Factors that can affect the visual appearance of car parks include horizontal illumination, light source types and glare. In improving parking facilities, safety and security for both vehicles and pedestrians should be a priority – inside and outside the parking area. Dark shadows should be avoided, with higher light levels on the pedestrian paths.
Energy-efficient high-output LED lighting is an excellent investment, as it reduces utility costs while providing superior light quality and safety. Long gaps between lighting refurbishments at parking garages are not a problem with durable LED solutions due to their exceptional reliability and long service life. LED products perform well in all weather conditions and reduce maintenance to a minimum – luminaires with high IP ratings can make cleaning easier as a bonus.
Installations with sensors and dimming are useful energy-saving options that also increase the lifetime of the components. It is recommended to divide parking areas into different zones. Sensors dim down the light or switch it off where it isn’t needed, but great care must be taken to avoid dark areas that create an unpleasant feeling for people entering underground parking garages.
Lighting requirements in EN 12464-1
Places of public assembly – Car parks (indoor)
| Type of task / activity area |
Lux-level (Em) |
Glare rating (UGRL) |
Uniformity (U0) |
Colour rendition (Ra) |
Em,z | Em,wall | Em,ceiling | Specific requirements |
|
| required | modified | U0 ≥ 0,10 | |||||||
| Entry/exit ramps (during daylight hours) | 300 | 500 | 25 | 0,40 | 40 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 1. Illuminance level to extend 5 m into parking floor. 2. Illuminances at floor level. |
| Entry/exit ramps (at night) | 75 | 100 | 25 | 0,40 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 30 | 1. Illuminances at floor level. |
| Traffic lanes, internal ramps and pedestrian paths | 75 | 100 | 25 | 0,40 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 30 | 1. Illuminances at floor level. 2. A high vertical illuminance increases recognition of people's faces and therefore the feeling of safety. |
| Parking areas – not open to public | 75 | 100 | - | 0,25 | 40 | 50 | 30 | 15 | 1. Illuminances at floor level. 2. A high vertical illuminance increases recognition of people's faces and therefore the feeling of safety. |
| Parking areas – open to public with a large number of users e.g. shopping centers, arenas | 150 | 200 | - | 0,25 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 15 | 1. Illuminances at floor level. 2. A high vertical illuminance increases recognition of people's faces and therefore the feeling of safety. |
| Ticket office | 300 | 500 | 19 | 0,60 | 80 | 75 | 75 | 50 | 1. Reflections in the windows shall be avoided. 2. Glare from outside shall be prevented. |