A standardized methodology for assessing the physical, mechanical, optical, photometric, environmental, and installation condition of AGL light fixtures and their optical assemblies. Covers lenses, prisms, optical surfaces, reflectors/optics where applicable, housings, seals, gaskets, LED modules, lamps, mounting arrangements, orientation, elevation/height, frangible components, corrosion, contamination, and water/moisture ingress.
Critical control — A fixture can be electrically operational while still being optically or photometrically deficient. "Light ON" shall not by itself be treated as confirmation of acceptable AGL fixture performance. The inspection principle is Physical Condition → Optical Condition → Mechanical Condition → Environmental Condition → Photometric Condition. Particular attention should be given to lens/prism cleanliness, optical damage, water ingress, condensation, fixture orientation, fixture height/elevation, mounting security, frangible components, LED/lamp condition, and photometric performance. Where a visual inspection identifies a potential optical or photometric deficiency, the condition should be escalated for detailed inspection or calibrated photometric measurement.
Inspection of the complete fixture for physical, optical, mechanical, electrical-interface, and environmental condition.
Verification of fixture identification, location, type, circuit association, and asset records.
Verification that the installed fixture corresponds with the applicable design/application.
Inspection for cracks, deformation, impact damage, broken components, or deterioration.
Inspection of exposed metallic components for corrosion and material degradation.
Inspection for dirt, dust, rubber deposits, oil, mud, insects, chemicals, and other contamination.
Inspection of the complete lens/optical window for condition and clarity.
Identification of cracks, fractures, chips, or broken areas.
Inspection for scratches or surface damage affecting optical transmission.
Identification of yellowing, browning, clouding, or abnormal discoloration.
Inspection for warping or deformation.
Verification that the lens is correctly positioned and seated.
Verification that lens-retaining components are secure.
Inspection of the prism/optical element for physical and optical condition.
Identification of cracks, chips, fractures, or other damage.
Inspection for optical-surface scratches.
Inspection for dirt, deposits, moisture, or foreign material.
Inspection for abnormal discoloration or optical degradation.
Verification that the prism remains correctly positioned and aligned.
Verification that applicable retaining components are secure.
Inspection of optical surfaces for contamination affecting light transmission.
Inspection for contamination inside the optical assembly where accessible.
Inspection of exposed optical surfaces.
Identification of dust, particles, or deposits.
Identification of oil, grease, or other residues.
Inspection for deposits resulting from runway/taxiway operating conditions.
Identification of insects, vegetation, organic deposits, or other contamination.
Inspection of reflector and other optical components where applicable.
Inspection for corrosion, contamination, deformation, or damage.
Inspection of optical surface condition.
Verification of correct optical positioning where applicable.
Verification that internal optical components remain securely installed.
Inspection of the fixture housing for structural and environmental integrity.
Identification of cracks or fractures.
Inspection for impact or thermal deformation.
Inspection for corrosion and deterioration.
Inspection for dirt, deposits, insects, and other contamination.
Inspection of covers, access panels, fasteners, and retaining arrangements.
Inspection of gaskets for condition and sealing capability.
Inspection of applicable seals and sealing surfaces.
Identification of hardened, cracked, displaced, compressed, or deteriorated gaskets.
Verification that seals remain correctly positioned.
Inspection for conditions that could permit water or moisture ingress.
Inspection of LED light-source modules where applicable.
Verification of normal light-source operation.
Identification of failed or partially failed LED elements/modules.
Inspection for abnormal colour or thermal discoloration.
Inspection for visible evidence of abnormal heating.
Verification that the LED module is correctly mounted.
Inspection of accessible electrical connections associated with the LED module.
Inspection of conventional lamp sources where applicable.
Verification of lamp operation.
Inspection for abnormal lamp discoloration.
Verification of correct lamp seating.
Inspection of applicable lamp holders.
Review of applicable lamp replacement history.
Inspection of the mechanical mounting arrangement.
Inspection of mounting bolts, nuts, washers, and associated hardware.
Verification that applicable hardware remains secure.
Inspection for corrosion and deterioration.
Verification that the fixture remains mechanically stable.
Identification of damaged mounting components.
Verification that fixture orientation remains correct.
Inspection of directional alignment where applicable.
Verification that the optical axis remains correctly oriented.
Identification of movement or displacement from the intended alignment.
Inspection following suspected vehicle, aircraft, equipment, or maintenance impact.
Verification of fixture height relative to the applicable installation requirement.
Inspection of fixture elevation relative to the pavement and design reference.
Identification of abnormal height differences between adjacent fixtures.
Identification of changes caused by foundation or pavement settlement.
Inspection of applicable frangible couplings/components.
Identification of cracking, deformation, impact damage, or deterioration.
Verification of correct installation and alignment.
Verification of correct installation and mechanical security.
Verification of applicable replacement/maintenance history.
Inspection for evidence of water entering the fixture.
Inspection for condensation or moisture inside the fixture.
Identification of condensation affecting optical surfaces.
Identification of moisture associated with damaged or deteriorated seals.
Inspection of applicable fixture drainage or venting arrangements.
Inspection for corrosion, staining, electrical damage, or optical deterioration resulting from water ingress.
Inspection of housing and metallic components.
Inspection of applicable metallic optical components.
Inspection of bolts, nuts, brackets, and other hardware.
Inspection of accessible internal components where applicable.
Comparison with previous inspection records to identify deterioration trends.
Inspection of apparent illumination performance.
Identification of visibly abnormal brightness or non-uniform output.
Identification of dim, flickering, partial, intermittent, or abnormal output.
Inspection of visible colour consistency.
Review of applicable photometric measurement/test records.
Identification of fixtures requiring detailed photometric investigation.
Inspection for effects of weather, dust, chemicals, moisture, temperature, and airfield operating conditions.
Inspection for mud or soil deposits.
Inspection for runway/taxiway rubber or other operational deposits.
Inspection for fuel, oil, de-icing chemicals, cleaning chemicals, or other contaminants where applicable.
Inspection for grass, weeds, or vegetation obstructing or contaminating the fixture.
Identification of mechanical, optical, electrical-interface, environmental, and photometric defects.
Classification of lens, prism, reflector, contamination, colour, and illumination defects.
Recording of orientation, height, elevation, or alignment abnormalities.
Recording of moisture, condensation, water entry, and associated damage.
Recording of cleaning, adjustment, repair, replacement, alignment, or other corrective action.
Verification that corrective action has restored the fixture to the applicable required condition.
Each applicable fixture, lens, or optical assembly should be assessed against the relevant parameters below — the common checklist spine underlying all 104 topics above.
| Parameter | Inspection Status |
|---|---|
| Fixture Identification | Correct / Incorrect / Missing |
| Fixture Type | Correct / Incorrect |
| Housing | Good / Damaged |
| Lens | Good / Cracked / Damaged |
| Prism | Good / Damaged / Contaminated |
| Reflector/Optics | Good / Defective / N/A |
| Optical Cleanliness | Clean / Contaminated |
| Optical Contamination | None / Present |
| Gasket | Good / Deteriorated |
| Seal | Good / Deficient |
| LED Module | Normal / Defective / N/A |
| Lamp | Normal / Defective / N/A |
| Illumination | Normal / Abnormal |
| Brightness | Normal / Abnormal |
| Colour | Normal / Abnormal |
| Mounting | Secure / Deficient |
| Mounting Bolts | Good / Loose / Damaged |
| Orientation | Correct / Misaligned |
| Height/Elevation | Correct / Abnormal |
| Frangible Component | Good / Damaged |
| Corrosion | None / Present |
| Moisture | None / Present |
| Water Ingress | None / Suspected / Confirmed |
| Internal Condensation | None / Present |
| Environmental Contamination | None / Present |
| Photometric Condition | Acceptable / Requires Test |
| Defect Status | Normal / Defective / Unserviceable / Immediate Action Required |
Quick answers about fixture & optical condition inspection in the AGL Inspection Handbook.
Division 15 contains 104 published topics in 18 sections (A–R). It gives a standardized methodology for assessing the physical, mechanical, optical, photometric, environmental and installation condition of AGL light fixtures and their optical assemblies.
It covers lenses, prisms, optical cleanliness, reflectors and optical assemblies, housings, gaskets and seals, LED modules, lamps, mounting, orientation and alignment, height and elevation, frangible components, water and moisture, corrosion, photometric and optical condition, and environmental contamination.
The checklist includes fixture identification and type, housing, lens, prism, reflector/optics, optical cleanliness and contamination, gasket, seal, LED module, lamp, illumination, brightness, colour, mounting and bolts, orientation, height/elevation, frangible component, corrosion, moisture, water ingress, internal condensation, environmental contamination and photometric condition.
The sequence identifies the fixture and verifies type and location, inspects the housing, lens, prism and reflector/optics, checks cleanliness, inspects the LED or lamp, and checks seals, gaskets and moisture. It then inspects mounting and bolts, checks orientation and height/elevation, inspects frangible components, checks corrosion and illumination, and reviews photometric records before classifying, recording, correcting, reinspecting and closing.
Section N is dedicated to water and moisture. The checklist records moisture as None or Present, water ingress as None, Suspected or Confirmed, and internal condensation as None or Present, alongside seal and gasket condition.
Defect status is recorded using the four-level scheme Normal, Defective, Unserviceable and Immediate Action Required, so every observation ends with a clear classification before it is recorded and escalated.
No. A fixture can be electrically operational while still being optically or photometrically deficient, so "light ON" is not by itself treated as confirmation of acceptable performance. Where a potential optical or photometric deficiency is found, it is escalated for detailed inspection or calibrated photometric measurement.
Yes. This handbook is an uncontrolled educational reference, not an approved procedure. The airport's approved inspection schedule, SMS procedures, ATC instructions, NOTAM procedures and local aerodrome regulations always take precedence, and the current revision of any official document should be verified before use.
Yes. Each inspection topic has a Download as Word option that produces an uncontrolled Word checklist template (description, a tick-box inspection table and an inspector sign-off block) for personal reference and internal training, to be reviewed and adopted under the user’s own document control.
Fixture and optical condition inspection is where lens, beam-alignment and light-output condition awareness begins. Go beyond identifying defects and build the technical knowledge to understand why abnormalities occur, how they affect system serviceability, and when further testing, troubleshooting, maintenance or corrective action is required.
Develop structured knowledge across:
Learn to connect the inspection process with the wider AGL engineering lifecycle.
Inspect with purpose. Understand the system. Act with technical confidence.
Please read before relying on any content on this page or on any record downloaded from it.