Lighting

Before Going Out into the Field

To understand the existing lighting conditions, answer the following questions by interviewing the building manager and reviewing electrical drawings:

  • Are interior or exterior lights kept on after regular business hours for safety or other reasons? What is their approximate daily running time?
  • Do lighting controls exist within the building, such as occupancy sensors or an automation system?
  • Is there an inventory of existing lamps in the building?
  • Have any retrofit projects taken place since original construction to replace lights?

You may also consider surveying building occupants about lighting in their spaces. You should ask questions such as:

  • Do you know about how to control lighting in your space? Are their aspects of switches that are confusing or difficult to operate? 
  • Do you prefer natural light or artificial lighting in your work space? 
  • Do you have sufficient lighting in your space?
  • Is there any glare in your workspace?

Items to take:

  • Light meter
  • Ladder to access ceiling fixtures
  • Note taking items
  • Floorplans
  • Camera/phone 
  • Safety gear (e.g., safety glasses, hearing protection, closed-toed shoes, lab coat)

In the Field

When performing the building audit, include the following steps:

  1. Inspect lighting fixtures and note the following:
    1. Verify lamp types already noted in electrical drawings, or create inventory of existing lamps. Note manufacturer names and model numbers, if applicable, and take photos to reference later.
    2. Burnt out or flickering fixtures and locations
  2. Find lighting controls and note the following:
    1. Locations of occupancy sensors, time to standby/off mode
    2. Dimmer switches and whether they are in use (through observation or by asking occupants)
  3. Does task lighting exist in work spaces? 
  4. Determine lighting quality by perform lighting measurements

Back in the Office

Create an inventory of observed lamps within the building. This includes lamp specifications from manufacturer websites. Estimate reflectances and illuminance ratios using light measurements or manufacturer info and compare to recommended values.

Review your notes and consider the following:

  • Based on interviews and observations, can the runtime of lights be reduced?
  • Are there opportunities for lighting upgrades?
  • Is there evidence of spaces that are overlit or underlit in the building? 
    • Use the results of your lighting measurements to compare to recommended lighting levels
  • Did the occupant survey reveal any opportunities for changes in lighting?