I.

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this experiment is to learn the application of the Philippine
Standard in Interior Lighting for assessing the degree of illumination and design of light
sources in different environments. The environments that will be considered for this
experiment are the following:

II.

Classroom (Laboratory Room)

Classroom (Lecture Room)

SUBJECT PROFILE
Room V307 and Activities

Figure 1: Classroom V307 Layout

The group was tasked to select any room from the Velasco building, and decided
on room V307 located on the third floor. The classroom is 8.705 meters parallel to the
blackboard wall, 6.510 meters from the door to the board. The windows and the
peepholes in the two doors are located at the back of the classroom, facing south. The
windows are translucent, and are also covered by blinds.
The source of external illumination is from the sunlight reflecting off the white
walls of the WH Residences building next to the campus. The sources of internal
illumination are the six fluorescent lights, the projector located at the right of the room
(facing the blackboard), the computer display next to the right wall. In case of a
presentation, the projector has a matte screen to display on. There are 42 armchairs in the
room, each with a table surface like the whiteboard. The seats and backrests are
unpolished, pale wood.

Activities done in this room include but not limited to conduction of classes,
reading, taking down of notes, presentation of video or report and Internet surfing for
educational purposes.
Respondents Profile
The respondents of the survey for glare are batch 114 students of HUBEHOR,
section EC (6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m.)

III. METHODOLOGY
Materials and Equipment

Photometer (Serial number: AC 59190; Model: LT lutron LM-81LX)

Was used to measure illumination. As stated by the Editors of
Encyclopedia Britannica in their article, a photometer is A device that measures
the strength of electromagnetic radiation in the range from ultraviolet to infrared
and including the visible spectrum.

Front:

Back:

Laser Distance Meter

Was used to measure the dimensions of the room and the distances
between illumination measurements. The laser distance meter is used to measure
distance. According to PCE-Instruments (n.d.), a U.K. based company, it uses the
transit time it takes for the laser pointer to hit the chosen surface as a basis in
measurements.

Front:

Back:

Minitab
The group used Minitab, a statistical software, in determining if the data
points collected follow a normal distribution.

Method of Measurement Used

The group has decided to measure the general lighting of the chosen classroom,
instead of a task-oriented measurement. This was done in order to determine if the light is
evenly distributed to the whole area of the classroom. Since both the students and the
teacher all have the same activities reading, writing, and taking notes, data were
collected by measuring the general lighting of the room in order to determine if the light
is evenly distributed in the whole area.
Position of Measurement Points

Figure 2: Classroom V307 sectioning for measurement points

The classroom was divided into 20 sections (each section 2.79 m2) to measure
luminance for each section. The number of sections was based on the minimum standards
for testing general lighting for rooms with a work area of less than 50m2 (Standard: 16
grids) and a work area of less than 100m^2 (Standard: 25 grids) (Lighting Assessment

in the Workplace, 2008). Since V307 is relatively closer to 50m2 than that of 100m2, the
group chose to divide the rom to 20 sections ([50 < 55.38057 < 100]m2, [16 < 20 < 25]
sections).

Figure 4: Top view

Figure 3: Front view

The position of measurement points for the computer are also based on the
measurement standards of the Occupational Health and Safety Center (2008).

Statistical Test Used

Non-Parametric Sign Test was used in order to test the collected data. Based on
the normality test done on Minitab, the data was found to have p-values less than 0.05
(See graphs below). P-values less than 0.05 mean that the data points do not follow a
normal distribution, and thus, must be tested by a non-parametric statistical test type.

Graph 1: Normality Test (Morning)

P-value of 0.021

Graph 2: Normality Test (Afternoon)

P-value of 0.034

Graph 3: Normality Test (Evening)

P-value of 0.041

Furthermore, sign test was used in order to test if the median of the data
distribution (general lighting of the room) is equal to the Philippine Standard of 300 lux
or 30 foot candles.

Experimental Procedure
Pre-experiment:
Selected V307 as the subject specimen.
Borrowed photometer and laser distance meter from STRC 218.
Experiment Proper:
Step 1:
With the dimensions: 8.507 m x 6.510 m, and an area of 55.38057m2, the
room was imaginarily divided into 20 sections.
Step 2:
The laser distance meter was used to measure the grids and the photometer for
the illuminance at the center of each grid area.
How each area was measured in detail:
Step 2.1:
The laser meter was first used to find the center of the top-leftmost
area of the room (refer to the Figure 2). To find the approximate
center, the group halved the smaller area (1.741m X 1.6275m) into
0.869m x 0.8138m, with the intersecting point being the approximate
center. Measurements have a constant height of 1.887m (base to
ceiling)

 Step 2.2:
The photometer was then placed at the approximate center and the
value of illuminance was recorded. Each member moved away from
the photometer and made sure not to obstruct the light source to ensure
that their shadows would not compromise the reading
Step 2.3:
With Figure 2 as a guide, the laser distance meter was used to
determine the center adjacent to the previously measured center. Step
2.2 was then repeated to measure the illuminance of the section.
Step 2.4:
Step 2.3 was repeated until the illumination values of all the 20
sections have been recorded.
Step 2.5:
In measuring the illumination on the computer, the group measured
the illumination on the four points indicated in Figure 3 and 4.
Note: Steps 2.1 to 2.5 were repeated at these different time slots (once
every time slot)
Afternoon: 2:00pm-2:30pm (Monday; Sept. 26, 2016)
Night: 7:30pm-8:00pm (Monday; Sept. 26, 2016)
Morning: 10:45pm-11:00pm (Tuesday; Sept. 27, 2016)
Step 3:
Due to the unavailability of the instrument that measures glare, the group
resorted to an online survey answered through Facebook. The results were then
compiled.
Post experiment:
Returned equipments at STRC 218
Results are recorded and data are checked for normality using Minitab.
Compliance to standards are checked using the Non-Parametric Sign Test.

III.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Compliance to the Philippine Standard on Interior Lighting
Based on the statistical tests performed for the data collected for the morning,
afternoon, and evening classes, the general lighting of room V307 for all shifts have been
found to comply with the standard of 300 lux for desk work that includes reading and
writing.
Compliance to the Philippine Standard on Interior Lighting is essential because of
its psychological and physiological effect on people. According to Edwards & Torcellini
(2002), good lighting affects a persons productivity. It enhances mood, and reduces eye
strain and fatigue. Having an illuminance less than the indicated standard may lead to
visual strain. Prolonged performance of a task done under bad lighting conditions may
cause sore and irritable eyes (Hopkinson & Collins, 1970).

Hypotheses: H0: = 300 { 300 implied}

H1: < 300
Lux Sign Lux Sign Lux Sign Lux Sign
160
416
+
434
+
424
+
255
415
+
455
+
220
276
419
+
344
+
363
+
282
335
+
404
+
405
+
331
+
429
+
398
+
387
+

x = 15
n = 20
= 0.05
1
P(X 15 | p = ) < 0.05
15

(20 )(0.5 )(0.520 ) < 0.05

=0

0.9941 0.05
Therefore, accept H0.
Complied to 300 lux.

Table 1: Illuminance Measurements

(Morning | 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.)

Lux Sign Lux Sign Lux Sign Lux Sign

130
400
+
341
+
422
+
275
374
+
392
+
285
285
387
+
338
+
415
+
230
355
+
405
+
451
+
320
+
408
+
394
+
420
+
Table 2: Illuminance Measurements
(Afternoon | 2:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m.)

15

x = 15
n = 20
= 0.05
1
P(X 15 | p = 2 ) < 0.05

(20 )(0.5 )(0.520 ) < 0.05

=0

0.9941 0.05
Therefore, accept H0.
Complied to 300 lux.

Lux Sign Lux Sign Lux Sign Lux Sign

174
386
+
374
+
320
+
246
388
+
370
+
304
+
250
363
+
321
+
416
+
204
381
+
416
+
447
+
375
+
421
+
376
+
455
+

16

x = 16
n = 20
= 0.05
1
P(X 16 | p = 2 ) < 0.05

(20 )(0.5 )(0.520 ) < 0.05

=0

0.9981 0.05
Therefore, accept H0.
Complied to 300 lux.

Table 3: Illuminance Measurements

(Evening | 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.)

From the statistical tests above, the sets of data from the morning, afternoon, and
evening classes have the p-values 0.9941, 0.9941, and 0.9981 respectively. Testing at
95% confidence interval, the p-values are found to be greater than the p-value of 0.05.
This means that all data sets are not in the critical region. This, therefore, gives enough
reason to accept the alternative hypothesis of the statistical test - which states that the
mean of the data is at least 300 lux.
For the illumination on the computer, data points are averaged to check for the
compliance with the standard. The averages of the data during the morning, afternoon,
and evening shift are 282.5 lux, 284.75 lux, and 292.5 lux respectively. Illumination on
the computer for room V307 failed to comply with the standard of 300 lux.

PRESENCE OF GLARE
Writing Desk
Projector Screen
Blackboard
Whiteboard
0

10

12

14

16

18

Yes

Graph 4: Survey results (Presence of glare)

As for determining the presence of glare, 20 students were asked if they

experienced glare from the whiteboard, blackboard, projector screen, and writing desk.
From the 20 respondents, 16 confirmed the presence of glare on the whiteboard and
writing desk, 6 on the blackboard, and 2 on the projector screen. From the data collected
(See appendix), the respondents who experienced glare the most are the students seated at

the back (left side). However, students at the front-right side of the room almost did not
experience glare from the listed sources at all.

Controlling the sources of glare

Sources of glare can be controlled via repositioning of the office light sources or
the workstations, depending on the ease of adjusting. It is also advisable to reduce the
contrast between the workplace and its environment as to avoid using glossy surfaces.
For projections onto dry-erase whiteboards, high-contrast slides can make parts of
the visual hard to make out. The light from any light source can cause glare onto glassy
surfaces. If some polished areas are unavoidable or necessary for use, then the surfaces
should be slightly tilted so that the light reflected is aimed towards the ceiling and glare
effects are reduced. If a projector is required as in the V307 classroom, then it is
recommended that there be a white or light-colored matte surface onto which
presentations can be projected (Winterbottom & Wilkins, 2009).
Some offices may require task or desk lighting with the workplaces already
ambient or general lighting. From Ankrum (1999), ceiling suspended, indirect lighting or
uplighting is the key to avoiding glare and reflection. In case of pendant or hanging
lights, the underside color of these lamps should be the same as the ceiling. Since some
types of work require more light than others, it is best to find a good combination of low
levels of ambient lighting and task lighting in order to avoid harsh glare.
In the case of windows and direct sunlight, control these outside sources with
blinds or shades. Other times, it is advisable to consider the Hawthorne Effect (or the
observer effect) where making changes in the workplace improves short term
performance, and this simply stems from observing workers in the local environment.

Needed improvements on illumination

Suggestions that may further enhance and improve the quality of illuminance in
the room may be having regular cleaning of the windows, designing the work
environment through painting, and ensuring the appropriate lights are used and positioned
correctly.

Natural light is one way to improve the lighting inside the room. Cleaning the
windows would allow more natural light to enter, making the work environment brighter.
Making use of the natural daylight and controlling the inside illumination of a room is
essential (Shemirani, 2011). Blinds are to be used in order to reduce the excessive amount
of sunlight to avoid too much glare.
In order to improve the lighting level, the paint to be used in the walls and
ceilings should be matte and preferable light colors. Light colors are to be used because it
reflects more light compared to darker colors. A matte type of paint can prevent extreme
reflection of light. The surface material of the equipments in the workplace should match
the same type of color used for the walls and ceilings to avoid any unwanted reflection.
Black, shiny paints should best be avoided because these would cause glares that could
be irritating to the people working.
Lighting must be positioned correctly. It is essential that the light is focused on
the work at hand and not on the workers eyes. This is to avoid having workers working
in a position that they are not comfortable with. Places where there are any potential
hazards must have sufficient lighting in order to reduce accidents and ease the work flow.
The type of lights used should also be taken into consideration. Types of lightbulbs that
emit light similar to how the blue daylight sky has effects such as stimulating the body
and brain and countering tiredness of a person when being exposed to the light
(Whitaker, 2012).

IV.

CONCLUSION
Based on the experiment, the general lighting of V307 complied to the Philippine
Standard of Interior Lighting. The illumination on the computer, however, failed to reach
300 lux. The group also deduced that glare may be controlled by repositioning of the light
sources, avoiding reflective painting, and reducing contrast between the workplace and
the surrounding room. Improvements that may help the illumination of the room are
natural light sources, supplemented with blinds, and also the use of colors and type of
surfaces in the work environment. Sufficient lighting supplemented with natural lighting
with the appropriate design of the work environment would help people become more
productive with less stress when working.

APPENDIX
Raw Data (Morning, Afternoon, Evening)
160

331

335

344

220

130

320

355

338

285

255

416

429

404

363

275

400

408

405

415

276

415

434

398

405

285

374

341

394

451

282

419

455

424

387

230

387

392

422

420

Morning

Afternoon
174

375

381

321

304

246

386

421

416

416

250

388

374

376

447

204

363

370

320

455

Evening

Survey Results (Evening)

Front (Left)

Front (Center)

Front (Right)

Whiteboard

Whiteboard

Whiteboard

Blackboard

Blackboard

Blackboard

Projector Screen

Projector Screen

Projector Screen

Writing Desk

Writing Desk

Writing Desk

Back (Left)

Back (Left)

Back (Right)

Whiteboard

Whiteboard

Whiteboard

Blackboard

Blackboard

Blackboard

Projector Screen

Projector Screen

Projector Screen

Writing Desk

Writing Desk

Writing Desk

Total Responses: 20

Raw Data (Illumination on Computer)

Morning
300
272
294
264
Documentation

Afternoon
285
272
302
280

Evening
303
278
316
273