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Safety and Efficiency Through Lighting – What to Consider When Designing Industrial Lighting

Industrial lighting is not just about bulbs on the ceiling – it’s the backbone of the entire production environment, impacting workflow, safety, and even cleanliness. Harri Koivumäki, CEO of Tehdasvalo, has witnessed the importance of lighting firsthand for over 35 years at various sites across Finland. We interviewed this industry veteran to find out what makes functional industrial lighting.

Why is lighting so important?

“Vision is the most important human sense. Around 70–80% of the information we receive from our surroundings comes through our eyes,” Koivumäki reminds us. Without proper lighting, work becomes not only uncomfortable but dangerous. Poor lighting strains the eyes and slows down error detection, increasing the risk of accidents.

Good lighting improves work quality, safety, and ergonomics. “When lighting is done right, work areas are easier to see, mistakes are noticed faster, and productivity increases. As a bonus, dark corners no longer collect clutter – the work environment stays tidier,” he adds.

Starting points for planning

An industrial lighting project usually begins at the initiative of the end user or a design firm. “The first step is gathering information: how the space is used, what activities take place there, and what kind of conditions are expected,” Koivumäki lists. Based on this data, lighting types and illumination levels are selected.

According to Koivumäki, the most important thing for the client is to choose an experienced partner who understands demanding conditions. “If the initial data is incomplete, we’ll figure it out,” he says.

Read more about how the ready lighting solution comes to life here.

Conditions determine the solutions

Dust, moisture, heat, chemicals, or explosion hazards – all of these place special demands on lighting. “Over 35 years of experience with different industrial environments helps us find the right solutions right from the start,” Koivumäki says.

For example, in explosion-risk areas, luminaires are always selected according to Ex-classification. Light distribution often depends on mounting height – in tall spaces, equipment placement must also be considered. “Lighting is made for people, not meters,” Koivumäki sums up.

Tailored solutions to meet needs

In industrial lighting, nearly everything is customized – and for good reason. Even the placement of luminaires is site-specific. The same goes for mounting – standard solutions simply don’t work in every environment, so they must be designed case by case.

There’s also often a need for fine-tuning in light distribution and programming. Photometric files can be modified for locations where standard distribution isn’t effective or uniform enough. Power levels can be adjusted as needed, and Tehdasvalo can even build entirely new, customer-specific luminaires that aren’t part of the standard product range.

One striking example is an over eight-meter-long light table designed for a pulp mill. “It’s customized to the highest degree – built specifically to allow operators to see how the fibers settle in the cardboard. There’s plenty of light to make every detail clearly visible,” Koivumäki says.

Energy efficiency and sustainability in design

Modern industrial lighting isn’t just bright – it has to be smart, too. “LED technology and lighting control systems make it possible to save energy without compromising light quality,” Koivumäki explains.

Energy efficiency is a key part of lighting design from the very beginning. LED luminaires include control capabilities that allow lighting to be adjusted as needed. For example, when full illumination isn’t required, a dimmed mode can be activated – enough light for safe movement, while keeping energy consumption to a minimum.

The simplest control solutions include motion-sensor luminaires that activate only when needed. More complex systems, like DALI controls, aren’t accepted by all factories. “That’s why it’s important to choose a solution that fits the site – not too complex, but smart enough,” Koivumäki emphasizes.

Sustainability also means smart planning – designing exactly the right number of products without excess capacity or waste.

Read more about how Tehdasvalo commits to sustainability here.

Tehdasvalo supports the whole process

Tehdasvalo experts support the customer throughout the entire design process – even when plans change. If, for example, new platforms are added to the space, the lighting proposal is flexibly adapted.

In many cases, we visit the site early in the project to map out existing lighting and the space’s unique features. Placement is just as important as the amount of light – good positioning also makes future maintenance easier. While LED luminaires are long-lasting, they are not eternal.

In especially dusty or dirty spaces, maintenance becomes even more important. For example, sawdust can act as insulation and cause overheating. That’s why Tehdasvalo always provides clear maintenance instructions. “If more than five millimeters of dust accumulates on a luminaire, it needs to be brushed off,” Koivumäki advises.

What sets Tehdasvalo apart?

Practical experience and a focus on demanding environments are Tehdasvalo’s greatest strengths. The dirtier and tougher the conditions, the more important it is that the product is robust, durable, and thoughtfully designed.

“Over 35 years in the business, more than 40 years of personal experience. We immediately understand what kind of environment we’re dealing with. No need to explain – we speak the same language as the client,” Koivumäki says.

Final tips from Harri Koivumäki for your lighting project

Carefully assess the conditions. Understand what happens in the space.
Consider maintainability and longevity – LEDs don’t last forever.
Choose an experienced partner, especially when conditions are demanding.

Need a functional lighting solution? We can help. Whether you’re building a new industrial space, updating an old lighting system, or dealing with especially demanding conditions, Tehdasvalo is your trusted partner.