CHAPTER 1.

4 Functional Requirements of
Buildings ( Lighting)

Lecture 3.1
Contents:
(1.4 Lighting)

By:- Jeeban Regmi

Senior Engineer at
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)
12/7/2024 By Jeeban Regmi 1
 OUTLINES
• 1.4 Lighting
– Definition of lighting
– Terminology in lighting
– Daylight
– Artificial lighting
– Provision for lighting and Ventilation of NBC 206:2024
Note:
(Total slides : 17, Presentation Time : about 25 min)

12/7/2024 By Jeeban Regmi 2

 Lighting : Definition
Light
– Light is radiant energy.
– It is in the form of band of electromagnetic radiation
of wave length 400 – 700 nm that can be perceived
by human eye.
– It is characterized by wave length and frequency.
Lighting or illumination
– Lighting or illumination is the deliberate use of light
to achieve practical or aesthetic effects.
– Lighting is the desirable effect in the building
envelope. It is the most important communication
channel of man with environment and it is the
prerequisite of seeing.
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 Lighting : Definition contd..
– Proper lighting can enhance task performance,
improve the appearance of an area ,have positive
psychological effects on occupants.
– Light Level or Illuminance is the total luminous flux
incident on a surface per unit area. Unit of light
intensity( illuminance ) is lm/m2or lux.

Lighting purpose
To provide illumination for the performance of
visual task with a maximum of speed, accuracy,
ease and comfort, and minimum of strain and
fatigue.

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 Terminology in lighting
– Visual field-Angular range within which eye can see the
objects, extends to 1600H,1200V
– Visual acuity-Ability of eye to distinguish fine details
– Contrast sensitivity-Difference in the brightness of
background and object
– Time response-Visibility of moving objects increases by
increasing speed of vision-
– Glare-Condition of vision in which there is discomfort or
a reduction in the ability to see significant objects or
both, due to an unsuitable distribution or range of
illumination or to extreme contrast in space or time.
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Visual acuity

Larger visual angle

Smaller visual angle

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 Illumination Requirements

– The source of light should be steady.

– Degree or level of illumination must be suitable.
– Should not cause excessive heat.
– Glare should be eliminated.
– Inconvenient shadows should be avoided.

The outdoor light level is approximately 10000 lux on

a clear day. In a building in the area closest to the
windows the light level may be reduced to
approximately 1000 lux. In the middle area it may
be as low as 25 - 50 lux. Additional lighting is often
necessary to compensate low levels.

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 Daylight: Natural light
– Daylight is the natural source of light that meets all
the requirements of good lighting.
– Daylight provides a desirable dynamic environment.
– Ultimate source of natural light is sun. Radiation
(heat) with light is received from sun.
Important parameters of daylight design
– Outdoor design condition,
– Room size
– Interior finish,
– Angular size and finish of external obstructions,
– Size position and distribution of windows,
– Overall transmittance of windows
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 Daylight entering a Building

b
c
c

a= Skylight b= Externally reflected light c= Internally reflected light

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 Day light factor
– It is the ratio of internal illumination in a certain point of
building with the simultaneous outdoor illumination. It is
expressed in percent.
– Day light varies considerably in intensity both hourly and
daily due to the rotation of the earth and the
consequent relative position of sun. It is commonly used
for artificial lighting.
Components of Daylight factor:
• Light received directly from the visible part of the sky
(SC)
• Light received directly due to reflections from the
external surfaces which are visible from the given
points (ERC)
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 Day light factor contd..
• Light received after inter-reflection between
room surfaces (IRC)
DL= SC + ERC + IRC
Also,
DF = (Ei/Eo)* 100
Here,
Ei is indoor illumination at a point
Eo is outdoor illumination from unobstructed sky

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Recommended Daylight factors for interior
Location Day light Location Day light factor
factor (%) (%)

Dwellings Kitchen 2.50 Offices General 1.90

Living room 0.625 Typing area 3.75
Study room 1.90 Enquiry 0.625- 1.9
Circulation 0.313

Schools Class room 1.9- 3.8 Hospital General ward 1.25

laboratory 2.5-3.8 laboratory 2.5- 3.75

Library Reading room 1.90-3.75

Counter area 2.50- 3.75
Stack room 0.90-1.90

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 Artificial Lighting
– Artificial light is visible light generated by artificial
light sources and usually also contains some IR and
UV radiation, as opposed to natural daylight (most
LEDs do not contain IR and UV).
– The primary purpose of artificial lighting system is to
provide sufficient illumination for the performance of
visual tasks.
– Artificial light sources are other sources of light which
developed to compensate for or assist the natural
light. It will have different frequencies and
wavelengths that determine the light color.
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 Artificial Lighting Contd..
Artificial light sources are categorized by the
technology used to produce the light. The five
most common light sources are as follows:
1. Incandescent lamp.
2. Compact fluorescent lamp.
3. Fluorescent tube.
4. Discharge lamps.
5. Light Emitting Diode (LED).

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 Guidelines for good lighting
– Broader opening gives better distribution of light.
– Openings on two opposite sides will give greater
uniformity.
– Cross lighting with openings on adjacent walls
tends to increase the diffused light with in a room.
– Deep openings tend to minimize the glare.
– Openings provided with sunshades, louvers etc.
excludes as far as possible the direct sun light from
the room.

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Provision of NBC 206:2024 for Light and ventilation

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Provision of NBC 206:2024 for Light and ventilation..
• No portion of the room shall be considered naturally
lighted if it is more than 7.5m from the opening assumed
for lighting that portion.
• Minimum size of internal courtyard from which admission
of light is permitted for a habitable room shall be 3m X 3m
for normal rise building. For buildings higher than 5 stories
the size of courtyard shall increase by 0.5m or equivalent
area for every additional floor or 4m [whichever is less]
• These requirements may be relaxed for building occupancy
type other than Residence, Hospitals and Academic if the
artificial lighting and ventilations are installed to satisfy
the needs.
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