards’ line of sight.
• IP-Rated Fixtures: Built to resist humidity, chlorine, and corrosion.
• Energy-Efficient LEDs: Reduce operational costs while maintaining high lux levels.
• Emergency Systems: Fully compliant with BS 5266 and EN 1838 standards.

Compliance and Standards

Lighting installations must comply with:

• BS EN 12193 – Lighting of sports facilities
• BS 5266 – Emergency lighting
• HSG 179 – Health and Safety in swimming pools
• Sport England Design Guidance – Swimming Pools and Artificial Lighting
• Local authority building control regulations

JHP Electrical ensures every project meets these standards, with full documentation, testing, and certification provided.

With decades of experience in commercial and sports lighting,  JHP Electrical works with:

• Local authorities and leisure trusts
• Schools and universities
• NHS and therapeutic facilities
• Commercial leisure and fitness centres

Our project case study at Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, where we upgraded the swimming pool lighting in their main and training pools, showcases our expertise.

 

Ready to Upgrade Your Pool Lighting?

Whether you're planning a new installation or upgrading an outdated system, JHP Electrical Services is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your project, submit our enquiry form to request a free consultation or give us a call on 0208 950 4643.

 

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