Unit-5

Interior lighting design

● Standard illumination level for various interior application:

Sl.N Place Min illumination Average Max.

o level (lux) illumination (lux) illumination
(lux)
1 Waiting 150 200 300
room
2 Lift 50 100 150
3 Corridor 50 100 150
/stair
4 Dining 150 200 300
room
5 Kitchen 200 300 500
6 Store 50 100 150
room
7 Railway 30 50 100
platform
8 Libraries 200 300 500
9 Seminar 300 500 750
room
10 Worksho 200 300 500
p
11 Study 200 300 500
room
12 Bed 100 150 200
room
13 Lavatory 50 100 150
14 Car 5 10 15
parking

● Space height ratio: Space to height ratio is the ratio of horizontal

space between luminaires (S) to their mounting height above the
working plane (Hm). It varies between 0.8 to 1.5. In other words, the
Space Height Ratio is a measure of the proportion of the space that is
illuminated by the light sources installed in the space. It takes into
account factors such as the height of the ceiling or upper surface of
the space, the spacing and arrangement of the luminaires, and the
properties of the lamps and fixtures used. The ratio depends on the
polar curve of the lamp when it is used along with reflectors. The
Space Height Ratio is an important consideration in lighting design as
it can have a significant impact on the visual comfort and quality of
the lighting environment. A low SHR may result in over-illumination
or glare, while a high SHR may result in under-illumination or uneven
lighting distribution.
● Utilization factor: It is defined as the ratio of total lumens reaching
the working plane to total lumens given out by the lamp. It lies
between 0 to 1. The utilization factor depends on various factors like
the light source characteristics, the fixture design, the room's surface
reflectance, room index and the layout of the luminaires. It helps in
determining the actual illuminance (light level) at the working plane
or surface, considering losses due to factors like reflection, absorption,
and obstructions.
● light loss factor: A Light Loss Factor is a multiplier that is used to
predict future performance (maintained illuminance) based on the
initial properties of a lighting system. The term "light loss factor"
typically refers to a factor used in lighting design to consider the
reduction in light levels that occurs over time as a lighting system or
source ages. It takes into consideration factors such as dirt
accumulation on light fixtures, lamp lumen depreciation (reduction in
the light output of lamps or bulbs over time), and other environmental
 or maintenance-related factors that can affect the overall effectiveness
of a lighting system. Light loss factor is an important concept in
lighting design and maintenance because it helps designers determine
how much initial light output they need to achieve a desired level of
illumination, taking into account the expected decrease in light levels
over time. It is formally known as Maintenance factor (M.F.). It
depends on two types of factors like recoverable factors (e.g. Lamp
lumen depreciation, Lamp dirt depreciation etc) non-recoverable
factors(e.g. Lamp position, Ballast-lamp photometric etc.)
● Depreciation factor: It is defined as a ratio of illumination when
everything is clean to the illumination at normal working conditions.
It is the reciprocal of the Maintenance factor. It is generally greater
than 1. When depreciation factor is less than 1 then maintenance
factor and depreciation factor will be the same.
● Glare index: The "glare index" typically refers to a measure of the
intensity or discomfort of glare, particularly in the context of lighting
and visibility. Glare can be defined as a visual sensation caused by
excessive and uncontrolled brightness in the visual field. It can be a
result of various factors, such as direct sunlight, reflections, or overly
bright artificial lighting. There are different methods and metrics for
quantifying glare-
a. Unified Glare Rating (UGR): The Unified Glare Rating is a
widely used metric for quantifying discomfort glare in indoor
lighting environments, such as offices.
b. Disability Glare: Disability glare is a measure of the extent to
which glare impairs a person's ability to see and perform tasks.
c. Daylight Glare Index (DGI): DGI is used to evaluate the
discomfort caused by glare from daylight sources in building
design.
d. Outdoor Glare: In outdoor lighting design and road safety,
glare from streetlights or vehicle headlights can be evaluated
using various metrics to assess its impact on drivers' vision and
safety.
 These glare indices are used to guide the design of lighting systems,
both indoors and outdoors, to ensure that lighting is comfortable and safe for the
intended tasks and users.
● Light power density: Light power density, often referred to as
illuminance, is a measure of the amount of light (typically visible
light) that illuminates a surface area. It is expressed in units of lux (lx)
in the International System of Units (SI), where 1 lux is equal to 1
lumen per square meter (lm/m²). In other words, illuminance
quantifies the brightness or luminous flux incident on a surface.
Illuminance is an essential concept in lighting design, as it helps
ensure that spaces are adequately illuminated for their intended use.

● Interior Lighting Calculation Methods

There are a number of methods employed for lighting calculations, the three
main methods are given as follows −
1. Watt per square meter method: The watt per square meter method
is fundamentally a rule of thumb method. This method of lighting
calculation comes in handy when doing a quick calculation or double-
check. It is less precise than other methods but can provide a quick
estimate. The formula is: Required Wattage = Area (in square meters)
× Required Watts per Square Meter (a rule-of-thumb value). The
required watts per square meter depend on the type of space and its
function.
2. Lumen method: The lumen method, also called the light flux
method, is the method employed for lighting calculation is applicable
to those cases where the sources of light are such as to produce an
approximate uniform illumination over the working plane. It is a very
popular and extensively used method. In the lumen method of lighting
calculation, the total lumens output is determined from the rating of
the lamp or lamps employed and from their luminous efficiency. Now,
the lumens received on the working plane are determined by
multiplying the total lumens output from the source with the
coefficient of utilization. In the case, when the lamps and
surroundings are not perfectly clean, then in the determination of the
lumens received on the working plane, the depreciation factor or
 maintenance factor should be included. So, total lumens received on
the working plane can be determined by the following formula:
Lumen received= No of lamps X Wattage of each lamp X Lamp
efficacy X Utilization factor X Maintenance factor.
To calculate average illumination (E) the formula will be
(No of lamps X Wattage of each lamp X Lamp efficacy X
Utilization factor X Maintenance factor)/Area of working plane.
3. Inverse square law method: The inverse square law method, also
known as point-to-point method, is applicable where the illumination
at a point due to one or more sources of light is required. Though, the
candle power of the sources in the particular direction under
consideration is known. If a polar curve of a lamp and its reflector
giving the candle power of the lamp in different directions is known,
then the illumination at any point within the range of the lamp can be
determined from the inverse square law. In case, when two or more
than two lamps are illuminating the same working plane, the
illumination due to each lamp can be calculated and added by this
method. However, this method is not much used due to its
complications.

● Design consideration for interior lighting: Designing interior

lighting involves careful consideration of various factors to create a
visually appealing and functional space. Here are key considerations
for interior lighting design:
1. Energy saving: Many older lighting design types, like
incandescents and fluorescents, consume comparatively huge
amounts of energy. In traditional incandescent bulbs, 90% of
the energy they emit is given off as heat, making them a very
wasteful option. Changing bulb types to more efficient LEDs
can be one of the best ways to save energy, which is good for
both the environment and economical.
2. The appearance of space and luminaire: In addition to proper
level of illumination of the space according to its functionality
the designer should not forget about the appearance of lighting
features. Lighting design types should be aesthetically pleasing
 and match the feel of the office space. Effective luminaire
combinations can create expertly lit areas.
3. Glare: Designers must design the lighting system in such a way
that the work plane can be glare free. Glare control is
particularly important in an office environment, as it can
distract people from their work in a place where focus is vital.
4. Appearance of color: Again another important consideration is
color, the factor of appearance. Although all the lamps listed
produce “white” light, their CCT and CRIs differ. Designers
should consider the importance of the colors of the seeing task
and its surroundings to be faithfully reproduced. different color
temperatures can have varying physiological effects on people.
Warm lights, for instance, are cozier, and they are used in
restaurants, but could also work well in a break room or lobby.
Cool colors, on the other hand, mimic natural daylight more
closely and this type of light is used in working areas.
5. Lighting control: Designers should choose the simplest and
easiest type of lighting control. Nowadays digital lighting
control using various sensors like PIR sensor, ultrasonic sensor,
Photosensor etc. are extensively used which reduces the energy
losses. Many modern systems can work wirelessly, which is
especially beneficial for retrofitting or for buildings with hard-
to-wire areas. Wireless controls can be placed almost anywhere
and moved or expanded as needed.
6. Cost : Designers should choose the scheme of lighting system
with optimum installation cost of installation and maintenance.
Maintenance cost is the recurring cost for any system. Systems
with low maintenance cost will be beneficial to consumers.
Using filament lamps, gas discharge lamps increases the
maintenance cost as the filament bulb, electromagnetic ballast,
and igniter need frequent replacement. But using LEDs reduces
the maintenance cost.

● Examples of some numericals on interior lighting design:

 Q 1. It is proposed to illuminate an electronic workshop of dimension 9mtr
X 8 mtr X 3mtr of 550 lux at the bench level. Each lumanier has one
1500mm long 65 watt fluorescent tube with initial output of 3700 lumen.
Determine the number of lumineers required for this installation when
utilization factor and maintenance factor are 0.9 and 0.8 respectively.

Ans) Data given,

E= 550 lux
Area of working plane(A)= 9 X 8=72 Sq. mtr
Lumen output of each lamp= 3700 lumen.
Utilization factor(U.F)= 0.9
Maintenance factor(M.F)= 0.8
Total lumens required to illuminate the working space= (E X A)/(U.F X M.F)
= (550 X 72)/(0.9 X0.8)
= 55,000 lumen
Total no of lamps required=Total lumen required/ Lumen output from each
lamp =55000/3700 = 14.86 or 15.
So, 15 nos lamps are required in this scheme.

Q2. It is proposed to illuminate a class room of dimension 6 mtr X 8 mtr X 4

mtr to an illumination of 400 lux at the bench level. The specification of
lumanier is 1050 mm 40 Watt fluorescent tube with an initial output of 3200
lumen. Determine the followings-
a. The number of lumineers required for this installation considering the
utilization factor & maintenance factor are 0.7 & 0.57 respectively.
b. Considering space height ratio 1:2 then design the distribution of
light.

Ans) a. The no of lamps=(400 X 6 X 8)/(3200 X 0.7 X 0.57)=15.03 or 15.

So, total 15 Nos single tube light or 15/2=7.5 or 8 nos twin
fluorescent tubes are required.
b. Space to height ratio is 1:2, height of lumanier from the bench is 4
mtr. So, the space between two consecutive lamps is 4/2=2 mtr. So, no of rows
(along the width) will be 8/2=4 nos.
 Length= 6 mtr

1.5 3 mtr 1.5

2
mtr
8 3 mtr
mtr

2
mtr 3 mtr

2
mtr 3 mtr

1mtr

Q3. A lecture hall 18 mtr X 12 mtr is to be illuminated with general

lighting. The average illumination required is 120 lux. Assuming space to
height ratio is unity, find out wattage of each lamp considering luminous
efficiency is 20 lumen/watt, utilization factor=0.5 & maintenance factor=0.6.

Ans) Given data,

E=120 lux
Luminous efficiency= 20 lumen/watt
Mounting height=3 mtr
Space between the lamp=3 mtr since space height ratio is unity.
The no of lamps(N)= (18 X 12)/(3 X 3)=24
Total lumen required= (120 X 18 X 12)/(0.5 X 0.6)=86400
lumen.
Lumen output of each lamp= 86400/24=3600 lumen.
Wattage of each lamp= 3600/20=180 watt.
 Q4. An illumination of 75 lux is required in a room 12 mtr X 8 mtr in
size. The lamp may be hung 4 mtr above the floor level. Taking an
utilization factor of 0.5, lamp efficiency is 15 lumens per watt and candle
power depreciation of 20%. Estimate numbers of lamps required, rating of
each lamp considering the space to height ratio is unity.

Ans) Data given,

E=75 lux
Luminous efficiency= 15 lumen/watt
Area of working space= 12 X 8=96 sq mtr.
Utilization factor=0.5
Maintenance factor=1-0.2=0.8
Space to height ratio=1
Mounting height of lamp=4 mtr
Space between two consecutive lamp=4 X 1=4 mtr
No of rows along length= 12/4=3
No of column along width= 8/4=2
Total no of lamps= 3 X 2=6
Total lumen required=(75 X 96)/(0.5 X 0.8)=18000 lumen
Lumen output per lamp=18000/6=3000 lumen
Power rating of each lamp=3000/15=200 watt.

5. An office has dimensions 20x10x3m. Ceiling to desk height is 2m.Area to

be illuminated to a general is 250 lux using twin lamp 32 watt CFL
Luminaire with a SHR of 1.25. Each lamp has an initial output of 85 lumen
per watt. Maintenance factor is 0.63, Utilization factor is 0.69. Design a
lighting system for the office. Also find out room index.
Ans) Given data,
E=250lux
A=20x10=200 sqmtr.
Total lumens required at the surface=250x200=50,000 lumens
Total lumen output from each lamp=32x85=2720 lumens
Total lumen output from the luminaire with twin CFL=2720x2=5440
lumens.
U.F=0.69
 M.F=0.63
Total lumens required from the source=(50,000)/(0.69x0.63)=115021.85
lumens
Total no of luminaires required=115021.85/5440=21.14 or 21 nos.
Mounting height=2mtr.
Space to height ratio=1.25
Space between two consecutive lamp=1.25x2=2.5mtr.
No of row of luminaire along the width of the room=10/2.5=4 nos
No of lamps in each row = 21/4=5.25 or 5 nos.

Where, Axial spacing=d=length of the room/no of lamps in each

row=20/5=4mtr.
S= transverse spacing= width of the room/no of row
required=10/4=2.5 mtr.
Room index= (Length x width)/{(Length+Width)x mounting height}
=(20x10)/{(20+10)x2}=200/60=3.33