Control of Light Pollution

Standard BNQ 4930-100
Exterior Lighting – Control of Light Pollution

The industrialization of society and the advent of electrical lighting have meant that human beings now live and work day and night. Moreover, the abundant availability of affordable energy stimulated the large-scale deployment of lighting systems. However, good practices in the field are not always well known or applied, which in some cases can cause harmful effects or nuisance for human beings, ecosystems or the quality of starry nights.

In order to contribute to limit light pollution, BNQ 4930-100 presents requirements addressing 4 factors that characterize lighting, namely the quantity of light emitted, its direction, its spectral composition and its duration of use. These requirements take into account the needs and constraints specific to 4 lighting zones ranging from protected natural environments to urban environments, and 17 typical lighting applications, including road lighting, industrial or commercial lighting, architectural lighting and lighted signs.

Lighting system designers, owners and managers of lighting systems, municipal and provincial authorities, private organizations and individuals will find in this Standard detailed technical references and general practices that can guide their decisions for the control of light pollution.

-- Controlling light pollution doesn’t mean eliminating light, it means smarter lighting. --