Any building where a human activity takes place requires a proper illumination level to optimize the performance, productivity, safety and comfort of the users, at the time these activities are carried out. Light is an essential component in our life, allowing us to see the environment. By interacting with the objects, it can change our perception of the space and the way the objects look like, while affecting people’s mood and motivation.
The Spanishb Technical Building Code (C.T.E.) emphasizes severals aspects relating lighting:
- SU4 –Security against the risk arising out of inadequate lighting: The risk of injuring people as a result of inadequate lighting has to be reduced. Inadequate lighting in circulation areas of buildings, both indoors and outdoors, have to be avoided, even in an emergency situation where a general lighting failure takes place.
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Minimum light levels have to be achieved in circulation areas, measured at floor level, specially in spaces where people and cars share the same room (car parks, load/unload areas), and also at the stairs (both indoor and outdoor).
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- HE3 – Energy efficiency of lighting systems: Buildings will have an adequate lighting level to meet user needs. At the same time, rooms will have a control system to turn the lights on and off according the zone occupancy and natural light available.
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The verification procedure will include:
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Calculation of the Installation Energy Efficient Value (V.E.E.I.)
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Verification of the existence of a lighting control system that optimizes the use of natural light.
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Verification of the existence of a Maintenance Plan.
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The project report will include the following documentation:
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Concise calculation detailing: Room Index Factor (K) used for the calculation, number of points considered, planned Maintenance Factor (Fm), average illumination level (Em), Unified Glare Rating (UGR), Color Rendering Index (Ra), Installation Energy Efficiency Value (VEEI) and the powers of all the lamp assemblies plus its auxiliary equipment.
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Justification of the appropriate monitoring and regulation systems
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At Neoglobal we perform several lighting calculations using DIALUX, both in indoors and outdoors, in order to acomplish with the requirements set by EN 12464 (Lighting of work places) and EN 12193 (Sports lighting), among others.
