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Lighting Design Guidelines

In general, lighting design should minimize life cycle cost and should conform to ASHRAE / IESNA Standard 90.1 - 1989. The following is a checklist for use during design.

1. Electronic ballasts only.

• No hybrid or cathode-disconnect ballasts.
• No electromagnetic ballasts.
• In facilities with a high proportion of non-linear or electronic loads, one should specify ballasts with low harmonic distortion.

2. No incandescent lighting.  Some exceptions:

• Dimming applications: presentation rooms, some track lighting.
• As an emergency backup for HID lighting, such as quartz restrike.
• Low-duty cycle applications: utility closets, attics.

3. No mercury vapor lighting.

4. Low bay/high bay applications.

• For ceiling heights 18'-20' or below, specify high-output 8' T8 lamps with electronic ballasts.
• For ceiling heights above 18'-20', specify HID such as metal halide or a high-pressure sodium.

5. Outdoor lighting controlled by a photocell, timer, EMS, or other automatic system.

6. Exit Signs: 2 watts or less under normal operation.

• LED or self-luminous.
• No incandescent or fluorescent.

7. Occupancy sensors. Recommended for:

• Offices, conference rooms, restrooms, and enclosed areas with switched loads greater than 250 watts.
• Consider mechanical timer switches for smaller storage areas and closets.

8. Dual level switching. Consider for areas using three or four lamp fixtures and with:

• Multiple types of work functions within an area.
• High density of computer monitors.
• Lighting circuits running parallel to a glass wall or other areas with significant ambient light.

9. No 2' x 2' fixtures.

• No U-shaped lamps.
• Use 4' length lamps wherever possible.

10. Optimize layout for life cycle cost.  

• Fixture placement should be the minimum number required to meet IESNA standards for recommended illuminant categories (ref: IESNA Lighting Handbook, 8th edition, Figure 11-1).