The SLL Code for lighting (SLL, 2012) has a number of recommended lighting levels for staircases based on the type of buildings in which they are located. The values given are based on the values in European Standard BS EN 12464-1 (BSI, 2011), but the SLL is not certain of the reasoning behind the differences in the values given in the standard for the staircases in different types of building, see Appendix. The SLL hopes to fund research into optimum lighting levels on staircases, which it is hoped will give some validity and consistency in future recommendations in both BS EN 12464-1 and in a future edition of the SLL Code for lighting.
This Lighting Guide covers where on a stair to calculate and measure the values presently recommended in the Code; shows safe places to position luminaires so that they do not present an impact risk for those passing up or down the stairs; identifies luminaire positions that may cause risk due to placing access equipment on stairs for maintenance that block exit routes; and, finally, safe control of stair lighting.