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IS 2672 (1966): Code of practice for library lighting [ETD

24: Illumination Engineering and Luminaries]

“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
“Invent a New India Using Knowledge”

“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता ह”

है”
ह
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
 lS:2672-1W
( Reaffirmed 2005 )
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
LIBRARY LIGHTING

( Third Reprint MAY 19E9 )

UIX! 6213.977.2~022.7

@ copyright 1966

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MAHG
NEW DELHI 110002
 IS:2672- 1966

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
LIBRARY LIGHTING

Illuminating Engineering and Lifts Sectional Committee, ETBDC 9

Chairman Representing
SHRI I(. C. GROVER Central Public Works Department, New Delhi

Members
SHKI R. R. ANAI>A The Ahmedabad Millowners Association, Ahmedahad
SHRI P. BOSE Eastern Regional Electrica Contractors’ Association
( India ) Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI H. N. MULLICK ( Alternate I
CHIEF EL~:CTI~IIZALENGINEER, .iailway Board ( Ministry of Railways)
NOWWEHNRAILWAY
CHII:F ELE<:TxIcAL INYPECTOR TO Chief Electrical Inspectorate, Government of Punjab,
THEGOVEI~NMENTOFPUNJAB Patiala
&RI B. CUNNINOHAM The General Electric Co of India Private Ltd.
Calculta
SHRI D. K. DAS ( Aflernale)
L
SARI NIHMALBNT)U 1)~s GUPTA Chief ElectrIcal Inspectorate, Government of West
Bengal, Calcutta
SRRI D. M. D~s.41 Hindco Lighting Industries Ltd, Bombay
SHR~JAYAST R. PAXI ( Allcrnnrc)
\
SHKI B. S. D~~AMI Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
SHRI M. P. GUF~A Philips India Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI N. K.KOTHARI Indian Institute of Architect ( Northern Chapter),
New Delhi
SHRI H. R. LAROYA ( Ammte)
SHRI A. MITRA Directorate Genera1 of Supplies & Disposals, New
Dellli
SHHI.J. N. V,rz ! ‘4llernale 1
Sun1 S. N. MUK”:KJI National ‘Trst H~x15e, C:alrutta
Str,rl B. K. MI;I(‘,I.;KJI,:I2 ( nllrrnnlc,
SHRI J. R. NAHAH Prcnlirr Lighti, I: Irliluxirie(; Private Ltd, ll-mbay
~lllCI,j. G. PATFI, ,I. .J. Enginrc: t:s!; Co i~ornhay
S-~ICI G. A. RAO H;ijaj I<lrctrll:alS l.,rl!, Bombay
S~irtr S. U. BHOJWANI ( Al:ernal~ ,
Srrm SACKIN Sbx Electric Lamrx atlfi Accessorie,: Scclional Committee,

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARC+
NEW DELHI 1lOOOZ
IS : 2672- 1966 ,

( Continuedfrom page 1 )
Members Rcprc.‘enting
SHRI P. L. VAHI Otis Elevator Co ( India ) Ltd, Bombay
SHRIV. VENVGOPALAN Central Electricity Board (Ministry of Irrigation6~
Power ), New Delhi
CAIEB ELECTRICAL, INSPEC-
TOR TO THE GOVERNMENT
OR MADRAS ( Alfernotc )
SJ~RI Y. S. VENUATESWARAN, Director General, ISI ( Ex-@cio Member 1
Director ( Elec tech )

Secretary
SERI T. RAJARAMAN
Deputy Director ( Elec tech ), IS1

Panel for Code of Practice for Library Lighting, ETBDC 9/P4

Conurnn
Stmr K. S. S~RMA National Physical Laboratory ( CSIR ), New Delhi

Members
SHXI B. CUNNINQHAM The General Electric Co of India Private Ltd,
Calcutta
SHRI D. K. DAS ( Alfnnotc )
SEHI K. C. GROVER Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SURVEYOR OB WORKS
( ELEC ), I ( Alternate )
SENIOR ARCHITECT ( B ) I Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SHlll P. N. SRlNIVAsAN Philips India Ltd, Calcutta
 lS:2672.1!%6

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
LIBRARY LIGHTING

0. F 0 R E W 0 R. D

0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Institu-
tion on 5 August 1966, after the draft finalized by the Illuminating
Engineering and Lifts Sectional Committee had been approved by the
Electrotechnical Division Council.

0.2 The technique of interior lighting in building has developed beyond

the stage involving mere provision of light. As a result of a good deal
of scientific investigation it has been recognized that improvements
in environmental conditions are needed to alleviate the strain on eyesight
so widely prevalent. This is particularly so in a library building where
all sorts of reading materials have to be read for long periods. Modern
standards of interior lighting call for the provision of both quantity and
quality adequate for a particular visual task so as to ensure a satisfact-
ory degree of ease and comfort to the individual at work. In the design-
ing of a lighting installation, provision of adequate illumination is not a
guarantee of comfort. It has been found that such factors as ‘glare’
and ‘brightness .pattern’ shall receive great consideration if it is to
achieve its object. From this point OF view, this code of practice has been
drawn up.

0.3 Modern libraries have rooms for lectures, demonstrations and seminars;
facilities for projecting still or motion pictures; and acoustically treated
rooms where musical records can be played; study rooms, carrels, or
individual study rooms as well as special rooms and display cases for
showing rare books, manuscripts and archival materials. It is, therefore,
necessary that while recommending a lighting practice in a library, the
following factors should be taken into account:
a) The possible wide range in the ages and educational levels of the
library visitors,
b) The varying conditions of eyesight found within these groups,
and
c) The variety of reading materials that are currently used.

3
 IS : 2672 - 1966

0.4 The following undesirable features should be avoided or eliminated

as far as possible while recommending lighting installations for libraries:

a) The major dependence upon table lamps for reading purposes,

b) Dark furniture and interior finishes which produce uncomfortable
brightness differences with the reading task,
c) Reading tables with glossy tops which create reflected glare,
d) Lighting units which produce glare, and
e) Stack lighting with bare or inadequately shielded lamps or lamps
producing a very high glare but inadequate amount of illumina-
tion on the bottom shelves.
0.5 Provision of a good lighting system calis for co-ordination from
the initial stages among the various parties concerned, namely, the
architect, ihe consultant and the illumination engineer. Therefore,
it is essential that information regarding lighting should be exchanged
between the parties from the stage of planning to installation.
0.6 This code has been drawn up in order to specifically deal with the
special aspects of library lighting. General aspects of interior lighting,
including assessment of glare, are dealt with in IS : 3646 ( Part I )-1966*.
0.7 In preparing this code assistance has been derived from IES/RP4-1950
‘Recommended practice of library lighting’ prepared by Illuminating
Engineering Society of U.S.A.
0.8 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, express-
ing the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS : 2-196C)t. The number of significant places retained in the rounded
off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this
standilrd.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers the principles and practices governing good
Iighting of both public and institutional libraries. It recommends the
levels of illumination to be achieved by general principles of lighting.

2. TERMINOLOGY
2.0 For the purpose of this s:andard, the following definitions shall
apply.

*Codr of practice for interior illumination : Parr I Principles of good lighting and
aspects of design.
+Rules for rounciing off numerical values ( reoised ).

4
 IS : 2672 - 1966

2.1 Luminous Flux-The light given hy a source, or received by a

surface or transmitted by a medium irrespective of the way in which it is
distributed spatially as r,.:gards direction. The unit of luminous flux is the
lumen ( Im).

2.2 Lumen ( lm)-- The luminous flux emitted within unit solid afigle
(one stcradian) by a point source having a uniform intensity of one
candela.

2.3 Candela (cd)-The unit of luminous intensity. Its magnitude is

r)rle-sixtieth oi the luminous intensity of one square centimetre of a
black-body radiator operated at the temperature of solidification of
platinum.

2.4 Illumination - Illumination is the density of the luminous fluu inci-

dent upon a surSace. The unit of illumination is lumen per square metre
( lm/m*) which is known as lux ( lx).

2.5 Luminance (at a Point of a Surface in a Given Direction?

(Brightness )- The quotient of the luminous intensity in the given
direction of an infinitesimal element of the surface containing the point
under consideration by the orthogonally projected area of the element on
a plane perpendicular to the given direction. The unit is cd/ems.

2.6 Reflectance ( Reflection Factor) -The ratio of luminous flux

reflected by a body ( with or without diffusion ) to the flux it receives.

2.7 Contrast - The subjective assessment of the difference in appearance

of two parts of a field of view seen simultaneously or successively
( hence brightness contrast, colour contrast, simultaneous contrast).
Objectively the relative difference of luminance between two parts of a
field of view.

2.8 Glare -A condition of vision in which there is discomfort or a

reduction in the ability to see significant objects, or both due to an unsui-
table distribution or range of luminance or to extreme contrasts in space
and time.

2.9 Glare Index -A number representing the amount of discomfort

glare in a lighting installation to which upper limits are given for a variety
of room sizes and surface reflection factors resulting from ten selected light
distributions ( BZ classification ).

2.10 BZ ( British Zonal ) Classification -A method of classifying the

light distribution characteristics of fittings in accordance with the
shape of the mean polar curve of himinous intensity in the lower
hemisphere.

5
IS : 2673 - 1966

3. ANALYSIS OF VISUAL TASKS

3.1 Functional Aitivities- The various activities which take place in

libraries fall into two main categories, namely :

User activities Catalogue reference, book selection,

reference and research reading
Operative activities Cataloguing, issuing aud general
control, book stacking, repair,
rebinding, etc

3.2 Reading

3.2.1 General - Reading is the most important visual task performed

in a library. In ,the recommendation of environmental conditions and
illumination levels for optimum reading efliciency and comfort, the
following three factors, capable of very wide variation, shall be taken into
account: P’

a) The condition of the reader’s eyesight,

b) The character of the reading material, and
c) The intensity and purpose of reading.
An additional factor is the angle between the page and the reader’s
line of vision.
33.2 Condition of Eyesight I- Defective vision may occur in reader; of
all age groups though, in percentage, it increases with added years.
This could be corrected to some extent with glasses but good lighting and
proper seeing-conditions will be particularly helpful for people with sub-
normal vision.
3.2.3 Variep of Reading Tasks - In any library there will be found a
great variety of reading tasks. The readability of printed matter depends
upon the type size and its contrast with the background; plus factors such
as type face, length of lines, and margin widths. It has been found that
two to three times the illumination is needed for pencil work as for average
printed matter because of the difference in contrast. Lighting levels
and environmental conditions should ‘be broad enough to compensate for
the range and difficulty of these visual tasks.

3.2.4 Intensity and Purfiose of Reading - The third variable is the inten-
sity with which reading is done, or the purpose for which the visitor
goes* to the library. Intensive reading may occur in general reading
rooms as well as in carrels or other rooms designed for study purposes.
With the exception of children’s rooms and other areas set aside for
browsing the lighting level and environmental conditions for all reading
areas should be selected with the expectation that some intensive study
will be carried on there.

6
 IS : 2672 - 1966

3.3 Book Stacks - Several factors continue to make the lighting of

stacks difficult, especially those to which the people have access.
Although people are seldom in the stacks for long periods and their visual
tasks are intermittent, they should be able to see all of the titles- top
-shelf to bottom shelf-easily and quickly. Part of the diEic,tlty ill
lighting book stacks is caused by the dark book bindings, by the small
printing of the titles and the usually worn out condition of the back of
the bincimg partialjy obiiterating the title. Another difficulty is caused
by the long, narrow stack aisles, and the limitations as to the
location of the light sources in ‘relation to the vertica! surfaces to be
lighted.
3.4 Carrels -Research and study carrels are reading areas often integrated
with or located close to the stacks. In these, some additional functional
lighting should be arranged besides the genera1 lighting.

3.5 Administrative Office-As a part of every library operation, there

shall be areas for regular office work and for other visual tasks, such as
indexL,lg, cataloguing, recording, issuing and general control, typing and
filing. For these, the same kind and amount of illumination employed in
commercial offices will be suitable.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
4.1 Plandag the Brightness Pattern -The brightness pattern may be
considered as composed of three main parts- - the task itself, the
immediate background to the task and the general surroundings of
walls, ceiling floor, equipment and furnishings. For details see
IS : 3646 ( Part I ) -1966*.

A general guide for the brightness relationship within the normal

field of view could be:
a) between the visual task and adjacent sources like 3 to 1
table tops
b) between the visual task and remote areas of the lOto 1
room

Since brightness of an object is determined by the reflection charactr-

&tics of its surface and the quantity of light failing on it: control of bright-
ness contrasts shall be directed primarily for uniform distribution of
light and secondly by the choice of sui:able surface colouring whenever
possible.
4.2 Room Finishes -The ability to keep within the maximum hright-
ness ratios described above will depend to a large extent upon the

*Cede of Practice for interior illumination : Part I Prinriplcs of good lighting arld aspects
of’ design.
IS : 2672 - 1966

reflectance values of the room finishes also; in conjunction with the lignring,
they set up the brightness pattern of any room and the brightness .raLos
between the tastr and other major surfaces within the normal field of views.
In order to avoid annoying reflections, smooth non-glossy surfaces are re-
commended for ceilings, walls and table tops. Besides, these are easy to
clean and collect dirt less rapidly than rough matt finishes. In additton
to creating comfortable brightness ratios light grey or white coloured sur-
faces aid materiall!: in the utilization of light. Generally adopted values
of reflecta.nce for differen: surfaces are given in Table 1.

TABLE 1 RECOMMENDED REFLECTANCE VALUES

9
( ClOllSL4.2 )
FEATCW REFLECTANCE VALUE
percent
Ceilmg 70
Walls 50
Desk and table tops, furniture 35
Floors 30

4.3 Reading Table and Desk Tops - In order to keep the brightness
ratio between the reading table top and the printed page below, the
reflectance of the table top should be higher than the dark-stained tables
( 10 to 12 percent ) commonly used. It is also recommended that reading
table and desk tops should have as little specularity or gloss as possible.
4.4 Glare-The question of glare is not only connected with that of
brightness and contrast but arises when excessively bright sources of light
come within the field of view. In effect, a glare source increases the
observer’s adaptation level* with a resultant reduction in his contrast-
sensitivity and visual efficiency Discomfort, and in extreme cases
disability, follow when the brightness relationship are only mildly
annoying ; disability when a relatively high brightness lies close to the
line of vision. In fact, the degree of discomfort arising from a glare
sensation is a function of the brightness of the glare source, its relative size
and nearness to the lilte of sight.
Avoidance of glare in artificial lighting systems can usually be
effected with the layout of suitably chosen lighting equipment and by the
arrangement. of the furniture and fittings to suit. Recourse should first be
made to prevent a direct view of the source or fittings by ensuring that the
contrasts between them and their surroundings are kept within desirable
limits.

*When required, the eye has the capacity to adjust automatically the upper and lower
limits between which it will respond usefully to stimulation by light. These adjustments
ore evoked by the prevailing level of ambient brightness, which is usually described as the
adaptation level.

8
 15:2672-1966

4.4.1 Assessment of Glare -For assessment of glare from light sources,

reference shall be made to IS: 3646 ( Part I )-1966*.

5. RECOMMENDED ILLUMINATION VALUES

5.1 Any recommended illumination values should be graded accordi g to
the difficulty of the visual tasks. These values should be maintain 9 d in
service through proper cleaning and relamping of lighting equipment, the
cleaning of windows, and the maintenance of the reflectance values of
room surface. Initial values from the artificial lighting system shall be
greater by a percentage sufficient to compensate for the normal depreciation
expected in service ( 30 to 35 percent ). As already described, it is apparent
that some of the visual tasks encountered in libraries are comparable in
character to those in schools and offices a’nd should, therefore, be
consistent with them. Consistent with the above explanation but with no
reference to the type of illuminant, luminaire, or type of lighting system,
the levels of illumination recommended for the various types of visual
tasks graded according to the difficulty of the task as a library lighting
practice are given in Table 2.

5.2 It is not a simple matter to specify suitable intensity levels if these are
to be based upon sound reasoning. Since there is no distinct threshold
level of illumination below which the performance of particular visual task
is greatly impeded, some compromise has to be sought between an ideal
level and one which is obviously inadequate. Generally, a recommended
level is arrived at after being carefully weighed in the relation it bears to
the eyesight, the visual task, the environment, and the economics involved.
Any specification is, therefore, always open to a great deal of controversy.
It may, however, be summarised that any of the above recommended
levels of illumination could serve chiefly as a guide to good practices. It is
not always suficient to provide just enough light and lrave it at that.
Adequate illumination will benefit people with normal sight, but the
benefit will be far greater to those with faulty vision. For example,
elderly people require higher illumination values for the same facility ol
seeing as young people.
5.3 In any lighting arrangement the required level of illumination co; ‘.’
be achieved through a combined usage of the natural daylighting and t!(c
artificial lighting. Proper use of daylighting will also allow furthe!
reduction in the use of artificial lighting consistent with the economics
of the lighting arrangement.

6. DAY LIGHTING

6.1 Most people prefer to work in buildirfgs having good daylighting.

One of the characteristics of daylight which gives it this appe2I is the

*Code of practice for interior illumination : Part I Prlaciplc; of good lighting and
aspects of design.
ISr2672-1966

TABLE 2 LEVELS OF IJLUMINATION

( c1uusc 5.1 )

SL TASK ILLUYINATI~N GLARE

No. LEVEL INDEX

(1) (2) (3) (4)

IX

i) DifGult and Critical Visual Tasks:

a) Discrimination of fine detail ( 6-8
point type, footnotes, etc. legal
reference books, with small conden-
sed type, illustrations with fine de-
tails, ctc )

b) Poor contrasts ( newspapers, maps,

300 to 700 22
pencil notes, carbon copies, etc )

c) Study and research, reading over

long periods of time involving ordi-
nary books

d) Book repair and binding

ii) Ordinary Visual Tasks:

a) Discrimination of moderately fine

detail (leading 8-12 point type,
children’s books; general and private
office work; active file and mail
150 to 300 19
rooms; cataloguing )
b) Better-than average contrast ( read-
ing better magazines and books )

iii) Casual Visual ‘Tasks:

a) Conference and reception r0Oms;

stacks closed to the public: stair-
ways and hallways used by the
public: washrooms; checkrooms; and
other service areas; auditoriums;
book storage rooms where lables
70 to 150 16
arc to be read

b) Intcrmitrent periods of time ( brow-

sing; casual reading; book stacks;
card files; check-in and chrck-out
desks )
iv) Simple Visual Tasks:
Corridors not used bv thr public; sto-
rage rooms involving no reading of
lables 30 to 70 -
 IS : 2672- 1966

constant change both in quality and quantity, creating interest and

avoiding _ monotony. This variation has to be taken into account when
planning a scheme to ensure that at no time will the illuminatioh over the
working area be !css than that recommended for the particular visual task.
In some buildings it will be possible to achieve this by natural lighting
alone, but in other buildings, especially those located in obstructed city
areas, it will be necessary to supplement the natural lighting by artificial
lighting designed to operate permanently Slyring day time; this should be
properly co-ordinated with natural lightmg as described in IS : 3646
( Part I )-1966*. For detailed asperts ~1~claylighting, reference shall be
made to IS : 2440-19637.

6.2 In essence, the design of a lighting system should be such as to provide

permanent artificial supplementary lighting in addition to poss$$e
adequate daylight, in order to create an intimate and inviting atmosphere
in libraries.

7. MAINTENANCE OF LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS

7.1 Unless both the structure ( the: room surfaces and windows or roof
glazing) of a building and the lighting equipment are well maintained,
the aims of good lighting will soon be nullified; the lighting natural
or artificial, will no longer fulfil its purpose adequately, the cost of
providing useful light wil! increase and the appearance of the building will
deteriorate. The problems associated with good maintenance are
complex and vary from situation to .situation, but properly planned
maintenance schedules are always desirable for both the structure and the
artificial lighting equipment ( the lamps and fittings ) ( SCE IS : 3646
(Part I) - 1966*.

*Codr of practice for interior illumination : Part I Principles of good lighting and
aspects of drsign.
tCode of practicr for daylight& of buildings. ( Since revised ).

11
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