Lighting of construction sites
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
In order that construction work can continue effectively and safely in periods of insufficient natural light, it is important that a site is fitted with suitable artificial lighting. Lighting can be used internally for general movement and working on the site itself, externally for illuminating entry, storage and circulation areas, and can also be an effective form of deterrent for trespassers.
There are a wide range of lamps available, from simple tungsten filament lamps to tungsten halogen and discharge lamps. Site lighting is generally run off mains electricity at a voltage of 230 V, rather than through the use of generators. Sometimes it can be necessary to reduce the voltage to 110 V.
[edit] Lighting plan
For an appropriate lighting plan to be drawn up, the types of activity that will be likely to require lighting need to be specified. These activities can then be given an illumination target (with the unit being lux). Lamps are often given a measurement in lumens (lm), which is the total quantity of visible light emitted. One lux is one lumen per square metre.
Examples of recommended minimum target values for building activities include:
External lighting:
- Circulation: 10 lx
- Materials handling: 10 lx
Internal lighting:
- Circulation: 5 lx
- Working areas: 15 lx
- Concreting: 50 lx
- Carpentry and joinery: 100 lx
- Bricklaying and plastering: 100 lx
- Painting and decorating: 200 lx
- Site offices: 200 lx
- Drawing board positions: 300 lx
While manufacturers will often specify the best arrangement for lamps according to required use, it is common practice to plan for at least twice the recommended target values. This is because lamps in use can be subject to deterioration, dirt or other conditions that reduce their performance.
It is possible to calculate the required lumens for a particular need with the following equation:
Total lumens required = area to be illuminated (m2) x target value (lx) / Utilisation factor
Where the utilisation factor is 0.23.
Once the lamp type has been chosen, the required number can be calculated with the following equation:
No. of lamps required = total lumens required / lumen output of lamp
[edit] Site arrangement
Lighting can be arranged on site in a static formation, where lamps are fixed to support poles, masts or items of plant such as scaffolding and tower cranes, or, it can be arranged locally, as and where work is progressing, by the use of moveable supports or being hand-held with trailing leads.
Walkways are often illuminated by bulkhead lamps on standard mains voltage. Bulkhead lamps have a die-cast aluminium alloy body together with a vandal-resistant translucent polycarbonate diffuser.
To illuminate general working areas, festoon (overhead) lighting can be suspended from grids at regular spacings. These are usually tungsten filament bulbs, and both cable and lampholders must be appropriately weather-resistant.
The arrangement must be such that visual intrusion and light spillage are kept to a minimum, particularly in close proximity to residential properties and busy roads where it may cause nuisance or distraction. Where necessary, lighting should be provided to site boundaries to ensure the safety of passing pedestrians.
For more information, see How to work safely on a construction site in the dark.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BREEAM Reduction of night time light pollution.
- Colour Rendering Index CRI.
- Construction phase plan.
- Daylight factor.
- Daylight lighting systems.
- Ergonomics in construction.
- General lighting v task lighting.
- How to work safely on a construction site in the dark.
- Improving visibility and resilience of buried services.
- Health and safety.
- Light obstruction notice.
- Light pollution.
- Lighting.
- Pre-construction information.
- Rights to light.
- Site appraisal.
- Site information.
- Site layout plan for construction
- Site plan.
- Site facilities.
- Site office.
- Site safety.
- Site storage.
- Site survey.
- Temporary site services.
- Welfare facilities.
[edit] External references
- ‘Building Construction Handbook’ (6th ed.), CHUDLEY, R., GREENO, R., Butterworth-Heinemann (2007)
Featured articles and news
Recharging Electrical Skills in Wales
Step by step collaborative solutions.
Ireland budget announcement 2025
CIOB responds with positivity, criticism and clarity.
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
Scope determination appeals and the Building Safety Act
Process explained following release of appeals guidance.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Comments