Introduction
Illuminance levels are an essential component to consider when designing a comfortable and functional indoor environment. The degree to which light falls on a surface is referred to as illumination levels, which are expressed in lux. Understanding the optimum illuminance levels indoors is critical for providing a safe, comfortable, and productive environment.
Why is illuminance important?
There are various reasons why illumination is important. For example,
- It impacts our capacity to see and accomplish jobs successfully. Therefore, inadequate illumination can cause eye fatigue, headaches, and difficulties focusing, whereas excessive brightness can induce glare and discomfort.
- Proper illuminance levels are essential for safety, especially in settings such as factories, storage facilities, and other enterprises. Insufficient illumination can increase the likelihood of incidents and injuries, whereas good lighting can assist in avoiding them.
- Light levels can influence our emotions and productivity. Proper lighting can help to create a warm and appealing environment that fosters relaxation and productivity, whilst inadequate lighting can have the opposite impact.
- Therefore, we can build surroundings that are safe, comfortable, and accommodating by knowing illuminance levels and optimizing lighting in indoor places.
Understanding the standard lux level chart
The standard lux level chart is a guide that provides recommended illuminance levels for different indoor settings. Moreover, it helps to ensure that there is enough light in a space to perform tasks comfortably and safely.
The standard lux level chart provides guidelines for recommended illuminance levels in various settings. For general office tasks, a minimum illuminance level of 300 lux is suggested. However, for more detailed work, a higher level of 500 lux is recommended. In settings where visual tasks are particularly demanding, such as design studios, the recommended level is even higher, ranging between 750 to 1000 lux. In other words, the appropriate illuminance level depends on the type of task and the level of visual detail required.
Recommended lux levels for different indoor settings
Illuminance requirements vary depending on the indoor environment. Here are some recommended lux levels for common and industrial indoor settings:
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
- Living rooms: 100-150 lux
- Bedrooms: 60-100 lux
- Kitchens: 250-300 lux
- Bathrooms: 150-300 lux
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
- Classrooms: 300-500 lux
- Libraries: 500 lux
- Laboratories: 750-1000 lux
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
- Operating rooms: 1000-1500 lux
- Examination rooms: 700-1000 lux
- Patient rooms: 100-200 lux
OFFICES
- Office-Open: 300-500 lux
- Conference room: 300-500 lux
RETAIL SPACES
- General sales area: 750 lux
- Display areas: 1000-2000 lux
- Changing rooms: 200-300 lux
Industries
CHEMICALS
- Exterior walkways, platforms, stairs, and ladders: 30-100 lux
- Control rooms for process plant: 200-500 lux
- Grinding, granulating, mixing, drying, tableting, sterilizing, preparation of solutions, washing, preparing, hardening: 300-750 lux
- Inspection: 300-750 lux
FOOD, DRINK, AND TOBACCO
- General: 200-500 lux
- Inspection: 300-750 lux
- Grading and sorting of raw materials: 500-1000 lux
- Automatic processes: 150-300 lux
- Labeling and packaging: 200-500 lux
- Mills-Milling. Filtering and Packing: 200-500 lux
- Bakery: 200-500 lux
- Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing: 200-500 lux
- Tobacco processing- Material preparation, making, and packing: 300-750 lux