Commercial Lighting Design & Retrofit Guide

How Much Light Is Needed for Your Facility?

Before starting a lighting retrofit or new lighting design project, it’s essential to determine how much light your facility truly needs. At Commercial Lighting Specialties, we help Las Vegas property managers, businesses, and contractors identify the right illumination levels for every task area—inside and out.

Each space has unique lighting needs based on how it’s used. Take a close look at your environment and talk with the people who work there:

  • Do they find the space too bright or too dim?

  • Is glare affecting visibility or comfort?

  • Are there areas that feel unsafe after dark?

Understanding these factors helps ensure your lighting supports both performance and safety. Need to measure lighting output equivalents?

How to Measure and Verify Light Levels

To confirm your impressions, use a light meter to measure illumination levels throughout your facility (your lighting supplier can often lend one). Then, compare your readings with Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards.

When testing, account for daylight contributions—especially in Las Vegas, where sunlight is abundant. Make sure lighting remains adequate at night and on cloudy days as well.

Many buildings in Southern Nevada discover that their lighting levels are higher than necessary, wasting energy and increasing maintenance costs. By delamping or upgrading to energy-efficient LED systems, you can achieve optimal light levels while lowering operating expenses.

IES Recommended Light Levels by Task Area

Task Area Recommended Footcandles
Paint Booths 100 – 150
Corridors, Stairways, Restrooms 10 – 20
Storage Rooms 10 – 50
Conference Rooms 20 – 50
General Offices 50 – 100
Drafting / Accounting 100 – 200
Areas with VDTs (Computer Work) 75
Classrooms 50 – 75
Cafeterias 50
Gymnasiums 30 – 50
Merchandising 30 – 150
Manufacturing Assembly 50 – 500
Parking Areas (Uncovered) 1 – 2

 

Why Lighting Levels Matter for Las Vegas Properties

Ensuring the correct light levels across your property provides measurable benefits:

  • Safety & Security: Proper illumination reduces liability risks in walkways, parking lots, and outdoor areas.

  • Energy Savings: Eliminating over-lighting cuts energy costs, especially during Nevada’s long daylight hours.

  • Comfort & Productivity: Well-balanced lighting helps employees, residents, and visitors see clearly without glare or fatigue.

  • Compliance & Professional Results: Following IES standards supports code compliance and enhances the professional appearance of your facility.

At Commercial Lighting Specialties, we work with property managers, contractors, and business owners across Las Vegas, Henderson, and Southern Nevada to plan, supply, and optimize lighting systems for performance and efficiency.

Need Help Evaluating Your Lighting Levels?

Our team can help you measure, assess, and design the right lighting system for your facility. Contact Commercial Lighting Specialties in Las Vegas for expert lighting design, retrofit, and supply solutions tailored to your property’s needs.

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