Stairs And Footbridges

Stairs and footbridges may be open, enclosed and of varying construction. Good lighting can go some way towards maximising safety and capacity. Lighting should highlight the walking surfaces, treads and risers.

It should also help create sufficient contrast between adjacent surfaces for maximum visibility, whether sparsely or fully occupied.

Recommended Products

Please move your cursor through the illustration and click on the blue squares for more information about recommended products for stairs and footbridges.

Transportapplications_stairs_foot_bridges

Flair Micro Slim linear lighting solution for accent

Best Practice Advice

Quality of Lighting

Lighting from each side can give sufficient directional quality of light. Equal highlighting of horizontal treads and vertical risers on the stairs is important whilst maintaining the natural lit contrast between the two. Luminaires mounted at low level can minimise troubling glare. Care should also be taken to minimise glare to train drivers and dispatchers.

Mounted Luminaires

Lighting could also be provided by column mounted luminaires either around the bridge or mounted on it, or a combination of both. Care should be taken to achieve suitable levels of uniformity

High Resistance to Degradation

In many situations, lighting could be fully exposed to the elements, making high IP rated luminaires essential. Moreover, for longevity and to minimise costs, the external finishes of luminaires should be highly resistant to degradation.

Technical Support

There are some differences in recommended levels across standards. EN12464-2:2014 calls for 50 or 100 lux in outdoor applications dependant on passenger numbers. Whilst the Rail Industry Standard calls for 100 lux on footbridges and 150 lux on stairs.

In our experience 150 lux throughout is often selected for covered applications. BS 5489-1:2013 calls for 15-30 lux outdoors and 150 lux for enclosed areas. In all cases due consideration should be given to contrast between adjacent areas and surfaces.

For further lighting advice speak to our technical sales team on 020 8254 2022 or e-mail technicalsales@designplan.co.uk

Lighting Controls

Using a lighting control system can improve the quality of illumination as well as reduce energy consumption. Control systems allow the use of light in the required place, at the right time and in the optimum quantity. At Designplan we can provide control solutions for traditional switched applications and standalone luminaire operation, through to full networked systems utilising the DALI protocol.

more Information

PDF Lighting Guide

Our 40 page lighting guide identifies typical overground rail applications. We examine the benefits of robust construction and lighting controls to reduce your cost of ownership and carbon footprint. To download your copy click on the button below.

Lighting guide PDF

Why Choose Designplan?

Sustainability

Retrofit LED gear trays ensure 30 year design life, sustainable technology upgrades and low energy consumption.
Photometrically efficient lighting should be manufactured from recyclable materials with a short supply chain.
Integrated lighting controls will ensure light is directed where and when required.

Satisfaction

Good lighting promotes feelings of safety and security, catering for varying needs such as visual impairment, physical disability and age.
Integrated lighting controls will ensure light is directed where and when required.
In covered stairwells cable management systems can integrate various functions and minimise visual clutter.

Safety

Lighting should highlight the walking surfaces, treads and risers to reduce likely hood of slips and trips.
Uniform light distribution will provide visual clarity even when crowded.
High ingress protection required for uncovered or partially covered areas.

Stewardship

Ongoing operational costs, waste and the consumption of natural resources must be minimised.
We have many installations on the rail network which demonstrate the benefits of a ‘whole life cost’ model.