Lighting of Work Places - Part 1: Indoor

CIE published its "Guide on interior lighting" 2nd edition in 1986. Since then lighting practice changed considerably, and it became necessary to prepare a new guide, this time as a CIE Standard.

Good lighting requires equal attention to the quantity and quality of the lighting. While the provision of sufficient illuminance on the task is necessary, in many instances the visibility depends on the way in which the light is applied, the colour characteristics of the light source and surfaces together with the amount of glare the system gives. In this standard opportunity was taken to specify for various work places and task types not just the illuminance but also the limiting discomfort glare and minimum colour rendering index of the source. Parameters to create comfortable visual conditions are proposed in the body of this standard. The recommended values are considered to represent a reasonable balance, having regard to the requirements for safe, healthy and efficient work performance. The values can be achieved with practical energy efficient solutions.

There are also visual ergonomic parameters such as perceptual ability and the characteristics and attributes of the task, which determine the quality of the operator's visual skills, and hence performance levels. In some cases enhancement of these influencing factors can improve performance without the need to raise illuminance. For example by improving the contrast of the task attributes, enlarging the task by the use of up to date visual aids (glasses) and by the provision of special lighting systems with local directional lighting capability.

The Standard provides guidance for illuminance, glare limitation and colour quality for general building areas, agriculture buildings, the cement, concrete and brick industry, ceramic and glass industry, chemical, plastics and rubber industry, electrical industry, food industry, foundries and metal casting plants, hairdresser, jewelry manufacturing, laundries and dry cleaning, leather industry, metal working and processing, paper industry, power stations, printers, iron and steel works, textile industry, vehicle construction, wood working and furniture industry, offices, retailing, restaurants and hotels, places of entertainment, libraries, indoor public car parks, educational buildings, health care premises, airports, and churches.

This Standard has been approved by CIE and by ISO as a joint ISO/CIE Standard.