If you design or specify lighting in workspace layouts, then you'll need to know about changes to the standard for lighting indoor work places, which might affect your work.

The standard's aim is to encourage designers to plan and introduce appropriate lighting controls for regular lighting layouts in buildings. It will be especially useful when subdividing lighting for use only when a specific area is occupied.

What changes have been made to BS EN 12464-1?

Significant changes in this revised version aim to encourage you to consider all light sources, including natural light, not just electric lighting, as previously.

It recognises the importance of daylight for energy saving.

It includes the requirement for ceiling and wall illuminance to increase the brightness of a room.

Other changes include:

* Importance of daylight is taken into account: Requirements for lighting are generally applicable independent if provided by artificial lighting, daylight or a combination of both
* Specification of a minimum illuminance on walls and ceilings
* Specification of cylindrical illuminance and detailed information on modelling
* Uniformity of illuminance is assigned to tasks and activities
*  Definition of an illuminance grid is in accordance with EN 12464-2
*  New luminance limits are set for luminaires used with Display Screen equipment (DSE), the description of display screens is according ISO 9214-307.

Adequate and appropriate lighting enables people to perform visual tasks efficiently and accurately. The degree of visibility and comfort required in a wide range of work places is governed by the type and duration of the activity.

BS EN 12464 is the standard that specifies lighting requirements for people in indoor work places, which meet the needs for visual comfort and performance of people having normal ophthalmic (visual) capacity. All usual visual tasks are considered, including display screen equipment (DSE).

Part 1 of BS EN 12464 specifies the requirements for lighting solutions for most indoor work places and their associated areas in terms of quantity and quality of illumination. In addition recommendations are given for good lighting practice.

BS EN 12464-1 does not specify lighting requirements with respect to the safety and health of people at work and has not been prepared in the field of application of Article 153 of the EC treaty, although the lighting requirements, as specified in this European Standard, usually fulfil safety needs.

Lighting requirements with respect to the safety and health of workers at work can be contained in Directives based on Article 153 of the EC treaty, in national legislation of member states implementing these directives or in other national legislation of member states.

BS EN 12464 neither provides specific solutions, nor restricts the designer’s freedom from exploring new techniques, nor restricts the use of innovative equipment. The illumination can be provided by daylight, artificial lighting or a combination of both.

BS EN 12464 does not apply to the lighting of outdoor work places and underground mining or emergency lighting. For outdoor work places, see BS EN 12464-2 and for emergency lighting, see BS EN 1838 and BS EN 13032-3 .

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

BSI Online