Electrical loads

2
Table 19: Electrical loads for different types of building (W/m gross internal area, unless otherwise stated)

Building type Rule of Thumb Comments Ref

Electrical load These electrical loads cover requirements for lighting, general 4, 6,
2
(W/m ) power and mechanical power for building services systems. 12, 63,
Please refer to the glossary for a definition of gross internal 64
area and net internal area

Banks and building societies 50 (non-air conditioned)

150 (air conditioned)

Car parks 10 (covered) An allowance should be added for any manned offices.
4 (surface)

Colleges (higher education) 55

LOADS

Data centres 1500 This figure is based on the net area of the data hall

Department stores 150 – 250 Higher loads relate to stores with a high proportion of display
lighting for fashion and cosmetic areas and/or catering provision

Flats/ apartments 80 This figure is given for high specification flats with gas cooking
and heating
3 kW per apartment can be employed for apartments with gas
cooking and heating. 7.5 kW per apartment can be employed
for apartments with all electric cooking and heating
For apartment blocks a coincident diversity may be applied
2
Hospitals 65 This figure is for a general hospital. It is expressed in W/m
NIA, based on a net to gross ratio of 80%. It includes medical
power requirements
Luxury air conditioned hospitals will have a higher electrical
2
demand of 80 W/m NIA

Houses 5.5 kW per house This figure is for a house with 3 or 4 bedrooms with gas
central heating
For housing estates, a coincident diversity may be applied

Hotels 2.1 kW per bedroom This figure is given for a hotel providing accommodation only.
1 kW per bedroom should be added for hotels with conference
facilities

Libraries 50

Offices – air conditioned 87

Offices – non air conditioned 62 Gas heating and mechanical ventilation has been assumed

Prisons 1.5 kW per cell

Restaurants 225 This figure is based on the use of gas cooking. A figure of
0.5 kW per cover can also be employed
Fast food outlets typically have a higher electrical load of
2
500 W/m GIA

Your notes:

54 RULES OF THUMB 5TH EDITION

© BSRIA BG 9/2011
Table 20: Electrical loads for different types of building – continued (W/m2 gross internal area, unless otherwise stated)

Building type Rule of Thumb Comments Ref

2
Electrical load (W/m ) These electrical loads cover requirements for lighting, 4, 6,
general power and mechanical power for building services 12, 63
systems. Please refer to the glossary for a definition of
gross internal area and net internal area

Schools – naturally 35 A figure of 0.35 kW per student can also be employed

ventilated

Schools – mechanically 50 A figure of 0.5 kW per student can also be employed

ventilated

160 This figure is provided for small high street or shopping

Shops
mall establishments

Sports centres with 50 This type of facility includes exercise rooms, a fitness
swimming pool room, racket courts and a restaurant

Student residences/halls of 28 A figure of 1.6 kW per student can also be employed

residence

LOADS
Supermarkets and 185 This figure is based on 30-40% of floor area consumed by
hypermarkets fridges

Warehouses/stores 17 Cold stores and refrigerated stores are not included

Your notes:

2
Table 21: Small power and electrical loads in offices (W/m net internal area, unless otherwise stated)

Description Rule of thumb Comments Ref

2
Electrical load (W/m ) Please refer to the glossary for a definition of net internal
area
2
Small power 25 This figure is based on 1 workspace per 10 m 45
2
When diversified over an area of 1000 m or more, small
2
power consumption rarely exceeds 15 W/m . This should be
reflected in the assessment of overall building demand

Lighting 12 This figure includes task lighting and an allowance for

occupier’s fit-out installations

Your notes:

RULES OF THUMB 5TH EDITION 55

© BSRIA BG 9/2011