CIBSE Recommended Lighting Levels
How to use these lighting levels: Treat the finder and table as practical starting points for commonly specified maintained illuminance values. Final designs should be checked against the current edition of the relevant standard and the actual visual task, including uniformity, glare, colour rendering, emergency lighting, ageing and site risk.
These values are design prompts, not a substitute for a project lighting calculation or risk assessment. Confirm the criteria for the space and task, then verify maintained performance on the relevant working plane.
Lighting Level Finder 💡
Figures are recommended guidelines. Always confirm with a lighting designer or engineer.
Lighting Level Finder 💡
Figures are recommended guidelines. Always confirm with a lighting designer or engineer.
| Category | Area / Space | Recommended Lighting Level (Lux) |
|---|---|---|
| Offices | General Office | 500 |
| Computer Workstations | 300–500 | |
| Filing Rooms | 300 | |
| Print Rooms | 300 | |
| Drawing Offices | 500 | |
| Drawing Boards | 750 | |
| CAD Design Areas | 300–500 | |
| Retail | Small Retail Outlets | 500 |
| Supermarkets | 750 | |
| Hypermarkets / DIY Superstores | 1000 | |
| Garden Centres | 500 | |
| Showrooms | 500–750 | |
| Industrial / Engineering | Tool Shops | 300–750 |
| Arc Welding | 300 | |
| Spot Welding | 500–1000 | |
| Heavy Machine Assembly | 300 | |
| Inspection and Testing | 500–2000 | |
| Engraving, Polishing | 750 | |
| Precision Work | 1000 | |
| Jewellery Manufacture | 1500 | |
| Aircraft Hangars (Maintenance) | 500–1500 | |
| Aircraft Hangars (Inspection) | 2000–5000 | |
| Workshops (Testing Area) | 1500 | |
| Food Production & Agriculture | Food Storage | 150–200 |
| Food Sorting / Preparation | 300 | |
| Critical Zones (Food Production) | 500 | |
| Colour Inspection (Food) | 1000 | |
| Livestock Buildings | 50 | |
| Sick Pens / Calving Stalls / Feed Preparation | 200 | |
| Cold Stores & Freezers | Cold Store Aisles | 100–200 |
| Cold Store Open Areas | 300 | |
| Freezer Aisles | 100–300 | |
| Freezer Open Areas | 300 | |
| Distribution & Storage | Loading Bays | 150–500 |
| Warehouse / Bulk Stores | 100 | |
| Packing & Dispatch | 300 | |
| Unpacking & Sorting Areas | 200 | |
| Large Item Stores | 100 | |
| Small Item Stores | 200 | |
| Trade Counters | 500 | |
| Banks & Building Societies | Counter Offices | 500 |
| Public Areas | 300 | |
| Staff Areas & Utilities | Changing Rooms & Toilets | 100–150 |
| Restaurants & Canteens | 200 | |
| Kitchens | Serving & Washing Up Areas | 300 |
| Food Preparation & Cooking Areas | 500 | |
| General Areas | Entrance Halls & Lobbies | 200 |
| Enquiry Desks | 500 | |
| Gatehouses | 200 | |
| Circulation Areas | Lifts | 100 |
| Corridors & Stairs | 100 | |
| Escalators / Conveyors | 150 | |
| Atria | 50–200 | |
| Atria with Plants | 500–3000 | |
| Entrances / Exits | 200 | |
| Communication / Service Areas | Switchboards | 300 |
| Post Rooms | 500 | |
| Building Services Areas | Boiler Rooms | 100 |
| Control Rooms | 300 | |
| Mechanical Plant Rooms | 150 | |
| Electrical Plant Rooms | 100 | |
| Places of Public Accessibility | Churches & Village Halls | 300 |
| Emergency Lighting | Escape Routes (Corridors) | 1–3 |
| Staircases | 3–5 | |
| Exit Signage & Critical Areas | 10 | |
| Healthcare (from CIBSE LG2) | Patient Rooms | 300–500 |
| Surgical Suites | 1000–3000 | |
| Hospital Corridors (Day) | 200 | |
| Hospital Corridors (Night) | 50 | |
| Cultural & Heritage Spaces | Works on Paper | 50–80 |
| Oil Paintings | 200–250 | |
| Sculptures | 200–300 | |
| Educational Facilities | Classrooms | 300–500 |
| Lecture Halls | 500 | |
| Display Screen Areas | Screen Workstations | 300–500 |
| Conservation-Critical Zones | Archival Storage | 50–100 |
Table 2. Emergency Lighting Levels
| Emergency Lighting Area | Recommended Level (Lux) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Escape Routes (Corridors) | 1–3 | Minimum illumination to safely guide occupants |
| Staircases | 3–5 | Enhanced lighting to clearly reveal steps |
| Exit Signage & Critical Areas | 10 | Ensures emergency signs and key points are visible |
Visit for more detailed information on emergency lighting levels.
Additional Guidance
Workplace Lighting Balance:
Modern guidance (as noted in the CIBSE Journal article) emphasizes balancing ambient and task lighting. For example, ambient office areas are typically maintained at 300–500 lux, while specific task areas (such as drafting or detailed workstations) may require 750 lux or more.Important Note:
These figures are recommended guidelines. Actual requirements may vary based on local standards, specific building use, and individual project needs. Always consult with a lighting designer or engineer to tailor solutions for your circumstances.
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