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NC-v4.1 EQc6:Interior Lighting

Can decorative lighting be excluded from interior lighting requirements?

Sara BENLOUBA

Green building manager

Confidential

LEEDuser Basic Member

13 thumbs up

November 23, 2023

Dear experts,

Regarding the CRI >90 requirement, we have a lot of decorative luminaires (lampshades, table lamps, etc.) that can't have a CRI of 90 or more. So we asked GBCI what types of luminaires could be exceptions. Their answer was as follows:

“” Dear Sara,

Thank you for following up with me again.

1) Fixtures designed to provide colored lighting for effect would be any fixtures that are installed/designed with the express purpose of providing intentionally colored lighting for design purposes.

2) Site lighting is any fixture that is used on the exterior of the building. This is specifically listed as an exception for Color Rendering, but please note that site lighting is not within the scope of EQc Interior Lighting for any strategy.

3) Special Use refers to lighting that is designed to have a specific CRI due to a special purpose or use for the project.

“””

My question: Do lampshades (lampshades on bedroom bedside tables and restaurant tables) qualify for exception 1 or exception 2? Do they create any kind of lighting effect? I have a feeling it's not lighting effect, but I want to know your expertise on this subject.

Can table lamps specifically designed for hairdressers and manicurists qualify as exception 3?

Thanks so much.

Post a reply

Sara BENLOUBA

Green building manager

Confidential

LEEDuser Basic Member

13 thumbs up

Fri, 11/24/2023 - 09:17

Dear Everyone, Would you help us with your experience about this subject?

Glenn Heinmiller

Principal

Lam Partners

LEEDuser Basic Member

83 thumbs up

Mon, 11/27/2023 - 01:56

Sara, No I don't think these exemptions apply. #1 is for lighting that is only for a "theatrical effect" with colored light, not for "white" lighting that is for general or task lighting. #2 is for exterior lighting. #3 I'm not sure I undertand what a "special use" is that would require a CRI below 90 to meet design objectives. But I don't think your "decorative" lightign fioxutre are a "special use". I aloso wondering why you fixutrre "can't have a CRI or 90". Maybe you need to find different fixtures that can be provided with 90CRI.

Sara BENLOUBA

Green building manager

Confidential

LEEDuser Basic Member

13 thumbs up

Mon, 11/27/2023 - 14:03

Dear glenn Heinmiller, Thanks a lot. Your opinion is very clear. Suppliers say it hard to find luminaires with CRI>90 that can be integrated into the decorative objects already chosen by interior designers. In your experience, are luminaires with CRI>90 widely available throughout Europe and other countries? Are there any problems? Could you please enlighten us with your opinion? Many thanks for your availibility.

Filippo Weber

Weber Architects

LEEDuser Basic Member

1 thumbs up

Tue, 10/01/2024 - 12:59

Dear Sara, I'm facing a similar problem. Have you had any response from GBCI specifing which type of lamps can be excluded?
More specifically, I would like to know whether ‘moving’ (table lamps, abat jour etc..) lights must comply with these values Thanks!

Andrey Kuznetsov

ESG consultant, LEED AP BD+C

Self Employed

LEEDuser Basic Member

36 thumbs up

Sat, 10/05/2024 - 03:30

Filippo Weber In my experience with task lighting at CI project (specific shop) - such light can be exemption only if you clearly can prove and explain WHY it's specific light that need to be exempt (due to colour of the light or other) and it must be reasonable. For instance – you have all surfaces red at showcase - so the specific lighting at showcase must be red - etc. File you case honest and properly in such manner, so - that some persone from outside the project would say "yes, it's reasonable" - 99 % it would be accepted by GBCI. My private opinion regarding "Do lampshades (lampshades on bedroom bedside tables and restaurant tables) qualify for exception 1 or exception 2" in general - no, it do not qualify. If you don't have some research that states that bedroom side lamps are better for humans eye if it has some specific colour AND lamps with such colour can not have such SRI; or lampshades at restaurant tables must have specific light due to colour of surrounding design or other reasons, and such light can not stand such requirements - you can not just state that such lamps are exception.