The standards that apply to warehouses
Warehouse lighting is assessed against the same framework as any other workplace: the legal duty in regulation 8 of the Workplace Regulations 1992, HSE's HSG38 Lighting at work for safety minimums, and BS EN 12464-1:2021 for task lighting indoors. Outdoor yards, gatehouses and external loading areas fall under BS EN 12464-2:2024. The SLL's LG1, The industrial environment, covers storage and distribution in more detail.
What makes warehouses different is the mix of tasks and hazards in one building: pallet trucks and forklifts sharing space with pedestrians, labels read at height, high racking that blocks light, and frequent transitions between bright interiors and dark yards.
Warehouse lux levels by area
Typical BS EN 12464-1:2021 values for storage and distribution areas are:
| Area | Maintained illuminance | Measured on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store and stock rooms | 100 lx | Floor | 200 lx if continuously occupied |
| High-rack gangways, unmanned | 20 lx | Floor | Automated aisles only |
| High-rack gangways, manned | 150 lx | Floor | Any aisle with people or driven trucks |
| Rack face | 200 lx | Vertical face | Portable or truck-mounted lighting may be used |
| Control stations | 150 lx | Task | Higher where screen work is continuous |
| Dispatch, packing and handling areas | 300 lx | Task | Label reading and checking |
| Loading ramps and bays | 150 lx | Floor | Watch the ratio to the yard outside |
| Warehouse offices | 500 lx | Desk | As for any office |
Glare limits for these areas are generally more relaxed than offices (typically UGR 22 to 25) and colour rendering of Ra 60 is acceptable for many storage tasks, although Ra 80 is better wherever colour-coded labels or packaging must be distinguished.
HSG38 minimums in a warehouse
HSE's HSG38 gives safety minimums as an average plus a minimum measured value at any point:
- Movement of people, machines and vehicles (circulation routes, lorry parks): 20 lx average, 5 lx minimum.
- Movement in hazardous areas and rough work (loading bays): 50 lx average, 20 lx minimum.
- Work requiring limited perception of detail: 100 lx average, 50 lx minimum.
- Work requiring perception of detail (checking, documentation): 200 lx average, 100 lx minimum.
HSG38 also limits the ratio between adjacent areas. Where a storage area inside and a loading bay outside are separated by a barrier but people move frequently between them, the ratio should not exceed 10 : 1. A dock lit to 150 lx next to a yard at 10 lx is a 15 : 1 ratio and a common finding; drivers reversing from a bright interior into a dark yard simply cannot see pedestrians.
Aisles and racking: vertical illuminance
Why floor readings are not enough
In racked warehouses the task is often a label on a beam or a pallet several metres up. A floor reading of 150 lx in the aisle says nothing about whether a picker can read a barcode on the top level. BS EN 12464-1:2021 therefore sets a separate vertical illuminance requirement on the rack face.
How we measure it
We take vertical readings on the rack face at several heights, typically low, middle and top beam levels, at intervals along the aisle, and report the average and minimum. Where order pickers or reach trucks carry their own lighting, we note this, as the standard allows portable lighting to contribute at the rack face.
Common aisle problems
- Luminaires over the racks, not the aisles, after racking has been reconfigured; the light lands on the top pallets.
- Wide-beam high-bays in narrow aisles, which give a good floor reading in the centre but poor vertical light on the rack faces.
- Presence detection that dims aisles to a very low standby level, so a pedestrian entering an aisle is in near-darkness until the sensor responds.
- Stock stacked above beam height, obstructing fittings, which the ACoP L24 specifically warns against.
Loading bays and goods-in
Loading bays combine vehicle movement, manual handling and a light-to-dark transition. Good practice is to provide at least 150 lx in the bay, light the inside of trailers with dock lights so loaders are not working in shadow, and grade the lighting in the yard so the step between inside and outside stays within the HSG38 ratio. External yard lighting should be assessed against BS EN 12464-2:2024, with glare to drivers controlled. Dock levellers and edges should be clearly visible, and emergency lighting provided where loss of light would leave people exposed to vehicles or drops.
LED upgrades in warehouses
Most warehouses we survey have moved from high-pressure sodium or fluorescent high-bays to LED. Done well, this improves colour rendering, uniformity and control. Done badly, with fewer fittings at wider spacing to save money, it can leave aisles below 150 lx and rack faces poorly lit. A post-installation survey is the only way to confirm the result; see LED upgrades and lux compliance.
Book a warehouse lux survey
We survey warehouses, distribution centres and trade counters across London, Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and the rest of the South East, measuring floors, rack faces, docks and yards in one visit. Warehouse and industrial surveys start from £320, with the price confirmed before booking. See warehouse lux surveys or book a survey.
Frequently asked questions
How many lux does a warehouse need?
It depends on the area. BS EN 12464-1:2021 gives typical values of 100 lx for store rooms, 150 lx for manned aisles and loading bays, 200 lx vertical on rack faces and 300 lx for packing and dispatch.
What lux level is needed in warehouse aisles?
Aisles used by people or driven trucks need 150 lx at floor level. Fully automated unmanned aisles can be as low as 20 lx.
Why is vertical illuminance measured on racking?
Pickers read labels on the rack face, often at height. Floor readings do not show whether those labels are adequately lit, so a separate vertical requirement of 200 lx applies to the rack face.
What is the HSG38 rule for loading bays?
HSG38 recommends a maximum ratio of 10 to 1 between adjacent areas with frequent movement between them, such as a storage area inside and a loading bay outside.
How much does a warehouse lux survey cost?
Warehouse and industrial surveys start from £320, with the final price confirmed before booking.