Professional guide to UK parking garage lighting requirements per BS EN 12464-2.Traffic routes (75 lux), parking areas (20 lux), pedestrian zones (50 lux), and security lighting. Essential compliance information for car park operators and security professionals.
All values per BS EN 12464-2
Comprehensive breakdown of illuminance requirements for all car park areas and vehicle parking security according to British Standards
| Parking Area/Zone | Required Lux Level | Standard Reference | Application Notes | Uniformity Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Routes | 75 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Vehicle lanes, ramps, main circulation routes | ≥ 0.4 |
| Parking Areas | 20 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | General parking bays, vehicle storage areas | ≥ 0.25 |
| Pedestrian Walkways | 50 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Footpaths, pedestrian circulation areas | ≥ 0.4 |
| Payment/Ticket Areas | 100 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Ticket machines, payment kiosks, barriers | ≥ 0.5 |
| Stairwells in Car Parks | 150 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Level changes, pedestrian stairs | ≥ 0.5 |
| Lift Areas | 100 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Lift lobbies, waiting areas | ≥ 0.4 |
| Entry/Exit Points | 100 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Vehicle entry/exit, security checkpoints | ≥ 0.4 |
| Security/CCTV Areas | 50 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Surveillance coverage, crime prevention | ≥ 0.25 |
| Disabled Parking Bays | 50 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Accessible parking, mobility aid areas | ≥ 0.4 |
| Emergency Assembly Points | 5 lux | BS 5266-1:2016 | Emergency evacuation areas, safety zones | ≥ 0.25 |
| Underground Car Parks | 20 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Enclosed parking areas, basement levels | ≥ 0.25 |
| Multi-Storey Ramps | 75 lux | BS EN 12464-2:2014 | Spiral ramps, level transitions | ≥ 0.4 |
Specialized lighting considerations for various parking facility types and user demographics
Enhanced lighting for customer comfort and safety. Higher levels (75-100 lux) create welcoming environment and improve security perception for shoppers carrying purchases.
Standard compliance levels with enhanced lighting near building entrances. Consider employee safety during early/late hours and seasonal daylight variations.
Minimum compliance levels balanced with light pollution concerns.Focus on safety at pedestrian routes and visitor parking areas near residential buildings.
Higher illuminance for vulnerable users and emergency access. 24/7 operation requires consistent lighting with backup systems for critical patient areas.
Enhanced security lighting for international facilities. Long-term parking requires excellent coverage and wayfinding systems for passenger orientation.
Artificial lighting only with emergency backup systems.Enhanced lighting at level transitions, stairwells, and lift areas for enclosed environment safety.
Eliminate dark spots and hiding places that could compromise security. Ensure CCTV coverage areas have adequate illumination for effective surveillance.
Provide clear illumination of traffic routes, signage, and level markers. Help drivers navigate safely through the car park layout.
Enhanced lighting for walkways, stairs, and building connections.Ensure safe passage from vehicles to destinations with clear sightlines.
Crime prevention and personal safety measures through effective lighting design and coverage
Coordinate lighting with surveillance systems. Ensure camera coverage areas have adequate illumination (minimum 50 lux) for clear image quality and facial recognition.
Remove dark areas where criminal activity could occur undetected.Pay special attention to corners, pillars, stairwells, and areas behind large vehicles.
Enhance lighting at emergency call points, fire exits, and assembly areas.Ensure these safety features are clearly visible and accessible at all times.
Maintain consistent security lighting throughout night hours.Use smart controls to optimize energy while ensuring minimum safety levels are never compromised.
Enhanced illumination at vehicle and pedestrian entry points.Critical for barrier operation, security checks, and license plate recognition systems.
Higher lighting levels in vulnerable areas create perception of safety.Well-lit car parks encourage use and reduce fear, particularly for women and elderly users.
Emergency lighting ensures security during power outages. Critical for enclosed car parks where natural light is unavailable during emergencies.
IoT sensors can detect lighting failures and security breaches.Automatic alerts ensure rapid response to maintain continuous security coverage.
Smart lighting solutions and energy-efficient technology for secure, cost-effective parking facilities
High-efficacy LED fixtures provide 60-70% energy savings compared to traditional sources. Long life reduces maintenance costs in hard-to-reach car park locations.
Occupancy detection provides full lighting when needed while maintaining security base levels.Significant energy savings in low-traffic periods.
Photocells automatically adjust lighting based on natural light levels.Essential for partially covered car parks and areas with skylights.
LED emergency lighting integrated with normal systems. Self-testing capabilities ensure compliance with evacuation lighting requirements.
Solar-powered lighting for remote areas and sustainability goals.Hybrid systems combine grid power with solar backup for enhanced reliability.
Smart monitoring tracks energy usage, detects failures, and optimizes performance.Predictive maintenance reduces downtime and security vulnerabilities.
Professional step-by-step guide to measuring car park illuminance for BS EN 12464-2 vehicle parking security compliance
Identify different parking areas: traffic routes (75 lux), parking bays (20 lux), pedestrian walkways (50 lux), payment areas (100 lux).Mark security-critical zones.
Position lux meter at ground level (0.2m height) to measure illuminance where vehicles and pedestrians operate.Avoid shadows from parked cars during measurement.
Take measurements along typical driving paths and pedestrian walkways.Include entry/exit points, ramps, level changes, and connections to buildings.
Measure lighting in CCTV coverage areas, potential hiding spots, and vulnerable locations.Ensure adequate illumination for surveillance effectiveness.
Calculate uniformity ratios and identify areas with inadequate lighting.Check for proper illumination of signage, barriers, and safety features.
Create comprehensive assessment with car park layout, security analysis, compliance status, and recommendations for facility management.
Complete toolkit for measuring, calculating, and documenting parking garage lighting compliance for vehicle facility security
Measure actual car park lighting levels with professional accuracy.iPhone app with instant PDF certificates for vehicle parking security compliance.
Get Lux Meter →Calculate required lux levels for different parking zones and security requirements for vehicle facility lighting design.
Calculate Now →Generate professional car park lighting assessment reports with full BS EN 12464-2 vehicle parking security compliance documentation.
View Reports →Common questions about UK car park lighting requirements, measurement, and vehicle parking security compliance
BS EN 12464-2 requires 75 lux for traffic routes and ramps, 20 lux minimum for parking areas, 50 lux for pedestrian walkways, 100 lux for payment/ticket areas, and 20 lux for security coverage. These are maintained illuminance levels measured at ground level.
Car park security requires 20 lux minimum according to BS EN 12464-2, with enhanced levels (50-75 lux) recommended for high-risk areas, CCTV coverage zones, and pedestrian routes for optimal security surveillance and personal safety.
Underground parking garages require 20 lux minimum for parking areas and 75 lux for traffic routes per BS EN 12464-2.Additional emergency lighting per BS 5266-1 ensures safe evacuation with minimum 1 lux on escape routes.
Yes. Shopping center car parks may use higher levels (50+ lux) for customer comfort and security. Residential parking can use minimum compliance levels. Multi-storey car parks need enhanced stairwell and circulation lighting.
Use a calibrated lux meter at ground level across different parking zones: traffic routes, parking bays, pedestrian areas, and security points.Document measurements during hours of operation for planning and building control compliance.
Poor car park lighting can result in planning enforcement, increased liability for accidents and crime, and affect insurance coverage.Car park operators have duty of care under Occupiers' Liability Acts to provide safe environment for users.
BS EN 12464-2 requires minimum uniformity of 0.25 for parking areas and 0.4 for traffic routes.This prevents dangerous dark spots while allowing reasonable variation across large car park areas.
Yes, motion sensors and dimming systems can reduce energy consumption while maintaining minimum security levels.Emergency lighting must remain fully operational regardless of control systems.
Multi-storey and underground car parks require emergency lighting per BS 5266-1 for safe evacuation.Minimum 1 lux on escape routes with 1-3 hour duration depending on car park type and occupancy.
Initial assessment after installation, then annual reviews for security and compliance.Monthly emergency lighting tests required. LED systems reduce maintenance frequency while improving reliability and security coverage.
Ensure your car park meets BS EN 12464-2 vehicle parking security requirements with our professional lux meter app. Instant measurements, compliance checking, and PDF certificates for parking facilities.
Professional car park lighting assessment • BS EN 12464-2 vehicle parking compliant • Instant PDF reports