Research Laboratories

A popular approach is to combine lower luminance general lighting with task lighting over work benches. This provides a lower overall illumination level to reduce glare, supplemented with task lighting, often fixed to the workbenches.

Continuous linear luminaires mounted parallel to the work benches can reduce shadowing and provide high illumination levels in the task area without increased glare.

At the design stage, the positions of luminaires will need to be coordinated with other items of lab furniture and ventilation equipment to avoid shadows.

Illumination Levels

Many manufacturers have their own specifications, but typical values are between 500 and 1000 lux, UGR limit = 16 or 19, and minimum uniformity of 0.6 or 0.7.

There may be specific requirements to cater for the tasks being undertaken or the materials being used.

Application	Maintained illuminance (lux)	UGR Limit	Minimum uniformity (U₀)	R_a
Pharmaceutical manufacture: Grinding, granulating, mixing, drying, tableting, sterilising, washing, preparation of solutions, filling, capping, wrapping, hardening	500	22	0.6	80

Dual Functionality - Monochromatic Lighting

In some applications monochromatic light is needed for research purposes. Red light is sometimes specified for 'dark-room' applications. To achieve this, luminaires are dual-populated with two sets of LEDs and control gear that are individually controlled so that the user can easily switch from conventional white to a single colour or illumination level.

Please contact the Technical Department to discuss specific applications and requirements.