Best Practice Strategies for Laboratory Electrical Lighting Systems

Paul Mathew, Ph.D., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Stuart Lewis, Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK)
  
Labs21 energy benchmarking data shows that the lighting energy use in laboratories represents between 8 to 20% of the total electrical energy use. While lighting is not as significant as HVAC system energy use, it should be an essential component of an integrated sustainable design approach, for at least two reasons: a) efficient lighting still remains one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures available; and b) the visual environment has been shown to have a considerable impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity.

This presentation will describe the major findings from the Labs21 Best Practice Guide on electrical lighting systems for laboratories (which is under development as of this writing). The topics to be covered will include:

Technology:

• Fixture configurations
• Lamps and ballasts
• Control systems (including integration with daylight)

Design considerations:

• Illumination criteria (including illuminance levels, glare control, color rendition, etc.)
• Space geometry and surface treatment
• Health and Safety issues
• Maintenance issues
  

Findings:

The best practice guide is currently under development and is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2004. Thus, the major lessons have not yet been finalized. However, current information would suggest the following:

• Ensure that required illumination levels are not higher than necessary. The latest IESNA handbook has reduced illumination levels for laboratory spaces.
• It is possible to use daylight as the primary lighting source, even in labs requiring 80-100 fc illumination. Thus, electrical lighting should be integrated with daylighting controls.
• Use direct-indirect lighting fixtures (60 indirect, 40 direct), oriented parallel to the bench. In labs requiring higher fc levels, use two rows per module (directly above the edge of each benchtop). Otherwise use one row in the middle of the module.
• Use split task ambient lighting strategy. Use task lighting with articulated arm in order to ensure effectiveness of task lighting.
• At a minimum, install bi-level controls. Additionally, consider occupancy and daylight controls.
• Consider building mock up of a single module to check lighting configuration and required illuminance levels..
• Target installed lighting power density of 1.4 W/sf (net).

The presentation will include examples of labs incorporating these strategies.

Labs21 Connection:

Energy efficient lighting directly relates to the following principles of the Labs21 approach:

• Minimize overall environmental impacts: Energy efficient electrical lighting directly reduces electrical energy use during the life cycle of the project. Many such lighting technologies also use less materials (e.g. T-5 lamps use less mercury, glass, and packaging than T-8).
• Protect occupant safety: Lighting design directly impact the visual environment, which is shown to have a considerable impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity
• Optimize whole-building efficiency on life-cycle basis: Electrical lighting can be integrated with daylighting, effective spatial design, and operational controls to maximize its effectiveness.
  

Biographies:

Paul Mathew, Ph.D., is a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he works on applied research in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in the built environment. His current work is focused on high performance, sustainable laboratory design for the Labs21 program, as well as risk analysis in energy efficiency projects for the Federal Energy Management Program. He has a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, and a Ph.D. in Building Performance and Diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon University. His work experience includes technical consulting, tool development, and training in energy efficiency, sustainable design, and risk management. Prior to joining LBNL, he worked at Enron Energy Services and the Center for Building Performance at Carnegie Mellon University.

Stuart Lewis is a Laboratory Designer in the Atlanta office of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) where he has been involved in the design and construction of more than 1.3 million square feet of new and renovated laboratory space. He consistently works to incorporate the high performance, environmentally responsible approach to laboratory design championed by the Labs21 program in HOK's Science + Technology projects, and is part of the HOK firm-wide Sustainable Design Group. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is a LEED™ Accredited Professional. Stuart is an adjunct lecturer in Environmental Building Systems at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is past Chair of the AIA Atlanta Committee on the Environment. He serves on the Daylighting Committee for the Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and is a member of the Atlanta Regional USGBC Chapter and the Southeastern Biological Safety association.

Back to the Agenda