Need advice: Lighting placement in a new 28 x 36 garage.

[kook04]

Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum, and have been reading through all of the posts and have seen some real good advice. I'm hoping some of you can give me some help on the placement of the lighting in my new garage.

The garage is 28' wide and 36' deep. My current plan is to install 12 4' TD (2 bulb) flourescent lights. It would be in a grid pattern, 3 wide and 4 deep.

What I don't know is how to space the lights. If I just divide the spacing up evenly, that will give about a 7' (on center) space between lights in both directions. My concern is that 7' from the walls to the closest light might be too much.

Any advice on if this layout will work?

Thanks,

Kennedy

 

[dstryr]

The distance between a wall and the fixture from either dimension is usually 1/2 of the distance between the fixtures themselves. Imagine each fixture in its own 'space'. A 4' fixture with 4' of space on either end and sides will be 4' from a wall and 8' from the next fixture. They each light their own space with overlap from the others, which helps provide even and shadow-free illumination. What you don't get in overlap from the end(wall) is sometimes made up by reflectivity from the wall itself, but that's typically a consideration for more complicated lighting layouts.

 

[Piper]

according to what you want to do, that's .8 watts of light per square foot. In my new garage build which is 24 x 32, I've got 40 4' 34 watt tubes (20 fixtures) for 1.6 watts per sq foot. I've seen this amount of light and like it. My only comment to you is, is it going to be bright enough? I suppose it really depends upon what you want to do, general light, work light, painting ...

fwiw my 2 cents.

P

 

[thdewey]

The distance between a wall and the fixture from either dimension is usually 1/2 of the distance between the fixtures themselves. Imagine each fixture in its own 'space'. A 4' fixture with 4' of space on either end and sides will be 4' from a wall and 8' from the next fixture. They each light their own space with overlap from the others, which helps provide even and shadow-free illumination. What you don't get in overlap from the end(wall) is sometimes made up by reflectivity from the wall itself, but that's typically a consideration for more complicated lighting layouts.

This is true, but also consider if you have large cabinets or other large objects that might affect your design. I 'inset' my outer lights a little so that the a high shelf that will run the perimeter will not cast shadows along the walls or outer floors.

 

[rocco]

With the layout you mentioned, you will simply not have enought light.
I did a quick layout and if you look at the light levels, they are only in the 30's (footcandles)

I would suggest using 3 rows of 4 Tandem 8ft T8 Striplights, you'll get a useable light level with minimal shadowing. (about about 60 Footcandle)

Food for thought, my garage is lit to an average of 90 footcandle empty, with 3 cars and equipment, i'm at about 65 footcandle.

 

[Piper]

Rocco do you have a computer program or link to what you've posted regarding the OT's layout?

My reason for asking is that I've done a fluorescent lamp layout for my new garage (not yet built) and hope it'll be ok. I'd love to have a comparison of what I plan on doing like you posted.

P

 

[rocco]

Rocco do you have a computer program or link to what you've posted regarding the OT's layout?

My reason for asking is that I've done a fluorescent lamp layout for my new garage (not yet built) and hope it'll be ok. I'd love to have a comparison of what I plan on doing like you posted.

P

The program i use is propriatery to the on of companies that i represent.
Send me the layout you've done and i can imput it into my program.

 

[Piper]

thanks! I'll draw it up and pm you.

P

 

[structures282]

Looks like this companies software.

http://www.visuallightingsoftware.com/

 

[StangRacing]

dont want to highjack tread but I have a 30x30x12 in one bay a 2 post lift will be install about 5 ft from side wall and 10 ft from the rear of shop> i dont want the lights to be cover up by a car on lift and make sure I have enough lits what would you suggest open to all

 

[XR80David]

If you want serious light go with fluorescent "Day Light" style bulbs... They're bright! It has a very WHITE effect though.

 

[4-RunDog]

For what its worth, I just finished my 24'x36' shop with 12' eves. I used 6 8' tandem fixtures (four 4' bulbs per fixture) and I couldn't be happier with the amount of light!