6. LIGHTING

Considerations and Rationale:

The SAA reasoned lighting can affect the longevity of the record.  Those working archival facilities, therefore should take appropriate measures to protect their collections from damage caused by excessive ultraviolet light and infrared light(SAA, 2009, p. 75).

 

GUIDELINES:  In selecting lights for an archival facility, the SAA recommends that selection should be based on three principle considerations: 

  • (1) Economical Consideration: The lights selected for an archival facility should be kept as low as possible– and should strive toward “green status” (SAA, 2009, p.75). In short, the light should not drain energy. 
  • (2) Safety Consideration:  The lights selected needs to be filtered or controlled in such a way that it will prevent damage and deterioration to sensitive archive records as a result of  light aging (SAA, 2009, p.75). Light aging can result in fading, color shift, and darkening of collections(SAA, 2009, p.75). 
  • (3) Functional Consideration:  The lights selected must be useful. It must be able to support the facility’s environmental, security, safety and accessibility goals in addition to the archival records (SAA, 2009, p.75).  

The following chart demonstrates the level of lighting appropriate in archival facilities for proper protection of archival records and other rooms within the archival facility.  The SAA measures lighting in foot-candles, which is a form of measurement of light intensity. One foot candle is defined as the a quantifiable amount of light that can saturate a one foot square with one lumen of light (FSG, 2019).  (1 foot candle is equal to 1 lumen/sq. ft or 10.764 lux) (Source of Chart: SAA, 2009, pp.80-91).

1 foot candle is equal to 1 lumen/sq. ft or 10.764 lux
Source TypeSpace NameLighting Level in Foot CandlesMaximum UV Level in Microwatts/LumenNotes
Archival Stacks Archival Stacks19-46 foot candles (200-500 lux)10No windows or skylights; UV filters; 20 inches [50 centimeters] between bulb and collections.
Cold Storage19-46 foot candles (200-500 lux)10Thermal tempered lights; UV filters
Mixed Use Processing Rooms19-46 foot candles (200-500 lux)10No windows or skylights; UV filters; 20 inches [50 centimeters] between bulb and collections.
Conservation Laboratory-Dry19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10Controlled and color balanced light; UV filters; task lighting
Conservation Laboratory-Wet 19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10Damp-labeled (DL) or We-labeled (WL) fixtures
Special Media Laboratory19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10Controlled and color balanced light; UV filters; taks lighting
Reformatting Lab 5-139 foot candles [50-1,500 lux]10Controlled and color balanced light; UV filters; task lighting
Exhibits3-19 foot candles [200-500 lux]10Most in the 5-9 foot candles [50-100] range; Dimmers and occupancy sensors; fiber optic lighting;
Reading RoomsTextual 19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10Diffuse, color balanaced; UV filters; low-level lighting with brighter task lights.
Microfilm5-9 foot candles [50-100 lux]10No windows; UV filters; task lighting
Audiovisual19-46 candles [200-500 lux]10Low-level lighting-19-28 foot candles [200-300 lux]; UV filters; lighting zones; task lights
Records Holding Area 19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10No windows or skylights; UV filters; 20 inches [50 centimeters] between bulb and collections.
Researcher Registration/Orientation Consultation19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10UV filters; online registration may require diffuse and lower lighting (5-19 foot candles [50-100 lux])
Finding Aids Room19-46 foot candles [200-500]10Online catalog searching may require diffuse and lower lighting (5-19 foot candles [50-100 lux])
Public Spaces Lobby 28-46 foot candles [300-500 lux]10Bright lighting; day lighting and accent lighting
Lockers/Locker Room 28-46 foot candles [300-500 lux]10Occupancy sensors and automatic shut offs
Auditorium/Training/Classrooms19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10Lighting controls; avoid systems that produce heat or noise
Meeting Spaces 19-70 foot candles [200-750 lux]1028 foot candles [300 lux] is standard
Food Service Area 7-70 foot candles [75-750 lux]10kitchens should have 70 foot candles [750 lux]; dininig can have day lighting and 7-18.5 foot candles [75-200 lux]
Gift Shop 70 foot candles [750 lux]10N/A
Staff SpacesOffices28-70 foot candles [75-750 lux]10N/A
Lunchroom7-70 foot candles [75-750 lux]10Dining can have day lighting and 18.5 foot candles [200 lux]
Lockers/Locker Room28-46 foot candles [300-500 lux]10Occupancy sensors and automatic shut-offs; DL or WL fixtures if needed
Non-Public SpacesLoading Dock/Receiving19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10Recommended are 28 foot candles [300 lux]
Supply Storage/Warehouse14-46 foot candles [150-500 lux]10Depends on activity levels
Computer Room 19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10No windows or skylights
Security Office19-46 foot candles [200-500 lux]10May need lighting zones with dimmers and flash capabilities
General SpacesRestrooms28 foot candles [300 lux]10DL or WL fixtures
Corridors12-48 foot candles [150-300 lux]10N/A
Stairs14-28 foot candles [150-300 lux]10N/A
Elevators 14-28 foot candles [150-300 lux]10N/A
Directional Signage19-28 foot candles [200-300 lux]10N/A
Exterior1-19 foot candles [5-200 lux]N/AN/A