Stairwell lighting is rarely at the top of the to-do list for property managers. However, there are countless reasons why you should reconsider the lighting choices you make in these areas.
From safety concerns to environmental benefits, the bulbs you choose for your Edinburgh flat building make more of a difference than you think.
Here at Lumen Electrical, we want to show you why stairwell lighting matters and how your choice of lighting solution can help make your building safer, more efficient, and better for the planet.
Reduce stairwell accidents and improve security
As well as making your building’s communal areas more appealing for residents, the lighting you install in your stairwells plays a key role in the overall safety of your property.
According to Scottish Building Standards, half of all accidents and falls within a building happen on stairways – especially for young children and elderly people.
Proper, high-quality lighting in the common areas of a residential building can minimise the risk of injury. Well-lit common areas will also increase the security of the building and improve orientation and visibility.
There are certain regulations that property owners must comply with when it comes to stairwell lighting according to the Scottish Building Standards:
- Your light switches should be as close to the stair landing on each floor as possible, so residents can control the lighting when it’s dark
- Lighting should be easy for residents to operate.
- Communal areas should have a uniform, consistent lighting level of no less than 100 lux on stairwells and landings.
- In other communal areas, the lighting level can be 50 lux.
- Lighting shouldn’t cause any glare or areas of strong shadow, as this can lead to additional safety risks.
By keeping everything up to standard, you can reduce the risk of accidents in your building and avoid legal issues.
At Lumen Electrical, our electricians are fully up to date on the specific regulations and standards for flat buildings in Edinburgh.
When we update the lighting in your property’s stairwell, you can rest assured that the job will be done safely, efficiently, and totally up to code.
Make your property energy-efficient
If you haven’t thought about the lighting in your stairwell in a long time, chances are it’s not as energy-efficient as it could be.
The Scottish government found that 32% of greenhouse gas emissions in the country are from households, and they also noted that these emissions could be significantly reduced by upgrading to energy-efficient lighting. The UK government has phased out the production of fluorescent bulbs to encourage us all to choose environmentally friendly LED lighting solutions.
There are many benefits to fitting your communal areas with LED bulbs:
- They’re more durable and don’t need to be replaced as often as outdated fluorescent, halogen, or incandescent bulbs.
- They waste much less energy by producing significantly less heat than fluorescent bulbs.
- They contain no toxic chemicals, making them easier and safer to dispose of.
- LED bulbs only cost around £3.72 per year, compared to £14.89 for fluorescent bulbs – making them kinder to the planet and your wallet.
Trust the stairwell lighting experts
It’s always tempting to take a DIY approach to lighting upgrades in the building you manage, – but it is much safer and more efficient to work with a knowledgeable professional.
Using a trusted provider like Lumen to upgrade your stairwell lighting in your Edinburgh flat building ensures that the job is done safely and efficiently, with years of experience and an in-depth knowledge of building regulations.
Our electricians know how to optimise the lighting in your stairwell for improved safety, energy efficiency, and compliance with building standards. Clear communication, price transparency, and punctuality are a guarantee with every job we do.
We hope this blog has highlighted the importance of high-quality stairwell lighting to make your building safer, more pleasant, and environmentally friendly. These small upgrades can transform the stairwells in your property and create a better experience for residents and building managers alike. If you’d like to discover how Lumen Electrical can help you change your communal space, get in touch to get a quote for upgrading your stairwell lighting.
Other Stairwell lighting Articles you may be interested in:
No More Fluorescent Lights: Upgrading Stairwell Lighting to LED in Your Edinburgh Flat Building