Control Room Lighting

BAW is constantly at the forefront regarding:

• Selection of material finish colors to comply with ISO
• ISO ceiling height and shape as it relates to reflectance values
• Knowledge of how acoustics could be integrated with lighting
• Light-to-dark dimming
• Knowledge of finishes
• LED fixtures
• Color palettes (ISO guidelines require set standards, criteria that we adhere to no matter where we build around the globe)

Control room safety and efficiency benefit greatly from incorporating control room lighting best practices, which feature three distinct types of lighting—ambient, task and therapeutic—and BAW pioneered their use way back in the dark ages (the 1980s). At the time control room lighting was an afterthought, and rooms tended to be either dark and gloomy or flooded with light that created glare on highly reflectance monitor screens, interfering with operator view.

BAW’s insight at the time was to combine ambient lighting (the indirect, general illumination of a room) with task lighting (focused concentrated light over the work surface). This was revolutionary in control rooms then; it’s standard practice now. Projecting ambient lighting up vs. down (indirect lighting) created general illumination without high levels of contrast. The result was a soft, diffused light that resulted in almost no glare. Task lighting was integrated into custom consoles and aimed onto work surface, documents, including training manuals, OSHA docs, ship logs, permitting tags, etc., instead of bouncing off of screens. The result was an extremely efficient workplace that reduced operator error. BAW was once again at the forefront of a trend that has since been codified into industry standards as expressed in ISO 11064 lighting requirements.

The third type of light, one currently not required by ISO, is lighting therapy, a fatigue counter-measure that seeks to mimic the human circadian clock for 12-hour shift operators. Sunrise, mid-day and sunset are all represented. Some studies indicate cognitive abilities are enhanced by various strategies of lighting therapy.

Where the control room design skill comes into play is getting all of these amenities and provisions working together in concert. The lighting, acoustics, positioning of consoles, positioning of screens, finishes and colors are like separate sections of an orchestra.

Working together, they create an ergonomic symphony that is primarily highly functional, and just happens to be beautiful too.

Find out more about the 11 reasons why BAW is the global leader in control room design, or contact us to learn more about what our team can do for you.

Control Room Lighting FAQs

Why is specialized lighting important in a control room environment?
In a control room, the lighting must support high-consequence, high-focus tasks. Good lighting minimizes glare on operator screens, reduces fatigue, enhances visibility of documentation and instrumentation, and supports ergonomic conditions. Without proper lighting you risk increased operator error, discomfort, and decreased performance. At BAW Architecture, we focus on ambient, task and even therapeutic lighting to optimize safety and efficiency.

What are the three types of lighting used in a control room and why?
The three key types of lighting we use:

• Ambient lighting – indirect, general illumination to avoid high contrast and unwanted shadows.
  BAW Architecture
• Task lighting – focused lighting at work surfaces, documentation, and operator consoles to support reading, logging, shift changeover tasks.
  BAW Architecture
• Therapeutic (circadian) lighting – lighting that mimics natural daylight changes (sunrise, midday, sunset) to support 12-hour shifts and reduce fatigue, though not yet mandatory under ISO standards.

How does the lighting design tie into international standards like ISO 11064?
Lighting design in a control room must align with ergonomic and human-factors standards such as ISO 11064. We ensure ceiling heights, shape, reflectance values, finish colors, dimming strategies and fixture selections comply with these standards. At BAW, we are constantly at the forefront regarding ISO ceiling height and shape as it relates to reflectance values.

Can LED lighting be used in control rooms? What are the benefits?
Yes—LED fixtures are increasingly a standard choice in control room lighting. They provide stable, controllable illumination, lower energy consumption, longer service life, and less heat. In the context of a control room, they help maintain uniform light levels, support dimming systems, reduce maintenance disruption, and integrate into advanced lighting controls. BAW lists LED fixtures among key elements of modern control-room lighting.

What role do interior finishes and color palettes play in lighting design for control rooms?
Lighting doesn’t act alone—interior finishes, ceiling height and shape, material reflectance, wall/ceiling colors, and even acoustics all impact how light behaves in a space. For example, a dark, highly reflective finish can cause glare; conversely, the wrong ceiling height or shape may create unwanted shadows or brightness contrast. BAW emphasizes selection of material finish colors, knowledge of how acoustics integrate with lighting, and color-palettes that meet ISO guidelines.

How does lighting design affect operator fatigue and shift-work performance?
Lighting design that incorporates circadian support (therapeutic lighting) and reduces contrast/glare has a direct impact on fatigue, alertness and cognitive performance—especially in 12-hour shifts typical of control rooms. The therapeutic lighting strategy seeks to align lighting with natural human rhythms (sunrise, midday, sunset) and some studies indicate it enhances cognitive abilities.

If we are retrofitting an existing control room, what lighting factors should we consider?
For a retrofit you should evaluate: existing ambient light levels vs. requirements; glare on operator screens; quality and placement of task lighting; ceiling height/shape reflectance conditions; finishes (color and reflectivity); dimming capabilities; and whether the lighting supports the human-factors and ISO standards. Retrofits may also leverage modern LED fixtures and integrated control systems to upgrade efficiency and performance. BAW has a track record of control room renovation and upgrade projects.

How do we balance lighting that supports both operator comfort and screen readability?
Achieving that balance involves decreasing contrast between work surfaces and surrounding areas, avoiding direct light onto screens or glossy surfaces, using indirect ambient lighting for general illumination, and localized task lighting for documents or manual tasks—not for screens. BAW pioneered combining ambient lighting (indirect) with task lighting to reduce glare from screens and create a more efficient workplace.

What questions should we ask when selecting a lighting design partner for our control room?
Important questions include:

• Does the firm understand relevant standards (like ISO 11064)?
• Do they integrate lighting with interior finishes, color palettes, acoustics and human-factors engineering?
• Can they design lighting systems that support long shifts and operator wellness (e.g., therapeutic lighting)?
• What experience do they have with control rooms vs standard office spaces? BAW emphasizes that they have been at the forefront since the 1980s of control room lighting best practices.

What are some of the cost or return-on-investment (ROI) benefits of good control-room lighting design?
Beyond energy savings (especially if LED fixtures and dimming are used), good lighting contributes to operator performance, fewer errors, less fatigue, improved safety and potentially lower accident or downtime costs. Proper lighting can also extend equipment and monitor life by reducing overheating or glare-related strain. While not always quantified directly, these factors contribute to a stronger ROI for a well-designed control room.