Recommendations for good lighting

4.1 Indoor workplaces

Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Traffic zones and general areas inside buildings

Traffic Zones
Circulation areas and corridors 100 28 40
Stairs, escalators, travalators 150 25 40
Loading ramps/bays 150 25 40
Rest, sanitation and first aid rooms
Canteens, pantries 200 22 80
Rest rooms 100 22 80
Rooms for physical exercise 300 22 80
Cloakrooms, washrooms, bathrooms, toilets 200 25 80
Sick bay 500 19 80
Rooms for medical attention 500 16 90
Control rooms
Plant rooms, switch gear rooms 200 25 60
Post room, switchboard 500 19 80
Store rooms, cold stores
Store and stockrooms 100 25 60
Dispatch packing handling areas 300 25 60
Storage rack areas
Gangways : unmanned 20 - 40
Gangways : manned 150 22 60
Control stations 150 22 60

Industrial activities and crafts

Agriculture
Loading and operating of goods, handling equipment and machinery 200 25 80
Buildings for livestock 50 - 40
Sick animal pens, calving stalls 200 25 80
Food preparation, dairy, utensil washing 200 25 80
Bakeries
Preparation and baking 300 22 80
Finishing, glazing, decorating 500 22 80
Cement, cement goods, concrete, bricks
Drying 50 28 20
Preparation of materials, work on kilns and mixers 200 28 40
General machine work 300 25 80
Rough forms 300 25 80
Ceramics, tiles, glass, glassware
Drying 50 28 20
Preparation, general machine work 300 25 80
Enamelling, rolling, pressing, shaping simple parts, glazing, glass blowing 300 25 80
Grinding, engraving, glass polishing, shaping precision parts, manufacture of glass instruments 750 19 80
Grinding of optical glass, crystal, hand grinding and engraving 750 16 80
Precision work e.g. decorative grinding, hand painting 1000 16 90
Manufacture of synthetic precious stones 1500 16 90

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 13

 4.1 Indoor workplaces (continued)
Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Chemical, plastics and rubber industry

Remote-operated processing installations 50 - 20
Processing installations with limited manual intervention 150 28 40
Constantly manned work places in processing installations 300 25 80
Precision measuring rooms, laboratories 500 19 80
Pharmaceutical production 500 22 80
Tyre production 500 22 80
Colour inspection 1000 16 90
Cutting, finishing, inspection 750 19 80
Electrical industry 300 25 80
Cable and wire manufacture 300 25 80
Winding
-Large coils 300 25 80
-Medium-sized coils 500 22 80
-Small coils 750 19 80
Coil impregnating 300 25 80
Galvanising 300 25 80
Assembly work
-Rough e.g. large transformers 300 25 80
-Medium e.g. switchboards 500 22 80
-Fine e.g. telephones 750 19 80
-Precision e.g. measuring equipment 1000 16 80
Electronic workshops, testing, adjusting 1500 16 80
Food stuffs and luxury food industry
Work places and zone in
-Breweries, malting floor 200 25 80
-For washing, barrel filling, cleaning, sieving, peeling 200 25 80
-Cooking in preserve and chocolate factories 200 25 80
-Work places and zones in sugar factories 200 25 80
-For drying and fermenting raw tobacco, fermentation cellar 200 25 80
Sorting and washing of products, milling, mixing, packing 300 25 80
Work places and critical zones in slaughter houses, butchers, dairies mills, on filtering floor in
500 25 80
sugar refineries
Cutting and sorting of fruit and vegetables 300 25 80
Manufacture of delicatessen foods, kitchen work, manufacture of cigars and cigarettes 500 22 80
Inspection of glasses and bottles, product control, trimming, sorting, decoration 500 22 80
Laboratories 500 19 80
Colour inspection 1000 16 90
Foundries and metal casting
Man-size underfloor tunnels, cellars, etc. 50 - 20
Platforms 100 25 40
Sand preparation 200 25 80
Dressing room 200 25 80
Work places at cupola and mixer 200 25 80
Casting bay 200 25 80
Shake out areas 200 25 80
Machine moulding 200 25 80

14 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

4.1 Indoor workplaces (continued)
Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Hand and core moulding 300 25 80

Die casting 300 25 80
Model building 500 22 80
Hairdressers
Hairdressing 500 19 90
Jewellery manufacturing
Working with precious stones 1500 16 90
Manufacture of jewellery 1000 16 90
Watch making (manual) 1500 16 80
Watch making (automatic) 500 19 80
Laundries and dry cleaning
Goods in, marking and sorting 300 25 80
Washing and dry cleaning 300 25 80
Ironing, pressing 300 25 80
Inspection and repairs 750 19 80
Leather and leather goods
Work on vats, barrels, pits 200 25 40
Fleshing, skiving, rubbing, tumbling of skins 300 25 80
Saddlery work, shoe manufacturer, stitching, sewing, polishing, shaping, cutting, punching 500 22 80
Sorting 500 22 90
Leather dyeing (machine) 500 22 80
Quality control 1000 19 80
Colour inspection 1000 16 90
Shoe making 500 22 80
Glove making 500 22 80
Metal working and processing
Open die forging 200 25 60
Drop forging 300 25 60
Welding 300 25 60
Rough and average machining: tolerances 0.1mm 300 22 60
Precision machining, grinding: tolerances < 0.1mm 500 19 60
Scribing, inspection 750 19 60
Wire and pipe drawing shops, cold forming 300 25 60
Plate machining: thickness 5mm 200 26 60
Sheet metalwork: thickness < 5mm 300 22 60
Tool making, cutting equipment manufacture 750 19 60
Assembly
Rough 200 25 80
Medium 300 25 80
Fine 500 22 80
Precision 750 19 80
Galvanising 300 25 80
Surface preparation and painting 750 25 80
Tool, template and jig making, precision mechanics, micromechanics 750 25 80
Paper and paper goods
Edge runners, pulp mills 200 25 80
Paper manufacture and processing, paper and corrugating machines, cardboard manufacture 300 25 80
Standard bookbinding work e.g. folding, sorting, gluing, cutting, embossing, sewing 500 22 80

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 15

 4.1 Indoor workplaces (continued)
Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Power stations
Fuel supply plant 50 - 20
Boiler house 100 28 40
Machine halls 200 25 80
Side rooms e.g. pump rooms, condenser rooms, etc., switchboards (inside buildings) 200 25 60
Control rooms 500 16 80
Outdoor switch gear 20 - 20
Printers
Cutting, gilding, embossing, block engraving, work on stones and platens, printing machines,
500 19 80
matrix making
Paper sorting and hand printing 500 19 80
Type setting, retouching, lithography 1000 19 80
Colour inspection in multicoloured printing 1500 16 90
Steel and copper engraving 2000 16 80
Rolling mills, iron and steel works
Production plants without manual operation 50 - 20
Production plants with occasional manual operation 150 28 40
Production plants with continuous manual operation 200 25 80
Slab store 50 - 20
Furnaces 200 25 20
Mill train, coiler, shear line 300 25 40
Control platforms, control panels 300 22 80
Test, measurement and inspection 500 22 80
Underfloor man-sized tunnels, belt sections, cellars, etc. 50 - 20
Textile manufacture and processing
Work places and zones in baths, bale opening 200 25 60
Carding, washing, ironing, devilling machine work, drawing, combing, sizing, card cutting,
300 22 80
pre-spinning, jute and hemp spinning
Spinning, plying, reeling, winding 500 22 80
Warping, weaving, braiding, knitting 500 22 80
Sewing, fine knitting, taking up stitches 750 22 80
Manual design, drawing patterns 750 22 90
Finishing, dyeing 500 22 80
Drying room 100 28 60
Automatic fabric printing 500 25 80
Burling, picking, trimming 1000 19 80
Colour inspection, fabric control 1000 16 90
Invisible mending 1500 19 90
Hat manufacturing 500 22 80
Vehicle construction
Body work and assembly 500 22 80
Painting, spraying chamber, polishing chamber 750 22 80
Painting, touch-up, inspection 1000 19 90
Upholstery manufacture (manned) 1000 19 80
Final inspection 1000 19 80
Wood working and processing
Automatic processing e.g. drying, plywood manufacturing 50 28 40
Steam pits 150 28 40
Saw frame 300 25 60
Work at joiners bench, gluing, assembly 300 25 80

16 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

4.1 Indoor workplaces (continued)
Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Polishing, painting, fancy joinery 750 22 80

Work on wood working machines e.g. turning, fluting, dressing, rebating, grooving, cutting,
500 19 80
sawing, sinking
Selection of veneer woods 750 22 90
Marquetry, inlay work 750 22 90
Quality control, inspection 1000 19 90

Offices
Offices
Filing, copying, etc. 300 19 80
Writing, typing, reading, data processing 500 19 80
Technical 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

Retail premises
Retail premises
Sales area 300 22 80
Till area 500 19 80
Wrapper table 500 19 80

Places of public assembly

General areas
Entrance halls 100 22 80
Cloakrooms 200 25 80
Lounges 200 22 80
Ticket offices 300 22 80
Restaurants and hotels
Reception/cashier desk, porters desk 300 22 80
Kitchen 500 22 80
Restaurant, dining room, function room - - 80
Self-service restaurant 200 22 80
Buffet 300 22 80
Conference rooms 500 19 80
Corridors 100 25 80
Theatres, concert halls, cinemas
Practice rooms, dressing rooms 300 22 80
Trade fairs, exhibition halls
General lighting 300 22 80
Libraries
Bookshelves 200 19 80
Reading area 500 19 80
Counters 500 19 80
Public car parks (indoor)
In/out ramps (during the day) 300 25 20
In/out ramps (at night) 75 25 20
Traffic lanes 75 25 20
Parking areas 75 - 20
Ticket office 300 19 80

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 17

 4.1 Indoor workplaces (continued)
Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Educational premises
Nursery school, play school
Play room 300 19 80
Nursery 300 19 80
Handicraft room 300 19 80
Educational buildings
Classrooms, tutorial rooms 300 19 80
Classroom for evening classes and adult education 500 19 80
Lecture hall 500 19 80
Black board 500 19 80
Demonstration table 500 19 80
Art rooms 500 19 80
Art rooms in art schools 750 19 90
Technical drawing rooms 750 16 80
Practical rooms and laboratories 500 19 80
Handicraft rooms 500 19 80
Teaching workshop 500 19 80
Music practice rooms 300 19 80
Computer practice rooms (menu driven) 300 19 80
Language laboratory 300 19 80
Preparation rooms and workshops 500 22 80
Entrance halls 200 22 80
Circulation areas, corridors 100 25 80
Stairs 150 25 80
Student common rooms and assembly halls 200 22 80
Teachers rooms 300 19 80
Library: bookshelves 200 19 80
Library: reading areas 500 19 80
Stock rooms for teaching materials 100 25 80
Sports halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools (general use) 300 22 80
School canteens 200 22 80
Kitchen 500 22 80

Health care premises 500 22 80

Rooms for general use 750 22 80
Waiting rooms 200 22 80
Corridors (during the day) 200 22 80
Corridors (at night) 50 22 80
Day rooms 200 22 80
Staff rooms
Staff office 500 19 80
Staff rooms 300 19 80
Wards, maternity wards
General lighting 100 19 80
Reading lighting 300 19 80
Simple examinations 300 19 80
Examination and treatment 1000 19 90
Night lighting, observation lighting 5 - 80
Bathrooms and toilets for patients 200 22 80

18 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

4.1 Indoor workplaces (continued)
Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Examination rooms (general)

General lighting 500 19 90
Examination and treatment 1000 19 90
Eye examination rooms
General lighting 300 19 80
Examination of the outer eye 1000 - 90
Reading and colour vision tests with vision charts 500 16 90
Ear examination rooms 750 22 80
General lighting 300 19 80
Ear examination 1000 - 90
Scanner rooms
General lighting 300 19 80
Scanners with image enhancers and television systems 50 19 80
Delivery rooms
General lighting 300 19 80
Examination and treatment 1000 19 80
Treatment rooms (general)
Dialysis 500 19 80
Dermatology 500 19 90
Endoscopy rooms 300 19 80
Plaster rooms 500 19 80
Medical baths 300 19 80
Massage and radiotherapy 300 19 80
Operating areas
Pre-op and recovery rooms 500 19 90
Operating theatre 1000 19 90
Intensive care unit
General lighting 100 19 90
Simple examinations 300 19 90
Examination and treatment 1000 19 90
Night watch 20 19 90
Dentists 200 25 80
General lighting 500 19 90
At the patient 1000 - 90
Operating cavity 5000 - 90
White teeth matching 5000 - 90
Laboratories and pharmacies
General lighting 500 19 80
Colour inspection 1000 19 90
Decontamination rooms 300 22 80
Sterilisation rooms 300 22 80
Disinfection rooms 300 22 80
Autopsy rooms and mortuaries
General lighting 500 19 90
Autopsy table and dissecting table 5000 - 90

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 19

 4.1 Indoor workplaces (continued)
Type of task or activity Em UGRL Ra

Transportation areas 300 22 80

Airports
Arrival and departure halls, baggage claim areas 200 22 80
Connecting areas, escalators, travolators 150 22 80
Information desks, check-in desks 500 19 80
Customs and passport control desks 500 19 80
Waiting areas 200 22 80
Luggage store rooms 200 25 80
Security check areas 300 19 80
Air traffic control tower 500 16 80
Testing and repair hangers 500 22 80
Measuring areas in hangers 500 22 80
Railway installations
Covered platforms and passenger subways 50 28 40
Ticket hall and concourse 200 28 40
Ticket and luggage offices and counters 300 19 80
Waiting rooms 200 22 80

20 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

 4.2 Outdoor workplaces
Type of area, task or activity Em Ra Uo GRL

General circulation areas

Walkways exclusively for pedestrians 5 20 0.25 50
Traffic areas for slowly moving vehicles (max 10km/h) e.g. bicycles, trucks
10 20 0.40 50
and excavators
Regular vehicle traffic (max 40km/h) 20 20 0.40 45
Pedestrian passages, vehicle turning, loading and unloading points 50 20 0.40 50

Airports
Hanger apron 20 20 0.10 55
Terminal apron 30 40 0.20 50
Loading areas 50 40 0.20 50
Fuel depot 50 40 0.40 50
Aircraft maintenance stands 200 60 0.50 45

Building sites
General lighting at building sites 50 20
Clearance, excavation and loading 20 20 0.25 55
Drain pipes mounting, transport, auxiliary and storage tasks 50 20 0.40 50
Framework element mounting, light reinforcement work, wooden mould and
100 40 0.40 45
framework mounting, electric piping and cabling
Element jointing, demanding electrical, machine and pipe mountings 200 40 0.50 45

Canals, locks and harbours

Waiting quays at canals and locks 10 20 0.25 50
Gangways and passages exclusively for pedestrians, waiting areas 10 20 0.25 50
Outport embankment ballasting at canals and locks 20 20 0.25 55
Lock control area 20 20 0.25 55
Cargo handling, loading and unloading 50 20 0.25 55
Passenger areas in passenger harbours 50 20 0.40 50
Coupling of hoses, pipes and ropes 50 20 0.40 50
Dangerous part of walkways and driveways (see also parking areas) 50 20 0.40 45

Farms
Farm yard 20 20 0.10 55
Equipment shed (open) 50 20 0.20 55
Animals sorting pen 50 20 0.20 45

Fuel filling service stations

Vehicle parking and storage areas 5 20 0.25 50
Entry and exit driveways dark environment 20 20 0.40 45
Entry and exit driveways light environment (i.e. urban) 50 20 0.40 45
Air pressure and water checking points and other service areas 150 20 0.40 45
Meter reading area 150 20 0.40 45

Industrial sites and storage areas 500 80

Short term handling of large units and raw materials, loading and unloading of
20 20 0.25 55
solid bulk goods
Continuous handling of large units and raw materials, loading and unloading of
50 20 0.40 50
freight, lifting and descending location for cranes, open loading platforms
Reading of addresses, covered loading platforms, use of tools, ordinary
100 20 0.50 45
reinforcement and casting tasks in concrete plants
Demanding electrical, machine and piping installations, inspection 200 60 0.50 45

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 21

c_HB_4 Recommend_P11-38,04.indd 21 30/5/08 12:37:25

 4.2 Outdoor workplaces (continued)
Type of area, task or activity Em Ra Uo GRL

Off-shore gas and oil structures

Drill floor and monkey board 300 40 0.50 40
Rotary table 500 40 0.50 40
Regular vehicle traffic (max 40km/h) 20 20 0.40 45
Pedestrian passages, vehicle turning, loading and unloading points 50 20 0.40 50
Derrick 100 40 0.50 45
Mud sampling room 300 40 0.50 40
Test station, shale shaker, wellhead 200 40 0.50 45
Process areas
Pumping areas 200 20 0.50 45
Crude oil pumps 300 40 0.50 45
Treatment areas 100 40 0.50 45
Ladders, stairs, walkways 100 20 0.25 45
Plant areas 300 40 0.50 40
Boat landing areas transport areas 100 20 0.25 50
Life boat areas 200 20 0.40 50
Sea surface below the rig 30 20 0.25 50
Helideck 100 20 0.40 45
Parking lots
Light traffic e.g. parking areas of shops, schools, churches, terraced
5 20 0.25 55
and apartment houses
Medium traffic e.g. parking areas of department stores, office buildings, sports
10 20 0.25 50
and multipurpose building complexes
Heavy traffic e.g. parking areas of major shopping centres, major sports and
20 20 0.25 50
multipurpose building complexes
Petrochemical and other hazardous industries
Handling of servicing tools, utilisation of manually regulated valves, starting and
20 20 0.25 55
stopping motors, lighting of burners
Filling and emptying of container trucks and wagons with risk free substances,
50 20 0.40 50
inspection of leakage, piping and packing
Filling and emptying of container trucks and wagons with dangerous substances,
100 40 0.40 45
replacements of pump packing, general service work, reading of instruments
Repair of machines and electrical devices 200 60 0.50 45
Fuel loading and unloading sites 100 20 0.40 45

Power, electricity, gas and heat plants

Pedestrian movements within electrically safe areas 5 20 0.25 50
Handling of servicing tools, coal 20 20 0.25 55
Overall inspection 50 20 0.40 50
General servicing work and reading of instruments 100 40 0.40 45
Wind tunnels servicing and maintenance 100 40 0.40 45
Repair of electric devices 200 60 0.50 45

Railway areas
Open platforms - small stations, rural and local trains 15 20 0.25 50
Open platforms - medium size stations, suburban and regional trains 20 20 0.40 45
Open platforms - large stations, inter-city services 50 20 0.40 45
Covered platforms - medium size stations, suburban and regional trains 50 40 0.40 45
Covered platforms - large stations, inter-city services 100 40 0.50 45
Stairs - small and medium size stations 50 40 0.40 45
Stairs - large stations 100 40 0.50 45
Walkways 20 20 0.40 50

22 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

c_HB_4 Recommend_P11-38,04.indd 22 30/5/08 12:37:26

 4.2 Outdoor workplaces (continued)
Type of area, task or activity Em Ra Uo GRL

Freight areas
Freight track short duration operations 10 20 0.25 50
Freight track continuous operation 20 20 0.40 50
Open platforms 20 20 0.40 50
Covered platform short duration operations 50 20 0.40 45
Covered platform continuous operation 100 40 0.50 45
Railway yards handling areas 30 20 0.40 50
Railway yards flat marshalling, retarder and classification yards 10 20 0.40 50
Hump areas 10 20 0.40 45
Wagon inspection pit 100 40 0.50 40
Coupling area 30 20 0.40 45
Tracks in passenger station areas, including stabling 10 20 0.25 50
Servicing trains and locomotives 20 40 0.40 50
Level crossings 20 20 0.40 45

Saw mills
Timber handling on land and in water, sawdust and chip conveyors 20 20 0.25 55
Sorting of timber on land or in water, timber unloading points and sawn timber
50 20 0.40 50
loading points, mechanical lifting to timber conveyor
Reading of addresses and marking of sawn timber 100 40 0.40 45
Grading and packaging 200 40 0.50 45
Feeding into stripping and chopping machines 300 40 0.50 45

Shipyards and docks

Short term handling of large units 20 20 0.25 55
Cleaning of ship hull 50 20 0.25 50
Painting and welding of ship hull 100 60 0.40 45
Mounting of electrical and mechanical components 200 60 0.50 45
General lighting of shipyard area, storage areas for prefabricated goods 20 40 0.25 55

Water and sewage plants

Handling of service tools, utilisation of manually operated valves, starting and
50 20 0.40 45
stopping of motors, piping packing and raking plants
Handling of chemicals, inspection of leakage, changing of pumps,
100 40 0.40 45
general servicing work, reading of instruments
Repair of motors and electric devices 200 60 0.50 45

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 23

c_HB_4 Recommend_P11-38,04.indd 23 30/5/08 12:37:28

 4.3 Sports
This table contains lighting recommendations for a variety of
sports. Lighting requirements may differ according to the level
of competition of a sport, and therefore requirements are shown
for different lighting classes. There are three lighting classes:
Class I Top level competition that will generally involve a
large amount of spectators and may involve long
viewing distances
Class II Medium level competition that will generally involve
a medium amount of spectators and may involve
medium viewing distances. Professional level training
may also be class II.
Class III Low level competition that will generally involve small
amounts

Level of competition Lighting Class

I II III

International or national 3
Regional 3 3
Local 3 3 3
Training 3 3
Recreational/education 3

Type of area, task or activity Class Em Ra Uo GRL

Aerobics (recreational) 200 20 0.50

Archery (lane/target) 200/Ev 750 60 0.5/0.8
Athletics (indoor)
Class I 500 60 0.70
Class II 300 60 0.60
Class III 200 20 0.50
Athletics (outdoor, all disciplines)
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 200 60 0.50 55
Class III 100 20 0.50 55
Badminton
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.70

24 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

Type of area, task or activity Class Em Ra Uo GRL

Basketball (indoor)
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Basketball
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 200 60 0.60 50
Class III 75 20 0.50 55
Billiards
Class I 750 80 0.80
Class II 500 80 0.80
Class III 500 80 0.80
Boccia (indoor)
Class I 300 60 0.70
Class II 200 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Boccia (outdoor)

Class I 200 60 0.70 50

Class II 100 20 0.70 50
Class III 50 20 0.50 55
Boules (indoor)
Class I 300 60 0.70
Class II 200 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Boules (outdoor)
Class I 200 60 0.70 50
Class II 100 20 0.70 50
Class III 50 20 0.50 55
10 pin/9 pin bowling
Lanes 200 60 0.50
Pins 25m lane Ev 1000 0.80
Pins 50m lane Ev 2000 0.80
Boxing
Class I 2000 80 0.80
Class II 1000 80 0.80
Class III 500 60 0.50
Climbing
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.50
Cricket (infield/outfield)
Class I 750/500 60 0.70 50
Class II 500/300 60 0.70 50
Class III 300/200 20 0.70 55
Cricket nets
Class I 1500 60 0.80 50
Class II 1000 60 0.80 50
Class III 750 20 0.80 55

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 25

 Type of area, task or activity Class Em Ra Uo GRL

Curling (target / playing area) 300/200 0.70 0.70

Cycling (indoor) 50
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Cycling (outdoor)
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 300 60 0.70 50
Class III 100 20 0.50 55
Dancing
Class I 500 60 0.70
Class II 300 60 0.60
Class III 200 20 0.50
Darts
Class I Eh 200/Ev 750 60
Class II Eh 100/Ev 500 60
Class III Eh 50/Ev 300 20
Fencing 750 60
Class I Eh 750/Ev 500 60 0.70
Class II Eh 500/Ev 300 60 0.70
Class III Eh 300/Ev 200 20 0.70
Football (indoor)
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Football (outdoor)
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 200 60 0.60 50
Class III 75 20 0.50 55
Gymnastics
Class I 500 60 0.70
Class II 300 60 0.60
Class III 200 20 0.50
Handball (indoor)
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Handball (outdoor)
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 200 60 0.60 50
Class III 75 20 0.50 55
Hockey (indoor)
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.70
Hockey (outdoor)
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 200 60 0.70 50
Class III 200 20 0.70 55

26 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

Type of area, task or activity Class Em Ra Uo GRL

Ice hockey (indoor)

Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.70
Ice hockey (outdoor)
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Ice skating
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.70
Judo
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Kendo / Karate
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Netball (indoor)
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Netball (outdoor)
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 200 60 0.60 50
Class III 75 20 0.50 55
Petanque (indoor)
Class I 300 60 0.70
Class II 200 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Petanque (outdoor)
Class I 200 60 0.70 50
Class II 100 20 0.70 50
Class III 50 20 0.50 55
Racketball
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.70
Roller skating
Class I 500 60 0.70
Class II 300 60 0.60
Class III 200 20 0.50
School sports
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 27

 Type of area, task or activity Class Em Ra Uo GRL

Shooting (lane/target) 200/Ev 750 60 0.5/0.8

Snooker
Class I 750 80 0.80
Class II 500 80 0.80
Class III 500 80 0.80
Speed skating
Class I 500 60 0.70
Class II 300 60 0.60
Class III 200 20 0.50
Squash
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.70
Swimming
Class I 500 60 0.70
Class II 300 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Table tennis
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.70
Tennis (indoor)
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 300 20 0.50
Tennis (outdoor)
Class I 500 60 0.70 50
Class II 300 60 0.70 50
Class III 200 20 0.60 55
Weight lifting
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50
Wrestling
Class I 750 60 0.70
Class II 500 60 0.70
Class III 200 20 0.50

28 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

4.4 Emergency
Illuminance limits (CEN 1838:1999 and CIE S 020/E:2007)
Description of space Illuminance limits (lux) Diversity limits
(Imin / Imax)
Escape route Along centre line 1.0lx 0.025 (1:40)
In central band 0.5lx
Open area Across area 0.5lx 0.025 (1:40)
High risk task area 10% maintained level but not less than15.0lx 0.1 (1:10)

Disability glare limits (CEN 1838:1999 and CIE S 020/E:2007)

Mounting height above Escape route and open area (anti High risk task area
floor level panic) lighting maximum luminous lighting maximum
intensity luminous intensity
H in m Imax in cd Imax in cd
H < 2.5 500 1000
2.5 H < 3.0 900 1800
3.0 H < 3.5 1600 3200
3.5 H < 4.0 2500 5000
4.0 H < 4.5 3500 7000
4.5 H 5000 10000

For escape routes and open areas response times and durations
are;
CEN 1838:1999
50% of the required illuminance within 5s, and 100% within
60s with a minimum duration of 1 hour
CIE S 020/E:2007
50% of the required illuminance within 20s, and 100% within
60s (if the visual task or risk to people requires a shorter
response time then it should be shortened to 50% of the
required illuminance within 5s) with a minimum duration of
1 hour (if the visual task or risk to people requires a longer
duration then it should be extended to 3 hours)

For high risk task areas response times and durations are;
CEN 1838:1999
Either 100% required illuminance permanently or within 0.5s,
depending upon the application with a minimum duration
covering the time the risk exists
CIE S 020/E:2007
Either 100% required illuminance permanently or within 0.5s,
depending upon the application with a minimum duration of
1 hour

Note that these values may differ across countries. For example;
UK (CEN 1838:1999)
Escape route along centre line 0.2lx
in central band 0.1lx

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 29

 Escape route and open area duration may be extended from
5s to 15s in premises for the most part likely to be occupied by
persons who are familiar with them
France (CEN 1838:1999)
Certified luminaires only may be used
On escape routes maximum spacing of luminaires is 15m
For open areas 5lm/m2 (luminaire lumens) is required and
luminaires may not be spaced more than 4 times their mounting
height apart, with a minimum of 2 luminaires per room

Therefore, whilst these values may be used for guidance local

regulations should be consulted.

4.5 Roads
For road lighting the lighting criteria are selected dependant
upon the class of road being lit. The class has a range of
sub-classes, from the strictest to the most relaxed, and these are
chosen dependant upon factors, such as typical speed of users,
typical volumes of traffic flow, difficulty of the navigational task,
etc. The basic lighting classes are defined as:

ME This class is intended for users of motorised vehicles on

traffic routes. In some countries this class also applies to
residential roads. Traffic speeds are medium to high.
The ME classes go from ME1 to ME6, with ME1 defining
the strictest requirements. For wet road conditions the
MEW classes go from MEW1 to MEW6.
KEY Emin - minimum illuminance
Em - maintained average illuminance
Lm - maintained average luminance
Uo - overall uniformity
Ul - longitudinal uniformity
TI - threshold increment
SR - surround ratio

Luminance
Lm U0 Ul SR TI
ME1 2.0 cd/m2 0.40 0.70 0.50 10%
ME2 1.5 cd/m2 0.40 0.70 0.50 10%
ME3A 1.0 cd/m2 0.40 0.70 0.50 15%
ME3B 1.0 cd/m2 0.40 0.60 0.50 15%
ME3C 1.0 cd/m2 0.40 0.50 0.50 15%
ME4A 0.75 cd/m2 0.40 0.60 0.60 15%
ME4B 0.75 cd/m2 0.40 0.50 0.50 15%
ME5 0.50 cd/m2 0.35 0.40 0.50 15%
ME6 0.3 cd/m2 0.35 0.40 0.50 15%
MEW1D 2.0 cd/m2 0.40 0.60 0.50 10%
MEW1W - 0.15 - 0.50 -
MEW2D 1.5 cd/m2 0.40 0.60 0.50 10%
MEW2W - 0.15 - 0.50 -
MEW3D 1.0 cd/m2 0.40 0.60 0.50 15%
MEW3W - 0.15 - 0.50 -
MEW4D 0.75 cd/m2 0.40 - 0.50 15%
MEW4W - 0.15 - 0.50 -
MEW5D 0.5 cd/m2 0.35 - 0.50 15%
MEW5W - 0.15 - 0.50 -

30 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

CE This class is intended for users of motorised vehicles in Horizontal illuminance
conflict areas such as road intersections, roundabouts, Em Emin Uo
etc. These areas also allow provision for cyclists and CE0 50.0 lux - 0.40
CE1 30.0 lux - 0.40
pedestrians. CE2 20.0 lux - 0.40
The CE classes go from CE0 to CE5, with CE0 defining CE3 15.0 lux - 0.40
the strictest requirements. CE5 7.50 lux - 0.40

S This class is intended for cyclists and pedestrians on Horizontal illuminance

footpaths, cycle paths, residential roads, pedestrian Em Emin Uo
streets, parking areas, etc. The S class and the A class are S1 15.0 lux; 22.5 lux 5.0 lux -
S2 10.0 lux; 15.0 lux 3.0 lux -
for similar situations, but the S class criteria are defined S3 7.5 lux; 11.25 lux 1.5 lux -
in terms of horizontal illuminance as preferred by certain S4 5.0 lux; 7.5 lux 1.0 lux -
countries. S5 3.0 lux; 4.5 lux 0.6 lux -
The S classes go from S1 to S6, with S1 defining the S6 2.0 lux; 3.0 lux 0.6 lux -
strictest requirements.

A This class is intended for cyclists and pedestrians on Hemispherical illuminance

footpaths, cycle paths, residential roads, pedestrian Em Uo
streets, parking areas, etc. The A class and the S class are A1 5.0 lux 0.15
A2 3.0 lux 0.15
for similar situations but the A class criteria are defined in
A3 2.0 lux 0.15
terms of hemispherical illuminance as preferred by certain A4 1.5 lux 0.15
countries. A5 1.0 lux 0.15
The A classes go from A1 to A5, with A1 defining the
strictest requirements.

ES This class is an extension of the A and S classes for those Semi-cylindrical illuminance
situations where the identification of people or objects Emin
is particularly necessary, for example in high crime ES1 10.0 lux
ES2 7.5 lux
risk areas. The criteria are in terms of semi-cylindrical
ES3 5.0 lux
illuminance and are used in addition to the S or A class ES4 3.0 lux
criteria. ES5 2.0 lux
The ES classes go from ES1 to ES9, with ES1 defining the ES6 1.5 lux
strictest requirements. ES7 1.0 lux
ES8 0.75 lux
ES9 0.50 lux

EV This class is an extension of the CE, A and S classes Vertical illuminance

for those situations requiring good visibility of vertical Emin
surfaces, for example toll booths. The criteria are in terms EV1 50.0 lux
EV2 30.0 lux
of vertical illuminance and are used in addition to the CE,
EV3 10.0 lux
S or A class criteria. EV4 7.5 lux
The EV classes go from EV1 to EV6, with EV1 defining the EV5 5.0 lux
strictest requirements. EV6 0.5 lux

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 31

 Recommended lighting levels

When lighting adjacent areas there should not be a difference

greater than two comparable classes between the areas, with
the area with the highest recommended lighting level being
taken as the reference area.
To help apply this when adjacent area are lit to different lighting
classes the table below shows lighting classes for comparable
lighting levels.
ME1 ME2 ME3 ME4 ME5 ME6
MEW1 MEW2 MEW3 MEW4 MEW5
CE0 CE1 CE2 CE3 CE4 CE5
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6

Lighting classes of comparable lighting level

In some countries there is a preference for a particular

measure of illuminance over others (for example hemispherical
illuminance in preference to horizontal illuminance). The
following two tables show comparable alternative lighting
classes to aid in designing to local preferences.
A class (hemispherical illuminance) compared to S class (horizontal illuminance)

Reference class S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6

Alternative class A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

ES class (semi-cylindrical illuminance) and EV class (vertical illuminance) compared to CE and S class
(horizontal illuminance)

CE0 CE1 CE2 CE3 CE4 CE5

Reference class
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
ES1 ES2 ES3 ES4 ES5 ES6 ES7 ES8 ES9
Alternative class
EV3 EV4 EV5

32 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

4.6 Amenity
There is little standardised information for lighting requirements
in amenity areas, and therefore this information should be
considered guidance. Local standards and regulations should
be checked to ensure compliance.

Lighting classes for pedestrian areas in urban centres (see road section above)

Traffic flow pedestrians

Normal High
Environmental zone Environmental zone
E3 E4 E3 E4
Pedestrian only traffic CE3 CE2 CE2 CE1
Mixed pedestrian and vehicular traffic CE2 CE1 CE1 CE1

Pedestrian zones

Em Eminimum Diversity
Area (lux) (lux) (Emin/Emax)
Pedestrian precincts 5.0 - 0.08
Squares/open areas 5.0 - 0.10
Squares (high pedestrian use) 10.0 - 0.10
Level footpaths - 1.0
Footpaths with steps - 5.0 -
Outdoor staircase 15.0 - 0.30
Underpass 60.0 - 0.30

Lighting levels for underground, multi-storey and outdoor car parks zones

Em Eminimum
Type Area (lux) (lux)
Underground and multi-storey Parking bays, access area 75 50
excluding roof level
Ramps, corners, intersections 150 75
Entrance/exit zones (vehicular) 75 night -
300 day
Pedestrian areas, stairs, lifts 100 50
Outdoor and multi-storey roof 60.0 -
level
Rural zones E1 and E2 15 5
Urban zones E3 and E4 30 10
Multi-storey roof level 30 10

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 33

 4.7 Tunnel
For guidance on tunnel lighting you should also refer to section
6.6 on road tunnel lighting.

Glare restriction

Time of day Threshold zone Interior zone Exit zone

Day-time TI <15% TI <15% -
Night TI <15% TI <15% TI <15%

Traffic flow classification

Traffic flow One way traffic Two way traffic

(vehicles/hour.lane) (vehicles/hour.lane)
High > 1500 > 400
Medium 500 1500 100 400
Low < 500 < 100

Interior zone average luminance levels (Lav)

Stopping distance Traffic flow

( speed in m/s) Low Medium High
160m 5 cd/m 10 cd/m 15 cd/m
100m 2 cd/m 4 cd/m 6 cd/m
60m 1 cd/m 2 cd/m 3 cd/m

Threshold zones average luminance levels (Lav)

Maximum permitted average luminance ratio passing between
transition zones is 3:1
Maximum permitted average luminance ratio passing from
transition zones to interior zone is 1.5:1
Note: D
 uring night hours the entire tunnel is treated as one
interior zone

Uniformity requirements
Minimum luminance to average luminance for road surface and
lower 2m of tunnel walls 0.4
Longitudinal uniformity along centre line of each lane 0.6

34 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

4.8 Lighting scheme surveys
When a lighting scheme has been designed and installed
it is normally necessary to perform a survey as part of the
commissioning process. A survey would also be necessary in
the case of any dispute over the performance of an installation.
When performing a survey a grid of points is generally
placed over the area to be surveyed. These grid points are the
measurement points at which a reading of light will be taken.
To perform a survey adequate equipment is required. This
is generally either an illuminance meter or a luminance
meter, dependant upon the criteria used during the design
of the installation. It is essential that the equipment used is
suitable for the task. It therefore needs to be calibrated, with
a current calibration certificate from a competent company
with traceability to national standards. It also needs to have a
suitable range of sensitivity to be able to measure the light levels
present in the installation. So to measure emergency light levels
a more sensitive meter would be necessary that could measure
low light levels.
When making a scheme survey it is essential to keep a
complete and accurate record of the state of the whole
installation at the time of the survey, which is the lighting
equipment and the space the lighting is in. (Photographs are a
valuable addition to a written record.) Examples of information
of note are:
With regard to the measuring equipment
Type of meter, manufacturer, model, serial number and
calibration date
Details of any additional equipment, such as tripods, tape
measures, etc. should be noted
With regard to the luminaires
The luminaire manufacturer and manufacturers code
Details of the lamps (number, type and age)
The supply voltage (value and stability)
The state of maintenance of the installation (lamps and
luminaires)
Details of luminaire control systems being used
Geometric details of the luminaire positioning

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 35

 With regard to the space
The condition of reflective surfaces
The surface reflectances
The presence of any significant obstructions
The presence/absence of daylight, including a
background reading of luminance/illuminance with
daylight only (luminaires turned off). Note that the quantity
of daylight may vary significantly over time so ideally
daylight should be excluded from measurements of electric
light unless the aim is to measure a constant illuminance
installation (daylight control)
The ambient temperature in the space
Any other factors which could influence the measurement
Before taking any measurements it is important that the output
of the luminaires is stable. Therefore the lighting should ideally
be operated for one hour before taking any measurements, and
at least 30 minutes. Additionally to ensure the stability of the
meter photocell it should be exposed to the stable light levels for
approximately five minutes before taking any measurements.
When defining a measurement grid this is dependant upon the
application being surveyed.

Interior measurement grids

Frequently for sports lighting the grid definition is defined by
the sports governing body, so for an indoor sports facility any
requirements specific to a particular sport should be used.
However, if no specific requirements exist, or the installation
is not a sports facility, the measurement points for verification
of the design should be in the same location and plane as
the calculation points used during the design. Therefore, if a
measurement plane was calculated which was tilted to mimic
the orientation of the task, the same measurement plane should
be used for verification.
Note that during design it should be ensured that the grid
spacing does not coincide with the spacing of the luminaires
in the installation as this can distort the calculated results, and
therefore the scheme performance.

36 | Recommendations for Good Lighting

Exterior measurement grids sports and area
Frequently for sports lighting the grid definition is defined by
the sports governing body, so any requirements specific to
a particular sport should be used. However, if no specific
requirements exist, or the installation is not a sports facility, the
measurement points for verification of the design should be in
the same location and plane as the calculation points used
during the design. Therefore, if a measurement plane was
calculated which was tilted to mimic the orientation of the task,
the same measurement plane should be used for verification.

Exterior measurement grids road

For road lighting the grid is normally defined in the relevant
standard and is generally related to the spacing of the road
lighting lanterns. Therefore the relevant standard should be
referenced for the grid definition which should be the same as
the grid used for calculation during design.
When marking the measurement grid in the area to be
measured the method of marking is dependant upon the
measurements to be taken. When measuring illuminance
small markers (such as sticky dots) may be placed upon the
surface to show the measurement point. However when
measuring luminance this would invalidate the reading and so
for luminance readings markings should be used to sight the
luminance meter, and then moved before the reading is taken.
When taking luminance readings in a road lighting installation
the position of the meter will be a significant distance from the
measurement point. This has two implications:
The luminance meter must be able to restrict the angle of
measurement to allow only the relevant grid position to be
measured, typically to two minutes of arc in the vertical
plane and 20 minutes of arc in the horizontal plane.
The grid markings must be visible from a large distance.
Therefore three-dimensional objects should be used to
mark the grid points and removed individually as each
grid point is measured.
The method of marking out the grid should be recorded with
details of equipment used and fixed reference points used
to locate the grid. To record the measured values a diagram
should be used to assign reference numbers to each grid point.
A table of values may then be completed containing the grid
reference number and the measured value.

Recommendations for Good Lighting | 37

 Some points of note when taking the readings are
When taking measurements it should be ensured that
no additional shadowing is introduced due to the
measurement technique.
When taking measurements it is advisable to wear dark
matt clothing to prevent light reflecting from clothing onto
the photocell, giving abnormally high readings. However,
if safety requirements require high visibility clothing,
care should be taken to minimise light reflection onto the
photocell.
The use of a tripod is advisable, especially for luminance
readings or readings using heavy equipment.
For measurement grids that are not at ground level the use
of a stand, at the correct height and orientation for the task
plane, can help ensure a photocell is correctly positioned
at a measurement position.
It is good practice to measure the background light levels
without the lighting installation turned on. Even moonlight
can have a noticeable effect on light levels. Also to take
these measurements after measuring the installation with
the lights turned on, as the background light levels may
vary considerably during the warm-up time for the lighting.
When measuring horizontal illuminance it cannot be
assumed that the ground is horizontal, especially in
outdoor applications. Care must be taken to ensure
the photocell is horizontal, even if this is not a true
representation of the ground.
Correction factors should be applied to readings to
compensate for the lamp type used in the schemes.
However, highly coloured or monochromatic light sources
will give erroneous readings using conventional light
meters.

38 | Recommendations for Good Lighting