10-52 I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK

brightness toward the eye. However, since room proportions and other
limitations occasionally do not permit this, the choice of the luminaire
becomes of paramount importance. Large-area luminaires should be of
lower brightness than small-area luminaires. Discomfort is influenced by
factors which also effect a reduction in visibility.
The quality of illumination in an interior depends on the brightness
ratios in the field of view. It is recommended that the following maximums
not be exceeded:
MAXIMUM
AREA RATIO
Between task and surround 3 to 1
Between task and remote surfaces 10 to 1
Between luminaires (or windows) and adjacent surfaces 20 to 1
Anywhere within the normal field of view 40 to 1
The brightness of luminaires in offices should not exceed 400 foot-
lamberts in the zone between
45
and
90
above nadir.
Reflected glare frequently occurs because of the relative positions of
windows or luminaires and of polished machine parts, specularly reflecting
desk tops, and glossy paper. Glass desk tops, glossy papers, and glossy
desk tops (especially dark ones) should be avoided. Even with such cau-
tions the character of the task and surround may make some degree of
specular reflection inevitable. Therefore, luminaire locations to the rear
and to one side of the worker are to be preferred.
Harsh shadows and alternate light and dark areas in strong contrast are
undesirable because it is difficult for the eye to adapt itself almost simul-
taneously to two brightness values in the same field. For this reason,
local lighting, restricted to a small work area, is unsatisfactory.
The larger and more widespread the area of the luminaire, the softer and
less pronounced the shadows will be. Light-colored walls and ceilings
having a mat surface diffuse the light by reflecting it in many directions,
thus tending to illuminate areas in shadow.
General Offices
The nature of a general office presupposes a relatively large area. Eco-
nomically, it is desirable to obtain maximum utilization of the available
space, keeping in mind that, over a period of years, desks and partitions
may be rearranged several times. In modern practice electric lighting is
provided to make possible efficient arrangement of office equipment in-
dependent of the available natural illumination. (See Fig. 10-34.) If
practicable, the layout should be symmetrical, and, to minimize reflected
glare, rows of luminaires should be run between desks rather than over
them. The workers should face the least bright part of the luminaire.
In most cases the end view of fluorescent-lamp luminaires presents the
lowest brightness.
In choosing the type of general-lighting system to be used, it is desirable
to establish in advance a set of specifications and to use the design which