System Listings

Lighting - General

System Overview
The lighting systems within a building are possibly one of the most important with regards to function of building, comfort of occupants and most importantly, safety.

Electrical lighting is required in all parts of the building (and outside) and may be required to operated all day and night in some buildings hence the following basic design criteria must always be considered.

Illumination Levels
Glare restrictions
Environmental considerations (ie: type of luminaire)
Type of control
Comfort
Type of light source
Economical performance

All buildings have separate requirements for lighting. Moreover the requirements will certainly change throughout the building.

Emergency lighting may be required this is dealt with in more detail here

Systems Available and Applications

The following main forms of lighting are common in buildings

Tungsten lighting.- The standard GLS lamp and its derivatives are used throughout the domestic, commercial and industrial sector as a form of cheap and reliable lighting. Such lighting is, however inefficient and is being largely replaced by more efficient forms
Fluorescent Lighting. - The common fluorescent lamp is used throughout industrial and commercial installations for both general and specialised lighting. This type of lighting is very efficient and is hence very popular. It is flexible and many varying lamp types are available including compact fluorescent lamps, which play an ever increasing role in the lighting industry.
Discharge lighting - This form of lighting can be very efficient but limitations in the lamp construction and performance mean that its application can be limited.
Discharge lighting is commonly used in industrial situations. Recent lamp developments (such as White SON, HQI & HIT) has meant that discharge lighting is now commonly used for downlighting and uplighting applications.
Tungsten Halogen - This has a good quality light output and is used commonly for decorative and display lighting.

The application of any of the above types of lighting must be carried out with much consideration as to the relative merits and disadvantages of each type.

The following applications for the above types of lighting are common:

Office lighting - Commonly uses fluorescent luminaires to provide good quality and efficient illumination. Many types of luminaire are available ranging from recessed fittings for use in a false ceiling to surface mounted fittings for general mounting. It is nowadays common for VDUs to be used in offices and hence luminaires must comply with relevant standards regarding low glare from luminaires (categorised lighting). This is commonly implemented by use of louvres and special attachments on the luminaire.

Service areas & general lighting - Areas which may have few specific requirements such as corridors, stores, circulation areas etc, are commonly provided with fluorescent lighting. Smaller compact fluorescent lamps are a popular choice for smaller areas. Luminaires must be able to withstand damage (both physical and environmental) which may occur in well used areas.

Large high areas - such as warehouses, stock centres and entrances. Fluorescent lighting may be used, but it is common for discharge lamps (SON or MBF) to be used in appropriate luminaires (such as High Bay or Low Bay fittings).

Downlighters - Very common in office buildings and hotels etc. where recessed mounting is possible and a decorative effect is desired. Downlighters can use compact fluorescent, discharge, tungsten or tungsten halogen lamps. There are many forms of luminaire available some of which are highly decorative (& expensive) Downlighters have to be carefully used as overuse can result in a cluttered ceiling.

Uplighters - Another form of decorative mounting. Luminaires with a substantial upwards lighting output can illuminate a ceiling and provide both decorative and functional lighting. Much used for reception areas and meeting rooms in the form of wall mounted uplighters. Uplighters have also become popular for office lighting (suspended , wall mounted and free standing) due to the excellent low glare characteristics of such lighting. Uplighters commonly use compact fluorescent and discharge lamps. Such lighting tends not to be highly efficient as much light is lost in reflecting the output off the ceiling.

Floodlighting - more common in external lighting, floodlighting comprises the use of small compact high output luminaires (commonly discharge lamps). Such lighting can be used for large area lighting internally or for lighting large internal features.

Linear lighting systems - This lighting commonly takes the form of tubular (or similar) modules which are fixed or suspended ion a variety of means. The systems are commonly able to incorporate various types of luminaire and lamp, making their use common in open plan areas where mixed use may be required.

Specialist lighting - It is obvious that many, many different applications exist for lighting within the building. Hence the designer must fully investigate the intended use of the building and specify appropriate lighting accordingly.
Low Glare Lighting - With the increasing use of computers and similar office equipment, the use of the Visual Display Unit has become very widespread throughout industry. There is a real risk of then user suffering severe discomfort if he or she can see a reflection of a light fitting is the screen. This is now covered by Health & Safety legislation in the form of the Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. Various means of compliance are available, but it is common for luminaires to be used which limit sideways glare. The application of low glare lighting is dealt with fully in the CIBSE Lighting Guide 3 (LG3).
Three main categories for low glare lighting exist.
Category I - Where intensive use is made of VDUs (dealer rooms, CAD office etc.)
Category II - Where intensive use is made of VDUs (IT Suites, Typing pools etc)
Category III - Where moderate use is made of VDUs (General offices, and commercial offices etc.)

Category III is often all that is required in a office .Mis-understanding of guidelines often leads to Cat II lighting being installed without the need.
Categorised luminaire must be used with care as the low glare characteristics mean that a room can look dark and dingy if all the light goes straight down.

Legislation & Guidelines

Design Guidelines

CIBSE Code for Interior Lighting 1994 - Comprehensive design guide covering all aspects of interior lighting design. This is the definitive code to which the lighting installations should be designed. The document is self contained, but does provide numerous further references to related publications

CIBSE Guides 1986 Volumes A,B,C,D - These guides contains design & installation guidelines and data for the whole range of building services installations. Lighting is included in detail in volume B.

British Standards.

Also refer to The British Standards Institution

BS 8206:Part 1:1985"Lighting for buildings. Code of practice for artificial lighting". Describes in general terms, the aims and processes concerned with artificial lighting design including energy considerations. Deals with the characteristics of various lamps and their control gear, with luminaires and other means of controlling the distribution of light, together with some aspects of installation. Particular lighting requirements in various types of buildings are considered and recommended methods of meeting them. Reference is made to economics and maintenance.
BS 4533:Part 101:1990 "Luminaires. Specification for general requirements and tests" Applies to most types of luminaires operating on voltages not exceeding 1000 V. The application of these requirements to a particular type of luminaire is defined in the appropriate section of Part 102 of the standard
BS 8206:Part 2:1992 "Lighting for buildings". Code of practice for daylighting Includes the design of electric lighting when used in conjunction with daylight. Sunlight and skylight data are given
BS 7216:1989 "Classification and interpretation of new lighting products " Lists categories, with definitions, of present day lighting products and gives pictorial examples.
BS 5733:1979 "Specification for general requirements for electrical accessories". Electrical wiring accessories for installation purposes, not specifically covered by other British Standards, for use in single phase a.c. or d.c. circuits, for voltages between conductors exceeding extra low voltage but not exceeding 250 V, and current not exceeding 45 A.
BS 7671:2001 "Requirements for electrical installations". IEE Wiring Regulations. Sixteenth edition. This is the all encompassing "Bible" in relation to the design, installation and use of electrical installations and equipment in buildings
DD 240:Part 1:1997 "Fire safety engineering in buildings". Guide to the application of fire safety engineering principles Provides a framework for an engineering approach to the achievement of fire safety in buildings by giving guidance on the application of scientific and engineering principles to the protection of people and property from fire.

Combined Standards

BS EN 60598-1:1997 "Luminaires". General requirements and tests . This document details the general requirements and tests that are required to be carried out by manufacturers on luminaires.

International Standards