Officially titled "Public Realm Lighting Design Manual (PR 402)," this guideline is the definitive technical and aesthetic standard issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), formerly known as the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC). Whether you are a lighting designer, electrical engineer, contractor, or facility manager, mastering PR 402 is non-negotiable for obtaining design approvals and permits.
| Violation | Consequence | Solution | |-----------|-------------|----------| | Using 5000K LEDs | Immediate rejection | Only 3000K or 4000K max, with justification. | | Insufficient uniformity (Uo < 0.35) | Safety hazard, non-compliance | Increase pole spacing or add secondary luminaires. | | Up-lighting on villa façades | Light trespass, neighbor complaints | Use shielded wall-washers or downward grazing fixtures. | | Ignoring controls (no dimming) | Fails Estidama review | Specify 0–10V dimmable drivers and programmable schedule. | | Using non-IP65 fixtures | Dust ingress, early failure | Require IP66 for horizontal or exposed luminaires. | How does PR 402 compare to other codes? pr 402- abu dhabi lighting manual
| Zone | Name | Description | Max Illuminance (Pedestrian) | |------|------|-------------|------------------------------| | LZ0 | Protected | Dark sky reserves, ecological sanctuaries | 1 lux | | LZ1 | Rural | Low-density villages, desert roads | 5 lux | | LZ2 | Suburban | Residential communities, local parks | 10 lux | | LZ3 | Urban | Commercial centers, mixed-use boulevards | 20 lux | | LZ4 | High-Activity | Downtown Abu Dhabi, Corniche, major squares | Up to 50 lux | Officially titled "Public Realm Lighting Design Manual (PR
