ANSI/IES RP-6 Sports Lighting Standards: A Complete Engineering Reference
ANSI/IES RP-6, the Recommended Practice for Sports and Recreational Area Lighting, defines target illuminance, uniformity, glare control, and light-trespass limits for every sport and class of play. Designing to it is what separates a professional, defensible installation from a guess — and it's what most specifications mean by "compliant." For owners, engineers, and specifiers, RP-6 is the common language that makes a lighting design verifiable rather than a matter of opinion.
This reference explains what RP-6 specifies, why its targets are maintained rather than initial values, and how it connects to the photometric, structural, and commissioning work around it.
What RP-6 specifies
RP-6 covers four interlocking areas, defined per sport and level of play:
| Area | What it sets |
|---|---|
| Illuminance | Horizontal and (higher levels) vertical footcandles |
| Uniformity | Max:min and avg:min ratios, tighter as play rises |
| Glare | Limits toward players, officials, and spectators |
| Light trespass | Spill leaving the property, tied to local ordinances |
These aren't independent — a design must satisfy all four at once, which is why hitting a footcandle number alone doesn't make a field RP-6 compliant.
Maintained, not initial
RP-6 targets are maintained values — the level after lumen depreciation and dirt accumulation, not opening night. Designing to initial output is a costly and common error: the field meets spec at first and then falls below target within a year as the fixtures depreciate. A correct design applies a light loss factor so the maintained level holds for the fixture's full life. Any spec or quote should be read with this distinction in mind.
How it connects
RP-6 doesn't stand alone — it's the first link in a chain. RP-6 sets the bar; the AGi32 photometric study proves the design meets it; ASCE 7 / EPA structural engineering ensures the poles carry the fixtures safely; and commissioning verifies the installed result against the model. A claim of RP-6 compliance without the photometric study to prove it is just a claim. Duvon engineers every layout to the RP-6 class of play and documents compliance.
Frequently asked questions
What is ANSI/IES RP-6?
The Recommended Practice for Sports and Recreational Area Lighting — it defines illuminance, uniformity, glare, and light-trespass targets by sport and class of play.
What does RP-6 specify?
Illuminance (horizontal and vertical), uniformity ratios, glare limits, and light trespass — four interlocking areas per sport and level of play.
Are RP-6 targets maintained or initial?
Maintained — the level after depreciation, achieved with a light loss factor. Designing to initial output lets the field fall below spec within a year.
How does RP-6 connect to the rest of the design?
RP-6 sets the target; a photometric study proves it; ASCE 7/EPA ensures structural safety; commissioning verifies the installed result.
Does citing RP-6 in a spec guarantee compliance?
No — it requests documented performance. Require a photometric study to prove the design actually meets the cited class of play.
Get a free certified RP-6-compliant photometric study. Request it at duvonlighting.com/photometric-study.