Average Lighting Power Densities

REPORT
on
DETERMINATION of AVERAGE LIGHTING POWER DENSITIES
for
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
prepared for
Australian Building Codes Board Office
By
Brian Reilly
Booth and Reilly
Consulting Engineers
Brisbane
6 May, 2002
ABCB Office
Lighting Power Densities - Commercial Buildings
SYNOPSIS
This report considers the average lighting power densities inherent in basic lighting design
for commercial buildings. It is predicated on the lowest practicable cost solution, within the
constraints of AS1680. The lighting power densities do not take into account any power
savings which would result from a life cycle cost analysis.
It is based on lighting design where minimum installed cost is the sole determinant.
The report also considers probable future developments in energy efficiency in commercial
lighting within the next few years.
External lighting (facade floodlighting) is also considered in general terms.
ASSUMPTIONS
Luminaires Considered
The following luminaires have been selected on the basis of being the most probable
selections for a spec builder and being available throughout the country. This was
determined by surveying wholesalers as to their perception of the most cost effective fittings
in the various categories.
2/36W budget troffer, K12
2/36W budget troffer, K19st
2/36W budget Low

Brightness
Thorn BTN236HHS
Thorn BTN236HHS
Thorn BTN236HHS/LOU
Pierlite ET236QS
Pierlite ET236QS
Pierlite ET236QS/S
Harcroft TB236Q/K12
Harcroft TB236Q/K19st
Harcroft CR236Q
For commercial building applications in the mid range lighting levels, where uniformity
requirements dictate a higher installed flux than is necessary to meet the base lighting
requirements of AS1680, single lamp fixtures would obviously offer energy saving benefits.
However, the capital cost of recessed single lamp luminaires far exceeds that of the
ubiquitous twin lamp fittings, and they therefore not relevant in an installed cost only
analysis.
For lower lighting levels (160 lux and below) it was considered that surface mounted fittings
with wrap around diffusers, and recessed compact fluorescent downlights, may offer cost
advantages over the standard recessed twin lamp fluorescent troffers. It was found that the
costs of standard commonly used luminaires of these types varied little. It was therefore
decided, for this analysis, to select typical middle of the road luminaires as follows.
Booth & Reilly
2/36W diffused batten
1/36W diffused batten
Thorn CBDN236
Thorn CBDN136
2/18W recessed downlight
1/18W recessed downlight
RLM 13910
RLM 126103
April 2002
2 / 12
ABCB Office
General
Room reflectances
70/50/20
lamp lumens
36W fluorescent 3350 initial

18W compact fluorescent 1200 initial
Ballast
Magnetic low loss (LLEC) with ballast

factor of 0.945
Starter
Standard FSU type
Other
For comparison of installation costs, it

has been assumed that the luminaire has
a fused terminal block, and flexible cable
with 10A plug top.
Maintenance Factor Assumptions

Enclosed luminaire
(e.g. K12/K19 troffer)
Open bottom luminaire

(e.g. louvred fitting)
Lamp lumens, tri-phosphor lamps
0.9
0.9
Lamp lumens, halo-phosphor lamps
0.76
0.76
Luminaire
0.9
0.95
Room surfaces
0.95
0.95
Based on the above, maintenance factors were selected as follows :Luminaire type
with tri-phosphor lamps
with halo-phosphor lamps
Enclosed luminaire
0. 78
0.65
Open bottom luminaire
0.81
0.68
In developing the maintenance factors, it has been necessary to consider the intent of
AS1680 and to recognise that a speculative builder is not constrained by maintenance
issues. In essence, such a builder could decide on any maintenance regime to suit their
purposes. The factors therefore lean more to a commercial reality, the sort of factors a
luminaire manufacturer would employ when providing a lighting layout, under tender
conditions, for such a development.
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
3 / 12
ABCB Office
Room Aspect Ratios

Most commercial spaces have aspect factors close to 1:1, with 1:2 maximum. However, in
a constrained site, and looking at an open plan situation prior to breaking the space up into
workstations and/or individual offices, very high aspect ratios could result.
AS1680 considers that room indices are valid up to 1:4 aspect ratio.
Consequently, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 aspect ratios have been considered.
Lumen Method
As this report considers only basic lighting installation, Coefficient of Utilisation tables, as
published by the manufacturers, have been used, with specific room indices.
Glare
Exact calculations for glare are not practicable for this basic lighting design analysis.
The following general limitations were adopted based on luminaire types:Glare index
Luminaire types acceptable
>19
Diffused battens, recessed troffers,

downlights
16 - 19
K12, K19 silvertint, low brightness louvre
<= 16
low brightness louvre, K19 silvertint
Spacing To Mounting Height

For the lighting power densities listed, ceilings are assumed to be 1200mm x 600mm T-Bar
suspended. To determine the minimum number of fittings in the X & Y direction, it is
assumed that the spacing is 2400mm one way, and the other way will have a spacing no
more than SHmTR MAX (as per AS1680) taken to the next lower 300mm.
Where flat plaster ceilings are used, lighting power densities will, on average, be lower than
those for the T-Bar ceiling, as spacings are not constrained by the grid. The minimum
numbers of luminaires required for a regular rectangular array, based on manufacturers
spacing criteria, in a plasterboard ceiling are shown on the spreadsheets associated with this
report.
Work Planes
In calculating lighting levels, the work plane heights were assumed as follows :Desk based tasks 700mm
Bench based tasks 900mm
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
4 / 12
ABCB Office
LIGHTING POWER DENSITIES

General
The lighting power densities in the following Summary sheets are the average values for the
cheapest complying lighting installation. The averages are :
for room indices 0.75. 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5
for room indices 2, 2.5, 3, 4 and 5
Due to the requirement to comply with a 1200x600 ceiling grid, averages are considered the
most appropriate representation, to eliminate extremely high figures purely as a result of
room dimensions.
A room index of 1.5 was chosen as the demarcation point between large and small rooms.
RI1.5 represents a 6m x 6m room at 2.7m ceiling height.
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
5 / 12
ABCB Office
SUMMARY OF LIGHTING POWER DENSITIES 2700mm CEILING HEIGHT

Function (AS1680.1-1990, Table 3.1)
ReWork Plane, Glare Index

commended
m
Illuminance
Level, Lux
Typical Luminaires
Room Index Room Index

<1.5
>1.5
Watts/m2
Watts/m2
Comment
Waiting rooms
160
0.7
22
K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens,

compact fluorescent downlights
8.74
5.2
staff canteens
160
0.7
22
K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens
8.74
5.2
food preparation
240
0.9
22
K12 recessed troffers
16.33
13.15
K12 cheapest
training rooms
240
0.7
19
K12 recessed troffers, K19st recessed

troffers, low brightness recessed troffers
16.33
13.15
K12 cheapest
Routine office work, e.g. reading, writing,

typing, inquiry desks.
320
0.7
19

16.47
13.15

typing, inquiry desks - Screen Based
Tasks
320
0.7
16
K19st recessed troffers, low brightness

recessed troffers
17.15
13.51
Inspection of medium work
400
0.7
19

18.76
13.5
Drawing boards
600
0.9
16

recessed troffers
26.53
21.61
proof reading, CAD
600
0.7
16

recessed troffers
25.9
20.83
colour matching.
600
0.9
19

26.58
18.32
K12 cheapest
Fine inspection
800
0.9
19

33.76
23.96
K12 cheapest
Graphic arts inspection;
1200
0.9
19

48.18
35.36
K12 cheapest
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
K12 cheapest
6 / 12
ABCB Office


commended
m
Illuminance
Level, Lux
Typical Luminaires

<1.5
>1.5
Watts/m2
Watts/m2
Comment
Waiting rooms
160
0.7
22
K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens,

compact fluorescent downlights
8.77
4.5
staff canteens
160
0.7
22
8.77
4.5
food preparation
240
0.9
22
16.33
13.5
K12 cheapest
training rooms
240
0.7
19

13.36
10.35
K12 cheapest

320
0.7
19

15.39
10.7

Tasks
320
0.7
16

recessed troffers
14.91
12.05
400
0.7
19

17.82
12.24
Drawing boards
600
0.9
16

recessed troffers
25.9
20.83
proof reading, CAD
600
0.7
16

recessed troffers
25.64
21.6
colour matching.
600
0.9
19

26.3
18.25
K12 cheapest
Fine inspection
800
0.9
19

33.51
23.93
K12 cheapest
1200
0.9
19

47.34
35.09
K12 cheapest
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
K12 cheapest
7 / 12
ABCB Office


commended
m
Illuminance
Level, Lux
Typical Luminaires

<1.5
>1.5
Watts/m2
Watts/m2
Comment
Waiting rooms
160
0.7
22
K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens, CFL

downlights
7.63
5.39
staff canteens
160
0.7
22
7.63
5.39
food preparation
240
0.9
22
11.41
7.72
K12 cheapest
training rooms
240
0.7
19

11.23
7.51
K12 cheapest

320
0.7
19

14.1
9.87

Tasks
320
0.7
16

recessed troffers
13.93
11.58
400
0.7
19

17.34
12.14
Drawing boards
600
0.9
16

recessed troffers
25.56
21.67
proof reading, CAD
600
0.7
16

recessed troffers
27.16
21.92
colour matching.
600
0.9
19

25.47
17.92
K12 cheapest
Fine inspection
800
0.9
19

32.52
23.61
K12 cheapest
1200
0.9
19

47.58
35.01
K12 cheapest
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
K12 cheapest
8 / 12
ABCB Office
ENERGY SAVING MEASURES

The power consumption of the various lighting systems considered for the basic lighting
power densities can readily be reduced as follows :Ballasts
The current cheapest conventional control gear has a power

consumption of 10W per 36W fluorescent lamp. This type of
ballast is will be phased out under the MEPS scheme by 1
February, 2003.
The conventional control gear assumed in the determination
of the lighting power densities has a power consumption of
typically 6W for each 36W lamp (type B2).
Super low loss ballasts are available, with a watts loss of typically
4W per 36W lamp. This would represent a power saving of 5%
compared to the low loss ballast.
Electronic control gear
The use of electronic control gear can reduce wasted power

to typically nil, on a lumens per watt basis, taking into
account the reduced lamp power for an equivalent lumen
output at the higher operating frequency.
Presumably due to economies of scale, the cost of a single
36W lamp electronic ballast ($22) is little less than that for a
twin 36W fitting ($24). Consequently, for single lamp fittings
to be economically viable, and provide resultant energy
savings, the use of tandem (aka master, slave or mother,
daughter) ballasts (one per 2 fittings) should be considered.
Lamps
It is difficult to see, in the near future, any lamps which will

rival linear fluorescent for general lighting in commercial
office buildings. Their high efficiency, stable colour, and
relatively low luminance make them the ideal package.
Tri-phosphor lamps
In the majority of the scenarios considered, tri-phosphor

fluorescent lamps offer the more economic installation.
However, at lower lighting levels where the maximum
spacing criterion dominates, halo-phosphor lamps would
suffice. These (with a lumen output of 79 lumens per watt)
are less efficient than the tri-phosphor lamps (93 lumens per
watt).
T5 lamps
These have a projected output of 104 lumens per watt at the

optimal lamp temperature. Luminaire designs are now being
developed and produced to cater for this temperature, and for
the higher luminances from the smaller diameter lamp.
Energy savings will result.
Materials & finishes
Polyester powder-coat paints with a reflectivity of 94%, and

good surface integrity over time, are now available and are
used on high quality luminaires. These will eventually be the
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
9 / 12
ABCB Office
norm in the budget ranges.

Luminaires
For open plan general lighting at office lighting levels, there

is a struggle between luminaire efficacy, luminaire spacing
(for uniformity) and glare control. There is also conflict on the
way glare is quantified and whether the current glare
limitations are valid for real environments.
Luminaires which resolve these issues will allow greater
spacings and resulting reductions in power usage.
The most efficient solution is the use of a combination of task
lighting and circulation lighting.
Control Zones
A flexible switching system, and a culture of energy

conservation will easily provide the most cost-effective
energy reductions in commercial buildings.
Total floor or building controls are convenient, but have to
cater for the worst common denominator, first in and last out.
They are advantageous for housekeeping, but do not offer
significant energy savings. For that, control should be at a
more local level.
Each enclosed space should be separately controlled, either
manually or automatically (e.g. movement sensors). Manual
controls should be within view of the controlled space to
minimise indiscriminate switching.
Open plan spaces should be zoned/switched on a logical
basis to allow out of hours operation in specific areas.
ASRAE/IESNA 90.1 (1999) insists on a maximum area to be
switched as 232m2 in an open plan area of 1929m2 and a
maximum of 929m2 in larger areas.
Such switching should not subvert any building or floor
automatic controls for an unlimited time (say 4 hours
maximum).
Areas with a significant daylight component should have
complimentary switching systems to maximise the energy
savings.
BUILDING FACADE FLOODLIGHTING

The typical lighting power densities for building facade floodlighting are shown in the
following Summary. These cover the various lamp types and environments.
Incandescent sources are listed. These would not normally be used, however it is not
uncommon to see a PAR lamp installation for small buildings sign illumination. Similarly,
tungsten halogen would not normally be used on buildings other than say single level.
The variations in luminaire types, luminaire placement, aiming angles, angles of incidence
and the like would result in an infinite number of solutions. Another level of complexity would
be added by the need to comply with the requirements of AS4282 (Obtrusive Lighting).
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
10 / 12
ABCB Office
Therefore, in arriving at a schedule of watts per square metre of facade, we have made
some very broad assumptions; in essence we have used a rule of thumb solution.
Consequently, the results would generally err on the conservative side.
For an energy responsible approach to facade lighting, it is considered that there should be
a limit on the allowed lighting power density. However, such a limitation should not prohibit
minor floodlighting of signs and/or business names.
Consequently floodlighting of a small area, say 10m2 on each building face, could be allowed
without having to adhere to lighting power density requirements.
This would then allow a more realistic LPD limitation of say 3.5 watts per m2 of facade to be
specified for all buildings.
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
11 / 12
ABCB Office
SUMMARY OF LIGHTING POWER DENSITIES BUILDING FACADE FLOODLIGHTING
WATTS PER M2 (of faade area)
SCENARIO
INCANDESCENT
TUNGSTEN
HALOGEN
MERCURY
FLUORESCENT
METAL
HALIDE
HIGH
PRESSURE
SODIUM
20
5.29
3.53
1.06
0.71
0.71
0.58
MEDIUM
35
9.26
6.17
1.85
1.23
1.23
1.01
DARK
LOW
50
13.23
8.82
2.65
1.76
1.76
1.44
BRIGHT
HIGH
50
13.23
8.82
2.65
1.76
1.76
1.44
BRIGHT
MEDIUM
100
26.46
17.64
5.29
3.53
3.53
2.89
BRIGHT
LOW
150
39.68
26.46
7.94
5.29
5.29
4.33
surrounds
surface
Illumination
reflectivity
Lux
DARK
HIGH
DARK
ASSUMPTIONS
12
18
60
90
90
110
UTILISATION FACTOR
0.35
0.35
0.35
0.35
0.35
0.35
MAINTENANCE FACTOR
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.90
0.90
LUMENS PER WATT
Booth & Reilly
April 2002
12 / 12

Average Lighting Power Densities

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Average Lighting Power Densities

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

REPORT

Australian Building Codes Board Office

Lighting Power Densities - Commercial Buildings

2/36W budget troffer, K19st

2/36W budget Low

Booth & Reilly

2/36W diffused batten

1/36W diffused batten

2/18W recessed downlight

1/18W recessed downlight

Lighting Power Densities - Commercial Buildings

36W fluorescent 3350 initial

Magnetic low loss (LLEC) with ballast

Standard FSU type

For comparison of installation costs, it

Maintenance Factor Assumptions

Open bottom luminaire

Lamp lumens, tri-phosphor lamps

Lamp lumens, halo-phosphor lamps

with tri-phosphor lamps

with halo-phosphor lamps

Open bottom luminaire

Booth & Reilly

Lighting Power Densities - Commercial Buildings

Room Aspect Ratios

Luminaire types acceptable

Diffused battens, recessed troffers,

K12, K19 silvertint, low brightness louvre

low brightness louvre, K19 silvertint

Spacing To Mounting Height

Booth & Reilly

Lighting Power Densities - Commercial Buildings

LIGHTING POWER DENSITIES

for room indices 0.75. 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5

for room indices 2, 2.5, 3, 4 and 5

Booth & Reilly

Lighting Power Densities - Commercial Buildings

SUMMARY OF LIGHTING POWER DENSITIES 2700mm CEILING HEIGHT

ReWork Plane, Glare Index

Room Index Room Index

K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens,

K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens

K12 recessed troffers

K12 recessed troffers, K19st recessed

Routine office work, e.g. reading, writing,

K12 recessed troffers, K19st recessed

Routine office work, e.g. reading, writing,

K19st recessed troffers, low brightness

Inspection of medium work

K12 recessed troffers, K19st recessed

K19st recessed troffers, low brightness

proof reading, CAD

K19st recessed troffers, low brightness

K12 recessed troffers, K19st recessed

K12 recessed troffers, K19st recessed

Graphic arts inspection;

K12 recessed troffers, K19st recessed

Booth & Reilly

Lighting Power Densities - Commercial Buildings

SUMMARY OF LIGHTING POWER DENSITIES 2900mm CEILING HEIGHT

ReWork Plane, Glare Index

Room Index Room Index

K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens,

K12 recessed troffers, diffused battens