Lumen Method Calculation

The lumen method is based on fundamental lighting calculations.
The
lumen method formula is easiest to appreciate in the following form.
𝑛 ∗ 𝑁 ∗ 𝐹 ∗ 𝑈𝐹 ∗ 𝐿𝐿𝐹
𝐸=
𝐴
Where:
E = average illuminance over the horizontal working plane
n = number of lamps in each luminaire
N = number of luminaire
F = lighting design lumen per lamp
UF = utilization factor for the horizontal working plane
LLF = light loss factor
is the ratio of the illuminance produced by the
lighting installation at the some specified time to the illuminance
produced by the same installation when new. It allows for effects such
as decrease in light output caused by
(a) the fall in lamp luminous flux with hours of use,

(b) the deposition of dirt on luminaire, and
(c) reflectance of room surfaces over time.
𝐿𝐿𝐹 = 𝐿𝐿𝑀𝐹 ∗ 𝐿𝑀𝐹  RSMF

Where:
LLMF = lamp lumen maintenance factor
LMF = luminaire maintenance factor
RSMF = room surface maintenance factor
is the proportion of the
initial light output of a lamp produced after a set time to those
produced when new. It allows for the decline in lumen output from a
lamp with age. Its value can be determined in two ways:
(a) by consulting a lamp manufacturer's catalogue for a lumen

depreciation chart, and
(b) by dividing the maintained lumens by the initial lamps.
is the proportion of the initial
light output from a luminaire after a set time to the initial light output
from a lamp after a set time. It constitutes the greatest loss in light
output and is mainly due to the accumulation of atmospheric dirt on
luminaire. Three factors must be considered in its determination:
(a) the type of luminaire,

(b) atmospheric conditions, and
(c) maintenance interval.
is the proportion of the
illuminance provided by a lighting installation in a room after a set
time compared with that occurred when the room was clean. It takes
into account that dirt accumulates on room surfaces and reduces
surface reflectance.
is the proportion of the luminous flux emitted
by the lamps which reaches the working plane. It is a measure of the
effectiveness of the lighting scheme. Factors that affect the value of
UF are as follows:
(a) light output ratio of luminaire

(b) flux distribution of luminaire
(c) room proportions
(d) room reflectances
(e) spacing/mounting height ratio
of luminaire takes into account for the loss of
light energy both inside and by transmission through light fittings. It is
given by the following expression.
𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑒
𝐿𝑂𝑅 =
Example 1 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝
The total, upward and downward lamp output from a lamp are 1000 lm, 300 lm and
500 lm respectively. Calculate upward light output ratio (ULOR), downward light
output ratio (DLOR), light output ratio (LOR) of luminaire and percentage of light
energy absorbed in luminaire.
𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 300
U𝐿𝑂𝑅 = = = 0.3 = 30%
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 1000
𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 500
D𝐿𝑂𝑅 = = = 0.5 = 50%
𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑+𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 300+500

𝐿𝑂𝑅 = = = 0.8 = 80%
𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑒 = 100 − 80 = 20%

A simple classification of luminaires according to their distribution is
based on flux fractions, as shown in Figure of next slide. Upward flux
fraction (UFF) and downward flux fraction (DFF) are used as a basis of
comparison.
Example 1
The total, upward and downward lamp output from a lamp are 1000 lm, 300 lm and
500 lm respectively. Determine upward flux fraction (UFF), downward flux fraction
(DFF) and flux fraction ratio (FRR).
𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 300

UFF= = = 0.375 = 37.5%
𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 800
𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 500
DFF= = = 0.625 = 62.5%
𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑+𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 0.375

𝐹𝑅𝑅 = = = 0.6 = 60%
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 0.625
is the proportion of the total downward luminous flux
from a conventional installation of luminaires which his directly
incident on the working plane. It is used to assess the flux distribution
of luminaire. Since the intensity distribution pattern of the light
radiated from a luminaire in the lower hemisphere will affect:
(a) the quantity of the downward flux falls directly on the working
plane and
(b) the quantity of flux available for reflection from the walls in a
given room,
is the ratio of room plan area to half the wall area
between the working and luminaire planes.
𝐿∗𝑊
𝑅𝐼 =
𝐻𝑚 ∗ (𝐿 + 𝑊)
Where:
L = length of room
W = width of room
Hm = mounting height (the vertical distance between the
working plane and the luminaire)
The room is considered to consist of three main surfaces:
(a) the ceiling cavity,

(b) the walls, and
(c) the floor cavity (or the horizontal working plane).
The effective reflectances of the above three surfaces affect the

quantity of reflected light received by the working plane.
is defined as the ratio of the
distance between adjacent luminaires (centre to centre), to their
height above the working plane. For a rectangular arrangement of
luminaires and by approximation,
1 𝐴
𝑆𝐻𝑅 =
𝐻𝑚 𝑵
Where:
A = total floor area
N = number of luminaires
Hm = mounting height
Under a regular array of luminaires the illuminance on the working
plane is not uniform. The closer spaced the luminaires for a given
mounting height, the higher the uniformity; or the greater the
mounting height for a given spacing, the greater the uniformity. If
uniformity of illuminance is to be acceptable for general lighting,
(a) SHR should not exceed maximum spacing to height ratio (SHR
MAX) of the given luminaire as quoted by the manufacturer, and
(b) geometric mean spacing to height ratio of the luminaire layout

should be within the range of nominal spacing to height ratio (SHR
NOM) of the given luminaire as quoted by the manufacturer, i.e.
𝑆𝐻𝑅 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 ∗ 𝑆𝐻𝑅(𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒) = 𝑆𝐻𝑅 𝑁𝑂𝑀 ± 0.5

a) Calculate the room index.
b) Determine the effective reflectances of the ceiling cavity, walls
and floor cavity.
c) Determine the utilisation factor from the manufacturer's data
sheet, using the room index and effective surface reflectances as
found in (a) and (b) above.
d) Determine the light loss factor.
e) Inert the appropriate variables into the lumen method formula to
obtain the number of luminaires required.
f) Determine a suitable layout.
g) Check that the geometric mean spacing to height ratio of the
layout is within the SHR NOM range:
h) Check that the proposed layout does not exceed the maximum
spacing to height ratios (SHR MAX).
i) Calculate the illuminance that will be achieved by the final layout
and check against the standard.
Example 3
Design a lighting installation for a college seminar room so that the
average illuminance is 500 lux on the horizontal working plane, using
the data listed below. Suggest the layout and check appropriate
spacing to mounting height.
Room dimensions: 12 m long x 8 m wide x 3.2 m high

Working plane at 0.7 m above floor
Reflection factors: Ceiling 70 %; Walls 50 %; Working plane 20 %
Light Loss factor: 0.779
Luminaires: 1800 mm twin tube with opal diffuser (Ceiling mounted)
Downward light output ratio 36 %
SHR MAX 1.60 : 1
SHR NOM 1.50 : 1
Dimensions : 1800 mm long x 200 mm wide
Lamps: 1800 mm 75 W plus white 5800 average initial lumens per
lamp (2 lamps per luminaire)
(a) Initial calculation
𝐿∗𝑊 12 ∗ 8
𝑅𝐼 = = = 1.92
𝐻𝑚 ∗ (𝐿 + 𝑊) 2.5 ∗ (12 + 8)
From manufacturer's photometric data sheet (Table 3), utilisation

factor (UF) is 0.5336 by interpolation.
𝐸∗𝐴 500 ∗ 12 ∗ 8
𝑁= = = 9.95
𝑛 ∗ 𝐹 ∗ 𝑈𝐹 ∗ 𝐿𝐿𝐹 2 ∗ 5800 ∗ 0.5336 ∗ 0.779
Therefore, the number of luminairs is 10.

Initial check on S/Hm ratio gives:
𝑆 1 12 ∗ 8
= = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟒: 𝟏
𝐻𝑚 2.5 𝟏𝟎
From the manufacture's photometric data, maximum S/Hm is 1.6 : 1.

Therefore, it should be possible to use 10 luminaires.
(b) Proposed layout
A 5 x 2 array is proposed fro the lighting installation. (A 10 x 1 array is

an alternative.)
(c) Checking the proposed layout
Since 2 x 1.8 m = 3.6 m < 8 m (width of room), the proposed layout

will fit.
(Usually checking only the linear dimension of the fitting for space is
enough as the other dimension (i.e. 200 mm in this case) is much
smaller.)
For long axis,
12
𝑆= = 𝟐. 𝟒m
5
𝑆 2.4
= = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟔: 𝟏
𝐻𝑚 2.5
(<1.6:1) it is all right
For short axis,

8
𝑆 = = 𝟒m
2
𝑆 4
= = 𝟏. 𝟔: 𝟏
𝐻𝑚 2.5
(=1.6:1) it is all right
For long axis, For short axis,
8
12 𝑆 = = 𝟒m
𝑆= = 𝟐. 𝟒m 2
5
𝑆 4
𝑆 2.4 = = 𝟏. 𝟔: 𝟏
= = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟔: 𝟏 𝐻𝑚 2.5
𝐻𝑚 2.5 (=1.6:1) it is all right
𝑆𝐻𝑅 𝑁𝑂𝑀 ± 0.5 = 1.5 ± 0.5 = 1.0 𝑡𝑜 2.0

𝑆𝐻𝑅 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 ∗ 𝑆𝐻𝑅(𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒) = 0.96 ∗ 1.6 = 1.24
Note that if the checks had worked out to be unsatisfactory, the number of luminaires should
be reconsidered and the calculations on the illuminance should be repeated. For example, a
3x3 array for lower lux level or a 4x4 array for higher lux level.

Lumen Method Calculation

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The lumen method is based on fundamental lighting calculations.

(a) the fall in lamp luminous flux with hours of use,

𝐿𝐿𝐹 = 𝐿𝐿𝑀𝐹 ∗ 𝐿𝑀𝐹  RSMF

(a) by consulting a lamp manufacturer's catalogue for a lumen

(a) the type of luminaire,

(a) light output ratio of luminaire

𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑+𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 300+500

𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑒 = 100 − 80 = 20%

𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 300

𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑+𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 0.375

(a) the ceiling cavity,

The effective reflectances of the above three surfaces affect the

(b) geometric mean spacing to height ratio of the luminaire layout

𝑆𝐻𝑅 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 ∗ 𝑆𝐻𝑅(𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒) = 𝑆𝐻𝑅 𝑁𝑂𝑀 ± 0.5

Room dimensions: 12 m long x 8 m wide x 3.2 m high

From manufacturer's photometric data sheet (Table 3), utilisation

Therefore, the number of luminairs is 10.

From the manufacture's photometric data, maximum S/Hm is 1.6 : 1.

A 5 x 2 array is proposed fro the lighting installation. (A 10 x 1 array is

(c) Checking the proposed layout

Since 2 x 1.8 m = 3.6 m < 8 m (width of room), the proposed layout

For short axis,

𝑆𝐻𝑅 𝑁𝑂𝑀 ± 0.5 = 1.5 ± 0.5 = 1.0 𝑡𝑜 2.0

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