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How To Do A Lighting Design

The document outlines a step-by-step guide for planning lighting in a space, starting with understanding the purpose and activities that will occur. It includes determining lighting requirements based on lux levels, collecting site information, selecting lighting types, calculating light levels, and ensuring compliance with standards. Additionally, it suggests creating a lighting schedule and offers assistance with specific room dimensions and requirements.

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Dulanjalee Nadeera Gunarathne
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71 views4 pages

How To Do A Lighting Design

The document outlines a step-by-step guide for planning lighting in a space, starting with understanding the purpose and activities that will occur. It includes determining lighting requirements based on lux levels, collecting site information, selecting lighting types, calculating light levels, and ensuring compliance with standards. Additionally, it suggests creating a lighting schedule and offers assistance with specific room dimensions and requirements.

Uploaded by

Dulanjalee Nadeera Gunarathne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Step 1: Understand the Purpose of the Space

Ask yourself:

 What activities will happen here? (e.g., reading, relaxing, surgery, walking)
 Is it residential, commercial, industrial, or outdoor?
 Are there visual tasks that require higher lighting levels?

✅ Step 2: Determine the Lighting Requirements

Use standards like:

 Lux Levels (Illuminance): measured in lux (lumens/m²)

Space Type Recommended Lux


Living Room 100–300 lux
Office Work Area 300–500 lux
Classroom 300–750 lux
Operating Theater 1000–2000 lux
Warehouse (storage) 100–200 lux

Refer to standards:

 CIBSE, IESNA, or SLS 1254:2004 in Sri Lanka

✅ Step 3: Collect Site Information

 Room dimensions (length × width × height)


 Surface reflectance (ceiling, walls, floors)
 Available natural daylight
 Obstructions or partitions
 Color and texture of walls (affects reflectivity)

✅ Step 4: Choose the Type of Lighting

Select based on function:

 Ambient lighting (general): ceiling lights, troffers


 Task lighting: desk lamps, under-cabinet lights
 Accent lighting: spotlights, track lighting
 Decorative: chandeliers, wall sconces

Select fixture types:

 LED panels
 Downlights
 Floodlights
 Streetlights

✅ Step 5: Calculate Light Levels

Use the Lumen Method (for basic spaces):

Formula:

Total lumens required=Area (m²)×Lux level\text{Total lumens required} = \text{Area (m²)} \


times \text{Lux level}Total lumens required=Area (m²)×Lux level
Number of fixtures=Total lumensLumens per fixture×Utilization Factor (UF)×Maintenance Fact
or (MF)\text{Number of fixtures} = \frac{\text{Total lumens}}{\text{Lumens per fixture} \
times \text{Utilization Factor (UF)} \times \text{Maintenance Factor
(MF)}}Number of fixtures=Lumens per fixture×Utilization Factor (UF)×Maintenance Factor (M
F)Total lumens

 UF depends on room geometry and reflectance (usually 0.6–0.8)


 MF depends on dirt and aging (typically 0.8 for clean indoor environments)

🔧 Example:
For a 6 m × 6 m room (36 m²) needing 300 lux:

36×300=10,800 lumens36 \times 300 = 10,800\text{ lumens}36×300=10,800 lumens

Using LED panels of 3000 lumens each:

108003000×0.75×0.8≈6fixtures\frac{10800}{3000 \times 0.75 \times 0.8} \approx 6


fixtures3000×0.75×0.810800≈6fixtures

✅ Step 6: Do a Layout

 Distribute lights evenly (consider symmetry)


 Ensure overlap of light cones to avoid dark spots
 Avoid glare (use diffusers, correct mounting height)
Use tools like:

 DIALux (free)
 Relux
 AutoCAD with lighting plugins

✅ Step 7: Choose Controls & Wiring

 Manual switches or motion sensors?


 Dimmers or smart controls?
 Emergency lighting needs?
 Check wiring layout for safe and efficient distribution

✅ Step 8: Verify Compliance

 Cross-check with national electrical codes and energy efficiency standards


 In Sri Lanka: check SLS, CEB, or LECO guidelines

✅ Optional: Create a Lighting Schedule

Include:

 Fixture type
 Wattage
 Lumens
 Location
 Mounting height
 Quantity
 Manufacturer

Want Help?

If you give me:

 Room dimensions
 Lux requirement
 Light type (e.g., LED panel 36W, 3600 lumens)
 Use of space

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