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GN

Guidance on Lighting of Railway Premises

Railway Group Guidance Note
Issue 1 December 2007
GI/GN7520

Published by

Rail Safety and Standards Board

Evergreen House
160 Euston Road
London NW1 2DX

© Copyright 2007
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited
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Guidance on Lighting of Railway Premises

Issue Record
Issue Date Comments
One December 2007 Original document
Supersedes sections C1 to C6, C10 to C12 and
C14 to C19 of GI/RT7010, issue 1, Lighting of
Railway Premises

Revisions have not been marked by a vertical black line in this issue because the
document has been revised throughout.

Superseded documents
The following Railway Group documents are superseded, either in whole or in part as
indicated:

Superseded documents Sections Date when

superseded sections are
superseded
GI/RT7010, issue 1, Lighting of Railway Premises C1 to C6 02 February 2008
C10 to C12
C14 to C19

Other parts of GI/RT7010 issue 1 are superseded by GI/RT7016, issue 2, Interface

between Station Platforms, Track and Trains and GI/RT7019, issue 1, Safety in Railway
Tunnels - Requirements for Lighting.

GI/RT7010 issue 1 ceases to be in force and is withdrawn as of 02 February 2008.

Supply
Controlled and uncontrolled copies of this Railway Group Guidance Note may be obtained
from the Corporate Communications Department, Rail Safety and Standards Board,
Evergreen House, 160 Euston Road, London NW1 2DX, telephone 020 7904 7518 or e-
mail [email protected]. Railway Group Standards and associated documents can also
be viewed at www.rgsonline.co.uk.

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Guidance on Lighting of Railway Premises

Contents
Section Description Page

Part 1 Introduction 4
1.1 Purpose of this document 4
1.2 Copyright 4
1.3 Approval and authorisation of this document 4

Part 2 Guidance on lighting of railway premises 5

2.1 Mandatory requirements for lighting of railway premises 5
2.2 Illuminance 5
2.3 Colour and type of light sources 6
2.4 Glare 6
2.5 The effect of lighting on railway signalling 6
2.6 Automatic control of lighting 6
2.7 Emergency and escape lighting 7
2.8 CCTV 7
2.9 Location of luminaires and columns in proximity to railway lines 7
2.10 Lighting columns and masts – mechanical considerations 7
2.11 Navigation and warning lighting 7
2.12 Authorised walking routes 8
2.13 Sidings and stabling areas 8
2.14 Lighting in signal boxes and control centres 8
2.15 Temporary lighting arrangements 9

Definitions 10

References 11

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Part 1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose of this document
This document has been published by Rail Safety and Standards Board to give guidance
on the lighting of railway premises and the design of lighting installations to take into
account the special requirements of the railway environment. It does not constitute a
recommended method of meeting any set of mandatory requirements.

The guidance in this document is adapted from the previously mandatory requirements set
out in GI/RT7010, issue 1, Lighting of Railway Premises. GI/RT7010 was withdrawn in
February 2008, as many of the measures it contained did not meet the risk scope test set
out in the Railway Group Standards Code. However, it documented some advice which it
was considered worth continuing to make available in the form of this Guidance Note.

1.2 Copyright
Copyright in the Railway Group documents is owned by Rail Safety and Standards Board
Limited. All rights are hereby reserved. No Railway Group document (in whole or in part)
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or means,
without the prior written permission of Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited, or as
expressly permitted by law.

RSSB Members are granted copyright licence in accordance with the Constitution
Agreement relating to Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited.

In circumstances where Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited has granted a particular
person or organisation permission to copy extracts from Railway Group documents, Rail
Safety and Standards Board Limited accepts no responsibility for, and excludes all liability
in connection with, the use of such extracts, or any claims arising therefrom. This
disclaimer applies to all forms of media in which extracts from Railway Group documents
may be reproduced.

1.3 Approval and authorisation of this document

The content of this document was approved by:

Infrastructure Standards Committee on 18 July 2007.

This document was authorised by RSSB on 18 October 2007.

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Guidance on Lighting of Railway Premises

Part 2 Guidance on lighting of railway premises

2.1 Mandatory requirements for lighting of railway premises
2.1.1 The following Railway Group Standards set out mandatory requirements for
lighting of railway premises:

a) GI/RT7016 Interface between Station Platforms, Track and Trains sets out
requirements for lighting of station platforms.

b) GI/RT7019 Safety in Railway Tunnels - Requirements for Lighting sets out

requirements for tunnel lighting systems.

c) GE/RT8034 Maintenance of Signal Visibility sets out requirements for

alterations to lighting in the vicinity of signals.

d) GI/RT7012 Requirements for Level Crossings sets out requirements for

lighting and CCTV systems at level crossings.

2.1.2 The requirements set out in these Railway Group Standards have not been
duplicated in the form of guidance in this document.

2.2 Illuminance
2.2.1 Design of lighting installations
2.2.1.1 The design of lighting installations should take into account the special
requirements of the railway environment, which can be harsh in terms of
deterioration to luminaires and difficult in terms of access to maintain the
equipment.

2.2.1.2 The effective maintenance of a luminaire is essential to its continuing efficiency

and adherence to the requirements of Railway Group Standards. Therefore
lighting schemes should include details of the maintenance procedures that apply
to ensure that the maintained illuminance is achieved throughout the life of the
luminaire(s).

2.2.1.3 Lighting designs should permit simple, safe and effective maintenance, avoiding,
as far as practical, the need for special equipment, track possessions, isolations
of electrification equipment, etc.

2.2.1.4 It is important that the relative brightness of surfaces is appropriate to the

installation and this should be considered when illuminance values are being
calculated. Due consideration should be given to the needs of disabled, mobility
and/or sensory impaired persons. The Strategic Rail Authority code of practice
‘Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers’ advises on lighting levels for
disabled passengers. Minimum levels of brightness, as laid down in heath and
safety legislation, are not necessarily the most appropriate for levels of comfort,
security and safety, and should only be applied as a minimum for maintained
illuminance levels.

2.2.1.5 The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is a recognised

authority on lighting and produce a number of documents giving facts, good
practice and information on EU directives and reference to national legislation on
lighting matters (see http://www.cibse.org). The CIBSE documents are regularly
updated and are considered a useful source of information on lighting matters.
Those of particular relevance to the lighting of railway premises are included in
the reference section of this document.

2.2.2 Maintenance of lighting installations

2.2.2.1 Maintenance arrangements should be in place to ensure that the maintained
illuminance is achieved at all times.

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2.3 Colour and type of light sources

2.3.1 Not all lamps that are commercially available are of practical use and the
selection of the most appropriate is essential. However certain types of lamps
should be avoided in the following specific situations:

a) Low pressure sodium lamps in proximity to railway lines where there is

potential conflict with railway signalling (see section 2.5). Low pressure
sodium lamps emit a yellow light in normal operation and may emit a red
light in run-up and failure modes.

b) Metal halide lamps in proximity to railway lines where there is potential

conflict with railway signalling (see section 2.5). Metal halide lamps may
emit either a bright green, pink or blue light when warming up.

c) Any type or colour of light source located such that there is potential for
contradiction with the signalling system.

d) Quartz arc tube metal halide lamps, unless installed in a luminaire with a
UV filter cover which encloses the lamp in normal operation.

e) Tungsten halogen lamps unless provided with a protective glass cover (to
protect against infrared radiation).

2.4 Glare
2.4.1 The effect of glare (disability and discomfort) from luminaires should be
considered in the design of an installation by taking into account the mounting
height, spacing, distribution and luminance of the luminaires and their position
relative to the task area. The effect of glare from natural sources should also be
taken into account.

2.5 The effect of lighting on railway signalling

2.5.1 GE/RT8034 sets out requirements for alterations to lighting in the vicinity of
signals. It notes that alterations to lighting in the vicinity of signals can cause
distraction or create confusion when seen by an approaching train driver.
Conflicts with requirements for signal sighting can occur as follows:

a) Where a driver is unable to see a signal because of the positioning of a

lighting structure

b) Where a light source can be mistaken for a signal aspect

c) Where a light source can overpower a signal aspect due to high luminance

d) Where a light source can cause conflict by reflection or refraction

2.5.2 Similar problems can arise where hand signals are employed, particularly on
station platforms.

2.5.3 In all cases, luminaires should be positioned so that the driver’s view of railway
signals is not impaired.

2.6 Automatic control of lighting

2.6.1 Where automatic control of lighting is provided to maintain a level of illuminance
the system should, as a minimum, switch on when the daylight illuminance falls
below the design minimum for that installation.

2.6.2 Where automatic control of lighting is installed to provide a level of illuminance

when a situation demands, such as for security, routine maintenance in tunnels,
etc, it should switch on and provide at least the design minimum for that situation
and its environment.

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2.6.3 Consideration of the warm-up time for luminaires should be taken into account
when setting the design minimum for the switch-on point of installations that
adopt automatic control of lighting.

2.7 Emergency and escape lighting

2.7.1 Where emergency or escape lighting is provided as a permanent installation (for
example, to aid egress from a building, station or tunnel) it should switch on
automatically. The level of illuminance that the emergency lighting provides
should at least be the design minimum for the anticipated emergency. Further
information can be found in BS 5266-1:2005.

2.8 CCTV
2.8.1 Luminaires should not be positioned within the field of view of a CCTV system if
they would adversely affect the effective operation of the CCTV camera.

2.8.2 Consideration should be given to providing an even illumination (high uniformity)

of the field of view of the cameras to eliminate excessive contrasts.

2.8.2 Special requirements are contained in Railway Group Standards when the CCTV
concerned is associated with driver only operation or level crossings (see
section 2.1).

2.9 Location of luminaires and columns in proximity to railway lines

2.9.1 The position of luminaires and lighting columns should be designed such that,
when raising and lowering lighting columns, they are clear of adjacent tracks.
Requirements for defining and maintaining clearances are set out in GC/RT5212.

2.9.2 In both AC and DC electrified line areas the position of luminaires and lighting
columns should be designed such that when staff are raising and lowering
lighting columns, or maintaining them in proximity to live equipment, including
return conductors, clearances in all positions of raising and lowering are
maintained in accordance with the requirements set out in GE/RT8025.

2.9.3 An earth bond should be securely connected between the fixed base of a column
and a hinged pole. A flexible conduit should be provided between the two halves
of a column to prevent cables being damaged when a column is being raised and
lowered.

2.10 Lighting columns and masts – mechanical considerations

2.10.1 For the purpose of raising and lowering lighting columns or raising and lowering
headframes on fixed columns, there should be a ready means of identifying the
correct raising and lowering device for each column and the equipment on that
column.

2.10.2 Approval of the manufacturer should be obtained before installing additional

equipment, for example extra luminaires, signs or public address systems on the
columns.

2.11 Navigation and warning lighting

2.11.1 Lighting required for railway purposes should not conflict under any
circumstances with the warning lighting provided for safety purposes in the
vicinity of airports, harbours, inland waterway terminals and crossings. At
locations where there is potential for conflict, approval for proposed railway
lighting schemes should be obtained from the appropriate authority of the
affected transport system at both the design and the installation stages.

2.11.2 Existing or proposed lighting on or adjacent to railway premises which, although

installed for the benefit of another transport system, could adversely affect railway
operational systems should be identified at the first opportunity. The appropriate

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authority for the affected transport system should be approached to co-ordinate

lighting design, such that there is no adverse effect on railway operation.

2.12 Authorised walking routes

2.12.1 Authorised walking routes should be illuminated at levels appropriate to the
hazards that may be encountered along their route.

2.12.2 The maintained illuminance of walking routes should be 10 lux average, 5 lux
minimum, horizontally at the walking surface.

2.12.3 The uniformity, in the horizontal axis, should be equal to or greater than 0.3.

2.13 Sidings and stabling areas

2.13.1 Where sidings and stabling areas are deemed to require illumination as a result
of risk assessment, the maintained illuminance should be a minimum of 2 lux
vertical, measured at a height of 1.0 m above rail level, and 10 lux horizontal,
measured at rail level.

2.13.2 The uniformity, in the vertical and the horizontal planes, should be equal to or
greater than 0.5.

2.14 Lighting in signal boxes and control centres

2.14.1 General
2.14.1.1 The lighting within any signal box, where it is necessary on any occasion to
directly view rail traffic operations, should be of a type to minimise glare and to
have lower light levels incident upon the operators eyes, for example by providing
desk lamps, dimmable lighting, low brightness fittings, downlights or lights
suspended at low level over working areas, as deemed most appropriate for the
particular circumstances.

2.14.1.2 The ergonomic and human factors aspects of the design should take account of
variable lighting on the alertness of personnel undertaking safety critical tasks at
all times of day (24 hours).

2.14.2 Signal box lighting

2.14.2.1 When level crossings are viewed and operated from the signal box then the
lighting at the control point within the box should be of a type to minimise glare to
the operator.

2.14.3 Control centre lighting

2.14.3.1 In control centres lighting design should take into account the needs of operators
to see the mimic board and any extra messages or indicators associated with
railway operation. Lighting levels should be adjustable. The CIBSE Lighting
Guide, LG3, provides good practice advice on lighting for persons using computer
screens.

2.14.4 Lighting required for maintenance of signal boxes and control rooms
2.14.4.1 Lighting required for maintenance of signal box and control rooms should be of a
type to avoid causing problems to the signallers or control room operators. The
CIBSE Lighting Guide, LG1, provides advice about good practice on lighting for
control rooms.

2.14.5 Signal box lighting and drivers

2.14.5.1 The lighting within any signal box should not adversely affect the vision of drivers
of passing trains.

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2.15 Temporary lighting arrangements

2.15.1 The guidance in this document is applicable to temporary lighting, including
lighting for engineering worksites, when the railway continues to operate at or
close to the site of the temporary lighting.

2.15.2 Where it is not possible for temporary lighting to meet the guidance in this
document, special working arrangements that address the specific safety hazards
of the temporary lighting should considered. These arrangements could include,
for example, instructions to drivers, clear boundary descriptions, and the
provision of specific instructions and notices for distribution and display to all
persons affected by the temporary scheme.

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Definitions
Authorised walking route
A designated route providing pedestrian access to places of work (including booking on
points and stabling points) for railway staff and which is suitable for use by people not
certificated in personal track safety.

Control centre
A signalling centre responsible for the control of train movements on Network Rail
infrastructure.

Glare
The discomfort or impairment of vision experienced when parts of the visual field are
excessively bright in relation to the general surroundings.

Horizontal illuminance
The illuminance falling on a horizontal plane.

Illuminance
The luminous flux density at a surface in a defined plane. The SI unit of illuminance is the
2
lux, which is equal to one lumen per square metre (lm/m ).

Luminance
The measure of brightness of a surface in a given direction. The SI unit of luminance is
2
candela per square metre (cd/m ).

Luminaire
An apparatus which controls the distribution of light given by a lamp or lamps and which
includes all the components necessary for fixing and protecting the lamps and connecting
them to the supply circuit. ‘Luminaire’ has superseded the term ‘lighting fitting’.

Luminous flux
The term used to describe the quantity of light emitted by a source, or received by a
surface. The Sl unit of luminous flux is the lumen (lm).

Maintained illuminance
The average illuminance over the reference surface at the worst condition of maintenance.

Mimic board
The diagrammatic representation of track and signals that indicate the positions and
movements of trains.

Temporary lighting
Any lighting that is installed to perform a specific task and that is not intended to remain
installed or to replace the permanent lighting scheme to which the temporary lighting is to
be applied.

Uniformity
The ratio of the minimum illuminance to the average illuminance over a specified surface.

Vertical Illuminance
The illuminance falling on a vertical plane.

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References
RGSC01 The Railway Group Standards Code.
Railway Group Standards
GC/RT5212 Requirements for Defining and Maintaining Clearances
GE/RT8025 Electrical Protective Provisions for Electrified Lines
GE/RT8034 Maintenance of Signal Visibility
GI/RT7012 Requirements for Level Crossings
GI/RT7016 Interface between Station Platforms, Track and Trains
GI/RT7019 Safety in Railway Tunnels - Requirements for Lighting
RSSB documents
RIS-7700-INS Rail Industry Standard for Station Infrastructure
Other References
BS 5266-1:2005 Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of
premises
LG1 CIBSE Lighting Guide LG1: The Industrial Environment (Chartered
Institution of Building Services Engineers, 2001) [Included in CIBSE
Code for Lighting 2004]
LG3 CIBSE lighting guide LG3: The visual environment for display screen
use (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, 1996)
Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers: A Code of
Practice, Strategic Rail Authority, London, February 2002

Further related documents

Other References
BS 5489-1:2003 Code of practice for the design of road lighting. Lighting of roads and
public amenity areas
BS 5489-8 Code of practice for the design of road lighting. Lighting of roads
adjacent to railways and waterways
BS 8300:2001 Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of
disabled people. Code of practice
BS EN 13032-1 Light and lighting. Measurement and presentation of photometric data
of lamps and luminaires. Measurement and file format
BS EN 60598-1 Luminaires. General requirements and tests
BS EN 60598-2 Luminaires. Particular requirements [Various parts]
LG6 CIBSE Lighting Guide LG6: The Outdoor Environment (Chartered
Institution of Building Services Engineers, 1992)
LG12 CIBSE Lighting Guide LG12: Emergency Lighting Design Guide
(Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, 2004)
SI 1992/2792 Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
SI 2002/2174 Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002
SI 1998/2306 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
L22 Safe use of work equipment. Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and guidance L22
(Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1626 6

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