Permanent supplementary artificial lighting of deep hospital wards

Abstract

Possible methods of lighting deep hospital-ward-units, having restricted fenestration and reduced ceiling height have been investigated at the Building Research Station in co-operation with the Department of Health and Social Security. The experimental work was conducted in a full-scale mock-up of a six-bed bay, 7-9 m deep and 6-25 m wide with a 2-75 m ceiling height. With such a ceiling height and restricted fenestration, the daylight falls below the recommended minimum daylight factor and a sense of gloominess at the rear of the ward is experienced. Methods of supplementing the available daylight with artificial lighting were developed to dispel the gloominess by increasing the luminance of critical surfaces. Recommended levels of additional luminance required on the upper quarter of the side walls at the back of the bed-space and on the window wall were determined by subjective observations for glazed areas of 30 and 20 per cent of the window wall area. The results are summarized in tables, and details of experimental designs of suitable lighting fittings are given.