Natatoriums are highly specialized spaces, and luminaires in this setting face several challenges. Perhaps the most significant challenge is corrosion, which is exacerbated by high indoor humidity, condensation, and pool chemicals, resulting in material degradation. Fixtures for this application must, at a minimum, be rated for damp locations and offer the highest protection against moisture and chemical vapors resulting from water treatment.

Additionally, because natatorium fixtures are typically difficult to access, maintenance must be limited to a minimum. If glass were to fall into the pool during maintenance, the entire pool would need to be drained—an expensive and time-consuming effort. Life safety and accident prevention are driving forces behind natatorium lighting.

One way to address these issues is by installing LED luminaires. Indirect illumination is recommended to reduce glare and veiling reflections, improving the clarity of underwater viewing and related safety.

Niles West High School natatorium

In Skokie, Ill., Niles West High School’s pool and coaches’ offices were constructed in 1960. Since then, the facilities have served thousands of students, athletes, numerous coaches, and hosted many meets. However, new code requirements and accessibility regulations, along with an aging infrastructure, compelled major upgrades. The pool is part of a five-year facility improvement project. Renovations include upgrades to the structure and design of the natatorium, as well as the replacement of the pool deck, tiles, and the concrete beneath the pool. New features include the ceiling, additional storage areas, starting blocks, and an entrance to the pool deck that complies with accessibility guidelines.

Additional renovations include changing the gutter system, adding 227 mm (9 in.) of water, completely overhauling the pool’s mechanical and HVAC systems, updating timing equipment, remodeling coaches’ offices, and adding an enhanced grandstand area including glass railings for unobstructed sightlines, new school graphics, updated record boards to celebrate achievements and create a vibrant atmosphere, and new lighting. The $7.3-million pool renovations were covered by funds allocated through the school district’s budget.

Stuckey Construction, a pool constructor certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health, began renovations in February 2024 and completed the project by August 2024, in time for the start of the new school year.

Lighting system

The 2,641-m² (28,430-sf) complex previously included a metal halide (MH) lighting system installed over the pool. To access the lights for maintenance, the facilities team had to climb onto a non-compliant catwalk above the dropped ceiling, posing safety concerns. MH lamps degrade over time, losing light output and color consistency, and typically have a lifespan of 6,000 to 15,000 hours before the bulbs require replacement.

Marcus Holleran, facilities manager at Niles West High School, knew a new lighting system was critical to the renovation:

• Dim lights made it difficult for spectators to see the swimmers at meets
• The low light levels became a safety issue for lifeguards
• There were concerns for the potential of glass to break and drop into the pool during maintenance, which would require draining 719,228 L (190,000 gal) of water
• MH technology requires 10-15 minutes of “cool down to relight,” meaning the bulbs needed to cool down enough before they could be
  re-lit again

Studio GC was the architectural and design firm retained by the school district for the project and specified indirect lighting above the pool’s perimeter to reflect off the dropped ceiling. This design evenly distributes the lighting over the pool. The architectural firm worked with 20/10 Engineering Group to address photometric considerations. Based on these studies, the project required 32 LED luminaires engineered to perform in high-humidity, caustic, and corrosive environments, as well as hard-to-service areas, and feature IP65-certified housing. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has developed the ingress protection (IP) rating system, which grades the resistance of an enclosure against the intrusion of dust or liquids. Each IP water rating consists of two numbers:

• First digit (solid protection) is rated on a scale from 0 (no protection) to 6 (no ingress of dust)
• Second digit (water protection) rates the enclosure’s protection against liquids and uses a scale from 0 (no protection) to 9 (high-pressure hot water from different angles).

“The new lights are terrific,” says Holleran. “They strike instantly, provide more lumens than our old MH lights, will last for years, and are cost-effective. In addition to the dramatically longer life of LEDs compared to MH—100,000 [hours] versus 6,000–15,000 [hours]—the facilities team no longer has to precariously balance on a catwalk to change bulbs.”

The school’s swim team members also welcome the lighting upgrade.

“I appreciate how bright the pool facility is now due to the new lighting. It makes the space shine, feel warmer and more comfortable,” says Dr. Dana Krilich, Niles West High School athletic director.

Author

Frank Gonzaels is the Midwest sales manager for Kenall Manufacturing and may be reached via email at frank.gonzales@kenall.com.

Key Takeaways

Niles West High School’s natatorium renovation features corrosion-resistant, indirect LED lighting designed for safety, efficiency, and longevity—replacing outdated metal halide fixtures while improving visibility, maintenance access, and overall user experience.