LAC 51:XVII.305. Space and Lighting Requirements for Classrooms [formerly paragraph 17:025]

A. In all schools, and in other special types of institutions with classrooms, a minimum of 20 square feet of floor space shall be provided in every classroom for each student. B. [Formerly paragraph 17:026] In all schools, and in other special types of institutions with classrooms, artificial lighting shall be provided in all classrooms and other rooms with the minimum level of illumination as listed in Table 305.B below. Table 305.B—School/Classroom Lighting Room Type Classification | Direct Lighting Footcandle Levels (1) | Indirect Footcandle Levels (2) Maximum | Average | Minimum | Maximum | Average | Minimum Administrative Areas Offices/Receptionist | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Storage Rooms | 38 | 25 | 13 | 38 | 25 | 13 Restrooms | 38 | 25 | 13 | 38 | 25 | 13 Conference/Resource Rooms | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Healthcare Area | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Teacher Prep/Work Area | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Classrooms General Classrooms | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Visual Arts Rooms | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Modular Technology Labs | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Computer Aided/Drafting Labs | 45 | 30 | 15 | 45 | 30 | 15 Industrial Arts Rooms | 90 | 60 | 30 | 90 | 60 | 30 Computer Labs | 60 | 40 | 20 | 60 | 40 | 20 Graphics Labs | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Life Skills Labs | 75 | 50 | 25 | 75 | 50 | 25 Science Rooms/Labs | 75 | 50 | 25 | 75 | 50 | 25 Laundry Rooms | 38 | 25 | 13 | 38 | 25 | 13 Music Rooms | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Large Group Instruction Rooms | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Media Center Active Areas | 75 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 40 | 20 Inactive Areas | 60 | 40 | 20 | 60 | 40 | 20 Student Dining/Auditoriums Assembly | 30 | 20 | 10 | N/A Stage/Work Lights | 30 | 20 | 10 | N/A Makeup/Dressing Rooms | 75 | 50 | 25 | 75 | 50 | 25 Theatrical Control Room | 45 | 30 | 15 | 45 | 30 | 15 Kitchen | 60 | 40 | 20 | N/A Dining Areas | 60 | 40 | 20 | 60 | 40 | 20 Athletic Areas Gymnasium-Elementary School | 75 | 50 | 25 | N/A Gymnasium-Middle School | 75 | 50 | 25 | N/A Gymnasium-High School | 90 | 60 | 30 | N/A Multi-use Physical Education Rooms | 75 | 50 | 25 | N/A Locker Rooms | 38 | 25 | 13 | 38 | 25 | 13 Circulation Hallways | 30 | 20 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 10 Stairwells | 30 | 20 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 10 Maintenance Areas Custodial Closets | 45 | 30 | 15 | 45 | 30 | 15 Mechanical Rooms | 45 | 30 | 15 | 45 | 30 | 15 Footnotes to Table 305.B (1) Direct lighting refers to light that is being directed in a downward direction towards the surface being illuminated. (2) Indirect lighting refers to light that is directed at least partially in an upward direction or is reflected in some manner towards the surface being illuminated. 1. General Notes on Lighting System Design and Enforcement of Table 305.B a. For design in new and significantly renovated schools, the designer shall utilize the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Lighting Handbook; however, the standards contained in Table 305B of this Part shall control if there is a conflict. b. Enforcement of the lighting standards is based upon the average illumination level in each room or area. c. For instructional spaces utilizing digital “smart boards” or outfitted for audio-visual presentations, the designer should consider the installation of lighting controls readily accessible to the instructor having capability to reduce the illumination on the screen to seven footcandles or less, while maintaining an average of 20 footcandles within the remaining functional areas of the room or area. d. For instructional spaces utilizing dry-erase whiteboards, the designer should consider the installation of separately controlled, dedicated luminaries mounted parallel to the whiteboard, providing 30 footcandles average on the vertical plane of the whiteboard.