Hey there! As an industrial lighting supplier, I often get asked how to figure out the number of lighting fixtures needed for a particular space. It's not as complicated as it might seem at first, but there are definitely some key factors you've got to consider. In this post, I'll break it all down for you, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to lighting up your industrial space.
Understanding the Basics
First things first, we need to understand a few basic concepts. The amount of light a space needs is measured in foot - candles (in the imperial system) or lux (in the metric system). A foot - candle is the amount of light that falls on one square foot of a surface from a one - candela source at a distance of one foot. Lux is the metric equivalent, where one lux is one lumen per square meter.
The type of industrial space you're dealing with will greatly affect the required foot - candles or lux. For example, a warehouse might need around 10 - 30 foot - candles for general storage areas, while a quality control area in a manufacturing plant could require 50 - 100 foot - candles for detailed inspection work.
Step 1: Measure the Space
The first step in calculating the number of lighting fixtures is to measure the area of the space. For a rectangular or square space, it's as simple as multiplying the length by the width. For more complex shapes, you might need to break the space into smaller, regular shapes and add up the areas.
Let's say you have a rectangular warehouse that's 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. The area of this warehouse is 100 x 50 = 5000 square feet.
Step 2: Determine the Required Light Level
As I mentioned earlier, different industrial activities require different light levels. Here's a quick guide:
- General storage areas: 10 - 30 foot - candles
- Assembly areas: 30 - 50 foot - candles
- Quality control areas: 50 - 100 foot - candles
Let's assume our 5000 - square - foot warehouse is a general storage area, and we'll aim for 20 foot - candles of illumination.
Step 3: Calculate the Total Lumens Needed
Once you know the area of the space and the required light level, you can calculate the total lumens needed. To do this, you multiply the area (in square feet) by the desired foot - candles.
In our example, we have a 5000 - square - foot warehouse and we want 20 foot - candles of light. So, the total lumens needed are 5000 x 20 = 100,000 lumens.
Step 4: Consider the Light Loss Factor
In real - world situations, not all the light produced by a fixture reaches the surface you want to illuminate. There are many factors that cause light loss, such as dirt on the fixtures, the reflectance of the ceiling and walls, and the depreciation of the lamps over time.
A common light loss factor ranges from 0.6 to 0.8. Let's use a light loss factor of 0.7 in our example. To account for the light loss, we divide the total lumens needed by the light loss factor. So, 100,000 / 0.7 ≈ 142,857 lumens.
Step 5: Choose the Right Lighting Fixture
Now it's time to choose a lighting fixture. You can check out some of our great options, like the 42000lm Led Parking Lot Lights Stadium Flood Light Outdoor Commercial. These fixtures are powerful and suitable for large outdoor and indoor industrial spaces.
Let's say we choose a fixture that has an output of 10,000 lumens. To find out how many fixtures we need, we divide the adjusted total lumens (after considering the light loss factor) by the lumen output of the fixture.
So, 142,857 / 10,000 ≈ 14.29. Since you can't have a fraction of a fixture, you'll need 15 fixtures to properly light the space.
Additional Considerations
Fixture Layout
The layout of the fixtures is also important. You want to distribute the fixtures evenly across the space to ensure uniform lighting. For large warehouses or industrial buildings, a grid pattern is often used.
Energy Efficiency
LED lighting is a great choice for industrial spaces because it's energy - efficient and has a long lifespan. You can learn more about the benefits of LED lighting in our blog post The Benefits Of LED Indoor Sports Lighting.
Vertical and Horizontal Lighting
In some industrial spaces, you may need to consider both vertical and horizontal lighting. For example, in a rack - storage warehouse, you need to ensure that the vertical faces of the racks are well - lit for easy access to stored items.
Different Types of Industrial Spaces
Factories
Factories have a wide range of lighting needs depending on the type of manufacturing process. For a high - precision manufacturing area, you might need a higher light level and more focused lighting. Our High Bay 100w Led fixtures are perfect for high - ceilinged factory areas as they can provide bright and efficient lighting.
Warehouses
Warehouses are all about storage and movement of goods. As we saw in our example, general storage areas need a moderate amount of light. You may also need to consider lighting the aisles and the loading docks separately.
Industrial Workshops
Workshops where hands - on work is done require good lighting to ensure safety and precision. Adjustable lighting fixtures can be a great option in these spaces.
Contact Us for More Information
If you're still not sure about how many lighting fixtures you need for your industrial space, don't worry! We're here to help. Just reach out to us for a consultation. We can take a closer look at your specific requirements and provide you with a customized lighting solution. Whether it's a small workshop or a large factory, we've got the expertise and the products to meet your needs.
References
- "Industrial Lighting Handbook"
- "Lighting Design for Commercial and Industrial Spaces"
