Warehouse Lighting

The number of high bay fixtures depends on your ceiling height, space dimensions, and desired foot-candle levels. As a general guideline, a 20,000 square foot warehouse with 25-foot ceilings typically requires 30-40 high bay fixtures spaced 15-20 feet apart. For precise calculations, contact our lighting specialists for a free layout that accounts for your specific ceiling height, aisle configuration, task areas, and light level requirements.

High bay lighting refers to fixtures designed for spaces with ceiling heights of 15 feet or higher, commonly found in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers. These fixtures deliver powerful illumination from elevated mounting heights and come in two main styles: UFO high bays with compact round housings ideal for open floor plans, and linear high bays with elongated profiles perfect for aisle lighting. Modern LED high bay fixtures provide 15,000-50,000+ lumens with energy-efficient performance.

The best warehouse lighting depends on your facility's specific needs. LED high bay fixtures work best for tall ceilings and open areas. Vapor tight fixtures are essential for cold storage, food processing, or wet environments where moisture protection is required. LED strip and shop lights provide cost-effective illumination for storage areas, work zones, and spaces with lower ceilings. Look for wattage selectable and CCT selectable options for maximum flexibility.

Proper warehouse lighting requires a layered approach based on zones and tasks. Install high bay fixtures on a uniform grid pattern for general ambient lighting in open areas. Use linear high bays aligned with aisles for targeted illumination in storage zones. Add task lighting in work areas like packing stations, receiving docks, and quality control zones where detailed work occurs. Consider occupancy sensors in low-traffic areas and daylight harvesting near windows to maximize energy savings. Aim for 20-30 foot-candles in general storage areas and 50-75 foot-candles in active work zones.

Lumen requirements vary based on ceiling height and application. For 20-foot ceilings, fixtures delivering 15,000-25,000 lumens are typical for general warehouse areas. Higher ceilings (30+ feet) may require 30,000-50,000+ lumens per fixture to maintain adequate ground-level illumination. Storage areas need approximately 100-200 lumens per square foot, while active work zones benefit from 150-300 lumens per square foot. Wattage selectable fixtures allow you to adjust light output to match your specific mounting height and layout requirements.

Calculate warehouse lighting by determining total lumens needed (square footage × desired foot-candles × 1.5 for light loss factor) divided by lumens per fixture. For example, a 10,000 sq ft warehouse needing 30 foot-candles with 20,000 lumen fixtures requires approximately 23 fixtures. Factors affecting calculations include ceiling height, reflectance of walls and floors, fixture spacing, and specific task requirements. For accurate layouts that account for your facility's unique characteristics, contact our lighting specialists for a free professional lighting design.

UFO high bays feature compact, round housings that provide 360-degree light distribution, making them ideal for open floor plans, general storage areas, and spaces requiring uniform illumination. Linear high bays have elongated rectangular profiles that direct light in a specific pattern, perfect for aisle lighting, long narrow spaces, and areas where directional lighting improves visibility. Both styles are available with wattage selectable and CCT selectable options, but linear fixtures often provide better efficiency in aisle-oriented warehouse layouts.

Yes, LED lights are ideal for cold storage facilities. Unlike fluorescent fixtures that struggle in freezing temperatures, LED technology performs excellently in sub-zero environments. For cold storage and freezer applications, use vapor tight LED fixtures with IP65 or IP67 ratings that provide sealed protection against moisture, condensation, and temperature fluctuations. These fixtures feature insulated housings and low-temperature rated components designed specifically for refrigerated warehouse environments.