The AES guide to choosing the right commercial lighting

People rarely pay much attention to commercial lighting if it's doing its job correctly. However, they do take notice if it's particularly bad, unreliable or inadequate in some way.

Poor lighting in a workplace can cause headaches or eyestrain, reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents. And that’s why it’s important to get it right.

But how can you be sure your commercial lighting ticks all the boxes for safety, efficiency and practicality?

Health and safety considerations

For any business, the first priority should be the health and safety of its staff and visitors, and lighting plays a big part in this.

Any badly lit space poses a safety risk. Reduced visibility increases the risk of slips, trips and falls, and inadequate lighting near moving equipment can lead to serious (and even fatal) accidents.

Adequate lighting improves visibility, reducing the likelihood of accidents or incidents. Employees can navigate safely, identifying potential hazards more easily.

If accidents do occur, emergency services need to be able to respond as quickly as possible. Well-lit areas will be easier for them to navigate, and they’ll have better visibility over the situation allowing them to act more effectively.

Zoning and task lighting

Divide your space into zones based on functions and traffic. Use different lighting levels and types for each zone to meet specific needs. For example, brighter lighting over busy areas and softer lighting in break areas.

Bad commercial lighting can lead to eyestrain or headaches, impacting productivity and increasing sickness, so make sure you pay particular attention to areas where employees spend the most time.

Natural light can have a positive impact on employee well-being. If an area has no natural light, look for lighting solutions that can emulate it as closely as possible.

If you have any hazardous areas – "any place in which an explosive atmosphere may occur in quantities such as to require special precautions to protect the safety of workers" – you may need specialist lighting.

Security lighting

Security lighting won’t prevent accidents or stop criminal activity completely, but well-lit surroundings can contribute to a sense of security among staff, promoting a safer working environment. Employees will feel more secure during late shifts or when leaving the premises after dark.

Criminals are less likely to target well-lit areas due to the increased risk of being seen and identified. Adding security lights to areas such as entryways, footpaths and car parks can prevent crimes such as pickpocketing, muggings, and car thefts.

Security lighting also enhances the performance of surveillance cameras by making it easier to obtain clear and detailed footage. Improved visibility will aid in the identification and tracking of any suspicious activities allowing security teams to detect intruders quickly and respond faster.

Emergency lighting

Not only is emergency lighting a legal requirement, but it can also be a lifesaver. If there’s a factory fire and/or your power fails, emergency lighting will lead your employees to safety.

Particular attention should be paid to stairways, obstructions and changes in direction. If any exit points lead to external areas (such as a car park), they must be adequately lit to enable people to safely move away from the building.

In the event of a fire, there is a risk of smoke reducing the light levels so emergency lighting should be mounted at a reasonable height and be of adequate brightness.

Emergency lighting must be able to reach adequate brightness within five seconds of the failure of the main lighting system.

Efficiency and practicality

Energy efficiency isn’t just beneficial for the environment – it’s also beneficial for your bottom line. With the recent increase in energy prices, reducing energy use should be a priority for everyone and certainly something to consider when lighting your factory.

Basic manual controls, single switches and dimmers are fine in small or infrequently used spaces, but for larger areas, you need more efficient controls and systems.

In addition, you’ll also want to reduce light waste by optimising both natural and artificial light.

High-bay fixtures: For ceilings over 20 feet, high-bay fixtures are a must – the fittings have engineered reflectors to ensure the light gets to the floor evenly. Plus, some LED solutions run for up to 100,000 hours.

Directional lighting: Directional commercial lighting focuses your light away from dead space and into areas where it’s needed.

Light shelves or solar tubes: Light shelves and solar tubes can be used to bring daylight into darker areas by channelling light from outside into interior spaces.

Reflective surfaces: Light-coloured, glossy, or mirrored surfaces on walls and ceilings can help distribute light more effectively.

Timers: Timers can be used to turn lights on and off at specific times of the day. Many companies use timers for external lighting, but internal lighting can be controlled with timers too. This can prevent energy from being wasted in rooms where lighting isn’t constantly required.

Motion sensors: Motion sensors detect movement in a room and automatically turn lights on when someone enters the area. This is useful for areas that are not in constant use, such as toilets, kitchens and storage rooms. Motion sensors can also be hugely beneficial in large warehouses, allowing you to only light up areas where motion is detected rather than lighting the whole warehouse.

Daylight sensors: Daylight sensors measure the amount of natural light in a room and adjust the artificial lighting to maintain a consistent level of brightness. This will help reduce energy usage during the daytime and on sunnier days.

Networked lighting controls: Networked lighting ensures maximum efficiency by giving you centralised control of all lighting within your factory. It can also provide real-time data on energy usage, identifying areas where consumption can be reduced.

The benefits of LED lighting

When it comes to choosing the right commercial lighting, you’ll struggle to find any electrical contractor that recommends anything other than LED lighting.

While there are other types of bulbs on the market, LEDs offer so many advantages. Most notably they are highly energy-efficient and can reduce energy consumption by up to 80-90% when replacing traditional lighting.

Longevity: LEDs have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours or more. This reduces the need for frequent replacements, saving on maintenance and replacement costs.

Durability: LED lights are less prone to breakage and are more suited to industrial settings than traditional bulbs.

Instant lighting: LEDs require zero warm-up time and can be turned on and off frequently without impacting their lifespan or performance.

Lower heat emissions: LEDs emit very little heat compared to incandescent and fluorescent lights, so less energy is wasted.

Directional lighting: LEDs can emit light in a specific direction, minimising light waste.

Environmentally friendly: LEDs do not contain any hazardous materials so they’re more environmentally friendly and easier to dispose of than other types of bulbs.

Versatile: There’s an LED solution for pretty much any need, from compact lighting fixtures to decorative designs. Plus, you can choose from various colour temperatures.

Smart lighting integration: LEDs can be integrated with smart lighting systems, enabling remote control, scheduling, and automation.

Powering your commercial lighting and ensuring continuity and stability

When designing your commercial lighting system, you’ll want to ensure it runs effectively and efficiently. This means ensuring it has an adequate supply of power and is correctly maintained.

Self-generated power: Your power doesn’t have to come solely from the grid. If you’re looking at upgrading your lighting system, consider installing a solar, wind or hybrid system to power it with a renewable energy source. Not only is this good for the environment, but it will also give you more independence from the grid.

Battery storage: Energy prices fluctuate as demand peaks and troughs. You can take advantage of lower energy rates using a battery energy storage solution (BESS). Charge the batteries when energy rates are lowest and then use them to power your lights when prices are at a premium.

Back-up power: If power goes down in your factory, you need to be able to keep everyone safe. As a minimum, your backup power supply must be capable of running your emergency lighting system for no less than three hours.

Servicing and maintenance: Any electrical systems, including lighting systems, should be serviced regularly to keep them running at their best and prevent failure before it occurs. A proactive maintenance schedule will help you keep your lighting system efficient.

Testing and inspecting: You are required to test the functionality of your emergency lighting every month. You must also carry out an annual full-duration test. This involves running your emergency lights for a minimum of three hours without using your primary power supply. This must be carried out by a competent person.

Choosing the right electrical contractor

AES specialises in the design and installation of commercial lighting solutions for manufacturers with a focus on energy efficiency. We understand how factories work and can make expert recommendations to help you get the most from your lighting.

We’re also one of only a handful of electrical contractors accredited to work in hazardous and ATEX areas, where there may be specialist requirements for your lighting.

We can also take care of planning, installing, testing and maintaining all your emergency lighting to keep you fully safe and compliant.

If you’re planning a new factory build, an extension to your existing premises or a lighting upgrade, we’ll ensure a design to meet your needs. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.