Industrial workplaces
In industrial workplaces, good lighting helps staff to work efficiently, accurately and safely in a comfortable setting. Here are some cost effective, basic tips for creating a well-lit industrial workplace.
- Make the most of natural daylight, but avoid glare and potential overheating. If you have skylights, use a daylight sensor to control interior and exterior lighting where it’s safe to automate the switching.
- Clean or replace skylights to increase the amount of natural light available.
- Choose light colours for walls and ceilings to help create a comfortable and pleasant environment, and maximise reflected light levels.
- Provide the correct colour rendering and colour temperature. This improves accuracy, safety and comfort for workers and can improve alertness.
- Have zoning for lights so that staff can dim lights or switch them off when they’re not needed.
- Use occupancy sensors to dim or switch lights off when areas aren’t being used. This can be particularly cost-effective for warehouse aisles, store-rooms and bathrooms.
- Lighting for night shifts should focus on comfort and safety, as well as energy efficiency.
Office Spaces
Many offices are too bright, with light levels set for entire rooms rather than for separate areas. Areas where staff circulate generally need half the light of work areas. You can make significant energy savings by having lighting specifically set for your desk layout.
LIGHTING SMALL OFFICES
If you have a small office, vary the lighting level to suit the tasks at hand and for the amount of daylight that enters the space.
- Typical reading and writing work in a small office requires lighting to 320 lux.
- If you have a switching or control system, configure it so staff can adapt lighting levels. Install occupancy detectors to switch off lighting when rooms are empty.
- If you have a dimmer switch, fit a secondary light switch so that you can switch off lamps when you don't need them.
LIGHTING LARGE OFFICES
Large spaces need to be lit for a range of tasks. You may have workspaces, conference and meeting spaces, material storage and circulation spaces.
- Limit glare from light fittings, windows and other bright surfaces.
- Design your lighting system as part of an integrated fit-out. Good lighting design should allow for desks to be located in an open-plan office without compromising lighting performance.
LIGHTING CONFERENCE, MEETING AND BOARD ROOMS
Lighting should be adaptable for a range of tasks, such as detail work, informal discussion, slideshows and video conferences.
- Lighting on the meeting table should be at least 320 lux but you should be able to reduce this to around 240 lux for tasks that require less detail.
- You should be able to reduce light levels further for using data projectors and screens.
- Illuminate the walls to avoid contrast between people's faces and the background.
Always get expert advice before before embarking on a major energy efficiency project.
