What lighting to choose for the office?

We spend a large part of the day in the office. Work always requires focus, and well-chosen lighting improves concentration and facilitates the performance of tasks, as well as affects well-being. How to choose the right lamps for office spaces? Read this article to find out.

Office lighting standards

Office lighting cannot be left to chance. Just like temperature or noise levels, lighting intensity at the workplace is regulated by regulations and standards that refer to OHS regulations. The basic parameters to consider depending on the work involved are as follows:

● The light intensity should be 500lx. When preparing documentation or producing technical drawings, it should be 750lx, for precision activities, it is 1000lx and for a computer workstation, 300lx.

● The uniformity of light intensity should be 0.60

● Luminaires for office spaces should have a UGR value ≤ 19

Another important aspect is the Colour Rendering Index (CRI). The higher the CRI (minimum of 80), the more natural the room will look, which is essential for spending most of the day in the office. If possible, ensure the best possible access to natural daylight as well.

If you want to know the detailed regulations, you should read:

• the Labour Code,

• the Regulation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of 1998 on occupational health and safety at workstations with visual display units,

• the standard concerning office lighting, namely PN EN 12464-1:2012 (Light and lighting. Lighting of work places.)

Lighting type

The first thing to consider is the lighting type. This applies to both the luminaire type and the light colour.

There are three main luminaire types for use in office lighting:

• LED panels - in various shapes (square, rectangle, frames like Kanlux AVAR LED), which can be mounted in three different ways,

• linear ceiling-mounted or suspended lights,

• louvre lamps – now also available in new LED versions.

The light in the office must have the right temperature. Warm light is more sight-friendly, but... for office ergonomics, it is recommended to use natural light (approx. 4000K). Warm light will make us lazy and sleepy, while cold light in excess may cause irritation. The ideal solution is lighting that can emit light at different colour temperatures, allowing better imitation of the daily rhythm of natural light that changes its colour according to the time of day.

LED modules
LEDs have many advantages. Not only do they consume less energy, which affects power consumption, but they are also extremely durable. Depending on the type of LEDs used, the service life of LED lamps is up to 50,000 hours. This means there is no need for frequent bulb changes. When turned on, the light shines at full power immediately, avoiding the slow warming-up effect of the bulb. LEDs are also safe – they don't heat up, so there is no risk of burns or igniting such materials as curtains or blinds.
For even lighting, LED panels are the best choice. There are many different models available from Kanlux, depending on your needs. The KANLUX BLINGO TN24-28W is a backlight panel with a three-stage power adjustment – 24, 26 and 28W – and is equipped with a quick coupling for easy installation. LED panels can be flush-mounted (coffered ceiling), surface-mounted (Kanlux ADTR frame can be used for this) as well as suspended on wires (not a very common solution, but perfectly acceptable and safe). When choosing linear lights or louvre luminaires, also opt for LEDs – either luminaires with LED modules or with replaceable T8 LED tubes

Read also: LED lighting – pros and cons

Auxiliary lighting
The main lighting will not always be sufficient. It is a good idea to purchase auxiliary lighting, such as desk lamps. They will work particularly well in winter when we have limited access to natural light and in areas that do not have a large number of windows. Working in the afternoons and evenings is also a great time to turn on a desk lamp. The office space can become a bit cosier when you choose a lamp like Kanlux RAIBO, a frequent choice for office spaces. It is available in 4 pastel colours as well as the popular black and white. There is an organiser built into the base with a handle into which we can put our phone, pens or glasses. The large lampshade, which accommodates an E27 cap bulb, provides a broad light distribution. It showcases a retro influence while also featuring attention to detail and solid construction (steel). We also paid attention to the lamp's bottom – the foam pad will not scratch the desk.

Decorative lighting

The office is often also a meeting place with partners or clients; therefore, the lighting should emphasise the interior as well and create an atmosphere suitable for discussions. For this purpose, wall-mounted luminaires, ceiling-mounted light fittings or downlight fittings, among others, can be used. Always ensure that the light comes from different directions and does not dazzle anyone in the conversation, and opt for neutral or cold colours here as well. Much also depends on the room type, size and decor. You can opt for a universal solution such as Kanlux AREL LED downlight fittings – there are more than a dozen models with power ranging from 6W to 25W. They come in square or circular shapes and their height (9mm) and neutral design, without a frame, will fit perfectly into any interior.

In office lighting, the most important factor will be compliance with standards and a focus on energy efficiency and luminaire durability. It is worth planning the whole setup in advance to ensure that we create a comfortable working environment for years to come. It is also worth bearing in mind the lighting of corridors, toilets, emergency lighting.... Alternatively, you can also seek assistance from Kanlux specialists. Not only will we select the lighting for you, but we will also create a design in accordance with standards and functional requirements. Remember that Kanlux is also a luminaire factory, where we can prepare luminaires adapted to the requirements of your investment.

What lighting to choose for the office?

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