Professional guide to UK office lighting requirements per BS EN 12464-1.Computer workstation illuminance (300 lux), general office work (500 lux), meeting rooms, and circulation areas.Essential compliance information for facilities managers and lighting professionals.
All values per BS EN 12464-1
Comprehensive breakdown of illuminance requirements for all office areas and tasks according to British Standards
| Office Area/Task | Required Lux Level | Standard Reference | Application Notes | Uniformity Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Workstations | 300 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Screen-based work, data entry, email | ≥ 0.7 |
| General Office Work | 500 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Reading, writing, paper-based tasks | ≥ 0.7 |
| Meeting Rooms | 300 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Conference areas, presentations | ≥ 0.7 |
| Reception Areas | 200 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Visitor areas, waiting spaces | ≥ 0.5 |
| Corridors & Circulation | 100 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Movement areas, general circulation | ≥ 0.5 |
| Stairways | 150 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Safety requirement for level changes | ≥ 0.5 |
| Canteen/Break Areas | 200 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Food service, social areas | ≥ 0.5 |
| Copy/Print Areas | 300 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | Document handling, equipment operation | ≥ 0.7 |
| Archive/Storage Areas | 200 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | File storage, occasional access | ≥ 0.5 |
| Executive Offices | 500 lux | BS EN 12464-1:2021 | High-level tasks, document review | ≥ 0.7 |
BS EN 12464-1 age adjustment factors for office lighting to accommodate workforce demographics
Use standard illuminance values from BS EN 12464-1 without adjustment.Normal visual performance expected for all office tasks.
Computer work: 450 lux
General office: 750 lux
Compensates for gradual vision changes
Computer work: 600 lux
General office: 1000 lux
Maintains visual performance for detailed tasks
Professional step-by-step guide to measuring office illuminance for BS EN 12464-1 compliance
Use a calibrated lux meter and ensure artificial lighting is operating normally. Turn off daylight contribution by closing blinds or measuring during evening hours.
Position lux meter at working plane height (typically 0.8m for desk work) with sensor facing upward.Ensure no shadows are cast on the sensor.
For rooms under 50m², use minimum 9-point grid. For larger areas, increase measurement density to ensure adequate coverage of the entire space.
Record illuminance at each grid point, including task areas, immediate surroundings, and background zones.Document time, date, and conditions.
Determine average illuminance for each area and calculate uniformity ratios.Task areas must meet ≥0.7 uniformity, backgrounds ≥0.5.
Document all measurements, compare against BS EN 12464-1 requirements, note any deficiencies, and recommend corrective actions if needed.
Professional recommendations for optimising office lighting design and maintenance
Provide appropriate illuminance for each task type.Computer work needs 300 lux, but paper-based tasks require 500 lux.Use adjustable task lighting where needed.
Apply age adjustment factors for offices with older workers. Increase illuminance by 50% for workers over 40, and 100% for those over 55.
Use daylight sensors and dimming controls to maintain consistent illuminance while maximising natural light benefits and reducing energy consumption.
Ensure uniformity ratios meet BS EN 12464-1 requirements.Task areas need ≥0.7, immediate surroundings ≥0.5, for comfortable visual conditions.
Clean luminaires and replace lamps regularly.Light output decreases over time, so factor maintenance schedules into lighting design calculations.
Conduct regular lighting assessments and maintain records for compliance. Schedule annual reviews to ensure continued adherence to BS EN 12464-1.
Complete toolkit for measuring, calculating, and documenting office lighting compliance
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View Reports →Common questions about UK office lighting requirements, measurement, and compliance
BS EN 12464-1 requires 300 lux for computer workstations, 500 lux for general office work involving paper documents, 300 lux for meeting rooms, and 100-200 lux for circulation areas. These are maintained illuminance levels at the working plane.
Computer workstations require 300 lux minimum according to BS EN 12464-1.This should be maintained illuminance at desk level, measured at the working plane where the visual task is performed.
Yes. BS EN 12464-1 recommends increasing illuminance by 50% for workers over 40 and doubling it for workers over 55.This accounts for age-related changes in visual performance and contrast sensitivity.
Task lighting (500 lux) is for detailed work like reading documents, while general lighting (300 lux) is for computer-based work. Immediate surrounding areas need 200 lux, and background areas require 100 lux minimum.
Use a calibrated lux meter to measure illuminance at desk level (typically 0.8m height) during normal working hours.Take measurements across the office area and ensure minimum levels are maintained throughout the space.
Yes. Poor workplace lighting can result in HSE enforcement action, improvement notices, and potential prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.It also increases liability for workplace injuries and reduces productivity.
BS EN 12464-1 requires minimum uniformity of 0.7 for task areas and 0.5 for immediate surrounding areas.This ensures even light distribution and prevents uncomfortable brightness variations.
Initial assessment upon installation, then periodic reviews as part of workplace health and safety assessments.Annual measurements are recommended, with more frequent checks if issues are identified.
Daylight can contribute to overall illuminance, but artificial lighting must be capable of meeting BS EN 12464-1 requirements independently.Use daylight sensors to optimise the combination.
BS EN 12464-1 includes unified glare rating (UGR) limits. Office areas should not exceed UGR 19 for computer work and UGR 16 for reading tasks.Proper luminaire selection and positioning prevent glare.
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