INTERIOR LIGHTING 10-7

90%
-100%
DOWNWARD
60%-90%
DOWNWARD
40%-60%
DOWNWARD
FIG. 10-5. Characteristics of the luminaire distribution classifications established
by the International Commission on Illumination (I.C.I.)
.
General
diffuse
lighting makes light available about equally in all direc-
ti^ns^Brightness uniformity is improved, and luminaire-background
contrasts are reduced. Luminaires in this category include incandescent
lamp enciosing-globe ancffluorescent-lamp types. (See Fig. 10-5.)
Globes should be of a density sufficient to provide completely diffuse
distribution. The surface area of luminaires should be sufficient to reduce
their brightness to within one-twentieth that of the background. The
"direct-indirect" luminaire that directs about half its output upward and
the remainder downward with little or no horizontal component often falls
into this classification. General diffuse lighting systems give more il-
lumination for a specified wattage than do indirect or semi-indirect systems,
binTcause more noticeable shadows and may cause both direct and reflected
glare.
Semi-indirect lighting is a compromise between direct and indirect
lighting. The direct component of semi-indirect luminaires is made as
great (up to 40 per cent) as the installation efficiency requires and is
balanced with the indirect component which may be as great (up to 90
per cent) as the brightness and illumination uniformity of the installation
requires. Both semi-indirect and indirect lighting light the ceiling and
upper walls. (See Fig. 10-5.)
In general, semi-indirect types have a larger utilization coefficient than
do indirect units. More attention must be given to the factors of direct
and reflected glare but less than to semidirect or direct types. Luminaires
of this and other classifications are available in completely enclosed types,