ICAO Standards and Photometric Testing
Photometric Testing is way of assessing airfield lights to prove their compliance with ICAO standards.
ICAO Annex 14 and the Airport Services Manual (Doc 9137) provide guidelines on the required maintenance standards, mentioning the need for regular photometric measurement to ensure continuous compliance and operational safety.
What are ICAO’s Standards for Airfield Lighting System Maintenance
The following is a summary of ICAO’s mentioned documents that define the expectations from a maintenance plan:
- Airfield lights are considered unserviceable if their beam intensity is less than 50% of the standard.
- Light replacement is recommended when its output falls below 70% of the standard.
- Light measurements should be carried out regularly to detect early light output reduction.
- As a general rule, an unserviceable light shall not be permitted adjacent to another unserviceable light.
- For taxiways that operate with an RVR of less than 350m, no two adjacent taxiway centre line lights be unserviceable
- For Cat II and III runways, the light measurement frequency should be based on local factors, but it should be at least twice a year for in-pavement lights and once a year for other lights.
The table below shows the minimum serviceable lights ratio for different types of runways:
How Frequently Should Airports Do Photometric Testing?
Photometric Testing, based on ICAO standards and guidelines, should be conducted regularly to assess the condition of the airport’s lights. This is the only way to prove that the airport complies with the minimum light serviceability levels defined for each runway and taxiway type.
Airports shall determine the frequency of the measurements depending on traffic, pollution, reliability of the installed equipment, and continuous in-field measurements. However, airports with precision approach runways with Cat II or III operations should conduct photometric testing at least twice a year for their inset lights and once a year for other lights.
River Island and Photometric Testing
At River Island, we specialize in airfield lighting and photometric testing, offering unparalleled expertise to ensure compliance, safety, and efficiency for airports. Our partnerships with industry leaders, such as Argos Ingegneria, and our team’s experience in the world’s largest and most advanced airfield lighting systems position us as a trusted resource for all your photometric needs.
Whether addressing regulatory requirements, planning system upgrades, or optimizing your maintenance processes, we are here to provide tailored solutions backed by experience and innovation.
References
ICAO Annex 14 Vol I, 9th Edition: 10.5 Visual Aids: https://store.icao.int/en/annex-14-aerodromes
ICAO Airport Services Manual (Doc 9137), Part 9, 1st Edition: https://store.icao.int/en/airport-services-manual-airport-maintenance-practices-doc-9137-part-9
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