Office Lighting Tips

All areas of high concentration, such as office settings, require a flicker free lighting and specific lighting levels depending on what activity is being carried out. In office areas the welfare of the worker is taken into account as lighting and the type of lighting used can have many effects on working.

Four Steps for Office Lighting Design:

1) The first step, is to review the function / purpose of the office environment, is it a (single or multi use area), what are the day to day tasks which need to be performed & for how long?
o A variety of daily tasks may require different levels of brightness or light intensity:
▪ Meetings & Presentations
▪ CAD Computer Design
▪ Filling & Archiving
▪ Comparing different materials & colours.
2) The second stage is to review the ceiling type, to select appropriate luminaires ensuring they can be fitted correctly with new or existing wiring infrastructure.
o Common Ceiling Types.
▪ Exposed ‘T’ – Ceiling Tiles
▪ Metal “Clip in” Grid Pan – SAS / Armstrong
▪ Flat Ceiling (Surface Mounting / Mounting Kits)
3) With the ceiling type identified, the Third Stage choose the preferred mounting method. Using a single range or combination of luminaires of your choice;
1. Surface mounted,
2. Modular*
3. Recessed Luminaires.
o Modular* Ceiling grids are available in a variety of square and rectangular sizes.
▪ Most ceiling grids are Square: (600x600mm) & (500x500mm) – “Lay in T”.
▪ Other Rectangular grids include: (1200x600mm) & (1200x300mm).
4) The fourth step is to review and specify & select an appropriate range of luminaires with supporting control system for install, governed by the factors above,
o It is essential the luminaire & control system meets the illuminance and performance requirements as outlined in the brief.
▪ A Relux Lighting Design can be produced to calculate the lighting levels under normal and dimmed conditions.▪ Emergency lighting output can also be calculated.
• Photometric Data does not eliminate proper testing.
▪ Lighting control systems are usually wired, which means appropriate infrastructure needs to be in place to support the fixtures and control.
• Scene Selectors from VariPro
• Additional Sensors by CP Electronics.

Fundamentals of Office Lighting Design;

User Safety: The user’s needs will be set against an established criterion to ensure the light level Is suitable for the task at hand – or “Working Plane” (Task Area).
o CIBSE – Will offer guidelines in lighting, further information can be found on their website.
o Illuminance >500Lux (Lx), Uniformity <0.8 (Uo) & Light quality >82(Ra)
o Working Plane (Task Area) – Defined at (0.8M High) or Desk Height for Offices.
o LG7 or “Lighting Guide 7” Offers further guidance on best practice.
Installer Duty of Care: Legislation, Building Regulations & BS Standards will play a part in governing in selecting products suitable for the installation.
o Avoid internet purchases of unknown brands where possible.
o When in doubt contact your local electrical wholesaler.
o Kosnic luminaires can be specified with an option for Emergency output.
Planning for the unknown: Emergency Lighting complete with signage Is essential for any project, to ensure the safety and security of the occupants.
o Emergency Lighting Systems provide lighting when the mains power fails.
o Automatic Test Systems must meet the required Regulations as outlined above, following ICEL guidance & best practice.
o Duration Time: >3Hour run time using batteries (Lithium Ion).