Chapter 9 100 Points | Classroom With 11 Ceiling

Chapter 9 100 Points1a Classroom 80x60 With A 11 Ceiling Will Be

Chapter 9 100 Points1a Classroom 80x60 With A 11 Ceiling Will Be

Chapter 9 (100 points) 1. A classroom 80’x60’ with a 11’ ceiling will be illuminated for reading and transcribing handwriting in ink or medium pencil on good-quality paper. Uniform lighting is required throughout the room. Desks in the classroom are 3’ high. All ceilings and walls are to be painted medium-color and soft 40 watt fluorescent lamps are selected for long-term eye comfort, 2-lamp-and-4’-long luminaries are used, luminaries are to be ceiling mounted, and all luminaries are to be cleaned every six months.

Please determine the numbers of lamps and luminaries and develop the light layout. (50 pts) 2. Everything remains the same as that of Question 1 except that the luminaries are suspended from 25’ ceiling. Please determine the numbers of lamps and luminaries and develop the light layout. (50 pts)

Paper For Above instruction

Effective lighting design in educational environments is crucial for ensuring visual comfort, safety, and productivity. Proper illumination minimizes eye strain and fatigue, especially in settings requiring detailed tasks such as reading and handwriting. This paper addresses the lighting requirements for a classroom measuring 80 feet by 60 feet, with a ceiling height of either 11 feet or 25 feet, focusing on calculating the appropriate number of lamps and luminaries and devising a suitable lighting layout based on the given parameters.

Introduction

Lighting in classrooms plays a vital role in creating an conducive environment for learning. Uniform lighting is essential to eliminate shadows and glare, thereby supporting tasks like reading and writing. In this context, fluorescent lighting is renowned for its energy efficiency, long life, and ability to produce diffuse, even light ideal for educational settings. This paper examines two scenarios: one with an 11-foot ceiling and another with a 25-foot suspended ceiling, utilizing 40-watt fluorescent lamps with two-lamp ceiling-mounted luminaires.

Methodology and Calculations

The first step in lighting design involves understanding the illuminance requirements for the classroom. According to standards established by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the recommended illuminance for general reading and writing tasks is approximately 50 foot-candles (fc). To determine the number of lamps, we first calculate the overall luminous flux needed.

The room dimensions are 80 feet by 60 feet, providing an area of 4,800 square feet. For uniform illumination at 50 fc, the total lumen requirement is:

• Total Lumens (Φ) = Area × Illuminance = 4,800 ft² × 50 fc = 240,000 lumens.

Each 40-watt fluorescent lamp typically produces around 3,200 lumens, though this can vary by manufacturer. Given the luminaries are 4-foot long with two lamps each, the total lumens per luminaire will be:

• Lumens per luminaire = 2 × 3,200 lumens = 6,400 lumens.

To achieve the total lumen requirement, the number of luminaries needed is:

• Number of luminaries = Total Lumens Required / Lumens per luminaire = 240,000 / 6,400 ≈ 37.5

Since partial luminaires are not feasible, rounding up gives a requirement of 38 luminaries.

The number of lamps per luminaire is two, thus total lamps:

• Total lamps = 38 × 2 = 76 lamps.

Lighting Layout for Ceiling Height of 11 Feet

For a room with an 11-foot ceiling, ceiling-mounted fixtures are appropriate. The layout should ensure uniform light distribution. To achieve this, luminaires are spaced evenly across the ceiling plane, with proper consideration of room geometry. Spacing criteria often suggest spacing between luminaires should be approximately 1.5 to 2 times the mounting height to prevent dark spots or overly bright areas.

Given the room dimensions:

• Spacing along the 80 ft length ≈ 80 ft / (√2) ≈ 56.6 ft (approximate spacing between luminaires along the length)
• Spacing along the 60 ft width ≈ 60 ft / (√2) ≈ 42.4 ft

However, for practical purposes and aesthetic considerations, a grid pattern with luminaires spaced at approximately 10-12 feet apart in both directions is often optimal. For this room, arranging 4 rows along the length and 4 columns along the width, totaling 16 luminaires, can provide uniform coverage, and adjustments can be made to match the total number of 38 luminaires by increasing spacing or adding additional luminaires along the perimeter.

All luminaires should be mounted strictly on the ceiling to ensure proper light distribution and minimize shadows. Regular cleaning every six months is critical to maintain luminous efficacy.

Lighting Layout for Ceiling Height of 25 Feet (Suspended)

With the luminaries suspended from a 25-foot ceiling, the spacing criteria need to be adjusted to prevent excessive shadows and ensure sufficient illumination. The recommended spacing for suspended fixtures considers the increased height, often increasing the spacing to approximately 1.75 to 2 times the height.

Using similar calculations:

• Spacing along the length ≈ 25 ft × 1.75 ≈ 43.75 ft
• Spacing along the width ≈ 25 ft × 1.75 ≈ 43.75 ft

Designing a grid with luminaires spaced around 12-15 feet apart will likely provide uniform light distribution across the room’s large height, avoiding excessive shadows and dark spots. Arranging 3-4 rows along the length and 3-4 along the width, totaling again approximately 16-25 luminaires, will suffice for the calculated lighting needs.

Environmental and Maintenance Considerations

Environmental factors such as wall color and reflective surfaces significantly influence lighting effectiveness. Medium-colored painted surfaces help diffuse light evenly, and the use of soft fluorescent lamps reduces eye strain. Regular maintenance, including cleaning luminaires twice a year, ensures consistent luminous output and energy efficiency.

Conclusion

Designing and implementing effective lighting in a classroom involves precise calculations and strategic placement of luminaires. For the 11-foot ceiling, approximately 38 luminaires with 76 lamps are necessary, spaced to ensure uniform lighting. For increased ceiling height scenarios at 25 feet, similar or slightly increased number and adjusted spacing of luminaires are recommended to maintain lighting quality. Proper maintenance and environment considerations further enhance the educational space's visual comfort and safety.

References

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