Lighting


ceiling height, optics and the refl ectance off the ceilings and walls. They will also need to consider the spacing between fi ttings and the beam angle. I would suggest working with the lighting manufacturer who should be able to help you and the contractor with the specifi cation.


If you want to provide diff erent solutions from fewer stocked items, then consider stocking high bay fi ttings where the installer can switch the wattage to alter the lumen output.


Aisles with racking


For areas with racking, CIBSE recommends lighting levels of 100 lux at fl oor level and 150 lux for safe passage. But the installer must also think of the lighting on the vertical plain to aid accurate picking, for this the fi nal customer will need 200 lux.


For these areas you will need to provide


fi ttings that have an asymmetric beam providing a rectangular light distribution.


Flexible fi ttings


The reality is that many warehouses will combine diff erent functions in the same area, so a large space may contain both open areas and racking, and these may change over time to refl ect new storage needs. It is unrealistic to change fi ttings that are eight metres or more above the fl oor every time the space needs to change. It also means that the contractor must fi nd a fl exible solution that can meet these changing needs. The solution is to install adaptable high


bay fi ttings where they can switch the beam angle from a symmetrical wide beam to an asymmetrical beam with a long and narrow output that is better for racking. Our Tri-Bay range for example has a switch that allows them to switch between a 100o open areas, to a 30o


x 90o


wide beam for beam that is better


for lighting long rows of racking. For you it also means that you can have fewer SKUs and still meet both requirements.


Lighting control


Modern warehouses will have skylights providing natural daylight, which is free, so the role of artifi cial lighting is to supplement this to meet the required lighting levels in unlit areas and when daylight fades. It means that you will also need to supply daylight harvesting and motion sensors for lighting control. A good option is to supply high bay fi ttings that have sensors that the installer can simply plug in.


Loading bays Loading bays are where the indoor


“Each warehouse will have diff erent lighting needs depending on its structure, architecture and operations. There are many diff erent areas to consider, including aisles with racking, open areas, picking areas and outdoor loading bays.”


environment meets the outdoors. Installing the right lighting is crucial for the safety of both drivers and pedestrians and for accurate loading.


Here you will need to provide high bay or low bay fi ttings indoors, and bulkheads and fl oodlights for the docking area. Avoiding glare is very important, so the fl oodlights should be adjustable with good optics to target the light


where it is needed and avoid spillage into other areas. And any fi tting installed outside should have an IP65 rating.


Lighting control is also important to save energy, so suggest PIR and door open sensors to the installer.


There are of course lots of other areas within a warehouse that you can supply during a lighting refurbishment, such as mezzanines requiring durable anticorrosive and bulkheads, lighting for cold stores, offi ces, toilets, and emergency lighting. But you won’t win this business unless you can supply the right products for the core areas in such buildings. Warehouses are a vital part of our lives, with most of us buying more products online. With a deadline to meet tougher energy effi ciency requirements by 2031, there will be a surge in demand for lighting and lighting control over the next few years. Make sure that you are ready for it.


ewnews.co.uk


November 2026 electrical wholesaler | 29


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