Daylighting Application and Effectiveness in Industrial Facilities

Abstract

Before the advent of practical mercury vapor and fluorescent lighting, the only available artificial lighting for industrial buildings was incandescent. The illumination of active industrial workspaces with incandescent lighting is difficult, so during the industrial revolution, architects utilized various daylighting strategies such as window walls, skylighting, monitors, etc. However, glazing technologies were primitive compared with our modern choices, When more efficient and effective artificial lighting became available, most older industrial buildings had their daylighting features boarded over. With modern glazing systems and sophisticated designs that minimize glare issues, daylighting for industrial buildings is making a strong comeback. Additionally, new controllable ballasts and automatic lighting controls make possible hybrid lighting systems that are able to provide optimal lighting under all environmental conditions. This paper will discuss how daylighting systems developed decades ago are being modernized to provide high quality, low-glare, uniform lighting. Premium glazing systems that limit heat losses and gain will be discussed. The importance of glare control in day-lit spaces, for worker safety and productivity, will be stressed, and a variety of passive and active strategies will be presented including: redirected beam daylighting; reflective light shelves; and movable baffles and louvers.