In this post, we are going to give you all the information you need about lighting regulations for your work centers. Before starting with technical aspects, we would like to make two concepts clear.

First of all, illuminance or luminance? Illuminance is the luminous flux that falls on a surface. The luxes are responsible for measuring it.

On the other hand, we have luminance which refers specifically to the light coming from objects.

After this small clarification, we get into the matter. Nowadays, we must follow certain rules. Specifically, lighting in work centers is regulated by the UNE-EN-12464-1 Standard.

What does the UNE-EN-12464-1 Standard say?

The UNE Standard is a European regulation. A large number of countries are obliged to adapt it as the country’s own regulations. Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland. This is the extensive list of countries that must comply with this regulation.

We tell you what the Standard says and how to adapt your lighting to comply with it.

– Minimum Illuminance

The first condition for correct lighting would be that workers have adequate visibility to carry out their tasks, as well as circulate through the area without risk to their safety.

Lighting requirements are determined by the satisfaction of three basic human needs: visual comfort, creating a sense of well-being that contributes to the level of productivity. And finally, the visual features. Workers must be able to perform their tasks for long periods of time without tiring their eyes.

Said lighting must be adapted to the characteristics of the activity carried out there. For the activity to be carried out effectively, the ambient light and also the vision of our workers must be taken into account. It is not the same to illuminate a warehouse or a film studio. It will not be the same to have 60-year-old workers with glasses or 25-year-old workers with perfect eyesight.

It’s not just about complying with regulations. Optimal visibility in our work area will achieve improved performance, greater visual comfort and, above all, maximum safety.

Whenever possible, we will have natural light, which if necessary we will support it with artificial light.

This standard talks about a concept called maintained illuminance. This refers to the value by which we should not allow the average illuminance to fall. That is, it is the minimum that we should have.

We have created a number of tables adapted to offices and the industry that reveal those minimums established by the Standard. Within it we can find examples of all fields.

The tables are oriented to the different tasks that must be carried out in the types of work to which each table belongs:

Offices optimaled

Offices

As you can see, the areas that need greater visual concentration require more luxes; the concentration required by being at the reception desk is not the same as doing technical drawing work.

 

Industrial activities Ceramics, tiles, glass optimaledIndustrial Activities: Ceramics, tiles, glass

In cases such as the manufacture of precious stones, we find in observations the notation >4000K, this means that we need at least neutral light. Neutral or cold type lights significantly reduce contrasts. This improves visibility conditions and reduces the possibility of accidents.

Industrial Activities: Chemical Industry

Activities industrial, chemical industry optimaled

Industrial Activities: Food

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Industrial Activities: Electrical Industry

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In factories with high ceilings, we must take into account the height at which we fix the luminaires, since the measurement of the lux has to be taken at the height at which the task is carried out.

 

 

 

 

How to know the lux of your work areas?

If you want to know if you meet the established minimums, you need a lux meter.

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A lux meter is the instrument that allows you to simply and quickly measure the real lighting of an environment. It is for

Made by a photoelectric cell that captures light, transforms it into impulses which are represented by a scale of l

uxes.

Carrying out the measurement is really simple. We simply have to turn on the device and wait for the measurement.

Technology continues to advance, and now you can even have an app on your mobile that helps you check if you are working with adequate lighting.

. Fundamental parameters

European regulations consider that there are 7 fundamental parameters to determine a lighting environment.

  1. Luminance distribution: uniform, balanced. Thus, we will increase visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.
  2. Illuminance must meet the minimum maintained illuminance.
  3. Glare: as limited as possible. We avoid errors, fatigue… accidents.
  4. Direction of light
  5. Color rendering: we should not use lighting below 80% color rendering index (CRI)
  6. Flicker: avoid it whenever possible.
  7. Natural light: ideally it would be all of our lighting. It is usually impossible for this case to occur.

. Our advice

office -optimaled

  • Make the most of natural light as you can.
  • Place work areas where you avoid direct projection of light, this way you will avoid glare.
  • We should not use lighting systems that impair the perception of contrasts. For example, they make us doubt the real distance from one object to another.
  • Make sure that the lighting systems you use do not create electrical, fire or explosion hazards.
  • If natural light is insufficient, take into account the quantity, performance, temperature and color of the light when choosing your complementary artificial light.
  • Let’s avoid reflective surfaces in work environments, they greatly strain the vision of our employees.

We hope to have clarified your doubts about the regulations, Standard UNE-EN-124641-1, on lighting in the workplace.

In Óptima LED we offer a free measurement of luxes in work centers within the Community of Madrid and municipalities such as Móstoles, Fuenlabrada, Alcorcón, Getafe, Leganés, Torrejón de Ardoz, Coslada, Alcalá de Henares, Rivas Vaciamadrid, Arganda del Rey, Alcobendas, San Sebastian de los Reyes , Majadahonda, Pozuelo.

Call us at 916 357 859 and request your lighting study at no cost. With this study you will be able to be up to date with any labor inspection related to lighting in the prevention of occupational risks. Additionally, if you need to change lighting in your workplace, we offer various options to adapt to your needs.

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