High-quality workplace lighting is no longer just about meeting basic hygiene standards. More and more companies are realizing the enormous impact that light has on productivity, mood, and overall employee health. Properly designed lighting can reduce errors, limit fatigue, and create a pleasant and motivating work environment. In this article, we will look at the key standards for office lighting and introduce the innovative solutions from the Czech company Spectrasol, which not only meet these standards but far exceed them.
Overview of the ÄSN EN 12464-1 Standard Requirements
The fundamental document defining requirements for indoor workplace lighting is the standard ÄSN EN 12464-1 “Light and Lighting â Lighting of Workplaces â Part 1: Indoor Workplaces”. This standard sets minimum values for different types of activities to ensure visual comfort and safety.
Key parameters monitored by the standard:
- Illuminance (maintained illuminance – Äm): Measured in lux (lx) and determines the amount of light falling on the work surface.
- Color rendering index (Ra or CRI): Indicates how faithfully the lighting renders colors compared to sunlight. For office spaces, a value of Ra > 80 is required.
- Glare rating (UGR): Evaluates disruptive glare that can cause eye fatigue and lack of concentration. For computer work, the lowest possible index is critical; the office standard requires UGR < 19.
Recommended illuminance values for office spaces:
| Activity | Illuminance (lx) |
|---|---|
| Writing, reading, data processing | 500 lx |
| Technical drawing | 750 lx |
| Conference and meeting rooms | 500 lx |
| Reception areas | 300 lx |
| Document sorting, copying | 300 lx |
| Archives | 200 lx |
Meeting these standards is an absolute foundation for any modern workplace. However, investing in lighting that goes beyond these minimum requirements pays off richly in terms of higher efficiency and team satisfaction.
Spectrasol: Full-spectrum lighting for health and maximum performance
The company Spectrasol specializes in developing and manufacturing so-called pro-cognitive full-spectrum lighting, which closely mimics natural sunlight. Unlike conventional LED fixtures, which often have an unbalanced spectrum with excess blue light and insufficient red light, Spectrasol provides lighting with a balanced spectrum that has proven positive effects on the human body.
Main advantages of Spectrasol fixtures:
- Support for cognitive functions: Full-spectrum light with supplemented azure melanopic energy, mimicking sunlight, enhances alertness, concentration, thinking speed, and memory. Employees are less fatigued and make fewer mistakes.
- Excellent visual comfort: Thanks to a top-tier color rendering index (CRI > 95), interior colors are vivid and natural. Fixtures are also “flicker-free,” avoiding sub-threshold flicker that strains the eyes.
- Eye protection and support for regeneration: Spectrasol light contains no concentrated harmful blue light and is enriched with deep red wavelengths that support retinal regeneration.
- Harmonization of circadian rhythms: Proper light during the day improves sleep quality at night, leading to better recovery and overall vitality.
Spectrasol products for the modern office
Spectrasol offers comprehensive solutions for various office types:
- Spectrasol INO Work: Surface-mounted fixtures ideal for standard workstations, providing optimal conditions for focused work.
- Spectrasol IBP: Elegant recessed or surface-mounted fixtures suitable for grid ceilings and open-plan offices.
- Spectrasol TERRA: Designer floor lamps for flexible, individual illumination of specific desks and their surroundings.
- Linear fixtures (SL45, or ADDAM and MEDD): Pendant fixtures with indirect light distribution, creating the impression of naturally lit space reflected from the ceiling and eliminating screen glare.
Conclusion
When designing or renovating offices, lighting should be considered not just as a cost item but as an investment in people. While meeting ÄSN standards is a mandatory baseline focused only on visual comfort and function, choosing top-tier full-spectrum lighting like Spectrasol represents a strategic step toward creating a healthy, creative, and highly productive work environment.
Translated using AI
