12.1.2.3-4 Task-Specific Illumination Levels

For specific important tasks required to be carried out in the control room, the illuminance levels should be consistent with those listed in Table 12.1.

Additional Information: The values in Table 12.1 are preferred levels based on conservative assumptions about the reflectance of the task background, the age of the operator, and the criticality of the task being performed. These illuminance values were derived for analog control rooms and are, for the most part, higher than the illumination levels specified under “General Illumination Level” above. Lower illuminances may be justified for more favorable visual conditions or where the need to perform critical tasks can be ruled out. Lower illuminances are also generally appropriate for computer-based control rooms. Local task illumination should be employed where specific tasks at isolated locations require extra illumination. The “Visual Display Device” nominal value in Table 12.1 should be considered for tasks primarily consisting of viewing and interacting with visual display devices with minimal or no paperwork. The higher illuminances given under “General Illumination Levels” above should be used for tasks where paperwork is required in combination with the use of visual display devices.26 0700, 5680, 11064-6

 

 

© ISO. This material is excerpted from ISO 11064-6: 2005 with permission of ANSI on behalf of ISO. All rights reserved.

 

Table 12.1 Nominal Illumination Levels For Various Tasks And Work Areas

 

Work Area or Type of Task

Task Illuminance

(footcandles)

Task Illuminance

(lux)

Panels, primary operating area

50

538

Auxiliary panels

50

538

Scale indicator reading

50

538

Seated operator stations

100

1080

Reading:

handwritten (pencil)

  • printed or typed
  • visual display device

 

100

50

10

 

1080

536

108

Writing and data recording

100

1080

Maintenance and wiring areas

50

536

Emergency operating lighting

10

108

Note: Source is Tables 6.2 and 6.3 in NUREG/CR-5680 (O’Hara et al., 1994).