Lighting for Healthcare - Thorn

Circulation areas
Corridors and stairs, the artery of a hospital,
a clinic or a care home.
CIRCULATION AREAS
Performance - A network of corridors and stairs are there to
enable visitors and staff to move from one place to another safely.
The primary objective of the lighting is to reduce risk by providing
glare free illuminance to help identify potential dangers, for example
changes in levels such as steps, staircases and ramps. Circulation
areas are the main exit routes in emergency situations and must be
protected with emergency lighting and way-guidance systems.
Efficiency - Many circulation areas experience little traffic for long
periods of the day. Using presence detection to control the lighting
will greatly reduce the use of electricity. Abundant natural daylight
is often found in these spaces, where automatic dimming of the
artificial light would improve energy efficiency. However, care is
needed in the selection of lighting controls. Generally the lighting at
all critical points should be on at all times.
Comfort - The lighting in circulation areas is there to help the
navigation of people throughout the building, particularly the
speedy transfer of patients. Bright ceilings, walls and floors make the
space seem open and appealing, providing a balanced ambience.
Technique - Luminaires with upward light distribution will help
achieve bright ceilings, walls and floors. Wall mounted luminaires
provide good modelling of peoples faces, while wallwashing
luminaires can create interesting effects. Continuous lines of
luminaires positioned to one side of the corridor are preferred to
luminaires centrally mounted. A consistent level of light should be
provided to eliminate visual disturbance for patients being conveyed
on trolleys and transferred in wheelchairs.
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