FACULTY OF BUILT

ENVIRONMENT
BUILDING
LABORATORY
PRACTICAL

ATGB 1363
Building Science &
Services I
1. Measurement of Illuminance

2. Effects of Heat in a Building Demonstrator

3. Effects of Sound in a Building Demonstrate

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 ATGB2363 BUILDING SCIENCE & SERVICES II
LABORATORY WORKSHEET

Tunku Abdul Rahman University

College ATGB 1363 – Building
Science & Services I Year 1,
Semester 2 – Academic Year
2020/2021

Name of Experiment : Measurement of Illuminance

Program : DBD1 / DES1 / DQS1 * (Circle) Group No: 1B
Date of Experiment : 2/11/2020
Date of Submission : 9/11/2020
Staff In- Charge :

Marking Criteria

Assessment Criteria Marks Allocated Marks

A. Group Work 0 1 2 3
i. Conclusion and Wrong Basic analysis of Good analysis of the Comprehensive
Experiment analysis of the data provided data provided with analysis and /3
result analysis the data with general relevant conclusion information provided
provided and conclusion with conclusion
irrelevant relating practical and
conclusion theory.
ii. Reporting Poor report Basic report Good report layout Seamless report with /3
format, format with layout following following report relevant info on the
introduction to irrelevant report format format with relevant experiment with the
experiment and information with information information the procedure
procedure. paraphrase
B. Individual 0-1 2 3 4
i. Individual Poor Average Good Excellent /4
assignment
Total / 10
(For assessor’s use only)

Laboratory Experiment and Report

No. Student’s name Student’s Reg No. Assessment Total Marks
Group Individual
1 /6 /4 /10
2 /6 /4 /10
3 /6 /4 /10
4 /6 /4 /10
5 /6 /4 /10
Note :
1. Experiment and report to be done in groups. Individual assessment will be carried out at discretion of lecturer.
2. Relevant information is to be filled up by students in this mark sheet and submitted to lab lecturer for
assessment. It shall be compiled and submitted to ATGB1363 Building Science & Services I Course Leader
by end of Week 12.
(* Delete which is unnecessary)

UNIVERSITI KOLEJ TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

(Updated: Feb2014– LHC)

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Table of Contents
1.0 Individual Background Information.............................................................4
2.0 Introduction................................................................................................9
3.0 Title of Experiment: Measurement of Illuminance......................................9
4.0 Objective of Experiment:............................................................................9
5.0 Materials and Tools:...................................................................................9
6.0 Procedures:..............................................................................................10
7.0 Results.....................................................................................................11
8.0 Discussion Questions:..............................................................................12
9.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................13

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1.0 Individual Background Information

1.1.1 Name:
ID :

Light is one of the sources in our daily life which illuminates darkness and give benefits for mankind
to undergo daily activities more efficiency due to increase of brightness to increase human sight.
Luminous intensity is the power of a light source, luminous flux is rate of flow of light energy and
illuminance is density of luminous flux reaching surface (Figure 1). Illuminance also can convey in
simple tense which is a light source spread the light to illuminate a certain area of surface, different
lightning might have different value of illuminance. Lux meter or luminous meter act as an optical
device to measure illuminance. Therefore, an experiment can carry out to measure the value of
illuminance and luminous intensity.

Illuminance on any surface varies as the cosine of the angle of the surface in the direction of light.
Cosine law of illuminance can be used to calculate the value of illuminance on a flat surface using the

I
formula of E= cos θ , luminous intensity (I) can be calculated using the same formula. Based on the
d2
illumination diagram in (Figure 2), if the luminous flux is constants but spread over larger area, the
illuminance will decrease. Besides, when the degree of theta increase, the value of illuminance will
decrease as well.

It is essential to determine the value of illuminance due to artificial lighting design in interior and
external can be various by different value of illuminance. However, the higher value of illuminance
does not mean the better the light resource is. Illuminance needed for particular task depends on
visual difficulty of the task, average standard of eyesight expected, and type of performance expected.
For example, illuminance of light must be higher in library, bookshop, laboratory and classroom must
be higher due to higher density of light are required to reach throughout interior room surface to
increase the brightness and vision of people in the room. Inversely, street lightnings must have a
lower illuminance to avoid discomfort glare disturb drivers on road. Besides, overuse of illuminance
will contribute to generate high amount of heat energy and waste of electrical energy. Appear too
bright of glare compared to background will triggered disability glare and discomfort glare.

(this figure shows Cosine Law of

Illuminance)

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 (Figure 1)

(Figure 2)

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1.1.1.1.2
Illuminance is when luminous flux falls on a surface, it illuminates that surface. The lighting effect is
termed illuminance. Illuminance is a common parameter to be measured in lighting evaluation. It
refers to the amount of light falling on a unit area of the work surface, and its measurement unit is
"lux (lx)". Illuminance purposely can be used to evaluate whether the lighting is sufficient to see the
object. Illuminance is the density of luminous flux reaching a surface.

Illuminance can let people complete their work comfortably and efficiently, thus playing an
important role in maintaining work health. It also allows peoples to clearly read the labels and safety
instructions to ensure compliance with safety measures to prevent danger. Therefore, a suitable level
of light should fall on the surface where the people are working. Excessive contrast, strong glare and
light flicker in their field of view are also inappropriate.

Illuminance is measured by luminous meter and measured in lux (lx) or lumens per square meter. A
common luminous meter consists of the measuring device itself and a sensor.

Summer at noon under a

clear sky 100.000 lux In the open under a heavily
overcast sky 5.000 lux

Artificial light, office 500 lux Full moon on a clear night 0,25 lux

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1.1.1.1.3 Name
ID

Illuminance is a measure of the amount of light falling on (illumination) and spreading on a given
surface area. Illumination is also additionally identified with how people awareness the brightness of
the illuminated area. Therefore, the majority of people utilize the terms illuminance and brightness
conversely which leads to confuse, as brightness can likewise be utilized to depict luminance.
The SI system unit is lux ( lx ) or cumulative penetration ( ph = phot ) , 1 lux = 1 lumen / square
meter, 1 deviation penetration = 1 lumen / square centimeter, and 1 magnification penetration = 10000
lux.

The general illuminance at home is recommended to be between 300 and 500 lux.
The illuminance depends on the luminous intensity of the light source and the distance between the
illuminated object and the light source. For the same light source, when the distance of the light
source is twice the original, the illuminance is reduced to a quarter of the original, showing an inverse
square relationship.

The human eye is to be capable for seeing fairly in excess of a 2 trillion-overlap range : The
presence of a white object can be distinguished under the starlight of 5x10-5 lux, while on the brighter
end, large texts of 108 lux or about 1000 times that of direct sunlight can be read, although this may
be very uncomfortable.

(Figure 1: Illuminance with units and terminology)

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1.1.1.1.4 Name:
ID :

Illuminance is a common parameter to be measured in a lighting assessment. It refers to the amount

of light falling on a unit area of the work surface and its measurement unit is “lux (lx)”. It is used to
evaluate the adequacy of lighting for seeing an object. Illuminance was formerly often called
brightness, but this leads to confusion with other uses of the word, such as to mean luminance.
"Brightness" should never be used for quantitative description, but only for non-quantitative
references to physiological sensations and perceptions of light.

Good lighting plays an important role in safeguarding workers by enabling employees to perform
their work comfortably and efficiently. There should be an appropriate level of light falling on the
surface on which employees are working. Excessive contrast, strong glare, and light flickering in their
fields of vision may cause adverse problems. To ensure good lighting, the person responsible for a
workplace should arrange for a suitable assessment of the lighting levels in the workplace.

In simple terms, a lighting assessment is careful examinations of the lighting condition in the work
environment decide who may be harmed and evaluate the risks and decide whether improvement
measures are needed.

In photometry, luminous intensity is a measure of the wavelength-weighted power emitted by a light

source in a particular direction per unit solid angle, based on the luminosity function, a standardized
model of the sensitivity of the human eye and the SI unit of luminous intensity is the candela (cd), an
SI base unit.

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1.1.1.1.5 Name:

Lighting often refers to a kind of equipment which provides us light. Light is certainly important to humans,
and a good lighting plays an important role in keeping the employees work in a comfortable and efficient
environment.

Light can be separated into many 2 form, which is natural light and artificial lighting. It is a form of energy in
the form of electromagnetic radiation. In the nature of light, light have various kinds of electromagnetic
spectrum, but there’s only certain electromagnetic spectrum that can be visible to human’s eyesight. Apart
from that, we can also measure light as well. Light can be measured depends on the intensity of the light source
and luminous intensity is used to differentiate the light sources and to measure out the strength of the lighting.

Apart from the advantage of light, the disadvantages of light would sometimes cause some eyesight problems
to humans such as glare which is a kind of discomfort and disability cause by excessive high intensity source of
light. It is separated into 2 types of glare; the 1st one would be discomfort glare and the 2nd one would be
disability glare. In the case of discomfort glare, it will only cause visual discomfort but it wouldn’t lessen the
ability to see, but on the other side , disability glare not only cause visual discomfort, it also weakens the ability
of our vision to see details .

Next, there are many types of lamps in the market such as Incandescent lamps, tungsten filament lamps,
fluorescent lamp and discharge lamp. As the world improves, lamps are getting much more attractive in design.
In the marketplace, there are various types of lamps which suits the satisfaction of mankind such as indirect
lighting, mixed light, and direct light.

Lastly, Illuminance is the density of luminous flux reaching a surface and it is measured in (lx). The
illuminance on surface(lx) can be derived as the total flux reaching the area over area of the surface which is
E= F/A.
According to the research found, the data below shows the typical lighting values

1.1 Typical Illuminance Values 1.2 Summary of Lighting Measurement

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2.0 Introduction
Illuminance is the total luminous flux incident on the surface per unit area. It measures how the
incident light illuminates a surface, and the wavelength is weighted by an intensity function to
correlate with human perception of brightness. In the same way, luminosity is the light beam per unit
area emitted from the surface. Illuminance and luminous intensity can be calculated through this
experiment by using formula of E = I/d^2×cos θ.

3.0 Title of Experiment: Measurement of Illuminance

4.0 Objective of Experiment:

To determine the luminous intensity of (2 × 36 W) batten type light fittings.

5.0 Materials and Tools:

Luminous meter, (2 × 36 W) batten type light fittings, measuring tape.

(Luminous meter) ((2 × 36 W) batten type light fittings)

(Measuring Tape)

Reference Standard:
IES Lighting Handbook (1968)

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 Given the Illuminance Formula (or Cosine Law of Illuminance) is:
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E= d2
×cosθ
where,

E = Illuminance (or density of luminous flux) reaching a surface (lm/m2 or lux)

I = Luminous intensity or strength of a light source (candle power or candela, cd) d =
Distance between light source and surface (m)
Find the luminous intensity of the lights.
Conversion:
1 candela = 12.57 lumen
1cd/m2 = 12.57 lm/m2 (lux)

6.0 Procedures:

1. The luminous meter in the middle path was placed between 2 light fittings as shown in
Figure 1. (b must be equal distance)
2. Distance a vertically downwards to working plane was measured where the lights
measurement is taken.
3. d was calculated using Pythagoras Theorem.
4. Record the illuminance (lux) from the luminous meter. Substitute into the equation given and
solve to determine the luminous intensity.
5. The experiments were repeated at various spots in different rooms in the building laboratory
with the lights on & off.

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 Precautions:

1. Care must be taken to ensure that light incident on the sensor is not obstructed by the operator
or any objects that are not part of the measurement such as shields or reflections.
2. Check the zero setting on the scale when the sensor is fully covered.
3. Check the condition of the battery in the instrument.
4. The artificial light source (fluorescent lamps) should be switched on for about 15 minutes
before the measurements are taken in order to allow for the lamps to be completely warmed
up. If the luminary (light fitting) is of the fully enclosed type, a longer stabilization time is
needed.

Note : E (artificial light) = E (lights ON) – E (lights OFF)

7.0 Results

E (luminous meter)

No Location a(m) b(m) d(m) Theta Light on Light off Lights on -Light off

Horizontal on floor
1 (Room 1) 3.2 2.1 3.8 33.3 412 260 152
Horizontal on chair
2 (Room 1) 2.3 2 3.0 41.0 370 250 120
Horizontal on floor
3 (Room 2) 3.5 1.3 3.7 20.4 381 281 100
Horizontal on chair
4 (Room 2) 2.2 1.7 2.8 37.7 398 290 108
1.Horizontal on floor (Room 1)
2 2 2
d =( 3.2 ) + ( 2.1 ) =14.65 I
E= cos θ
d = 3.83m d2
3.2 I
cos θ= ( 412−260)= (0.8360)
3.83
3.832
cos θ=0.8360 , θ=33.3°
I =1864 cd

2.Horizontal on chair (Room 1) 2.3

cos θ=
2 2 2 3.05
d =( 2.3 ) + ( 2 ) =9.29
d = 3.05m cos θ=0.7546 , θ=41.0 °

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 I I
E= cos θ (370−250)= (0.7546)
d2 3.05 2

I = 842.4 cd

3.Horizontal on floor (Room 2)

2 2 2
d =( 3.5 ) + ( 1.3 ) =13.94 I
E= cos θ
d = 3.73m d2

3.5 I
cos θ= (381−281)= (0.9374)
3.73 3.732

cos θ=0.9374, θ=20.4 ° I = 1304.2 cd

4.Horizontal on chair (Room 2)

I
2 2 2
d =( 2.2 ) + ( 1.7 ) =7.73 E= cos θ
d2
d = 2.78m
2.2 I
cos θ= (398−290)= (0.7913)
2.78 2.78 2

cos θ=0.7913, θ=37.7 ° I = 660.5 cd

8.0 Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the following terms:
a) Light
 Light is energy in form of electromagnetic radiation.
b) Luminous intensity
 Luminous intensity (I) is the power of a light source or illuminated surface to emit light in a
particular direction.
c) Luminous flux
 Luminous flux (F) is the rate of flow of light energy.
d) Illuminance
 Illuminance is the density of luminous flux reaching a surface.

2. Calculate the luminous intensity, I (cd) of the light source in different locations in the building
laboratory from the experiment.

 Horizontal on floor (Room 1)

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 I = 1864 cd
 Horizontal on chair (Room 1)
I = 842.4 cd
 Horizontal on floor (Room 2)
I = 1304.2 cd

 Horizontal on chair (Room 2)

I = 660.5 cd

3. Compare the results of illuminance, E (lux) obtained from your experiments in the various
rooms with values obtained from standard lighting requirements. What are some typical
values of service illuminance for (a) street lighting (b) hallway (c) home
(d) classroom (e) office (f) shop display? Comment on your findings.

LOCATION ILLUMINANCE (lux)

(a) Street lighting 100 - 200
(b) Hallway 100 - 200
(c) Home 150 - 300
(d) Classroom 300 - 500
(e) Office 300 - 750
(f) Shop display 500 - 750
 Different buildings and different places have different illuminance requirements. Even in the
same place, due to the different functions of different parts, the required values of illuminance
are also different. For the illuminance, we require to meet the basic visual functions and
energy saving, and the relevant illuminance implementation standards can be referred to
lighting standard.

4. Discuss some considerations affecting lighting design in buildings

 Light quantity
Depends on the nature of the task & the light output of lamp & luminaire.
 Natural light
May be used as a complete source of light or to supplement artificial light sources.
 Colour quality
Depends on the requirements of the task & the colour rendering properties of the source.
 Glare
Depends upon the brightness & contrast of light sources & surfaces, & the viewinig angles.
 Directional quality

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 Depends on the three-dimensional effect required & the nature of the lamp & luminaire.
 Energy use
Depends on the electrical efficiency of the lamps & the use of switches.
 Costs
Depends on the initial cost of the fittings; the cost of replacing the lamps (including labour); and
the electricity consumption of the lamps.
 Physical properties
Include size, appearance & durability of fittings.

9.0 Conclusion
To sum up the experiment, the illuminances are lots different from all distinct laboratory room as
long as the different distance between the light to the ceiling and from the light source to the floor and
chair which place the lux meter on. So that we realized that some place was near to the window or
door where the illuminance can be affected and objects which surrounding lux meter also can
influence the results. Different value of illuminance and luminous intensity indicates different
artificial lightning design with different purpose. Last but not least, we found that the longer the
distance from the light to the table, the lesser the lux reading from the lux meter. When the angle from
light sources to the surface increase, the illuminance on the surface will decrease.

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Reference

a) Book:
1) Hall, F & Greeno, R 2015, Building Services Handbook, 8th edn, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

b) Internet Webpage
1) Cheang, W, Measurement of Illuminance, viewed 4 November 2020,
<https://www.academia.edu/35509343/0_Title_of_Experiment_Experiment_1_Measurement_of_Illu
minance_2_0_Objective_of_the_Experiment>.

2) Coursehero.com. 2020, viewed 4 November 2020

<https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525469/BSS-reportdocx/>.

3) www.sciencedirect.com, Illuminance - an overview, viewed 5 November 2020,

< https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/illuminance>.

4) www.gamma-sci.com, Luminance vs. Illuminance: What’s the Difference?, viewed 5 November

2020, <https://www.gamma-sci.com/luminance-vs-illuminance-whats-difference>.

5) Nextgenerationled.be, 2015, Illuminance, viewed 5 November 2020, <

https://www.nextgenerationled.be/EN/Illuminance.html>.

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