Is Your Office Lighting Up to Standard? How Often Should You Check It?

I need information regarding illumination. Our office is in a building. Do we need to have an illumination check done by a third party to certify that the lighting is sufficient for our office? Also, is there a specific frequency for these checks to be conducted? Additionally, could anyone provide me with the Illumination Levels document?

Thanks and regards,
Vamsi Akunuri

You can get all answers by just following the link Illuminance - Recommended Light Levels. If you have any specific questions, please let us know. If you need any OSHA requirement documents, let me know, and I will provide the details. Hope this information helps.

Regards,

Thank you very much for the reply. Yes, I do need the OSHA requirements for illumination. If you can give me the details, it will be very helpful for me.

Thanks and regards,
Vamsi Akunuri

I have also gone through the site that you recommended. It only provides the required illumination at different areas. I want to know the frequency of testing the illumination levels for office premises. Does any law state that we have to get the illumination tests done either once a year or twice a year?

Thanks and regards,
Vamsi Skunuri

There are no such requirements in OSHA. I checked in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, and they only mentioned the following points:

Periodic Testing of Emergency Lighting Equipment

A functional test shall be conducted on every required battery-powered emergency lighting system at 30-day intervals for a minimum of 30 seconds. An annual test shall be conducted for a 1½-hour duration. Equipment shall be fully operational for the duration of the test. Written records of visual inspections and tests shall be kept by the owner for inspection by the authority having jurisdiction.

Exception: Self-testing/self-diagnostic, battery-operated emergency lighting equipment that automatically performs a minimum 30-second test and diagnostic routine at least once every 30 days and indicates failures by a status indicator shall be exempt from the 30-day functional test, provided a visual inspection is performed at 30-day intervals.

However, please check the IE (Indiana electrical standard). I hope there are no such requirements in IE regarding lighting.

I hope this information helps.

Regards

Illumination Level Requirements

Regarding the illumination level, an extract of the National Building Code is attached for your reference. Additionally, extracts of Factory Rules, specifically Number 35 and 36, are also included. Please note that the factory rules applicable in your state should be followed. This information should provide you with an understanding of the requirements.

Frequency of Checking

In terms of the frequency of checking, you are the best judge. The most suitable frequency is one that ensures the illumination level remains within the acceptable range between two inspections. For proper record-keeping and evidence, it is suggested to start with biannual checks.

Apologies for the inconvenience, but I am unable to upload the documents at this moment. I will attempt to do so later.

Thank you.