If you’re responsible for a commercial site, you will understand the importance of maintaining safety and aesthetics on the premises. One key measure to consider in this is lighting and how different types can be used to minimise hazards whilst enhancing the functionality of your space. By thinking carefully about the various lighting types available for your business premises, both indoors and outdoors, you will not only transform the look, feel and functionality of the space but also improve safety.
At Heath Electrical Services, we’ve been helping businesses across Milton Keynes and surrounding areas choose and install the right commercial lighting types for their specific needs for over eight years. In this article, we’ll be using our expertise to guide you through the different types of commercial lighting available and help you understand which solutions might work best for your premises.
A Heath Electrical Services guide to the types of commercial lighting
As highly experienced electricians in Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding areas, we have worked with clients across many industries to install and maintain different types of commercial lighting. We take a personalised approach, ensuring that the lighting type selected is fit for purpose, within budget and compliant with sector-specific guidelines. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the main categories of commercial lighting and explain what makes each type suitable for different applications.
- The benefits of choosing the right commercial lighting types
- Our most popular commercial lighting types
- Commercial office lighting types
- Commercial lighting regulations
The benefits of choosing the right commercial lighting types
Installing the appropriate types of commercial lighting for your specific needs offers a wealth of benefits in terms of both aesthetics and functionality. These include:
- Enhanced aesthetics – not only do the right lighting types achieve a more professional feel, but you also have the freedom to be creative and use different lighting types as focal points for your premises.
- Improved morale – lighting has a huge impact on psychological wellbeing, so by ensuring that the workspaces in your premises are properly illuminated with suitable lighting types, you will enhance employee morale and, therefore, productivity.
- Improved safety – poorly lit areas are hazardous, especially after dark, increasing the risk of trips, falls, and other accidents. Installing appropriate commercial lighting types across your premises will help you to minimise injuries on your site.
- Comply with regulations – by installing adequate lighting types, including emergency lighting, throughout your commercial premises, you will help to ensure that the site complies with safety regulations.
- Environmentally conscious – we can install solar panels and battery storage systems to maximise the sustainability of your commercial building. Reduce your carbon footprint and improve your business’ image with renewably powered lighting.
Our most popular commercial lighting types
Our team has over 80 years of combined experience, so we have worked closely with clients in all sectors to install the most suitable lighting types for their premises. Discover more about our most popular lighting types below:
LED lighting
When you choose our commercial LED lighting services, our team will deliver a full supply and fit package tailored to your needs. This is, by far our most popular lighting type amongst businesses for many reasons, such as:
- Save money – LED lighting is incredibly energy efficient, so running it is highly cost-effective when compared to alternative lighting types.
- Longevity – this type of lighting has a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, or ten years of continuous use, which is far longer than other types of bulbs.
- Efficiency – LED lights rapidly reach full brightness once switched on, whilst other types of lighting may take some time.
- Eco-friendly – as well as being extremely energy efficient, LED bulbs can be recycled at the end of their lifespan, unlike many other bulb types, since they contain no harsh chemicals.
Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting is an essential type of commercial lighting for any business premises. There are four different types, which are as follows:
- Standby lighting – illuminates spaces when the power goes off.
- Escape route lighting – lights up escape routes in the event of an emergency.
- Open area lighting – helps direct people towards the nearest escape route.
- High-risk task area lighting – illuminates workspaces that require the use of hazardous tools and machinery to allow safe evacuation.
Commercial emergency lighting requirements
Emergency lighting systems must be capable of operating for a minimum of three hours during a power failure and be positioned along escape routes, at every exit door, near stairs and level changes, and at points where the direction of travel might be unclear. Regular testing is essential, with monthly function tests and annual full-duration tests typically required to ensure compliance. Business owners have a legal responsibility to maintain these systems properly, keep records of all tests and maintenance, and rectify any faults immediately to ensure the safety of their premises.
Flood lighting
From sporting grounds to industrial units, flood lighting is an essential lighting type for many commercial properties. Able to fully illuminate the ground beneath, flood lighting not only prevents accidents but also facilitates the use of the space after dark. At Heath Electrical Services, we can provide and install powerful, weather-resistant LED flood lighting, which maximises visibility and longevity, all while minimising energy consumption.
Car park lighting
Our team supplies and installs commercial car park lighting with a wide range of features to fit the needs of your site, such as motion sensors and solar panels. These can be in the design of your choice, including high-mast, bulkhead and much more. Once fitted, we can also arrange regular maintenance, ensuring that any issues that may arise are rectified quickly before they have the chance to grow and become costly.
Commercial office lighting types
Office environments require specific types of lighting that differ from industrial or retail spaces. The right office lighting types can dramatically impact employee productivity and wellbeing.
General ambient lighting provides overall illumination for office spaces. This typically involves ceiling-mounted fixtures that distribute light evenly across the working area. LED panel lights are particularly popular for this application as they provide consistent, glare-free illumination.
Task lighting focuses on specific work areas where detailed tasks are performed. This might include desk lamps, under-cabinet lighting in kitchen areas, or specialised lighting for computer workstations. The key is providing adequate illumination without creating glare or eye strain.
Accent lighting adds visual interest and can help define different areas within an open-plan office. This might include wall-mounted fixtures, decorative pendant lights, or architectural lighting that highlights specific features.
Modern office lighting types increasingly incorporate smart controls that allow for daylight harvesting – automatically adjusting artificial light levels based on the amount of natural light available.
Commercial lighting regulations
Understanding commercial lighting regulations is crucial when selecting appropriate lighting types for your business. The regulations governing commercial lighting are designed to ensure safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility across all types of business premises.
The primary legislation affecting commercial lighting types in the UK includes the Building Regulations, which set out minimum standards for lighting in workplaces. These regulations cover everything from the minimum levels of illumination required in different types of spaces to the positioning of emergency lighting systems.
Energy efficiency regulations also play a significant role in determining which commercial lighting types are acceptable. The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations require commercial properties to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, which often involves upgrading to more efficient lighting types like LED technology.
Health and safety regulations, particularly the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, specify that workplaces must have adequate lighting to ensure the safety of employees and visitors. This includes both general lighting and specific requirements for emergency lighting systems.
Compliance with these regulations isn’t just about avoiding penalties – it’s about creating a safe, comfortable working environment that supports productivity and wellbeing. Our team stays up-to-date with all relevant regulations to ensure that your commercial lighting installation meets current standards.
Light it up with Heath Electrical Services
The benefits of choosing the right commercial lighting types cannot be understated. From critical emergency lighting to practical and efficient LED lighting installations, our experienced team of electricians at Heath Electrical Services are more than qualified to help you select the most suitable lighting types for your commercial site. Whether you need to create a safer, more professional-looking space or ensure compliance with regulations, we have the expertise to guide you through the various lighting types available. If you would like our help, please feel free to get in touch with us.
