Natatorium Lighting Design & Layout
Get Your Custom Lighting Plan With Product Recommendations
Includes up to 8% off the price of our recommended lighting products 
Dedicated Sales Support
Every lighting plan comes with a dedicated product specialist, providing personalized service and expert advice for your project needs.
How long does it take to get a plan?
1-2 for indoor and 2-3 days for outdoor projects
Our Customers
4
5
CBRE needed high quality lighting for their customer, with stock available for ongoing projects.
Customer had an urgent need for high temperature lights. We had them in stock & shipped out next day.
Poor lighting caused parking lot safety issues for spectators. Our lighting plan & new lights resulted in an improved experience.
Customer needed to source large quantities of specialty fixtures for use in their manufactured products.
Tracy Electric was seeking a reliable source for ongoing lighting projects.
Distributors partner with us to provide customers a high quality product at a reasonable price.
Repeat lighting supplier for an electrical contractor working in manufacturing facilities.
Permanent tent lighting for large acrobatics facility. Our lighting plan & recommendations resulted in ideal performer & spectator safety.
Natatorium lighting design ensures safe, comfortable, and visually balanced illumination for indoor swimming pools. A well-executed plan addresses fixture selection, layout, spacing, and target foot-candle levels to support both swimmers and spectators. Proper design helps prevent glare, shadows, and premature fixture failure in the challenging pool environment, giving facility owners confidence in their investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Natatorium Lighting Design?
Natatorium lighting design uses specialized lighting design software to create a comprehensive lighting plan for indoor swimming facilities. The design calculates the total number of fixtures needed, identifies optimal installation locations, and provides detailed light level and balance analysis to ensure a bright, comfortable environment. Light balance is essential for avoiding harsh or uneven illumination. Free lighting designs are available for commercial lighting clients, electricians, electrical contractors, and ESCOs.
What Are the Light Level Requirements for Different Natatorium Types?
Light requirements depend on the competition level and facility use:
- Professional pools: 75 foot-candles on the water surface, 50 foot-candles on deck areas.
- College-level facilities: 50 foot-candles for pools, 20 foot-candles for decks.
- Recreational natatoriums: 30 foot-candles for pools, 10 foot-candles for decks.
A professional lighting plan helps meet these requirements while optimizing fixture placement and beam spread.
How Many Lumens Do You Need for an Indoor Swimming Pool?
Lumen requirements typically range from 10 lumens per square foot for recreational deck areas up to 75 lumens per square foot for professional-level pools. The exact number depends on your facility’s purpose, ceiling height, and surface reflectance. Lighting calculations account for these variables to determine precise lumen needs.
Can Any High Bay Light Fixture Be Used in a Commercial Pool Facility?
Standard high bay fixtures are not suitable for natatorium environments. Pool lighting requires fixtures with tempered glass lenses, cast aluminum housings, and corrosion-resistant coatings to withstand high humidity and chlorine exposure. These features are critical for long-term reliability and safety.
How Can You Reduce Glare in Natatoriums?
Reducing glare involves using frosted or prismatic lenses, selecting appropriate beam angles, and positioning fixtures to avoid direct lines of sight from swimmers and spectators. Uniform light distribution and careful placement are key to minimizing glare and creating a visually comfortable environment.
Why Do I Need a Professional Lighting Plan for My Natatorium?
A professional lighting plan helps avoid costly installation errors and ensures code compliance from the start. Photometric analysis provides exact light levels, eliminates dark spots, and optimizes fixture quantities to reduce energy costs. Contractors receive precise installation specifications, which streamlines labor and ensures correct beam angles for optimal performance.
What Information Is Needed to Create a Natatorium Lighting Design?
To create an accurate lighting design, provide your facility’s dimensions and ceiling height, target foot-candle levels, and any existing fixture locations. A floor plan or architectural drawing is helpful for optimizing fixture placement. Additional considerations include ventilation equipment locations and areas needing special lighting, such as diving platforms or therapy pools.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Natatorium Lighting Plan?
Most natatorium lighting designs are completed within 3 to 5 business days after receiving your facility information. Projects with multiple pools or special requirements may take up to one week. Rush orders can be accommodated for urgent timelines.
Can Lighting Plans Help Reduce My Project’s Energy Costs?
Yes. Optimized lighting plans achieve required light levels with fewer fixtures, reducing both equipment and long-term energy costs. Proper spacing prevents over-lighting and ensures uniform coverage that meets code requirements. Many clients see a 15-25 percent reduction in fixture quantities compared to basic layouts.
How Many Lights Do I Need for My Natatorium?
The number of lights required depends on pool size, ceiling height, target foot-candle levels, and fixture type. A custom lighting plan calculates the exact quantity and placement needed to achieve uniform, code-compliant illumination for your specific facility.
What Mounting Height Should Be Used for Natatorium Lighting?
Mounting height is typically determined by ceiling height and the type of fixture selected. Most natatoriums use fixtures mounted between 20 and 40 feet above the pool deck. Proper mounting height ensures even light distribution and minimizes glare.
How Far Apart Should Fixtures Be Spaced in a Natatorium?
Fixture spacing depends on the beam angle, mounting height, and desired light levels. Even spacing is critical to avoid shadows and dark spots. A lighting layout will specify optimal spacing for your facility based on these factors.
What Type of Fixtures Are Best for Natatoriums?
Fixtures designed specifically for natatoriums are best. Look for LED fixtures with corrosion-resistant housings, sealed optics, and tempered glass lenses to withstand humidity and chlorine exposure. High-quality drivers and robust construction ensure long-term performance in pool environments.
How Do I Reduce Shadows or Dark Spots in My Pool Area?
Uniform fixture spacing, correct mounting height, and careful selection of beam angles help eliminate shadows and dark spots. A professional lighting plan uses photometric analysis to ensure even coverage across the entire pool and deck area.
Sample Natatorium and Swimming Pool Lighting Plan
