Reflectance and Glare
Reflectance of surfaces contribute to the quality of lighting and help to provide an improved lit environment as well as reducing glare. There are several different types of glare including disability glare, discomfort glare and glare by reflection. In healthcare buildings, a patient line of sight is often towards the ceiling and the top parts of walls, so careful design is necessary to avoid glare to patients while still providing good visibility to staff. Glare can cause discomfort and potential risk, limiting glare values are given in Table 1 and recommendations are given in Part B.
Colour
The technical use of colour is covered in detail in the NHS publication: Lighting and colour for hospital design. Colour enhances the healthcare environment and is often used to provide spatial orientation as well as helping patient’s wellbeing and staff to be more productive in their workplace.
Energy Efficiency
Lighting schemes in healthcare environments should meet the requirements of Building Regulations Part L, on the conservation of fuel and power with guidance on how to meet these requirements in Building Regulations Approved Documents L2A and L2B
Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting and lighting under standby conditions are advised in Part B, section 9. Standby lighting is mentioned in the general lighting schedule but also reference made to BS EN 50172 (BSI, 2004).
Lighting Control
Healthcare environments often operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which makes lighting controls and the energy saving possibilities they offer a major element of the lighting design. As well as being part of the facility management system providing energy performance, lighting controls offer maintenance monitoring, emergency lighting test and inspection and the flexibility and creativity to the occupants of the building in terms of practicality, comfort, and wellbeing.
Types of control are detailed in Part B. Further reference is given in LG10 which details the extent to which users a of building are given control over their environment and this depends on the type of area and if owned, shared, temporarily owned, occasionally visited, unowned and managed, all of which occur in healthcare buildings. LG10 says lighting control decisions should be designed according to daylight availability and suitability.
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