Effective warehouse lighting is crucial for creating a well-lit and comfortable working environment. This can enhance safety and minimize employee errors greatly.
In this comprehensive guide, we will address all your concerns about warehouse lighting systems. We'll cover the optimal color temperature, required lux levels, maintenance tips, and more. Let's get started.
- Wattage
The right brightness for a warehouse depends on the space application scenario. Find the recommended wattage according to the ceiling height in the chart below:
|
Ceiling Height |
Watts |
|
Less than 15 feet |
80-watt fixtures |
|
Between 15 and 25 feet |
100 or 105-watt fixtures |
|
45 feet |
240-watt fixtures |
|
50 feet |
320-watt fixtures |
- Lumen
The
lighting lumen is a more accurate unit of measuring brightness. The higher you go, the brighter the light and further the spacing should be.
Here's a table to show the lumens needed for a warehouse of 1000 square feet area:
|
Ceiling Height |
Lumens |
Spacing |
|
10 feet |
32,000 |
10 feet |
|
15 feet |
35,000 |
14 feet |
|
25 feet |
39,000 |
20 feet |
|
35 feet |
42,000 |
25 feet |
Wide-beam light can be installed at an angle between 90 and 120 degrees for open areas between shelves and corridors. For shelves and narrower regions, narrow beam light of angle 60 degrees or long beam light of angle 120 degrees to guarantee that the light won't be blocked by top shelves.
- Lux
Deciding on the lux levels for the warehouse lighting system depends on the specific use of each space. Here are common lux levels and their application:
|
Lux |
Use |
Application |
|
40 lux |
Rare use |
Bulky materials storage and less used corridors |
|
80 lux |
Medium use |
Loading bays and storage rooms where there's a need to search for goods and materials |
|
160 lux |
Continuous use |
General warehouse work where reading labels, packing, dispatching, and storage of materials and goods is needed. Also works for offices, rest areas, and corridors where machinery work is done. |
|
240 lux |
Continuous use |
Food preparation and office areas in addition to some detailed work in the warehouse. |
|
300 lux |
Continuous use |
Control rooms and generator rooms to see wires and fixtures. |
|
400 lux |
Visually demanding tasks |
Packing and dispatching of small goods, inspection, spot welding, and general maintenance work. |
|
700 lux |
Visually demanding tasks |
Tool shop, computer drawing stations, and spots where workers are working on delicate objects and projects. |
- Color Temperature
Most warehouses choose
5000K, which provides an optimal balance of brightness, visibility, and comfort, making it well-suited for the diverse needs of warehouse environments. These fixtures emit a bright white light, suitable for large indoor and outdoor spaces.
The bright and crisp light enhances detail visibility, boosting worker productivity and reducing the risk of accidents.
- Maintenance
Effective warehouse lighting maintenance is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and reducing long-term costs. Start by regularly inspecting fixtures to ensure they are functioning properly and free from damage. Clean lights and reflectors to prevent dust build-up. Additionally, consider upgrading to
energy-efficient LED lighting and incorporating smart controls to optimize energy use and extend fixture lifespan. Implementing these practices not only improves the working environment but also offers significant long-term savings.
- Safety and Compliance
Ensure the lighting installation meets all relevant safety standards and regulations, such as
OSHA guidelines. Additionally, adequate emergency lighting and exit signage should also be taken into account.
- Lighting Layout and Design
Effective warehouse lighting should ensure even distribution of light across the warehouse, enhance comfort, and minimize glare, which can reduce eye strain and improve worker productivity.
The lighting should be stable and flicker-free to maintain high-quality illumination and prevent visual disturbances. Proper placement of light fixtures is also crucial—avoid installing them directly above shelves, as this can obstruct the light and create uneven illumination. Instead, position fixtures centrally along aisles to maximize visibility and ensure consistent lighting throughout the workspace. By addressing these considerations, you can create a well-lit, productive environment that supports safety and efficiency in your warehouse operations.
- Type of lighting
There are many options for warehouse lighting in the market, including LED, fluorescent, halide light, etc. It is important to select the appropriate fixtures based on the
specific needs of the warehouse. Among these options,
LED stands out for their energy efficiency, longevity, and brightness control.
Benefits for Update Warehouse Lighting to LED Technology
-
Upgrading the current warehouse system would be a great idea if you want warehouse operations to run safely and smoothly. Here are some advantages for install proper warehouse lighting:
-
Provide sufficient light with the right CRI. This means that in addition to increasing visibility, the light should be able to show the true details of various objects.
-
Offer cool operating temperature. Effective lights have the advantage of not heating up compared to traditional bulbs.
-
Reduce heavy equipment accidents. Proper warehouse lighting fixtures can improve employee safety in the warehouse. For example, sufficient glare-free lighting can help forklift drivers drive safely as well as pedestrians.
-
Reduce electricity costs. The right warehouse lighting will provide the needed lumens while using less energy and power. It can be reduced by more than 70%.
-
The warehouses will be more environmentally-preferable for reducing carbon emissions with less energy consumption and less waste.
