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58.
There is a third group of offices, small in number, and mostly situated
in old buildings, where genuine attempts are made to provide
sufficient light for staffs, but in these guidance is often needed with
regard to siting and the avoidance of glare.
Shops. The former practice of brilliantly lighting some goods or
some part of shop premises (i.e. a shop window or counter display) and
having the remainder of the space in comparative gloom, is falling into
disuse, the present trend being for the entire shopping area to become an
enlarged and brightly lit display area. Light readings recorded in some
of the selling areas of shops are much higher than the recommended
standard in the Illuminating Engineering Society's Code, and indicate how
this new procedure, designed to give goods exposed for sale a strong
visual impact, has benefitted the persons employed.
Examples of Unsatisfactory Lighting. Typical adverse conditions
found have been referred to above. However, the following example of
unsatisfactory lighting which is associated with a particular type of
premises may be of interest.
Restaurant owners aim at producing an intimate atmosphere by employing
a subdued form of lighting. In such cases it is difficult to assess a
suitable standard to satisfy the separate requirements of the staff and
of the public. The proposed Lighting Regulations should prove helpful in
this respect.
Lighting Standards. Every effort has been made during the year
to enforce the recommended standards contained in the Code of the
Illuminating Engineering Society. Though reasonable co-operation has
been received from employers,the making of Regulations under Section 8(2)
will be welcomed.
In the meantime, it has been considered expedient to limit requirements
to those premises where illumination levels are very low. In the
circumstances where premises are not appreciably below I.E.S. standards,
action has been necessarily limited to suggested improvements and not
enforcement.
Excessive Glare. The distinction already made in this report
between new premises and old, also obtains when the question of excessive
glare is considered.
Artificial lighting systems in the older offices and shops have
"grown up" rather than been planned, and consequently little attention
has been given to the problem of glare.