How to get the lighting in lifts just right
We do not tend to take much notice of the lights in lifts. In fact, they often go totally unnoticed, even though they are essential to our safety and comfort. The fact that these lights are used for several hours a day makes choosing the right device with appropriate technical features and a suitable aesthetic a rather demanding task. Whether it is day or night, the lights in lifts are almost always on which means that energy efficiency is a key consideration.
In this article we will talk about...
- The right types of lights for lifts
- New lighting systems and energy savings
- The types of luminaires at our disposal
- Secom lighting systems
The right types of lights for lifts
If we are designing a project for the lighting in a lift, we must keep applicable regulations in mind at all times. In Spain, Royal Decree 1314/1997 states that lifts must have sufficient light and that they must turn on when there are people inside the lift or when the door opens.
In addition, luminaires must have the following features:
- resistance to physical damage;
- a long useful life;
- excellent energy efficiency levels;
- appropriate heat control through use of heat dissipation devices, reinforced casing or control devices;
- be easy to replace, clean and maintain;
- the option of integrated motion sensors or artificial intelligence.
LED technology delivers all these advantages and is particularly good at saving energy. There are many different models with different designs and styles to choose from. There is always something on the market for lift lighting needs, regardless of whether the lift is in a hotel, hospital or office building.
Over the last few years, considerable headway has been made in lift-lighting project management. Nowadays, we focus on comfort, energy efficiency and minimal maintenance. Furthermore, when it
New lighting systems and energy savings
For projects in lifts, there are many different types of customised solutions to choose from. We also increasingly take environmental factors into account. In addition to energy efficiency, environmental awareness helps decrease carbon dioxide emissions and boosts our net zero target. We can achieve these goals with resistant products that do not need a great deal of maintenance and that adhere to sustainability criteria during manufacture, distribution and sale.
Aluminium is one of the most commonly-used materials for the lights in lifts because it is a good heat conductor. We can also purchase systems that have a long useful life and are very compact. In fact, they can work day and night without any issues at all.
We can choose the best colour and colour temperature (measured in degrees of kelvin) for our project. Higher temperatures give a colder, white light while lower temperatures give a warmer light.
Recent developments mean that nowadays we can control and monitor our lights through the Internet of Things (IoT). We can integrate applications that are connected through light and motion sensors. If we are seeking even greater adaptability and customisation, we can manage our lights remotely from a centralised control point. This increases our customisation, compartmentalisation and light ambience options.
The types of luminaires at our disposal
We can choose our preferred luminaire from a wide range of LED tube lights, ceiling screens, strip lights, ceiling lights, downlights, recessed lights, spotlights and many more. We recommend keeping the specific characteristics of lifts and the fact that they are always in use (and, consequently, always vibrating) in mind. This is why assembly should be as simple as possible and the luminaires themselves should be capable of withstanding this constant movement.
On the whole, a lux rating of between 100 and 300 is best for good visibility. It is good practice to use two units that work in parallel so that there is a backup if one fails.
We also need to have emergency lights and sometimes signal lights can be fitted inside or near the lift. Emergency lights must have good levels of autonomy so that, if there is a power cut, they can function for at least an hour.
LED luminaires are a safe bet, irrespective of the design, because they have very good performance levels. They emit very little or no heat and it is possible to vary the colour temperature. Furthermore, LEDs do not flicker and this enhances user comfort. An additional advantage is that there are many types of LED panels to choose from and we can create our own customised design. They come in different lengths, sizes and colours and can be used on lift walls, ceilings and floors.
Secom lighting systems
Secom has a number of LED technology solutions for lift lights. They are the best choice for energy savings and adapt perfectly to lifts which tend to vibrate and need light for several hours each day.
Some of the devices we can choose from are listed below.
- Familia AIRCOM downlight. This light is homogeneous thanks to high-quality technical thermoplastics. It is a low-level recessed downlight that is perfect for use with removable ceiling panels made from technical materials, plaster or drywall.
- Compact S2. This is a recessed, circular luminaire with enhanced visual comfort and low energy consumption levels.
- LOOP Luminaria Interior downlight. This indoor downlight employs the very latest LED technology.
There are many options for LED lift lights in addition to the ones mentioned above. They can all help us make huge energy savings, which is why solutions of this kind are increasingly popular. Not only do they afford us versatility in design and installation, they are also very durable, consume very little energy and are easy to maintain. The outcome is a lift with lighting that is excellent quality, enhances user comfort and keeps costs down.
