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Households

Lighting

CONTEXT

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Light allows us to see and helps regulate our biological clock. We can distinguish two types of light that need to be harmonised to ensure good lighting in the home:

  • Natural light (from the sun) has undeniable benefits for health, but it is necessary to control it (using sun screens, limiting exposure and redirecting it) to create a comfortable atmosphere.
  • Artificial light (electric grid) complements natural light and when necessary replaces it.

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For good light control it is necessary to harmonise the use of natural and artificial light. In this sense it is necessary to take into account that the necessary level of light depends on the activities that are to be carried out. In some flats there are rooms that have very little light; these should be used for box rooms, water tanks, etc., while the bedrooms should be better lit.

Natural light in our everyday life is important to prevent physical and mental health problems. Natural light improves the synthesis of vitamin D, which is essential for the regulation of the immune system, healthy bones and brain operation. Another advantage of natural light is improved mental health, given that it increases serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for the regulation of mood. All these advantages mean that some autonomous communities require all homes to have a minimum amount of sunlight.

The lack of light, whether natural or artificial, causes tired eyes, irritation, dry eyes and blurred vision, which together cause headaches. Poor lighting is one of the main causes of vision disorders. Being dazzled and stark contrasts can cause accidents, headaches and diminished vision.

Additionally, for good passive climate control in the home it is essential to have suitable sunlight, with the establishment of the necessary protections. Therefore, the need for exposure to sunlight linked to lighting must be compatible with its effects in relation to domestic temperature control.

 

OBJECTIVE

  • Preserve visual health, with lighting suitable for the correct development of activities, and reduce accidents caused by incorrect lighting.
  • Take advantage of natural light to reduce domestic energy consumption and the associated effects on public health, in addition to improving the efficiency of artificial light.
  • Ensure compliance with habitability conditions and address substandard housing problems related to poor lighting.

PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Proposals and recommendations for users

For suitable natural lighting

  • Incorporate the solar filters necessary for natural lighting to be comfortable. Southern-facing openings (mid-day sun) with a horizontal projection in relation to the width of the window prevent the effects of direct sunlight. In openings facing east or west (morning or afternoon sunlight), a projection is not efficient given that the sunlight shines more horizontally on the glass. Therefore, it is necessary to install vertical elements that also respect visual transparency in the interior of the home, blinds or mats.
  • Install light tubes in interior spaces or car parks. These systems use mirrors to reflect direct sunlight into interior spaces.
  • Achieve the necessary sunlight inside the home to improve passive climate control.
  • Avoid dazzling and stark contrast situations.
  • Have enough natural and artificial lighting to create a comfortable interior environment and distribute the functions of the spaces in accordance with the available light.

For suitable artificial lighting

  • Adopt a suitable artificial lighting system that is as healthy as possible based on good “fixed” lighting in the most used places and the usual work points. Lamps must be able to adapt to changing needs, especially with regard to the angle of incidence and the degree of intensity. Adjustable lamps are good solutions for desks, reading corners and sewing rooms. In the kitchen it is advisable to install “Linestra” lamps under wall units and therefore guarantee frontal lighting without shadows.
  • Replace heat lamps with LED lights that emit electromagnetic radiation that is practically imperceptible at a distance of 40 cm without premature blinking, which are the major health effects of this technology. Use LED lights with low light radiation content in the blue zone.
  • Make sure the lamps in interior areas and those close to windows are connected separately so they can be switched on at different times in accordance with the amount of natural light.
  • Locate lights in such a way as to facilitate their replacement and maintenance.
  • Equip the home with different technological systems:
    • Automatic artificial lighting regulation systems or systems that are easy to operate by the users of the home.
    • Lighting and presence detection systems to switch on artificial lights, especially in areas that are not used all the time: bathrooms, service areas and even classrooms.
    • Energy consumption control systems (manual, automatic).


Proposals and recommendations for residents associations, technicians, and building managers

  • Inform the users of the results of good lighting management, especially comfort and energy savings. Also inform them of the lighting requirements necessary for each type of building.
  • Propose different facade solutions for the different orientations of the building to make the most of natural light and solar energy.
  • Seek maximum sunlight through openings and windows.
  • Provide suitable exterior lighting in common spaces (kitchen, dining room) and the bedrooms by means of openings with a surface area of no less that one eighth of the useful surface area. This means that an 8 m2 room must have a window that is at least 1 m2. It is also advisable to locate work surfaces like desks, counters and ironing boards against the window to ensure your body does not get in the way of good lighting and take full advantage of natural resources.
  • Incorporate passive elements into the home in terms of sunlight: shaded balconies, greenhouse balconies… and sunlight protection elements such as curtains, blinds, screens…


Proposals and recommendations for the administration

  • Public awareness and education campaigns to foster the use and control of natural light, and the efficient and sustainable use of artificial light.
  • Establishment of aid for renovations to resolve poor lighting situations, especially in relation to natural light.
  • Incorporation into the planning regulations and by-laws of aspects related to natural light and sunlight in homes: exterior spaces, passive elements and solar protection elements.
  • Specific assessment of aspects related to sunlight in the issuance of new build and major renovation licences.

REFERENCE EXPERIENCES

Information only available in Catalan

 

 

  • Rehabilitació de la torre d´habitatges Bois Le Prêtre, Paris, dels arquitectes Anne Lacaton i Jean Philipe Vassal. Part de la rehabilitació dels habitatges consisteix en obrir més superfície de finestra per aprofitar la il·luminació natural dels interiors i les bones vistes exteriors. http://www.lacatonvassal.com/index.php?idp=56
  • Habitatges protegits a Salou. El projecte de l’arquitecte Toni Gironés proposa utilitzar vegetació com a mètode de protecció solar dels habitatges.
  • Edifici d'Habitatges Passeig de Gràcia 99 de Barcelona, dels arquitectes Carles i Lucia Ferrater. Un marbre translúcid de 5 mm en la pell més externa que té l'efecte de deixar passar la llum durant el dia i durant la nit mitjançant una il·luminació estratègica amb LEDs, actua de llum. 
  • DIALUX. Programari lliure que permet fer simulacions d'il·luminació natural i artificial. DIALux 4.10. 

 

LEGISLATION

STUDIES AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION

OTHER LISTINGS OF THE GUIDE

  • Àmbit Habitatge. Ús i manteniment dels habitatges. Fitxa "Intercanvis energètics no controlats".
  • Àmbit Habitatge. Ús i manteniment dels habitatges. Fitxa "Ventilació".
  • Àmbit Equipaments. condicions saludables. Fitxa "Il·luminació (natuaral i artificial)".

More information about addressing the Public Health Service: entornurbasalut@diba.cat

Date of last update:
dg., 03 de nov. 2019 10:06:52 +0000