Advice on light levels for different applications
CIBSE, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, acts as a professional body for lighting in the UK and produces a series of guides giving optimum lighting requirements for a wide range of environments. The following table, compiled from information found in CIBSE's Society of Light and Lighting and other relevant publications, aims to give recommended light levels for commonly found conditions. These are recommendations only; careful consideration must go into every unique area.
How we can help: get in touch with our experienced team. Our aim is to always provide the best-value lighting solution to meet a project's individual needs; we probably have a product designed specifically for your application and budget, giving all parties reassurance in their investment. Alternatively, you can navigate to individual sector pages for additional design recommendations, including glare, lux levels, uniformity, colour rendering, and more.
Industrial
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Factories
Factories | |
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Drying | 50 Lux |
Preparation/Machine Work | 300 Lux |
Pressing, Rolling, Glazing | 300 Lux |
Engraving, Polishing | 750 Lux |
Hand Finishing | 750 Lux |
Precision Work | 1000 Lux |
Jewellery Manufacture | 1500 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Aircraft Hangars
Aircraft Hangars | |
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Maintenance Facilities (Minimum) | 500-750 Lux |
Maintenance Facilities (Recommended) | 1000-1500 Lux |
Task Lighting | 1000 Lux |
Inspection | 2000-5000 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Cold Stores
Cold Stores | |
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Cold Store Aisles | 100-200 Lux |
Cold Store Open Areas | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Distribution Centres
Distribution Centres | |
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Main (Forklift) Aisles | 100 Lux |
Pedestrian Aisles | 200 Lux |
Packing & Despatch | 300 Lux |
Unpacking & Sorting | 200 Lux |
Loading Bay | 500 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Food Production
Food Production | |
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Food Storage | 200 Lux |
Food Sorting/Preparation | 300 Lux |
Critical Zones | 500 Lux |
Food Production | 500 Lux |
Inspection | 500 Lux |
Colour Inspection | 1000 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Freezers
Freezers | |
---|---|
Freezer Aisles | 100-300 Lux |
Freezer Open Areas | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Warehousing
Warehousing | |
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Main (Forklift) Aisles | 100-200 Lux |
Pedestrian Aisles | 200 Lux |
Loading Bay | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Workshops
Workshops | |
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Cable/Wire Manufacture | 300 Lux |
Galvanising | 300 Lux |
Rough Assembly | 300 Lux |
Medium Assembly | 500 Lux |
Fine Assembly | 750 Lux |
Precision Assembly | 1000 Lux |
Testing Area | 1500 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Agriculture
Agriculture | |
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Livestock Buildings | 50 Lux |
Loading/Unloading | 200 Lux |
Sick Pens | 200 Lux |
Calving Stalls | 200 Lux |
Feed Preparation | 200 Lux |
Dairy | 200 Lux |
Sports
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Athletics
Athletics | |
---|---|
Class 1 - Professional | 500 Lux |
Class 2 - Club | 200 Lux |
Class 3 - Amateur | 100 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Badminton
Badminton | |
---|---|
Class 1 - International | 1000 Lux |
Class 2 - Club | 500 Lux |
Class 3 - Recreational | 300 Lux |
County | 750 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Equestrian
Equestrian | |
---|---|
Class 1 - Professional | 500 Lux |
Class 2 - Club | 200 Lux |
Class 3 - Recreational | 100 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Fencing
Fencing | |
---|---|
Class 1 - International | 750 Lux |
Class 2 - Regional | 500 Lux |
Class 3 - Training | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Field Hockey
Field Hockey | |
---|---|
Class 1 - Professional | 750 Lux |
Class 2 - Club | 500 Lux |
Class 3 - Recreational | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Football
Football | |
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Class 1 - International | 500 Lux |
Class 2 - Regional | 200 Lux |
Class 3 - Local | 75 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey | |
---|---|
Class 1 - International | 750 Lux |
Class 2 - Regional | 500 Lux |
Class 3 - Recreational | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Rugby
Rugby | |
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Class 1 - Premiership | 500 Lux |
Class 2 - Regional | 200 Lux |
Class 3 - Recreational | 75 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Sports Hall
Sports Hall | |
---|---|
Class 1 - Regional | 750 Lux |
Class 2 - Club | 500 Lux |
Class 3 - Recreational | 200 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Swimming Pools
Swimming Pools | |
---|---|
Class 1 - Competition | 500 Lux |
Class 2 - Club | 300 Lux |
Class 3 - Recreational | 200 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Tennis
Tennis | |
---|---|
Class 1 - International | 750 Lux |
Class 2 - Regional | 500 Lux |
Class 3 - Club | 300 Lux |
Hazardous Areas
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Inspection Pits
Inspection Pits | |
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Pit Floor | 100 Lux |
Welding | 300 Lux |
Assembly | 500 Lux |
Painting | 750 lux |
Painting (Touch Up) | 1000 Lux |
Inspection Pit - Rolling Stock and Vehicle Inspection | 500 Lux |
Maintenance Pit - Rolling Stock and Vehicle Maintenance | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Oil Refinery
Oil Refinery | |
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Manual Tasks | 20 Lux |
Walkways | 50 Lux |
Filing Area | 50 Lux |
Fuel Station | 100 Lux |
Maintenance | 200 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Tank Farms
Tank Farms | |
---|---|
Processing Areas | 300 Lux |
High-Risk Filling Areas | 300 Lux |
Low-Risk Filling Areas | 100 Lux |
Walkways | 100 Lux |
Stairs and Landings | 100 Lux |
Sludge Chambers | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Oil Rigs
Oil Rigs | |
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Sea Surface | 30 Lux |
Helideck | 100 Lux |
Derrick | 100 Lux |
Treatment Areas | 100 Lux |
Pipe Rack Area | 150 Lux |
Test Station, Shale Shaker, Wellhead | 200 Lux |
Pumps | 200 Lux |
Life Boat Areas | 200 Lux |
Drill Floor/Monkey Board | 300 Lux |
Mud Room, Sampling | 300 Lux |
Crude Oil Pumps | 300 Lux |
Plant Areas | 300 Lux |
Rotary Table | 500 Lux |
Drill Floors | 300 Lux |
Drill Towers | 100 Lux |
Walkways | 100 Lux |
Stairs and Landings | 100 Lux |
Test Stations | 200 Lux |
Facility Areas | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Grain Processing and Storage
Grain Processing and Storage | |
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Storage | 100 Lux |
Loading Area | 100 Lux |
Emergency | 15 Lux |
Work Stations | 200 Lux |
Sorting, Washing Milling, Mixing & Packing | 300 Lux |
Critical Zone | 500 Lux |
Inspection | 500 Lux |
Colour Inspection | 1000 Lux |
External
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Airport Aprons
Airport Aprons | |
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Aircraft Stands | 20 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Car Park
Car Park | |
---|---|
Light Traffic | 5 Lux |
Medium Traffic | 10 Lux |
Heavy Traffic | 20 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Docks
Docks | |
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Quayside | 50 Lux |
Alleyways | 20 Lux |
Stacks | 20 Lux |
Roads | 20 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Multi-Storey Car Park
Multi-Storey Car Park | |
---|---|
Entrances & Exits | 250 Lux |
Parking Bays | 75 Lux |
Driving Lanes and Ramps | 75 Lux |
Roof-Level | 20 Lux |
Ticket Machine Area | 300 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Railway Yards
Railway Yards | |
---|---|
Rail Yard - Parking of Rolling Stock | 10 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Security
Security | |
---|---|
Storage | 5 Lux |
Coal Field | 5 Lux |
Timber Storage | 5 Lux |
Harbours | 10 Lux |
Sawmills | 10 Lux |
Vehicle Storage | 20 Lux |
Oil Stores | 20 Lux |
Shipyard/Docks | 20 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Street Lighting
Street Lighting | |
---|---|
ME1 - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 20 Lux |
ME2 - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 15 Lux |
ME3A - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 10 Lux |
ME3B - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 10 Lux |
ME3C - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 10 Lux |
ME4A - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 7.5 Lux |
ME4B - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 7.5 Lux |
ME5 - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 5 Lux |
ME6 - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 3 Lux |
MEW1D - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 20 Lux |
MEW1W - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 20 Lux |
MEW2D - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 15 Lux |
MEW2W - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 15 Lux |
MEW3D - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 10 Lux |
MEW3W - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 10 Lux |
MEW4D - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 7.5 Lux |
MEW5W - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 7.5 Lux |
MEW5D - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 5 Lux |
MEW5W - Motorised Vehicles (Traffic) | 5 Lux |
CE0 - Motorised Vehicles (Conflict Areas) | 50 Lux |
CE1 - Motorised Vehicles (Conflict Areas) | 30 Lux |
CE2 - Motorised Vehicles (Conflict Areas) | 20 Lux |
CE3 - Motorised Vehicles (Conflict Areas) | 15 Lux |
CE5 - Motorised Vehicles (Conflict Areas) | 7.5 Lux |
S1 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 15 Lux |
S2 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 10 Lux |
S3 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 7.5 Lux |
S4 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 5 Lux |
S5 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 3 Lux |
S6 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 2 Lux |
A1 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 5 Lux |
A2 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 3 Lux |
A3 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 2 Lux |
A4 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 1.5 Lux |
A5 - Cyclists & Pedestrian | 1 Lux |
ES1 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 10 Lux |
ES2 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 7.5 Lux |
ES3 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 5 Lux |
ES4 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 3 Lux |
ES5 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 2 Lux |
ES6 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 1.5 Lux |
ES7 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 1 Lux |
ES8 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 0.75 Lux |
ES9 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Increased Safety) | 0.5 Lux |
EV1 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Vertical Objects) | 50 Lux |
EV2 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Vertical Objects) | 30 Lux |
EV3 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Vertical Objects) | 10 Lux |
EV4 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Vertical Objects) | 7.5 Lux |
EV5 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Vertical Objects) | 5 Lux |
EV6 - Cyclists & Pedestrian (Vertical Objects) | 0.5 Lux |
Commercial
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Education
Education | |
---|---|
Store Rooms | 150 Lux |
Circulation Areas | 100 Lux |
Stairs | 150 Lux |
Entrance Hall | 200 Lux |
Waiting Room | 200 Lux |
Common Room | 200 Lux |
Assembly Hall | 200 Lux |
Play Room | 300 Lux |
Nursery | 300 Lux |
Craft Room | 300 Lux |
Classroom (Children) | 300 Lux |
Classroom (Adult) | 500 Lux |
Music Practice Room | 300 Lux |
IT Room | 300 Lux |
Language Laboratory | 300 Lux |
Staff Room/Office | 300 Lux |
Library (Reading Area) | 500 Lux |
Lecture Theatre/Auditorium | 500 Lux |
Art Room | 500 Lux |
Practical Rooms | 500 Lux |
Art Schools | 750 Lux |
Technical Drawing Rooms | 750 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Healthcare
Healthcare | |
---|---|
Changing & Wash Room | 100/150 Lux |
Ward Walls | 150 |
Ward Corridors (Day/Night) | 200/10 Lux |
Toilets | 200 Lux |
Dayrooms, Play Areas, Staff Room | 200 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Hotels
Hotels | |
---|---|
Kitchen | 500 Lux |
Office | 500 Lux |
Conference Rooms | 500 Lux |
Reception | 300 Lux |
Restaurant, Dining Room, Function Room | 300 Lux |
Self-Service Restaurant | 200 Lux |
Bedroom | 200 Lux |
Bathroom | 150 Lux |
Toilet | 100 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Offices
Offices | |
---|---|
Printer Room | 300 Lux |
General Office | 500 Lux |
Technical Drawing Area | 750 Lux |
CAD Workstation | 500 Lux |
Conference Room | 500 Lux |
Reception Desk | 300 Lux |
Archives | 200 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Retail
Retail | |
---|---|
Sales Area | 300 Lux |
Till Area | 500 Lux |
Wrapper Table | 500 Lux |
View more detailed lighting design recommendations for Supermarket
Supermarket | |
---|---|
General Lighting (No Accent Lighting) | 500-1000 Lux |
General Lighting (With Accent Lighting) | 100-200 Lux |
All units given are in Lux, equalling one lumen per square meter.
How CAN Kellwood HELP?
Using a vast range of high quality Lighting Products, here at Kellwood Lighting, our lighting design team will work to standards set by CIBSE and governing bodies to ensure that each installation is in line with best practice. Contact us to discuss your project.
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