Home Knowledge Space Design Light Glare
LIVE
Kartenschatten

Newsroom

Showrooms

Topic Hub

Media Center

Stage

IBA Knowledge

Office Planner

Festival

IBA knowledge - Light, © wacomka / iStock 1397018356
Back to the topic overview

Avoid at all costs!

Glare

Glare poses a risk to eyesight and reduces performance. For occupational health and safety experts, preventing glare is therefore a key concern – something reflected in regulations and standards. The Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) and ASR A3.4 set out specific requirements and measures. Some of the key points are briefly summarised below.

Infoblock Symbol

Glare is understood as disturbance caused by excessively high luminance or large luminance differences within the visual field. More details can be found under Lighting design.

Source: ASR A3.4, section 3.12

Two types of glare

A distinction is made between:

Direct glare

This arises from excessively high luminance differences caused, for example, by window areas or inadequately shielded lamps in the visual field.

Reflected glare

This occurs through reflections of light on shiny surfaces (e.g. screens, keyboards, worktops, walls).

For office layout, this means that particular attention must be paid to the arrangement of workstations and luminaires. In addition, glossy surfaces within the field of vision must be avoided.

Infoblock Symbol

The intensity of sunlight is often underestimated. Even a cloudy sky can cause glare if no suitable shading is in place and workstations are poorly positioned.

Infoblock Symbol

Glare may also result from incorrectly placed or unsuitable luminaires.

Measures to prevent glare

Here’s how you can respond to potential sources of glare:

DIRECT GLARE FROM NATURAL LIGHT

  • Arrangement of workstations
    Workstations should be positioned so that users’ line of sight runs parallel to the main window front (see Figures 1–3).
  • Use of adjustable shading devices
    These are essential where large window or glass areas are present on several sides of a room.
Infoblock Symbol

If glare from daylight cannot be avoided by suitable placement of workstations, appropriate shading must be installed. Further details can be found in DGUV Information 215–444 Sun protection in the office.

Fig. 1 – Correct: line of sight parallel to the main window front
Fig. 1 – Correct: line of sight parallel to the main window front
Fig. 2 – Incorrect positioning leads to direct glare
Fig. 2 – Incorrect positioning leads to direct glare
Fig. 3 – …or to reflected glare caused by daylight reflection on the screen surface
Fig. 3 – …or to reflected glare caused by daylight reflection on the screen surface

DIRECT GLARE FROM ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

  • Arrange linear luminaires parallel to the windows
  • Position luminaires to the side of workstations (see Figures 4 and 5)
  • Use louvred luminaires
Fig. 4 – Luminaires for direct lighting should always be positioned to the side of the seating position
Fig. 4 – Luminaires for direct lighting should always be positioned to the side of the seating position
Fig. 5 – Positioning luminaires in front of or behind the seating position may cause glare
Fig. 5 – Positioning luminaires in front of or behind the seating position may cause glare

REFLECTED GLARE

  • Comply with the recommended reflection values for work surfaces, furnishings and equipment.
    ASR A3.4 generally recommends the use of matt surfaces. For furniture work surfaces, DGUV Guideline 315–410 specifies the relevant requirements for workplaces in Germany.
Blueprint nav map