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How to Light a Small Storage Space | Rabdesign.Ca How to light a small storage space | rabdesign.ca | 1 2 | rabdesign.ca | How to light a small storage space How to light a small storage space | rabdesign.ca | SUMMARY Storage lighting for smaller spaces in the home or workplace is often ignored, forgotten or given minimal attention. Builders and homeowners typically focus on lighting that is more prominent and visible in their homes/spaces. There is however a compelling case for effective closet and storage space lighting, in- cluding lighting efficiency, making a space look and feel bigger, better and more organized. With easy access when you need things in a rush. With newer LED and smart sensor technology combined into simple fixtures such as RAB Design Lighting’s SpaceLite, today there are simple, cost effective solutions to lighting closets and other smaller storage spaces. Whether you are a home or building owner, a facility manager or an electrical contractor, this guide should help you understand what to look for when lighting closets and other commonly ignored storage spaces such as wardrobe closets, storage rooms, utility closets, attics and basement rooms. OVERVIEW 1. WHY STORAGE SPACE LIGHTING 2. TIPS FOR LIGHTING A STORAGE SPACE 3. ELECTRICAL CODES FOR STORAGE SPACES 4. STORAGE SPACE LIGHTING OPTIONS 5. THE SPACELITE How to light a small storage space | rabdesign.ca | 3 1. WHY STORAGE SPACE LIGHTING? Effective lighting for a small storage room or closet whether at home or work provides easy access and visibility, allowing you to be more efficient and organized. Unlike a kitchen or an office space where the need for light is constant, storage spaces are used infrequently or for short periods of time, making them a great fit for the innovative and energy friendly lighting options available today, including motion sensor activated LED fixtures. AT HOME Spaces in the home where lighting is typically an afterthought include clothing closets, attics, basements and under-stair storage. As the saying goes though, out of sight is often out of mind, so when a space is dark, it’s hard to find what you need. Closet lighting allows us to better organize the space and quickly find what we are looking for. If the space already has a light it might offer inadequate light or in the case of basic fixture with a pull switch, it is a fire and safety hazard. You might also want to improve the aesthetics of the space. AT WORK The same logic of organization and visibility applies in the workplace, whether it’s a utility room, small data/server room or a janitorial closet. For cleaning professionals, a janitorial closet is typically their office and operations centre. With equipment such as mops, brooms, cleaning solutions and restocking supplies, a disorganized janitorial closet can lead to confusion. Some cleaning materials might also be hazardous, hence the importance of proper lighting. Lighting helps maintain the closet, improves efficiency and supports safety and professionalism for the custodial worker. For facility managers and building owners seeking LEED-EB certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings) an added bonus of effective utility closet lighting is that the facility can earn points simply by having a green compliant and clean storage and utility closet. WHERE DO YOU NEED STORAGE LIGHTING Spaces that are used frequently, such as day-to-day home living or office working areas are not a good fit for the highly efficient, lower wattage, smart controlled lighting that is now available for small spaces. Spaces that would benefit from a storage light have the following features: • They are relatively small (10-40 Sq feet) and require low light levels • They are used infrequently • They are used for short periods of time, usually to get or check on something • They have no sources of natural daylight The most obvious candidate for storage space lighting improvement is those spaces that either have no light, have limited battery powered lighting or have a simple fixture, maybe with a bare bulb or a simple pull switch. 4 | rabdesign.ca | How to light a small storage space How to light a small storage space | rabdesign.ca | 2.TIPS FOR LIGHTING A STORAGE SPACE EVALUATE WIRED OR WIRELESS Whether the space is already wired is an important consideration for choosing a light fixture. If there is wiring, an electrical box or an existing fixture, then you are in decent shape. If there is no wiring and the space is big enough that a battery powered (wireless) light is insufficient, then running wires might be essential. While do-it- yourselfers will choose to do the wiring themselves, the best bet is to hire a licensed electrician and make sure the job is done safely and to code. THINK BEYOND THE INITIAL PURCHASE Various battery powered lights are available today, ranging in price from a few dollars to as high as $40 -$50, which is the approximate cost of a motion sensor activated LED fixture that is optimal for a small storage space. If the additional cost of wiring is required, this may add to the up-front cost, but it is important to consider maintenance. While battery powered lights may be cheaper to buy, there is the ongoing replacement cost of the batteries to consider, plus maintenance and the typically shorter life of a battery powered fixture. DETERMINE REQUIRED LIGHT LEVELS The rule of lighting a smaller, infrequently used storage space is to focus on a combination of functionality and aesthetics. Over illumination is not usually a problem since people spend minimal time in these spaces, but it is important to have sufficient light and as a rule, more light is better than insufficient light. The amount of light required would depend on the size and layout of the space. There are free tools available online to calculate light requirements, but generally, a space that is in the range of 10 to 20 square feet would require at least one fixture providing at minimum 300 lumens, but ideally more than 500 lumens. How to light a small storage space | rabdesign.ca | 5 DIRECT LIGHT FOR FUNCTION Lighting should be directed toward storage shelves and other spaces where people are likely to look and reach for. If only one fixture is used, it should be placed in a central location that illuminates most of the usable space. Depending on the layout and function of the space, multiple light fixtures may be required to direct light where needed. CONSIDER SAFETY IN LIGHT PLACEMENT Electrical code guidelines are sometimes ignored, especially in a do-it-yourself (DIY) situation, but they exist for safety and to prevent fires. The code relating to lighting clothing closets requires that the light should be placed on a ceiling or front wall above the door of the closet, within a safe distance from shelves and moveable items. Recessed light fixtures are required to be at least 18 inches from the back and side walls of a closet. (You will find more information on the electrical code below.) BEFORE AFTER DECLUTTER YOUR CLOSET A light can only do so much, but hopefully shining a light in your closet will prompt a reorganization and decluttering exercise that will result in the items in your space being more accessible and organized. This will also allow the light to reach more areas in the space. CONSIDER A CLOSET ORGANIZER SYSTEM As with lighting, closets and storage spaces are often an afterthought. The result is a lot of poorly lit, disorganized spaces. For a wardrobe or clothing closet, in addition to lighting, one might consider one of the many options in closet organizer systems, which work together with improved lighting. 6 | rabdesign.ca | How to light a small storage space How to light a small storage space | rabdesign.ca | 3.LIGHTING CODES FOR STORAGE SPACES Both Canada and the U.S. have requirements in their respective electrical codes for lighting in storage and clothing closets. For clothing closets, the guidelines specify light placement and warn against the use of pendant lights and incandescent lights that are not lensed (covered) for safety against fire breaking bulbs. Both Canadian and U.S. electrical codes also specify the types of fixtures that may be used in commercial storage and utility spaces. More specifics on the electrical codes governing clothing closets and utility storage spaces are covered below. Clothing Closet Lighting Specifications CANADIAN ELECTRICAL CODE (section 30:204) • Every luminaire installed in a clothes closet shall be located on the ceiling or on the front wall above the door of the closet, unless mounted on the trim or sidewall of the doorway and approved for the application. • Lamp holders and luminaires of the pendant or suspended type, and lamp holders and luminaires of the bare lamp type shall not be installed in clothes closets. THE U.S. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (NEC) (SECTION 410-8) • Pendant fixtures are not permitted to be installed in clothes closets. • Fluorescent fixtures are allowed but must be either recessed or surface mounted. • LED fixture must also be fully enclosed at distances ranging from 6-12 inches from walls and ceilings. STORAGE SPACE LIGHTING SPECIFICATIONS According to the International Code Council (section E3803.4 covering stor- age or equipment spaces) lighting is required in storage spaces which meet the following criteria: • In attics, under-floor spaces, utility rooms and basements, at least one lighting outlet shall be installed where these spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring servicing. • Such lighting outlet shall be controlled by a wall switch or shall have an integral switch. • At least one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces.
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