Warehouses are essential hubs for storage and distribution, but due to their long operating hours and need for illumination 24/7 they can also be significant energy consumers, with lighting accounting for a large share of the overall energy costs if not managed correctly.
A reduction in the amount of energy required to run a warehouse through the development of more efficient lighting systems, coupled with smart controls that adjust lighting levels to maintain safety delivers in both enhancing the working environment while also cutting costs.
Good quality lighting is essential for improving accuracy and efficiency in warehouse operations.
Enhanced Visibility: High-quality lighting improves visibility, making it easier for employees to identify and pick the correct items. This reduces errors and increases productivity.
Reduced Eye Strain: Well-designed lighting reduces eye strain and fatigue, which can lead to fewer mistakes and a safer working environment. Employees are less likely to experience headaches or discomfort, leading to better overall performance.
Improved Morale: A well-lit workspace can boost employee morale and job satisfaction. When employees can see clearly and work comfortably, they are more likely to be motivated and productive.
Health and safety requirements
When moving to a more efficient lighting system for warehouses, it is essential that health and safety considerations are foremost in your planning. Modern LED systems provide high quality illumination that can be deployed to meet the requirements within CIBSE LG1 - The Industrial Environment.
To ensure a safe working environment, multiple lighting scenes are required in a warehouse. Open spaces, racking and packing areas are used differently, and the needs of workers in those spaces should be met. Tailoring the lighting scheme to provide higher intensity lighting only where required reduces the overall energy usage of the facility.
In open areas of a warehouse, luminaires are mounted in a grid pattern at high level to provide uniform illuminance across the space. In these areas, a minimum of 150lux is recommended with 200lux recommended in areas that are continually occupied.
For detailed working areas such as picking and packing stations, higher levels of illumination with a minimum of 300lux is required to prevent errors and reduce the risk of accidents.
Smart Lighting Controls add additional efficiency to warehouse lighting. Systems can adjust lighting levels based on usage, occupancy, and natural light availability.
Occupancy Sensors that detect movement and automatically turn lights on or off based on the presence of people. This ensures that lights are only used when needed, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Using smart controls to adjust artificial lighting to maximise the use of natural daylight when available will significantly reduce energy consumption during the day when costs may be higher.
With scheduling, lighting systems can be programmed based on operational hours to prevent lights from being left on overnight or during weekends when the warehouse is not in use.
Smart lighting control systems such as Organic Response also enable automatic testing and reporting to be scheduled. This means that faults can be identified easily, and the testing can be scheduled outside working hours so as not to impact productivity.
Modern industrial lighting systems will reduce the amount of energy used in warehouses. This leads to lower CO2 emissions, but the impact of new equipment is important. Where possible, re-using and recycling existing lighting equipment should be considered to avoid unnecessary waste. To learn more about sustainable lighting systems for warehouses, please contact us today.
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