Builders Jamaica April-July 2021

LIGHTING
Choosing The Best Lighting for
Industrial and Commercial Spaces
66
Among the many different elements that go into the
planning and design of a commercial or industrial space,
lighting tends to be the one most overlooked. Many
people associate commercial lighting with installing the
brightest, most glaring lights possible, but that can actually
be counterproductive and harmful for the people using the
space. That’s where even a basic understanding of lighting
ergonomics comes into play. This focuses on the relationship
between the light source and the people in the space and
aims to design and arrange light sources so that people can
work and interact in the safest and most efficient manner.
As human beings, our need for light is biological. The right
quantities of both natural and artificial light can positively
impact both our physical and mental health. The type and
amount of light that people are exposed to impacts their
moods, circadian rhythms, productivity, and creativity.
With millions of people spending at least a third of their
waking hours in commercial spaces for work, and millions
more traversing these spaces for other reasons, it’s vital
to plan and design with the appropriate lighting in mind.
Lighting and Productivity
The right lighting helps enable people to function optimally
and better focus on the task at hand. According to the
International Labour Organization (ILO), proper lighting
ergonomics can increase productivity by up to 10 percent.
Optimal performance is what you want from the people who
will utilise your commercial space, whether it’s an office suite,
a factory, or a medical facility. The ILO report also showed
that good lighting reduces errors by approximately 30
percent. Proper visibility is important overall, but especially
for industrial spaces like factories where machinery is being
operated and workplace accidents can be life-threatening.
The Right Temperature
When designing the lighting for your commercial
space, it’s important to strike a balance and not just
go for the brightest lights you can find. While lighting
that’s too dim can cause eye strain and make you feel
drowsy and tired, lighting that’s too bright can be
harsh on your eyes and trigger migraine symptoms.
Another important factor to consider is the colour
temperature of the light source. Mid-range and high
colour temperature lights tend to appear cool white or
blue-white and are sometimes called ‘daylight colours.’
These cooler lights have been shown to increase
alertness and reduce fatigue, so they’re the ones you
want in your production areas where people are actively
working or brainstorming, and in conference rooms.
Warmer lights, which create a sense of comfort and
relaxation, can be used in break rooms and cafeterias.