Reducing costs through a sustainable industrial lighting project is more viable and feasible than you might think. This type oflighting design, that is, which prepares the lighting planning for internal environments, takes into account a series of parameters defined by theNBR 8995/5413, from theBrazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT).
The main objective is to establish light quality standards for internal environments with the well-being and productivity of employees in mind, and the consequent energy savings and increased energy efficiency. Having an environment with good lighting is not just about having a lot of light, but about reaching a standard where the tasks planned for that environment can be carried out with ease.visual comfort and ease.
Due to a configuration of the human organism, it is more efficient to usewhite or bluish lightto stimulate productivity and a sense of activity, awakening people to action and being able to bring more results in their work and for the industry as a whole.
Therefore, consider this type of lighting in your project, and don't forget to check, depending on each type of environment or situation, the ideal amount of light that should be available.
In this content, we will talk more about the topic and show which solutions to invest in to optimize the cost of the work with asustainable and efficient lighting design. Check it out!
What we need to know about NBR 8995/5413
Established in 2013 by ABNT, theNBR 8995/5413 determines the minimum illuminance values for lighting indoor work environments. The intensity of light required varies according to the specificities of the activities to be carried out, whether they have a greater or lesser degree of detail and vision requirements.
These are the main illuminance values that are a reference for lighting projects in compliance with standards:
- Engineering and architectural offices: 750-1000-1500
- Customer service: 300-500-750
- Libraries and reading rooms: 300-500-750
- General residential projects: 200-200-500
- Garages and stairs: 75-100-150
In general terms, it is considered themiddle valueas a reference in projects. However, depending on the particularities of the environment, lower or higher values should be used, according to the following rules:
Usehigher illuminance valueswhen there is:
- Low reflectance and contrast;
- Detailed visual work;
- Need for precision;
- Employees with below average vision.
Uselower illuminance valueswhen there is:
- High reflectance and contrast;
- More generalized visual work;
- Little need for precision or agility;
- Tasks that are only performed occasionally.
In addition to the intensity of the light and its illuminance, aspects related to the reproduction and color temperature of the light, contrast and glare are included in the calculations of compliance with the Standard — this last concept is fundamental so that the light does not overload human eyes through a very high intensity and make the environment unhealthy.
Industrial lighting projects must always take into account meeting the requirements present in the ABNT standard. As difficult as it is to adapt, it is essential to identify the correct parameters of the standard and apply them through a mix ofartificial and natural lighting.
What are the advantages of an industrial lighting project
Let’s now look at the main benefits of a high-performance lighting project.
Cost reduction
A project that combines artificial and natural lighting comes out ahead in financial terms, as it is possible to combine low energy consumption ofLED bulbswith thenatural lighting solutionsthat don't even consume energy to function.
Find out more abouthow to reduce the overall cost of the workinvesting in natural lighting and ventilation solutions!
Thermal comfort
A shed lit withnatural lighting dome, for example, not only gains in electricity savings, but also in thermal comfort. After all, the strategic entry of natural light keeps the internal temperature always pleasant, promoting the well-being and health of employees.
Improving the visual health of teams
Especially in the most detailed activities, visual comfort is extremely important for the performance of tasks. In this sense thenatural lighting solutionsalso stand out, as they provide a wide field of vision, illuminating the area in auniform and homogeneous.
Reduction in the number of work accidents
With a good industrial lighting project, the risk of workplace accidents is considerably reduced. Especially because the strict control of luminosity rates ensures that the environment always remains visually comfortable, providing greater security for teams when carrying out their duties.
Increased team efficiency and productivity
Eye strain is also eliminated with the use of natural lighting solutions. In other words, in addition to gaining in thermal comfort, safety in carrying out tasks and energy savings, managers also gain inproductivity, as there will be no problems such as eye strain, which greatly affects the group's performance.
Promotion of industrial sustainability
Lighting projects that do not consume energy to operate symbolize one of the most innovative resources in terms ofindustrial sustainability. This is because the search for energy efficiency in industry is a priority in the sector, demarcating ecologically correct action.
How to set up an efficient industrial lighting project
Some concepts are important to facilitate understanding about industrial lighting design, such asilluminance. According to the Standard, this measure determines the amount of light that falls on a specific point.
Illuminance is accounted for by the unit of measurementlux (lx), which considersthe intensity of lighting in lumens present in the environment per m². In other words, to carry out the calculation to achieve a certain level of lux it is necessary to know all the dimensions of the warehouse (obtaining its total area in m²), to divide the amount of lumens in the room by this value.
Based on this measure, theNBR 8995/5413determines a specific amount of lux that must be present in each type of environment in order to have a minimum desirable level of lighting that allows people to perform their tasks comfortably during the time they remain in that environment. For the different possible industrial activities, according to the standard,the amount of lux varies between 100 lx and 3000 lx.
Use a lux meter or photometer for the project
The most traditional way of measuring illuminance in indoor environments is through electronic equipment calledlux meteror photometer. This device has a sensor that absorbs and calculates the luminosity of a given location, identifying whether the rates are appropriate to the NBR and bringinginsightsfor studies on what can be improved.
In order for the results to be true to reality, it is recommended that a series of measurement standards be followed, including the carrying out of this lux meter analysis.at different points in the environment and at different times of the day, in order to have a more complete and accurate result.
In the case of environments that complement artificial lighting with natural light, there is a different approach to the calculation, adapting so that “sky measurement” is also included in the process naturally or in the laboratory.
The advantages of industrial lighting
Implementing a natural lighting system in an industrial warehouse means having planned light inputs through the roof of the building and through windows in the walls. For this purpose, installedtranslucent sheetsbetween the tiles according to technical analysis of the project, taking into account the need for illuminance within the environment.
Youlinear domusillustrate this scenario well, functioning as a modern and sustainable natural lighting solution to combine thermal comfort, visual comfort and energy savings in the factory.
Light intensity calculations in this case take into account aaverage lighting from 9:30 am to 4 pm, even on cloudy days, allowing natural light throughout this period to help with internal lighting. This way, artificial light can be activated for less time, in smaller quantities and even inlower intensity, culminating in an effective cost reduction for the industry.
When choosing to use natural lighting with a linear dome, it is important to keep in mind the need forcleaning and maintenanceof polycarbonate sheets. Despite beingcoated with UV protection, which guarantees greater durability, yet they are physical structures that accumulate dust and residues from the air, and this accumulation can impair the passage of light.
About 10% of lighting efficiency is lost each year that the sign is not cleaned.Therefore, this must also be taken into consideration when developing your industrial lighting project. Observing these aspects, you will certainly have a natural lighting project with maximum performance and a guaranteed return.
Want to know more about these systemsCheck out our complete catalog of sustainable solutions for the industryand discover why it’s worth the investment!
