EN 12464-1: “The Lighting of Workplaces”

EN 12464-1: “The Lighting of Workplaces”

This European standard is about the quality aspects of lighting workstations and their direct environment. It also has tables with lighting
requirements in accordance with the type of work and the visual task.

Definition of workstation and environment

The standard makes a distinction between the work area and the environment. Don't you know yet where the work area will be? Or do you like it to
be flexible? In that case choose the best illuminance in the entire work area. Or define the workstations with task lighting and have basic lighting in
the rest of the area.

Luminance control in computer screens

Lighting can also cause interfering reflections on modern computer screens. That is why the standard specifies requirements to control the
average luminances.  For normal workstations, a limit applies of 1000 cd/m² or 200 cd/m² depending on the computer screen. This limit applies for
angles starting from 65° all-around. For critical computer screen activities this starts from 55° all-around. 

Direct glare
The standard specifies two measures to limit direct glare. A minimum shielding angle in all directions is specified depending on the lamp
luminance. Also, a Unified Glaring Rate, UGR limit value (UGR L) is specified for every visual task. The standard values range from UGR 16 (not
blinding) to UGR 28 (blinding).

Improved colour rendering

For the colour rendering index (Ra), the standard specifies a minimum requirement for practically all tasks. The higher the number, the better the
colour rendering. The choice of lamp is decisive for this. In rooms where people need to stay a long time, lamps with an Ra of at least 80 are
required.

Supported maintenance factor

In a new installation, all the surfaces of the luminaire are clean, the lamps emit the full luminous flux and the surface of the luminaire and the room
have optimal reflector properties. When the installation has been used for some time, the light yield will reduce due to a drop in light output of the
lamp, the possible failure of the electronics or the lamp, etc. EN12464-1 prescribes that in the development of a lighting solution a maintenance
factor needs to be used that compensates reductions.