Lighting Design Guide

Designing a basic lighting scheme requires the consideration of many factors, not just the
achievement of a desired lighting level. Basic objectives must first be established, such as:

– What sort of tasks will be performed in the area?

– What 'mood' needs to be created?
– What type of lighting will create a comfortable environment?

There are also standards and legislation that need to be complied with. For example:

– How energy efficient must the lighting be?

– How will Building Regulations affect the design?
– Is emergency lighting required?

When all of these objectives and requirements have been established, they can be expressed as a
series of lighting criteria in order to facilitate a quality lighting design. Criteria that would normally be
considered are:

Level of Illumination Uniformity & Ratios of Illuminance

Illumination levels for a wide variety of The combination of luminaires selected should
environments and tasks can be found in BSEN evenly illuminate the working plane and
12464-1: 2002 and the Society of Light and appropriately illuminate walls and ceiling in
Lighting's Code for Lighting. The levels stated relation to the task illumination, so that a
are maintained illuminance, which is the pleasant and comfortable environment is
minimum average illumination level that should achieved. In specific areas, increased
be achieved at the point of scheduled directional lighting may be required to create a
maintenance. defined or more intimate environment.

Glare Colour & Room Reflectance

The colour appearance of the lamps should be

natural for the application and complement the
The acceptable level of glare should be interior colour scheme, which should be
established as appropriate for the application, chosen with an appreciation of the reflectance
using information in values that will be achieved. Lamps should be
BSEN 12464 and the Code for Lighting. selected with appropriate colour rendition
properties, for colour discrimination and
reduction of eye fatigue.

Energy Efficiency Special Considerations

Luminaires should be selected that meet the Certain applications require additional
requirements of the Building Regulations. The considerations, such as the addition of display
distribution characteristics should also match lighting, the arduous nature of the environment
the requirements of the criteria above. or the use of Display Screen Equipment.
Luminaires should be selected and the design
completed with these elements in mind, where
appropriate.
After these criteria have all been considered, a lighting scheme calculation can be undertaken. The
most popular method of establishing the quantity of luminaires required, the illumination level
achieved and the luminaire layout, is to use computer software created specifically for lighting
design. It is important to remember that all the criteria above must still be considered prior to using
computer software, if a satisfactory scheme is to be produced.

Lighting Design can also be achieved using published photometric data, such as that included on
the product pages of this catalogue. Average illumination via the lumen method of calculation can
provide fast results that can then be assessed and facilitate more detailed design of the most
appropriate option if required.

LUMEN METHOD CALCULATIONS

This method uses the utilisation factor tables created from photometric measurement of each
luminaire. Firstly, the Room Index (K) of the space must be calculated, which is the relationship and
measure of the proportions of the room:

K= LxW
(L + W) x Hm
Where:
L = length of room
W = width of room
Hm = height of luminaire above working plane

The result is used in conjunction with room reflectance values to obtain a specific utilisation factor for
the surface illuminated from the tables. Example:

This can then be used as part of the calculation to determine the average illuminance level, using
the following formula:

E = F x n x N x MF x UF
A
Where:
E = average illuminance
F = initial lamp lumens
N = number of luminaires
MF = maintenance factor
UF = utilisation factor
A = area

The maintenance factor is a multiple of factors and is determined as follows

MF = LLMF x LSF x LMF x RSMF

Where:
LLMF = lamp lumen maintenance factor - the reduction in lumen output after specific burning hours
LSF = lamp survival factor - the percentage of lamp failures after specific burning hours
LMF = luminaire maintenance factor - the reduction in light output due to dirt deposited on or in the
luminaire
RSMF = room surface maintenance factor - the reduction in reflectance due to dirt deposition in the
room surfaces

Guidance on calculating each of these factors is provided in the SLL Code for Lighting. Alternatively,
contact our Technical Support and Application Department for advice.
Finally, the luminaires must be spaced in the room such that acceptable uniformity is achieved. The
maximum spacing to height ratio, SHRmax, provides the maximum spacing permissible between
luminaires in both transverse and axial directions, in comparison to the mounting height and should
not be exceeded if acceptable uniformity is to be achieved.

USING PHOTOMETRIC DATA

A number of different formats of photometric data exists to assist in lighting design.

Polar Intensity Curves & Utilisation Factor

Illuminance Cone Diagrams
Tables

Polar intensity curves illustrate the distribution Usually used for spotlights or lamps with
of luminous intensity, in cd/1000 lm, for the reflectors, the diagram indicates the maximum
transverse (solid line) and axial (dashed line) illuminance, Elux, at different distances, plus
planes of the luminaire. The curve provides a the beam angle of the lamp over which the
visual guide to the type of distribution expected luminous intensity drops to 50%. The beam
from the luminaire e.g. wide, narrow, direct, diameter at 50% peak intensity, relative to
indirect etc, in addition to intensity. distance away, is also shown.

UF tables show the actual amount of usable

lumen power provided by the luminaire when
used in a specific room. This is cross
referenced with the room Index and room
surface reflectances.

Cartesian Diagrams Isolux Diagrams

Generally used for floodlights, this indicates the The contours provide the points of equal
distribution of luminous intensity, in cd/1000 lm, illuminance, in lux, on the floor or wall plane,
for the horizontal (solid line) and vertical from a specific stated mounting position. The
(dashed line) planes of the luminaire. The diagram can be used to assess the distribution
diagram provides a visual guide to the type of characteristics of the luminaire in addition to
distribution expected from the luminaire e.g. determining lighting levels.
narrow or wide beam etc, in addition to
intensity. The associated data illustrates the
beam angle to 10% peak intensity.
USEFUL WEBSITE ADDRESSES
www.cibse.org - The Society of Light and Lighting
www.bsi-global.com - British Standards
Lighting Design Software

Alternatively, lighting design software programs are avaialble many of them free of charge to users
which allow full calculation of rooms form simple rectangular areas to complex room shapes. Please
refer to the software download section of our website for additional information.