External Lighting

External Lighting Design considerations and awareness

Good levels of external lighting are important for full day care settings and for settings that provide extended services used by family or community members in the early mornings or evenings.

Ensure that artificial lighting provides even illumination with an average maintained illuminance of 30 lux for approach, while entrances, steps and ramps should have an illuminance of 100 lux. The use of LED lighting should be carefully considered as the blue light emitted from LEDs may cause issues for some people with visual challenges. There is some evidence to suggest that the use of LED lighting may negatively affect sleep patterns or circadian rhythms.

Low level lighting and lighting that is set into the ground directing light upwards should be avoided as the resulting glare can cause visual difficulties and discomfort for many people.

Artificial lighting on public playground, Fairview, Dublin.

Design features

• High quality lighting to playground ensures that the space can be used when it is dark.
• Lighting creates a safer and more secure environment for children and families.

Design tip

• Ensure lighting does not cause excessive glare which can result in visual difficulties and discomfort for some people.

Lighting to rear of Asilo Nido La Chiocciola, San Miniato, Italy.

Design features

• Effective use of downlighters to illuminate the rear of the building and to wash
  light down the walls to highlight the building form and materials.
• Subtle lighting that avoids upward directed light and glare.