Creating Brighter Spaces with the new

Indoor Lighting Standard EN-12464-1

A H E LVA R W H I T E PA P E R

JULY 2021
HENRI JUSLÉN
CHIEF FUTURE ILLUMINATOR
 Ēm and
maintenance factor
Before we dive deeper into the needs to be higher. Lighting designers
Standard, it’s worth explaining use maintenance factor to take this

the new lighting

a significant term mentioned into account in their design. So, for
throughout the Standard — example: if the required amount is
Maintained illuminance. 1000 lux, the initial value could be
1250 lux (maintenance factor 0.8.

standard EN-12464-1
Maintained illuminance is illuminance —1250*0.8=1000) and then on the
at the time when maintenance is site, the light sensors can be used to
expected to take place. It should be control the lighting in a way that there
achievable even without any daylight, is 1000 lux.
just by artificial lighting. All lighting
systems and environments get old Another option is to program this
The EN-12464-1 lighting standard specifies lighting and/or dirty, and how much this constant light output to a led driver.
requirements for people in indoor workplaces. influences illuminance depends on The luminaire then automatically dims
the lighting system, environment, and up overtime to compensate for lost
It covers all indoor working especially maintenance. lumen output resulting from ageing.
areas including but not limited to —The new informative Annex clarifies The Standard defines maintained
offices, industry, healthcare, retail, glare requirements Ēm refers to the illuminance level and illuminance on the working area in
restaurants, hotels, museums, is the value below which the average its surroundings and for ceilings and
libraries, schools, and car parks. — Flicker and stroboscopic effect are illuminance on a specified area should walls. Maintained semicylinderical
You could say it is easier to mention updated not fall. Ēm is the figure that should illuminance is also defined in the
what it doesn’t cover — outdoor always be measurable in the specified tables. All of these have the same
working areas, underground mining or Arguably, the most crucial change area. In practice, it means that initial logic; artificial lighting should, at
emergency lighting. in the Standard was changing the illumination in the new installation least, be able to always produce this
structure so that more information amount of light to the defined areas.
This Standard replaces the previous is added to the tables. Previously,
2011 version. The main changes many users have solely focused on
include: the minimum requirements in the
tables, missing key details in the
— The recommendations provided Standard, resulting in bad design and
in the tables account for user needs bad lighting. Or at least not as good
more so than in the past lighting that the previous Standard
was requesting. Although the tables
— The impact of visual and non- now have more information, it is still
image forming effects of light are important to note that the central
elaborated part of the Standard are the chapters
before the tables.
— Requirements for walls, ceilings
and cylindrical illuminances are This whitepaper looks at the Standard
moved to tables through lighting control glasses.
To understand the bigger picture,
— More advises on applying the every designer must read the entire
requirements when designing lighting Standard.
 scale of illuminance
In a similar way to the previous 2011 — the task is undertaken for an
version of the Standard, recommended unusually long time;
steps of illuminance are given in the
new Standard referring to EN12665: 5 — the task area or activity area has a
- 7,5 - 10 – 15 - 20 - 30 - 50 - 75 - 100 low daylight provision;
- 150 - 200 - 300 - 500 - 750 - 1 000
- 1 500 - 2 000 - 3 000 - 5 000 - 7 500 — the visual capacity of the worker is
- 10 000. Under certain conditions, below normal.
designers are recommended to use
higher steps. If one or two conditions When you think about these
apply, one step is required, and if more conditions, many of them are often
than two conditions apply, then two very valid. The first two, ‘errors
steps are required. are costly to rectify’, and ‘accuracy,
higher productivity or increased
Arguably, the rarest condition is globe, this is quite normal.
Mentioned conditions for increase of concentration is of great importance
the middle one; ‘task details are of
maintained illuminance visual work is and are valid in several working areas.
unusually small size or low contrast’. The remaining condition: ‘the visual
critical:
The last three conditions require capacity of the worker is below
The cost of lighting is around 0.01% of
future knowledge. normal’ might be the most difficult
— errors are costly to rectify; the total cost of work. Lighting related
to neglect if, at the design phase,
devices, installation, and maintenance
A designer should know how long the workers are unknown. So, in
— accuracy, higher productivity or are quite small compared to the cost
people are working and their visual practice, most of these conditions
increased concentration is of great of space, training, and salaries. We
capacity. They might know the plan are valid in most projects, meaning
importance; could even say that errors are always
initially; however, it is difficult to know that two steps of higher illuminances
more costly to rectify than increasing
what happens after a short period. are recommended to be available for
— task details are of unusually small light level if that influences the error
users in working areas.
size or low contrast; rate.
The condition: ‘the task is undertaken
for an unusually long time’ is often The Standard also allows the use of
valid, although we would instruct a one-step lower illuminance under
workers to take regular breaks. ‘The certain conditions: ‘task details are
task area or activity area has a low of an unusually large size or high
daylight provision’ is often true and is contrast, or the task is undertaken
deeper in the rooms and work, which for an unusually short time’. These
is completed outside of daylight hours. options are possible from time to time.
For certain tasks and parts of the
task area, immediate
The Standard refers to the task area, or more, the immediate surrounding
immediate surrounding area and area should have at least 500 lx.
background area. Most of the focus

surrounding area and

has always been around the task area The background area is a horizontal
— the area where the task is and often area on the floor level. It is adjacent
not the horizontal layer. to the immediate surrounding area

background area
within the limits of space and should
Close to that is the immediate be illuminated with a maintained
surrounding area. It is at least a 0.5m illuminance of 1/3 of the value of the
area around the task area and its immediate surrounding area. For
illuminance relates to the task area larger rooms, the band should be at
illuminance. If the task area has 750 lx least 3m wide.
 52 tables
Towards the end, the Standard provides several tables. It is essential to read the entire Standard and not focus solely on the tables. Below is part of an example of arguably
one of the most commonly referred tables - Offices. For specifiers, looking at this one table is not enough. There are always other areas than those mentioned in the table
in every office. For example, Table - Traffic zones inside buildings and Table - General areas inside buildings: rest, sanitation and first aid room. These two tables are also
relevant in almost every office.
 lighting control
As previously mentioned, there are your old designs done by Dialux or
more recommendations provided in Relux. If you have carried out a design
the tables than in the past. The most aiming 500 lux to a task area just
significant change is the addition of by using direct lighting – look at the The last column in the tables in the environments that are tuned to our
the column ‘modified’ to the tables. values at the ceilings. It is not easy new Standard includes ‘specific own needs.
This forces specifiers to think: what to reach 100 lux at the ceiling using requirements’. Several areas note that
is the illuminance level needed? only direct lighting and only “required” “lighting should be controllable”. To If you are unaware of who the users
In earlier versions, this was only column values. fully understand this topic, it is crucial are, it is practical to design and install
explained in the text and not shown in to read chapters 6.2.4 and 6.6, where good quality light for different users
the tables, which resulted in a misuse The Standard provides a strong more instructions are provided, and and different circumstances.
of the Standard. recommendation: “This standard the reasoning explained.
recommends the use of the higher The Standard lists this in the form that
Two further significant additions to maintained illuminance Ēm’ to The Standard states that “lighting an adjustable system ensures that:
the tables are: ‘Maintained values give the user the full use of the lit should be adjustable to the actual
of cylindrical illuminance’ and environment. Designing a basic user needs”. This opens the idea of —The benefit of available daylight is
‘illuminance on the ceiling and walls’. lighting installation only fulfilling lighting being able to be tailored to maximised
These were also only mentioned in the minimum criteria limits the individual needs. Personal lighting —Occupancy of the space can be
the text and not shown in the tables. possible benefits of good lighting provides the opportunity to tune the taken into account
The values of these two have also quality.” By increasing, for example, light settings on your very own desk —Changes in visual tasks can be
been increased which may influence the illuminance at the ceiling; it is according to your needs, allowing catered for
lighting design considerably. very challenging even to try not to use you to manage the light settings you —Changes of occupant’s preferences
higher lighting levels also on the task prefer. This can boost satisfaction and or needs can be catered for
If you’re a lighting designer, here’s a area. productivity since we all feel better in
small exercise for you to check with
The overall focus of the Standard is and CIE S 026 and highlights general
on the visual aspects of lighting. It information about non-image forming
does, however, discuss the influences effects in the informative annex (B.5).
of light on health and wellbeing. It
repeats the known effects of light Arguably, the most interesting
on one’s mood, emotion, mental variability of light-related specific
alertness, and circadian rhythms. requirements to note is: “variability
of light is important in spaces that
Varying illuminances and varying are occupied for extended periods.”

energy and
colour temperature or spectrum per Examples of these types of areas
time and season can enhance people’s include classrooms, healthcare,
wellbeing. The new Standard, however, offices, and production spaces —

cost considerations
does not give exact information on pretty much covering a large variety of
how this variability should be done. spaces; you could say the variability of
Instead, it refers to CEN/TR 16791 light is essential almost everywhere.

Despite the Standard not mentioning raise some cost considerations. Does
how lighting control should be doubling the initial illuminance double
arranged, it does provide typical the cost? The cost effect of installing
examples, such as increasing or more “light” is minimal.
decreasing light output of luminaires,
changing colour temperature, or using Uniformity and glare limitations
different light scenes. define the number of luminaires
needed. This means that installing
The Standard underlines the starting more “light” does not affect the
phase of every lighting project without number of luminaires. When the
forgetting energy. “Lighting should number of luminaires stay the
be designed to meet the lighting same, the installation, cabling, and
requirements of a particular task, lighting controls do not generate
activity or space in an energy-efficient any additional costs. More powerful
manner.” luminaires can be, however, more
expensive. Although the same
It highlights the order of thinking mechanics could be used, an
— first, what is needed, and then increased number of LEDs or more
explains how to do it energy- powerful LEDs are needed. By using
efficiently. Thus, the visual aspects of more powerful LED drivers, the
light should not be compromised in luminaires are likely to become more
any situation, which begs the question: expensive.
how can you save energy in lighting?
However, in terms of the total lighting
The Standard provides an answer project cost, the difference is less
in the form of examples: daylight than 10%. But even more importantly,
harvesting, responding to occupancy the main cost consideration
patterns, maintenance characteristics should be done in relation to the
and full use of controls. energy which can be saved during the
lifetime of the lighting, and here, the
Using higher initial illuminances might answer is full use of lighting control.
 Helvar Light over Time®
Helvar’s lighting profile creation and
implementation tool, designed to
balance the artificial lighting in our
daily environment and provide a more WELLBEING
natural lighting cycle.

full use of In the direct context of EN-12464-1,

this could be used in a way that the

lighting control
required higher lighting level would
be used during working hours and
beyond that time when occupancy and
lighting levels would be according to
the required minimum. NATURAL

But what exactly does ‘full use of platform, and tuning levels and
lighting control’ actually mean? parameters based on data. Click here to read more
about Light over Time
Traditionally, we might have thought The picture below shows a movement
of adding occupancy sensing and detector optimisation report. This
light sensors as they help keep light is created by analysing sensor data Watch the video
‘on’ only when needed at the planned in the cloud platform to detect if the
ALERTNESS
level. Nowadays, however, we have the system’s fade times are optimised
opportunity to add more intelligence to from an energy-efficiency and
lighting control. wellbeing perspective. This is just
one practical example of using more At Helvar, we have innovative tools to help implement
By smartly using sensor data, we intelligence to make spaces brighter. the perfect circadian lighting for users of the space!
can take a step towards full use of
As stated in the Standard, lighting This is just one intelligent lighting
lighting control. Intelligence, such as Implementing report
should be controllable according solution option for lighting design
self-learning capabilities, would boost recommendations can be done
to user needs. The traditional way according to the new Standard
functionality and future flexibility manually; however, a more intelligent
has been to use different kinds of requirements. However, the
further. The next level of lighting way might be to let AI tune lighting
user interface panels. They can be Standard does not define “how”, so
control would mean enhancing parameters continuously or
wireless, self-powered devices that it is important to remember that
lighting data, for example, at cloud periodically.
are positioned in the most suitable a designer has a lot of freedom to
On-timer optimisation location. use their imagination.
Sensor A: 4103 System Testing_pir Sensor C: 4131 WC_pir Sensor D: 4132 WC_kaytava_pir

This whitepaper is written during

the covid-19 era where touching
panels is not so favourable. In
these circumstances, the ability to
personally control the lighting can be
Lighting Time Saving (each luminaire/month) beneficial. Personal control can be
done via mobile phones.

ActiveTune is just one

example. Once you have scanned the
QR code on the desk, the user will
have control over the lighting in that
area.
is there room left for
direct lighting?
It’s still possible to use only ceiling- With direct lighting, the most critical
mounted luminaires aiming lighting parameter might be ceiling
for uniform lighting in an area. illuminance. Ceiling based area
Luminaires can illuminate task sensors can measure this value. They
areas, immediate surroundings, and fit this role better than their traditional
background areas evenly. This type role, where they are used to evaluate
of installation is a perfect choice, how much light is at the task area
primarily when task areas are not below.

flexibility of
known well enough in advance. It also
provides flexibility should changes be In practice, this type of lighting
needed in the future. control could work in a way that the

location and direction

lighting on the ceiling is always kept at
Despite this, this general solution is 100lux, and the lighting below, at task
not without its problems. For example, area, can be, for example, 600lux to
suppose there are shadowing 1000lux. Occupancy can be detected
objects, such as the separation wall by area sensors controlling several
in the picture below. In that case, luminaires. Alternatively, another
the installation density needs to be option could be to locate sensors to One option for lighting installation area sensors by grouping luminaires
enough, or the location needs to be every luminaire. This would improve in a room is to use direct or indirect in the correct way. It is essential
well planned to avoid shadows from measurements density leading to illuminance. If both directions are to note that luminaires need two
objects or users of the task area. more exact lighting levels and more controlled in the same way, the addresses to make this work well.
significant energy savings. solution is quite similar to the
previous ceiling illuminance example. If there is enough indirect lighting,
task area illuminance can be reached
Controlling indirect lighting and direct at the required level. This model
separately could provide exciting could work so that the whole room’s
benefits. For example, indirect indirect lighting is at the level that
lighting could be ‘on’ when part of the fulfils the ceiling, wall and background
space is occupied. This would take illuminance requirements.
care of suitable ceiling illuminance,
well illuminance, and background Occupancy sensors boost indirect
illuminance in the whole space. lighting to a level where “minimum”
task illuminance is achieved. Direct
Direct lighting could be used for task lighting is then manually put on by
area and immediate surrounding area users that need higher illuminance
lighting. This is possible to do with levels.
 our closing remarks
When considering the new Standard, Standard exist, you are recommended
it’s essential to put the needs of end- to use higher maintained levels.
users at the heart when designing
future-proof lighting. Many of these conditions, such as:
“accuracy, higher productivity or
It is often the case that the increased concentration is of great
requirements of end-users are importance”, “the task is undertaken
unknown since the end-users for an unusually long time”,” the task
themselves are unknown. Light should area or activity area has a low daylight
be tuned according to users’ needs, provision” and “the visual capacity of
and lighting control already offers the worker is below normal”, exist very
Direct and indirect solutions provide With all of these solutions, it is excellent tools. often.
alternatives to a different use of essential to consider the whole
sensors. Area sensors could control lighting experience. The controlling The Standard strongly advises building The future-proofness of installation
indirect lighting in the whole room system should offer a seamless variability and adjustability to lighting. will increase with higher available
or around the task area. Luminaire- experience so that you don’t recognise Using only the minimum in the tables illuminance, and then building lighting
based sensors could tune direct that it is working. Pretty clever stuff, goes against the Standard. If any control strategies beyond energy-
lighting depending on the specific task right? of the conditions mentioned in the savings are possible.
area.
To get full use of lighting control, you
One option could be to use direct or should always consider connecting
indirect general lighting in a room and the system to a centralised
add freestanding luminaires as and intelligence, such as a cloud platform,
where required. which provides the scalability and
flexibility needed in the future.

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visit www.helvar.com