scope:

PURPOSE AND SCOPE.

This UFC provides guidance for the design of interior and exterior lighting systems for the Unified Facilities Criteria based on the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's (IESNA) Lighting Handbook Reference and Application, 9^th Edition (hereafter called Lighting Handbook) and current recommended practices. This UFC meets the current IESNA standard of practice and addresses general lighting requirements for Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. Specific requirements not outlined here may apply to facilities overseas.

Lighting Handbook.

In 2000, the IESNA published the 9^th Edition of the handbook, which changed the direction of lighting design criteria. In previous editions, illuminance values were given as the strongest basis for design. In the 9^th edition of the Lighting Handbook, the single focus on the illuminance criteria is no longer possible. Now the emphasis is on quality based design. Chapter 10 of the handbook, "Quality of the Visual Environment" formalizes these issues in a Lighting Design matrix and rates the importance of each for different applications.

Lighting Design Criteria.

Lighting practitioners must evaluate the application and consider the important lighting design criteria, including direct glare, surface luminances, and uniformity. Also, the importance of daylight on human health and productivity is emphasized.

Exterior Lighting.

Exterior lighting design now addresses the role of glare in creating poor visibility. Over-lighting and discontinuity between areas is also addressed as this could cause adaptation delays when moving from one area to another. Also, the increased effectiveness of white light on enhanced peripheral detection for exterior and other low lighting level applications is addressed.

APPLICABILITY.

These guidelines apply to all service elements and contractors designing interior or exterior lighting systems for new and retrofit construction projects.