2 - Lighting Levels - by CIBSE PDF

*Note:
Complete uniformity is impossible in practice, but an acceptable standard is for

the minimum to be at least 70% of the maximum illumination level.
This means, for example, that for a room with an illumination level of 200 lux, if
this is taken as the minimum level, then the maximum level in another part of the
room will be no higher than 714 lux as shown below.
200 / 0.7
285 lux
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
Activity
(lux)
Casual seeing
100
Area
Corridors, changing rooms, stores
150
Some perception of detail
Loading bays, switch rooms, plant rooms
200
Continuously occupied
Foyers, entrance halls, dining rooms
300
Visual tasks moderately easy
500
750
1000
1500
2000
Libraries, sports halls, lecture theatres.

General offices, kitchens, laboratories,
Visual tasks moderately difficult
retail shops.
Drawing offices, meat inspection, chain
Visual tasks difficult
stores.
General inspection, electronic assembly,
Visual tasks very difficult
paintwork, supermarkets.
Fine work and inspection, precision
Visual tasks extremely difficult
assembly.
Assembly of minute items, finished fabric
Visual tasks exceptionally difficult
inspection.
Extracts from CIBSE Code for Lighting Part 2 (2002)

Educational
Illuminance
(lux)
Limiting
Glare rating
Minimum
colour
rendering (Ra)
Classrooms
300
19
80
TechnicaI drawing room
750
16
80
Computer practice rooms
300
19
80
Illuminance
(lux)
Limiting
Glare rating
Minimum
colour
rendering (Ra)
General lighting
100
19
80
Reading lighting
300
19
80
Simple examinations
300
19
80
Examination and treatment
1000
19
80
Area
Healthcare - Wards
Area
Hotels and Restaurants

Illuminance
(lux)
Limiting
Glare rating
Minimum
colour
rendering (Ra)
500
22
80
80
Self service restaurant
200
22
80
Conference rooms
500
19
80
Area
Kitchen
Restaurant, dining room, function room.
Offices
Illuminance
(lux)
Limiting
Glare rating
Minimum
colour
rendering (Ra)
Filing, copying etc.
300
19
80
Writing, typing, reading, data processing
500
19
80
TechnicaI drawing
750
16
80
CAD work stations
500
19
80
Conference and meeting rooms
500
19
80
Reception desk
300
22
80
Archives
200
25
80
Illuminance
(lux)
Limiting
Glare rating
Minimum
colour
rendering (Ra)
Lounge
100 - 300
19
80
Kitchens
150 - 300
80
Bathrooms
150
80
Toilets
100
80
Illuminance
(lux)
Limiting
Glare rating
Minimum
colour
rendering (Ra)
Sales area
300
22
80
Till area
500
19
80
Wrapper table
500
19
80
Area
Residential - Flats /Bedsits
Area
Retail Premises
Area
Theatres, Concert Halls and Cinemas

Illuminance
(lux)
Limiting
Glare rating
Minimum
colour
rendering (Ra)
Practice rooms, dressing rooms
300
22
80
Foyers
200
Auditoria
100
Area
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.

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What are the recommended illuminance levels for different types of activities and areas?

What are the recommended illuminance levels for different types of activities and areas?

What factors determine the illuminance level required for a particular area?

What factors determine the illuminance level required for a particular area?

*Note:

Complete uniformity is impossible in practice, but an acceptable standard is for

Some perception of detail

Loading bays, switch rooms, plant rooms

Foyers, entrance halls, dining rooms

Visual tasks moderately easy

Libraries, sports halls, lecture theatres.

Extracts from CIBSE Code for Lighting Part 2 (2002)

TechnicaI drawing room

Computer practice rooms

Examination and treatment

Hotels and Restaurants

Self service restaurant

Filing, copying etc.

Writing, typing, reading, data processing

CAD work stations

Conference and meeting rooms

Residential - Flats /Bedsits

Theatres, Concert Halls and Cinemas

Practice rooms, dressing rooms

Lighting Guide 7 (2005): Office lighting

Lighting Guide 1 (1989): The Industrial Environment

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