Visual lighting design

Adequate light levels are needed for a broad variety of activities, including reading and working with detail. Brightness levels also contribute to the perception of spaciousness, as well as to the visual appeal of illuminated spaces. Light intensity is measured with photopic lux (or foot candles), which is the weighted response of the 4 visual photoreceptors within the retina of the eye. These 4 photoreceptors are a mix of rod and cone cells that determine our perception of color and brightness.

The following feature establishes standards for light levels.

Part 1: Melanopic Light Intensity for Work Areas and Adult Education

At least one of the following requirements is met:

a. Light models (which may incorporate daylight) show that at least 250 equivalent melanopic lux is present at 75% or more of workstations, measured on the vertical plane facing forward, 1.2 m [4 ft] above finished floor (to simulate the view of the occupant). This light level is present for at least 4 hours per day for every day of the year.

b. Ambient lights provide maintained illuminance on the vertical plane of equivalent melanopic lux, greater than or equal to the lux recommendations in the Vertical (Ev) Targets for the 25-65 category in Table B1 of IES-ANSI RP-1-12. For example, Reception Desks are provided with 150 equivalent melanopic lux from the electric lights.

Part 2: Task Lighting

If ambient light at workstations is below 300 lux [28 fc]:

a. Task lights providing 300 to 500 lux [28 to 46 fc] at the work surface are available upon request.

Part 3: Commercial Kitchen Lighting

The following light levels are achieved:

a.¹²³ Maintained average of at least 500 lux [46 fc] of lighting at countertops and other food preparation or production areas.

b.¹²⁴ Maintained average of at least 200 lux [18 fc] of lighting in dishwashing areas.

Part 4: Visual Acuity in Living Environments

In all bedrooms, bathrooms, and rooms with windows, one or more fixtures provide the following:

a. Alerting lights able to provide a maintained average of 250 lux [23 fc] as measured 0.76 m [30 inches] above finished floor. The lights may be dimmed in the presence of daylight, but are able to independently achieve these levels.

b. Evening lights able to provide a maintained average of 50 lux [5 fc] as measured 0.76 m [30 inches] above finished floor.

c. Lights continuously dimmable to 25%.

Part 5: Visual Acuity for Learning

The ambient lighting system at desks in classrooms for the specified age groups meet the following requirements:

a. Early education, elementary, middle and high schools, and adult education for students primarily under 25 years of age: Able to maintain an average of 175 lux [16 fc] or more measured on the horizontal plane, typically 0.76 m [30 inches] above finished floor. The lights may be dimmed in the presence of daylight, but they are able to independently achieve these levels.

Muscular

Nervous

Endocrine

	Core & Shell	Tenant Improvement	New Construction
Part 1: Melanopic Light Intensity for Work Areas and Adult Education	-	P	P
Part 2: Task Lighting	-	P	P
Part 3: Commercial Kitchen Lighting	-	-	-
Part 4: Visual Acuity in Living Environments	-	-	-
Part 5: Visual Acuity for Learning	-	-	-

	Commercial Kitchen	Schools	Multifamily Residential	Restaurant	Retail
Part 1: Melanopic Light Intensity for Work Areas and Adult Education	O	O	-	-	-
Part 2: Task Lighting	-	P	-	-	-
Part 3: Commercial Kitchen Lighting	P	-	-	-	-
Part 4: Visual Acuity in Living Environments	-	-	O	-	-
Part 5: Visual Acuity for Learning	-	P	-	-	-

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design) Melanopic Light Intensity for Work Areas and Adult Education	Architect	Spot Measurement
PART 2 (Design) Task Lighting	Architect	Spot Measurement
PART 3 () Commercial Kitchen Lighting	Architect
PART 4 () Visual Acuity in Living Environments	Architect
PART 5 () Visual Acuity for Learning	Architect

Show Standard Citations

81

**Ontario Ministry of Labour. Computer Ergonomics: Workstation Layout and Lighting. Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Labour; September 2004: 16.**
53.1.c	The Ontario Ministry of Labour's "Computer Ergonomics: Workstation Layout and Lighting" provides a checklist for computer workstations, which includes checking that light levels fall within 300-500 lux, and also that task lights are provided if required.

**123**

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Lighting. 2003 Facilities Standards (P100). 2003 ed. Washington, DC: General Services Administration Public Buildings Service; 2003. http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101308. Reviewed July 2, 2014. Accessed October 30, 2014.
53.3.a	The lighting level values in the U.S. GSA’s 2003 Facilities Standards (P100) are set at 500 lux for kitchens.

**124**

University of California, Office of the President. Dining Services Ergonomic Design Guidelines. http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/ergonomics/pdf/DiningDesignGuidelines.pdf. Published May 2012. Accessed October 30, 2014.
53.3.b	The Dining Services Ergonomic Design Guidelines recommends lighting levels between 70 and 100 foot candles in warewashing areas for the safety and wellbeing of foodservice employees.

**174**

American National Standards Institute and Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. American National Standard Practice for Office Lighting. New York, NY: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America; 2012. RP-1-12.
53.6.a	ANSI/IES RP-1-12 provides Table B1 for recommended maintained illuminance targets for the horizontal plane. Table B1h recommends a target value of 150 lux for cafeterias.
53.6.b	ANSI/IES RP-1-12 provides Table B1 for recommended maintained illuminance targets for the horizontal plane. Table B1h recommends a target value of 100 lux for casual dining and 200 lux for fast food dining.
53.6.c	ANSI/IES RP-1-12 provides Table B1 for recommended maintained illuminance targets for the horizontal plane. Table B1h recommends a target value of 30 lux for fine dining.

This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

53. Visual lighting design