Lighting Levels

The CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) produces a Code for Interior Lighting which gives lighting requirements for areas. This is also replicated in BS EN 12464-1:2002 Light and lighting - Lighting of work places - Part 1: Indoor work places A sample is shown below. Illuminance (lux) 100 150 200 300 500 750 1000 1500 2000 Activity Casual seeing Some perception of detail Continuously occupied Visual tasks moderately easy Visual tasks moderately difficult Visual tasks difficult Visual tasks very difficult Visual tasks extremely difficult Visual tasks exceptionally difficult Area Corridors, changing rooms, stores Loading bays, switch rooms, plant rooms Foyers, entrance halls, dining rooms Libraries, sports halls, lecture theatres. General offices, kitchens, laboratories, retail shops. Drawing offices, meat inspection, chain stores. General inspection, electronic assembly, paintwork, supermarkets. Fine work and inspection, precision assembly. Assembly of minute items, finished fabric inspection.

Extracts from CIBSE Code for Lighting Part 2 (2002) Educational Area
Classrooms

Illuminance (lux)
300

Limiting Glare rating

19

Minimum colour rendering (Ra)

80

TechnicaI drawing room Computer practice rooms

750 300

16 19

80 80

Healthcare - Wards Area

General lighting Reading lighting Simple examinations Examination and treatment

Illuminance (lux)
100 300 300 1000

Limiting Glare rating

19 19 19 19

Minimum colour rendering (Ra)

80 80 80 80

Hotels and Restaurants Area

Kitchen Restaurant, dining room, function room. Self service restaurant Conference rooms

Illuminance (lux)
500 200 500

Limiting Glare rating

22 22 19

Minimum colour rendering (Ra)

80 80 80 80

Offices Area
Filing, copying etc. Writing, typing, reading, data processing TechnicaI drawing

Illuminance (lux)
300 500 750

Limiting Glare rating

19 19 16

Minimum colour rendering (Ra)

80 80 80

CAD work stations Conference and meeting rooms Reception desk Archives

500 500 300 200

19 19 22 25

80 80 80 80

Residential - Flats /Bedsits Area

Lounge Kitchens Bathrooms Toilets

Illuminance (lux)
100 - 300 150 - 300 150 100

Limiting Glare rating

19 -

Minimum colour rendering (Ra)

80 80 80 80

Retail Premises Area

Sales area Till area Wrapper table

Illuminance (lux)
300 500 500

Limiting Glare rating

22 19 19

Minimum colour rendering (Ra)

80 80 80

Theatres, Concert Halls and Cinemas Area

Practice rooms, dressing rooms Foyers Auditoria

Illuminance (lux)
300 200 100

Limiting Glare rating

22 -

Minimum colour rendering (Ra)

80 -

There are also some Lighting Guides from CIBSE that gives details for various building types, for example;

Lighting Guide 7 (2005): Office lighting

The recommended design maintained illuminance over the task area in any room where office work is carried out is generally in the range 300 to 500 lux. Where the tasks are mainly screen based, such as data retrieval or telephone sales, then illuminances at the lower end of this range should be used. Where the tasks are mainly document based, such as writing or copy typing, then 500 lux will be required. Where there are visually more onerous tasks, such as proof reading or technical drawing, even higher levels should be considered. The minimum level set by the Health and Safety Executive for any permanently occupied area is 200 lux.

Lighting Guide 1 (1989): The Industrial Environment

For recommendations of illuminance, colour rendering and glare see Schedule in the Code for Lighting a summary of key values are given below. Area Lifts Corridors and stairs Toilets Canteens Mess rooms Plant rooms Store rooms Illuminance (lux)
100 100 100 300 150 - 300 150 - 300 100

More illuminance values are given for a range of industrial buildings in the Guides.