When it comes to warehouse lighting, assuming “the brighter the better” is a logical fallacy. Of course, a warehouse needs to be well lit. Visibility in spaces where there is potentially dangerous machinery is an obvious no-brainer. But simply installing the most powerful lights available doesn’t create the best environment.
Good warehouse lighting isn’t about flooding the place with light, it’s about the right amount of lighting, in the right places. Good lighting is about taking account of how the building is actually being used.
More light isn't always better
Consider the problems you would have in a warehouse with extremely bright lighting.
Poorly positioned fittings create glare, or harsh contrasts between well-lit and shadowy areas. This makes visibility more difficult rather than helping people working around forklifts and other machinery. It’s also not an ideal solution for those working around reflective surfaces or packaging.
Shadows are a problem. High level fittings positioned without considering the racking and shelving leaves significant parts of the warehouse poorly illuminated.
The objective should therefore be consistency. Work to create a usefully-lit workspace rather than just increasing the amount of light produced.
Consider how the warehouse is used
There is no universal warehouse layout.
A building that is used primarily for storage has different requirements from one containing packing stations, workshop, or areas where forklifts operate.
The height of the ceiling, racking arrangement, width of aisles, and location of work areas all affect how lighting should be planned.
For example, lighting positioned above aisles needs to provide sufficient illumination at floor level without creating glare for anyone looking upwards.
All this factors into the lighting design. Done properly lighting is considerably more effective than just going for maximised brightness.
LED lighting can make a significant difference
Over the past few years, the implementation of LED technology has become commonplace. There’s a good reason it has begun to be favoured by commercial and industrial businesses.
Modern LED fittings provide high levels of illumination whilst using less energy than older lighting solutions. They also generally have longer service lives. Of course, this is particularly valuable in a warehouse where replacing fittings is not a simple task without accessibility equipment. Replacement causes downtime and disruptions to busy operations.
That said, changing to LED should not simply mean replacing one fitting with an LED equivalent and assuming the task is complete. An upgrade provides an opportunity to reconsider how the warehouse is laid out as well as the positioning and output of the lighting infrastructure.
Safety matters too
Of course, the main reason for discussing the best possible lighting is the safety impact it has on the wider working environment.
Poor visibility makes it difficult to identify hazards, read labels, operate equipment, or navigate around the building safely. Emergency lighting needs to be considered so that the right illumination is available if the lighting supply fails.
A warehouse lighting project should therefore be less an aesthetic consideration than it is about productivity and safety. It should take account of the people working there, the tasks they endeavour, and the risk associated with the wider environment.
It’s not just about watts
You don’t need your warehouse lit up like a Christmas market. Your warehouse needs a system that works around the building.
That means all things, such as ceiling height, racking, traffic routes, and maintenance requirements before deciding what fittings to install.
For businesses considering a warehouse lighting upgrade, professional assessment and design can help ensure that the finished installation is not simply brighter, but genuinely better.
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