How many lumens do parking lot lights need?

Determining the amount of lumens required for a parking lot involves several factors, including the size of the parking lot, its layout, usage scenarios, and safety requirements. Generally speaking, parking lot lighting should provide sufficient brightness to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles and facilitate monitoring. Specific needs may also vary by project and location. Here are some common considerations and parking lot lighting standards.

▶ Lighting levels and standards

Different application scenarios and countries may have different lighting levels and standards. For example, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has developed some guidelines for parking lot lighting.

▶ Parking lot types

Different types of parking lots, such as outdoor parking lots, indoor parking lots, underground parking garages, etc., may have different lighting requirements.

▶ People and vehicle flow

The usage of the parking lot will directly affect the demand for lighting, and high-traffic areas may require brighter lighting.

▶ Safety Requirements

Safety standards may require adequate lighting levels at night to prevent crime and increase the sense of safety for pedestrians and drivers.

▶ Ambient lighting conditions

The lighting conditions of the surrounding environment also need to be considered. For example, surrounding buildings, trees, etc. may affect lighting requirements.

▶ Calculate the area of the parking lot

Determine the total area of the parking lot, including areas for vehicles to drive and park. This will be the basis for determining the required light levels.

▶ Understand the lighting uniformity requirements

Ensure lighting is evenly distributed throughout the parking lot area. Not only do you need to consider the total amount of light, but you also need to ensure there are no areas that are too bright or too dark to increase safety.

▶ Consider uses and activities

Consider the specific uses and activities of the parking lot. For example, if a parking lot is required for nighttime operations, surveillance, or has high security requirements, higher light levels may be required.

▶ Use lighting calculation tools

Use a lighting calculation tool or software to estimate the amount of lumens needed. These tools can take into account factors such as reflectivity, illumination requirements, etc. to provide relatively accurate estimates of light levels.

▶ Follow local regulations

Follow local and state building and lighting regulations. These regulations typically set out minimum standards for parking lot lighting to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

▶ Consider smart lighting controls

Consider using smart lighting control systems to adjust lighting levels based on time of day, weather and usage situations. This improves energy efficiency and reduces unnecessary energy consumption.

▶ Work with a professional lighting designer

If there are complex requirements or needs, it is best to work with a professional lighting designer or engineer. They can provide personalized lighting design advice based on the specific situation.

Typically, lighting needs are measured in lux or lumens. Lumens are a measure of the amount of light produced by a light source, while lux is the amount of light received per unit area. Lighting lumen requirements for parking lots will be determined based on one or a combination of the above factors.

To ensure compliance with specific standards and needs, it is recommended to consult a professional lighting designer or engineer who can perform detailed optical designs and calculations to determine appropriate lighting levels based on site-specific conditions.

Brief example

Determining the lumens required for each location in the parking lot depends on specific design requirements, safety standards and usage scenarios. Typically, different areas of a parking lot may require different lighting levels, such as driveways, parking spaces, entrances and exits, etc. Here is a simplified example of how to use data to make a preliminary estimate of parking lot lighting needs:

◆ Lane:

   • Carriageways often require higher lighting levels to ensure drivers can clearly see the road and other vehicles.

   • Lighting level: 100 lux.

   • Lane area: 1200 m².

   • Lamp height: 6 meters.

   • Luminaire efficiency: 120 lumens/watt.

   Lumen driving lane = 100 lux × 1200 m2 × 6m ÷ 120 lumens/watt = 60,000 lumens

◆ Parking space:

   • Parking spaces need to be adequately lit to ensure drivers can park easily.

   • Lighting level: 50 lux.

   • Parking space area: 800 square meters.

   • Lamp height: 4 meters.

   • Luminaire efficiency: 100 lumens/watt.

   Lumen parking space=50 lux×800 m2×4m÷100 lumens/watt=16,000 lumens

◆ Entrance and exit:

   • Access areas need to be adequately lit to ensure pedestrian and vehicle safety.

   • Lighting level: 150 lux.

   • Entrance area: 150 square meters.

   • Lamp height: 5 meters.

   • Luminaire efficiency: 130 lumens/watt.

   Lumen entrance and exit=150 lux×150 m2×5m÷130 lumens/watt=8,653 lumens

In a similar way, the lighting needs of other areas can be calculated. The data and values provided here are examples only and actual requirements will vary depending on the specific site and requirements. It is recommended that on actual projects, you work with a professional lighting designer for detailed design and calculations to ensure that all safety and lighting standards are met.

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