Lighting Techniques

Types of fittings

Fittings should be chosen according to their qualities in the following respects: appearance; light distribution; brightness; re-lamping and cleaning; cost; and luminous efficiency. The order of importance changes with different applications, but light distribution should always be considered first.

Direct lighting is almost always used for industry and for display purposes in shops; it gives a brisk, lively effect which encourages light and shade and reveals shape well.

Indirect lighting is usually considered more restful and is used mainly for restaurants, hotels and other 'social' interiors, and in combination with direct lighting for many classes of shops although it is becoming increasingly popular for office lighting. 'General diffusing' lighting, or 'direct' is generally used in offices and schools.

Spacing of fittings. In most interiors which contain several lighting fittings the aim is usually to provide general lighting, a comparatively even illumination at working level all over the room. This allows furniture and plant to be moved and added to without altering the lighting installation.

As a general rule, applying both to fluorescent lamp fitting and other types normally used for general lighting, a satisfactory even illumination results when the fittings are not spaced more than 1 ½ times their distance above the plane of work, with end fittings half the distance from the wall, or one-third, if work is done next to the wall.