Industrial Lighting Lux Levels: UK Guide for Warehouses, Factories & Workspaces
When upgrading industrial lighting, the most important factor isn’t wattage — it’s lux. Lux (lumens per square metre) determines how bright a space is at working level. For warehouses, factories, and workshops, correct lux levels are essential for safety, productivity, and compliance with UK standards.
This guide explains recommended lux levels for industrial spaces, why they matter, and how modern LED high bays — such as our Nebula range — can help you achieve them.
What Are Lux Levels?
- Lumens = total light output from a lamp.
- Lux = light falling on a surface area (lumens ÷ square metres).
Example: A high bay producing ~27,000 lumens may achieve ~300 lux on the floor in a typical warehouse layout at 6–8 m mounting height, depending on spacing, optics and surface reflectance. This is why lux, not watts, is the right way to specify industrial lighting.
Recommended Lux Levels by Application (UK Guidance)
The ranges below align with common UK recommendations for typical tasks. Always confirm specific requirements for your site.
| Area / Application | Recommended Lux | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse (bulk storage) | 100–200 lux | General aisles and storage areas |
| Warehouse (racking areas) | 150–300 lux | Picking, stock management |
| Factory – general production | 300–500 lux | Assembly, machine operation |
| Factory – precision work | 750–1000 lux | Inspection, fine detail work |
| Workshops / workbenches | 500–750 lux | Detailed assembly or repair |
| Offices (for comparison) | 300–500 lux | Standard working environments |
How to Achieve These Lux Levels
Meeting target lux depends on mounting height, spacing, optics/beam angle, surface reflectance and the fitting’s lumens. Use the ranges below as a practical starting point, then confirm with a lighting design.
Warehouses (100–200 lux)
- Typically achieved with ~18,000–22,000 lm per fitting at 6–8 m, using wide optics.
- Example: a 100–120 W setting on a high-efficiency LED high bay can deliver ~150–200 lux average in bulk storage layouts.
Warehouse Racking (150–300 lux)
- Requires higher lumen packages and often narrower beam distribution to push light between racks.
- Example: a 150 W setting (~27,000 lm) at ~8 m commonly achieves ~250–300 lux in racking aisles with suitable optics.
Factory – General Production (300–500 lux)
- Uniformity matters. Use wide distribution and appropriate spacing.
- Example: a ~36,000 lm high bay at 6–8 m can deliver ~350–450 lux average in open production areas.
Workbenches & Precision Work (500–1000 lux)
- Combine general lighting with localised task lighting nearer the work plane.
- Example: high bays or panels positioned at 3–4 m typically achieve ~600–750 lux on bench surfaces.
Tip: For guaranteed compliance and optimal uniformity, request a free lighting design. We’ll model your exact space and mounting heights.
Efficient LED High Bays (Example: Nebula UFO)
High-efficiency fittings reduce energy use while meeting target lux. As an example, our Nebula UFO range operates at ~180 lumens per watt and offers wattage-switchable flexibility to suit different areas and heights:
- Nebula 150 W (switchable 80 W / 120 W / 150 W) → approx. 14,400 / 21,600 / 27,000 lm
- Nebula 200 W (switchable 100 W / 150 W / 200 W) → approx. 18,000 / 27,000 / 36,000 lm
In typical layouts at 6–8 m, these settings align with the lux ranges above (e.g. storage at 100–200 lux, racking at 150–300 lux, production at 300–500 lux) when spaced appropriately. Ask for a free design to lock in results for your site.
Why Getting Lux Right Matters
- Safety: Reduces accidents in warehouses and on production lines.
- Productivity: Improves visibility, accuracy and worker comfort.
- Compliance: Helps meet UK HSE and CIBSE guidance.
- Energy savings: High-efficacy fittings meet targets with fewer watts and fewer units.
FAQs: Industrial Lux Levels
What lux is required for a warehouse in the UK?
As a general guide: 100–200 lux for bulk storage, 150–300 lux for racking. Confirm specific needs for your tasks and site.
How do I calculate lux?
Lux = lumens ÷ area (m²). Accurate results require considering mounting height, beam angle and surface reflectance, which is why a lighting design is recommended.
Can I base requirements on wattage alone?
No — wattage is power consumed. Lumens and optics determine lux at the working plane.
Do you offer lighting designs?
Yes — Seven LED provides free designs for trade customers to guarantee lux compliance and uniformity. Request a free lighting design.
Need to Hit a Specific Lux Level?
Send us your drawings or a quick sketch with dimensions and mounting heights — we’ll specify the fittings and spacing to meet your target lux.