In the dark, a person cannot work or engage in familiar activities without a source of artificial light. The same thing happens if the rays of the sun can not get into the room even during the day. Standards of illumination of rooms are very important in many ways. For example, if a person is forced to spend a long time in the dark, then this may deteriorate his state of health, resistance to stressful situations. He will constantly get tired and experience great mental stress.
With insufficient or improper lighting, vision deteriorates significantly. If we are talking about the working premises, then irreparable harm may be caused to employees. However, in an apartment there should always be enough light. In this regard, a special SNiP was developed. Lighting standards were developed and approved back in 1995. Therefore, initially it was SNiP 23-05-95. Over time, this document has changed. Numerous edits and additional information were made to it. To date, lighting standards are regulated by SP 52.13330.2011. Let's take a closer look at what you need to know about proper lighting.
What is the measure of illumination
If you look at the documents for any household lamp, then you can find a line in it that says about the light flux. It represents the power of light that the selected device is capable of reproducing. This parameter is measured in lumens.
However, in order to find out the characteristics of any illuminated object, it is also necessary to clarify the angle of the light flux, as well as the distance to it. In this regard, a separate parameter was developed that is able to determine how much light falls on one square metro of the room area. It is called a suite (Lk). In turn, 1 Lx will be equal to 1 lumen.
The lighting standards indicate how many suites should be in a particular room. Knowing this data and the characteristics of the selected lighting devices, it is easy to understand whether the necessary conditions are fulfilled.
Primary requirements
It is worth noting that almost every adult person spend a third of his life at work. Therefore, it is very important that during the implementation of this activity he feels comfortable, does not overwork and does not become more irritable. Of course, many factors are responsible for this. Proper lighting is one of them. In turn, the employer must provide employees with appropriate working conditions.
If we talk about the basic norms of illumination of the workplace, then they can be conditionally divided into several groups:
- Brightness. It should be optimal in order not to have a detrimental effect on vision. If there is too much light, then the visual organs of a person will also overexert.
- Uniformity of light. If there are a lot of shadows and changes in lighting at the workplace, this will negatively affect the employee's condition. In case of incomplete illumination, it is necessary to additionally use lamps and other devices.
- An opportunity to regulate lighting independently. The employee has the right to decide independently how to adjust the light in the workplace.
Of course, according to the norms of illumination of the workplace, all devices must be safe for humans. Operation of defective lamps is not permitted.
Norms and standard indicators
An employee or an employer can only decide how to adjust the light. They do not have the right to independently determine the lighting standards. Therefore, light elements are installed strictly in accordance with the regulations. Moreover, at any production there must be an employee who is responsible for observing the necessary rules. If we are talking about a large branch, then these functions can be performed by a whole department.
The lighting standards for workplaces and industrial premises may vary depending on the type of work performed. Production can be of high accuracy, low average, etc. Based on these categories, the level of lighting is determined. For example, with the highest accuracy of the work performed, it should be 5000 Lux. If we are talking about a very high indicator, then in this case the lighting should be at the level of 4000 Lux. When performing high and medium type of work in the production, this value will be 2000 and 750 Lx, respectively. There is also an activity that requires 400 and 200 Lux. In this case, we are talking about small and crude accuracy of work.
Office Lighting
If we are talking about this type of premises, then in this case a different level of illumination is also assumed. It depends on the equipment used and other aspects. If we are talking about cabinets in which computers are installed, then it is considered that additional lighting comes from monitors. It really is. But you need to understand that it is monitors that have a negative effect on vision, so the employer must adhere to special recommendations in order to compensate for such a load. For this, the brightness of additional lamps and luminaires should be at least 200 Lux. The maximum value is 300.
However, one should also not forget that the employee should not be in front of the monitor all day. It is allowed to work continuously for no more than 2 hours, after which a break is mandatory.
Office lamps
In this case, there are special standards for the illumination of the workplace. First of all, the pulsation coefficient of the lamps should not exceed 10%. A color rendering index is required at a level of at least 80%. The most optimal in this case is the LED lamp. It meets all the necessary lighting standards, has a long working life, safety and other advantages. If the employer has decided to install just such lamps, then they should be placed at a distance of at least 50 cm from the computer monitor. In this case, the lamp should not be directed directly at the face of the employee or at the screen itself.
Other types of premises
In the server room, lighting should be at 400 lux. The same applies to operating and cash rooms, large offices with different layouts. At the level of 300 Lx, the room in which the copying equipment is installed should be kept. The same parameter must be adhered to in the waiting rooms.
The most powerful lighting is expected in the office, where drawing work is carried out. In this case, the light should be at the level of 500 Lux. But the lowest indicator is provided for pantries and archive rooms. Here the lighting can be at the level of 50 and 75 Lux.
Varieties of lighting
There are several types of light sources. They all have their own characteristics. For example, lighting may be natural. In this case, we are talking about the sun's rays, which are able to create the necessary working atmosphere in the daytime. However, in order to comply with the lighting standards of rooms and workplaces, it is not enough to remove the curtains from the windows. The necessary results can be achieved if, for example, the building has a glass roof, and staff rooms are located on the top floor.
There is also a mixed type. It implies the presence of additional lighting, which can compensate for the lack of natural light sources. As a rule, in this case we are talking about lamps and lamps. They belong to the category of local lighting devices. As a rule, such devices can be found in any office space.
The third category includes artificial lighting. It is necessary if natural light cannot be organized or is insufficient. Often this problem occurs in industries where there are few windows. In this case, it becomes possible to adhere to the lighting standards of industrial premises, provided such light elements are used.
Standard Lighting Errors
First of all, it is worth saying that more stringent requirements are imposed on industrial premises than on office rooms. Therefore, shop staff should be alert. Lighting standards for production facilities are especially strict if accurate equipment is installed in the premises. For example, the development of computer-controlled mechanisms requires the highest quality lighting. Unfortunately, often the owners of such enterprises when installing lighting equipment prefer to turn to private companies for services. Often, such work is carried out with flaws, for which then you have to pay large amounts.
Most often, light is not properly distributed in production. For example, artificial borders and barriers can be created. Uneven light distorts the picture and does not allow specialists to perform their work at the required level. For example, due to the falling shadow, the master did not notice that one chip was installed incorrectly. This can lead to the fact that the entire batch of products will be defective, and it will have to be withdrawn.
The illumination standards of workrooms are often violated when the question of the contrast of lighting equipment comes up. As a result, employees experience increased eye strain.
Many people choose the lamps and fixtures completely wrong. If we are talking about LED devices, then they should emit blue-white light. This is especially true in enterprises where employees work also during night shifts. Some believe that the traditional yellowish light is considered more natural and causes more positive emotions. This is a huge mistake. The fact is that warm light dulls attention and provokes drowsiness. As a result, you can unwittingly create an emergency at the factory.
Another common mistake and inconsistency with industrial lighting standards is that the manager decides to save. However, few people realize that this will lead to much greater losses. The fact is that with insufficient coverage, the efficiency of workers decreases by 30-40%. As a result, losses greatly block this kind of savings. Therefore, the game is simply not worth the candle.
Living spaces
Of course, no one will come with a check to a person in the apartment. In fact, everyone can decide which lighting suits him best. Someone is content with LED backlighting, while others prefer brighter fluorescent lamps. However, one must understand that the norms of illumination of residential premises are primarily aimed at ensuring that a person feels comfortable and does not harm his health. No one will fine a citizen for having a light bulb burn out in his room, and he did not take care of acquiring a spare one. But if we are talking, for example, about a children's room, you should not save. In this case, it is best to adhere to the recommendations.
The lowest illumination is allowed in the elevator shaft. There, this indicator can be as little as 5 Lux. On the landing, this figure can also remain quite low. Allowed value must not be less than 20 Lux. However, it is much more useful to clarify the norms of illumination of residential premises inside the apartments themselves. Most of the light should be in the nursery. In it, the lighting level should be at least 200 Lux.
The next value is 150 Lux. You need to strive for it when arranging a bedroom, living rooms, living rooms, kitchens, gyms and dining rooms. If the family lives in a country house and, possibly, it is equipped with a library, classrooms, large pantries, billiards and utility rooms, then the lighting requirements for the rooms will be different: it should be at least 300 Lux. Also, owners of suburban real estate often build baths and pools. In them lighting should be at least 100 Lux. The same goes for locker rooms. For cheap, bathrooms, latrines, bathrooms, corridors and halls, 50 Lux will be enough. In these rooms, a person spends the least time, therefore, dim light cannot harm his health. On the contrary, in such an atmosphere everyone will feel much calmer.
What shade of light is best to choose
If we are talking about an apartment or a private house, then in this case it is worth considering the effect of various colors on the human condition. According to studies, blue and dark tones of the eye perceives as if such surfaces and objects are located a little further than in reality. Therefore, such lighting allows you to visually increase the size of the room.
Red, on the contrary, “fills” the space. Therefore, lamps emitting such light should not be installed in small rooms. Numerous tests were also carried out, according to the results of which it was possible to find out that light purple shades, although they seem to many to be very delicate, actually have an irritating effect. In addition, they lead to rapid fatigue. Green color, on the contrary, gives vivacity, cheerfulness and sets up for productive work.
These parameters should be taken into account in the process of registration of premises. If we are talking about a relaxation room, then the best option would be a soft light in a yellow-green hue. In the office or in the room where households work, you can install fluorescent lamps with a rather bright light of an invigorating shade.
Significance of Correctly Selected Light
Many believe that if you forbid the child to sit at the computer or in front of the TV, this will be enough to ensure that his vision always remains good. However, according to studies, the visual organs are more affected by improper lighting, and not due to prolonged use of technology. If we add the appearance of nervousness and other unpleasant symptoms, it becomes obvious that the norms of illumination were invented for a reason
Therefore, when decorating rooms, you should immediately consider the presence of a sufficient number of lamps. It is also important to choose the right light bulbs. The label always indicates the power of the light output.
Of course, the best option is if the room will be lit naturally. However, not every tenant of an apartment building can boast of such an opportunity. However, if we are talking about suburban real estate, then at the design stage it is worth considering the construction in such a way that there is enough daylight in the rooms, and additional lighting is turned on only as needed. If it is not possible to install more windows, you should carefully consider artificial lighting.
If you did not pay due attention to this nuance, do not be surprised that headaches have become more frequent in households, they lose visual acuity, sleep poorly and behave very irritably.
Lighting calculation
If a person does not know what lamp power to buy, it is worth considering a good example. Let's say you need to install lighting in a children's room. In this room, according to the regulations, there must be at least 200 Lux. If the total area of the room is 15 square meters, then you need to multiply this figure by 200. It turns out 3000. This means that the total luminous flux should be exactly that much Lx or lumen. After that, it remains to visit any lighting store and select the appropriate lamps. Perhaps one piece is enough, or maybe it’s better to buy two light bulbs of 1500 lumens each. In any case, the total amount of radiation should be 3000 Lux. Similarly, calculations are made for any other room. The main thing is to know the footage of the room and the required level of illumination.
Finally
If the owner of the production or company does not pay due attention to the lighting of the premises, then the next check of sanitary and hygienic standards can reveal a huge number of errors. It’s better not to bring it up again. In the most difficult situations, the company’s work can be completely suspended until all the flaws are fixed. In addition, employees will work much better in comfortable and optimal conditions.