Steel halls are construction structures that are used not only in the storage, transport and production of goods using machines, but also serve as workplaces for people, both temporary and permanent. It is important to provide adequate lighting in these halls, as natural light has a positive effect on working conditions. Interior roof lighting components can be mounted in walls or on the roof, including windows, wall lights and skylights in the roof. Individual lighting solutions will be discussed in detail in dedicated subsections.
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Roof lighting in steel halls – technical criteria
To begin with, it is worth paying attention to the specific technical requirements for roof lighting, which result from the provisions of general law on roof lighting of buildings, including steel halls. Roof lighting of the space inside the building is determined by a specific proportional value, which is the result of dividing the surface of the transparent part of the lighting element by the surface of the illuminated floor. Therefore, for spaces inhabited by people, this ratio should be at least 1:8 (i.e. 1 m² of daylight for every 8 m² of floor area). For rooms that require daylight for specific applications but are not intended for permanent human residence, the ratio is 1:12. Such requirements apply to, m.in others, storage areas in steel halls, which are not permanent workplaces, but require appropriate roof lighting due to the occasional movement of people. It is also worth noting that in some facilities, e.g. in production halls, processes that require a complete lack of natural light may take place. In such situations, roof lighting of workplaces can only be implemented with artificial lighting.
Windows in steel halls
As noted at the beginning, one of the ways to provide the right amount of natural light is to install windows and skylights in roofs. A window in a steel hall functions similarly to standard buildings, i.e. it can be a structure with double, triple or quadruple glazing, separated by air voids, mounted in the window frame. Unlike windows, skylights in the roof differ in that their transparent element is usually polycarbonate and not glass. Polycarbonate skylights are characterized by a lower weight than traditional windows and can reach significant lengths (even several dozen meters – continuous strips ) without the need to divide them with vertical frame partitions. Both windows and skylights are mounted on special steel transoms, i.e. structural elements stretching between the columns on which they rest, similar to a classic building structure.
Fireflies as a source of natural light
Skylights are another effective method of introducing natural light into steel halls. A skylight is a transparent element made of materials such as polycarbonate, often taking an arched shape (less often flat), placed on a light supporting structure made of galvanized or anti-corrosively painted steel. This structure is based on trapezoidal roof sheet, and its upper part, protruding above the slope of the roof, is formed into the so-called parapet, which allows the installation of skylight insulation and ensures its waterproofness. They can be classified according to their shape into individual units and light strips, differing mainly in dimensions. Single ones usually have dimensions from about 1.0 x 2.0 m to 2.0 x 3.0 m, while Longlights are characterized by a width of 1.2 to 4.0 m and a virtually unlimited length, often reaching several dozen meters. It is worth noting that dome skylights increase in height above the roof as the width increases, which may require additional snow loads to be taken into account at the roof design stage, due to the spot accumulation of snow. In addition, unlike single strips, due to their length, the strips often have a self-supporting structure based directly on the main roof structure of the hall. Due to their size, usually smaller than the standard spacing of the roof structure (6.0 – 7.5 m), both skylights and trapezoidal roofing sheet require additional support in the form of a steel support structure, known as a base.
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Which roof lighting to choose for the hall?
When deciding how to bring natural light into the hall, it is important to consider that windows only provide roof lighting for rooms up to a certain limited depth. In situations where the depth of the hall exceeds several dozen meters, it is necessary to use additional light sources, such as skylights, especially in places far from the outer walls of the building. In addition, they can be equipped with electrical systems that allow certain modules or segments of polycarbonate domes to be opened, performing an additional ventilation function or as smoke dampers.
When designing the arrangement of windows and skylights, it is crucial to match them to the interior development plan of the building. Skylights in the roof are best placed directly above people’s workplaces and along traffic paths to optimize the amount of light for people and workspaces. Windows and wall lights, on the other hand, are suitable for areas with intense traffic, such as loading areas or forklift trucks.
When choosing between windows and skylights, it is also important to consider fire safety aspects, such as ensuring an effective smoke extraction system. Often, the most effective solution is to use a combination of both, which allows for uniform natural lighting throughout the hall and additional functionalities such as natural ventilation or safe smoke extraction in the event of a fire.
Autor: Tomasz Matuszek; Dział Marketingu - Firma Gulajski