light levels

[Steve]

In our shop, we have 56no. 4 tube large ceiling cassette light fittings. Over about 2500sqft. Its 7 rows of 8. With 4 aisles, this doesn't make much sense to have 7 rows of lights, since some lights are over the shelves. Ceiling at about 9ft, ceiling fitted around 1985ish (plain white tiled suspended ceiling). Essentially, for every 3 tiles, theres a light. This seems very dense, IMO.

I was thinking about another shop I worked in, a much newer one (2003), and it had one row of lights in the middle of each aisle (still 4 aisles). But the ceiling was higher at about 11-12ft and the aisles were wider, at about 1.8 metres. I remember the lighting being much more diffused and relaxing in that shop. Our shop seems harsh and intense in comparison!

Have the regs regarding light levels changed over time? Or is there a technical point here regarding light diffusion from different heights and aisle width? It seems to make sense to have one row of lights for each aisle. Any comments from sparks / designers welcome.

 

[Spark123]

It might be that they have re-arranged the shelves in your shop from the original design, the lighting being left in the original positions.

 

[Steve]

It might be that they have re-arranged the shelves in your shop from the original design, the lighting being left in the original positions.

Dont think there was ever 7 aisles though, they are only about 1.2 metres wide now. Standing at the till, looking down the shop at the ceiling, there just seems an awful lot of lights. I have seen it done where the outer 2 tubes are in use and the inner 2 are removed. I'm trying to do my bit for the environment!

Though one shop had the aisles flipped 90 degrees recently. The lights remained where they were, at 90 degrees to the aisles. Looks dreadful. Dark spots everywhere, and the ceiling was only 8ft, so that added to the dark spots.