The design and assessment process for ensuring an effective technical lighting solution is a complex one. How can you be sure that you’re selecting the right lighting product or products for your business. It’s never as simple as “just put in some lighting” and there are a myriad of factors that need careful consideration from the activities that will be taking place in the space, to budget and location. We have a tried and tested four stage process that we use to find the optimum lighting solution for every situation:
- Assess The Environment
We provide lighting solutions to an abundance of sectors, each of them entirely different from the next. From food production facilities through to distilleries, ports and harbours, and energy generation – each sector, and the buildings they use, contain different environments, and this affects which solutions will work best.
The sort of elements we’ll consider are the temperature range, are the lights internal or external, are there harsh chemicals in use, does the lighting need to be dustproof and waterproof, is the area a sterile or hazardous environment (explosive)? All of these factors need to be assessed and taken into consideration within the proposed design and solution.
- Area Requirements
The purpose of a space and the activities that take place there are also a vital consideration for your design. Will be machinery in use, like fork lifts for example, in which case you need to ensure that lighting fixtures aren’t obstructing any activity taking place. Similarly, you might need to have clear view of colours, for example if processing food, in which case any lighting solution needs to ensure a good colour render index and uniformity across the space e.g. to ensure food is not raw (chicken-pink).
The nature of the activity itself also will determine what strength and type of lighting you require. Set out a clear list of requirements and needs at the outset and cross reference these against guidelines provided by the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) to ensure everything’s compliant from a regulatory perspective.
The correct level of lighting depends entirely on your operation, but it can affect the efficiency of your output and the comfort of each individual – so it’s vital to get it right.
- Comfort and Safety
Lighting plays a pivotal role in the ongoing safety of your teams. Whether they’re handling hazardous materials, require a sterile environment, or operating machinery – the lighting should be designed in such a way that your people can safely carry out the task at hand.
Poor visibility is a contributor to accidents in the work place, but the incorrect type of lighting can also contribute to eye strain and headaches which can also increase the risk of absences and decrease productivity. Additionally, lighting can significantly affect circadian rhythms and has shown to influence productivity.
- Technical Constraints And Client Requirements
After having gained a clear picture of all elements needed, it’s then time to hit the button on researching what products are available and the listed characteristics of each.
At this point it’s good to assess what locations and fixtures are most suitable, if remote batteries are required, what brightness is required and (if external) does this fit with local guidelines on appropriate brightness. It’s mission critical to ensure that whatever sector you work in, that the proposed design is in line with your governing body’s regulations and is optimised for the benefits of your operation and staff.
Alongside this assessment, think about budget constraints, timelines requirements, compatibility with existing systems, and access for fitting, and build this into the planning.
The design and solution service we offer to each of our customers, uses our expert guidance to ensure you select the right lighting product or products for your business. Our tried and tested process that we use in partnership with each client, ensures we find a lighting solution that will work for you and stand the test of time.
If you’d like to discuss your requirements with us for a space or upcoming lighting project – we’d be delighted for you to get in touch. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0141 374 0432 to speak with one of our experienced team.
The Ecolighting Systems Approach To Illuminating Distilleries read more
