What Are the Key Points to Consider for Office Lighting?
Canco Lighting Blog / By Will Xue
“Bright enough” is a common requirement for office lighting on many office floors. Therefore, deep consideration is often not given during office space decoration.
If an office lighting environment is not well-designed, it can affect the attention of employees by 1%. This is equivalent to a loss of $5 per square meter per year, which can accumulate into a significant expense over time. A comfortable office environment can provide employees with a productivity advantage in the short term and provide potential overtime opportunities for employees during long hours. So, what key points should be considered for office lighting? Today, Canco is here to share with you.
1. Appropriate Illumination
Illumination refers to the amount of visible light flux received per unit area of the illuminated surface, measured in lux. When we talk about whether it is bright enough, we usually refer to the level of illumination. Under the same area, the higher the luminous flux of the light source, which means a higher lumen value, the higher the illumination will be. Generally, if a bright and clear lighting environment is desired, higher illumination requirements are needed.
- For office lighting, it is generally stipulated that the minimum illuminance in the office area should not be lower than 300 lux.
- The ratio of the minimum illuminance on the desktop to the average illuminance should not be less than 0.7.
- The illuminance in local work areas should be no less than 500 lux.
- The average illuminance in non-work areas, such as general spaces, should not be lower than half of the work area.
- The illuminance in corridors should not be lower than 150 lux.
2. Color Temperature
Humans have traditionally worked during daylight hours and rested at sunset. This biological habit, formed at the genetic level, makes it easier to concentrate and work efficiently under high-color temperature lighting. Under low-color temperature lighting, subconscious relaxation is more likely.
Therefore, white light with a color temperature of 4000-6500K has a more realistic color rendering and a greater contrast, resembling sunlight and leaning towards cooler color temperatures. It is suitable for work-related lighting, providing a bright and clear ambient light that can boost spirits. However, when the color temperature exceeds 5000K, the light color starts to appear bluer. If one is accustomed to working in a natural white light environment, switching to a 5000K color temperature work environment can cause noticeable discomfort.
So, when choosing office lighting fixtures, Canco recommends selecting a color temperature of no more than 4500K, which creates a lighting environment closer to natural white light. For example, a color temperature of around 4000K is suitable for work areas, while a color temperature of around 3000K is suitable for leisure and reception areas. Due to the color temperature, yellow light creates a warm visual perception with less contrast, making it suitable for shaping interpersonal relationships and atmosphere.
3. Prevention of Glare
Preventing glare is an essential step as glare is one of the enemies of office workers. It can cause discomfort, fatigue, and double vision, and prolonged exposure to glare can even damage vision or cause blindness. To avoid glare in general office areas, LED linear lights, LED panel lights, and other designs can be used in lighting fixtures.
4. Lighting Design by Area Function
Scientific office lighting has a positive effect on showcasing the overall style of the company and enhancing corporate image. Different office areas have different lighting requirements, and the choice of lighting fixtures also varies. Therefore, different areas need to be considered based on functionality, suitability, energy efficiency, and other factors.
4.1 General Office Area
This is generally used in open office spaces such as customer service centers and technical offices, often with low partitions and large open layouts. Therefore, considering the use of natural light is essential in these areas to meet people’s psychological need for natural light. The lighting design should prioritize uniformity and comfort, aiming to provide evenly distributed illumination on all surfaces to facilitate visual tasks. On the lighting fixtures, you can choose Simple Linear Lights and Classic Panel Lights.
4.2 Meeting Rooms
In meeting rooms, the lighting above the conference table should be the primary focus. It should create a sense of concentration and have appropriate illumination, supplemented by auxiliary lighting in the surroundings. LED Linear Lights and Recessed Downlights can be selected as lighting fixtures in meeting rooms.
4.3 Reception and Leisure Areas
The reception area can serve as a “business card” for the company. Therefore, the first impression is crucial. The lighting should primarily focus on creating a comfortable ambiance without being overly bright or intense, allowing people to relax. In areas where product displays are present, targeted lighting should be used. LED Circular Lights and LED Downlights can be selected as lighting fixtures in reception and leisure areas.
4.4 Public Passageways
For lighting in public passageway areas, the illuminance can be flexibly controlled based on the layout of the walkways. The illuminance is generally controlled at around 200 lux. Downlights or a combination of Concealed Light Strips can be chosen as lighting fixtures to serve the purpose of guiding.
In conclusion, good office lighting should meet the following points:
- The light should be healthy and comfortable, resembling natural light—bright but not glaring, gentle without being overly hot.
- Appropriate illumination is necessary to create a comfortable environment for employees.
- The installation positions of lighting fixtures should be scientifically and reasonably determined to avoid direct or indirect glare that can affect people.
- Understand the lighting requirements of different areas and make appropriate combinations.
- Careful consideration should be given to zoning lighting to ensure a well-distributed brightness in the office, allowing employees to balance work and relaxation.
Canco Lighting specializes in office and hospitality lighting applications, and most of our LED lighting has UL, ETL and CE approvals for quality you can trust. If you are in the process of selecting lighting fixtures for your office, then CONTACT US today to discuss your lighting needs.