A complete guide to achieving efficiency, visual comfort, and performance at high altitudes.

When we talk about lighting spaces with high ceilings—over 4 or 5 meters—we face a very different scenario than a conventional installation. In these environments, such as industrial warehouses, sports centers, logistics warehouses, cultural spaces, or large retail stores, light must cover a greater distance, reach the appropriate intensity, and be distributed in a controlled manner.

The challenge is to design lighting that is both powerful and efficient, without compromising uniformity or visual comfort. Improper planning can result in dark areas, glare, excessive energy consumption, and costly maintenance.

One of the first critical decisions is choosing the luminaire's beam angle. At high altitudes, open light beams tend to disperse, resulting in a loss of intensity in the useful plane. Therefore, rather than simply increasing power, it is more efficient to work with closed optics or specific lenses that concentrate the luminous flux toward functional areas.

🔍 Practical example: In a 9-meter-high warehouse, a luminaire with 60° optics can offer more effective and uniform coverage than one with 120° optics, even if both have the same power.

Likewise, the beam design must take into account the reflective surfaces in the surrounding area, the height of the shelving or machinery, and the activity taking place in each area.

Although power (W) remains an important metric, what's crucial today is useful luminous efficiency (lm/W) and how it performs under real-life conditions. Current LED solutions allow for efficiencies exceeding 130 lm/W, which translates into considerable energy savings when combined with well-designed optics and control systems.

Furthermore, the luminous flux maintenance factor must not be overlooked, as many high-rise installations are used for long, continuous hours. Working with luminaires with a long lifespan (e.g., L80 > 50,000 h) ensures that the installation remains efficient and consistent for years without the need for frequent replacements.

One of the most common mistakes in this type of project is underestimating the importance of uniformity. If not calculated correctly, it results in overlit areas and underlit areas, which not only affects visibility but also safety and performance.

The EN 12464-1 standard recommends minimum uniformity (U₀) values ​​depending on the type of activity. For example, a technical workspace or a picking area must have an adequate illuminance level (minimum 300–500 lux) but also maintain a good balance between light sources to avoid distracting contrasts.

Likewise, glare control (UGR) is essential, especially in areas with frequent human presence, such as gyms, warehouses with operators, or logistics centers. Using diffusers, prismatic lenses, or anti-glare systems directly contributes to visual comfort.

Another key aspect in facilities with high ceilings is the integration of lighting control systems. This not only allows lighting to be adapted to the time of day or the occupancy of the space, but also improves overall energy efficiency.

Systems such as DALI, Casambi, or KNX allow you to create scenes, adjust levels, program schedules, and manage consumption in real time. In large retail or industrial areas, the savings from smart control can be as significant as the lighting design itself.

🎯 An installation with regulation and presence sensors can reduce consumption by up to 40%, while also improving the user experience.

In high-rise environments, maintenance can be complex and costly. It requires specialized machinery, downtime, and increased operational risk. Therefore, it is essential to choose certified quality luminaires with a minimum 5-year warranty, high protection ratings (IP65, IP66), impact resistance (IK08, IK10), and high-performance drivers (with thermal protection, flicker-free operation, and low harmonic distortion).

Making the right choice from the start not only reduces future interventions, but also strengthens the safety and continuity of the illuminated space.

Lighting spaces with high ceilings isn't simply about using more powerful luminaires. It requires understanding the specifics of the environment, working with precise data, choosing the right optics and distribution, focusing on efficiency, and applying control technology that guarantees flexibility.

When all these elements work together, light not only fulfills its function: it transforms the space, improves performance, and contributes to well-being. Because even at high altitudes, good lighting always starts with the design.