Evaluation of Lighting Intensity in Dormitory Study Halls of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Human beings mostly acquire their information and knowledge through vision. Moreover، a good vision requires appropriate light. Study saloons are places where people، particularly students، spend a lot of time for writing and studying. Desirable illumination and its optimum distribution can postpone eye fatigue، and hence، can boost the accuracy and time of useful study. A great number of studies have been carried out aiming to identify the rate of illumination in industries and factories. The purpose of the present study was to examine the illumination intensity in study saloons of dormitories of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences، Iran. This is a cross-sectional study which has been conducted on 24 study halls in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’ dormitories in 2011. After gaining the simple map of saloons and measuring their dimensions (length، width، and height)، the networked method was used for measuring the illumination intensity. Following the identification of stations for measuring the illumination intensity، the photometer apparatus (Hagner Universal Photometer) was used 60 cm above the ground. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. The average intensity of total illumination، daylight illumination، and artificial illumination were higher than 300 Lux (IESNA recommended) in 21، 9، and 2 study halls. The average ratio of window area to floor area for studies halls of girls’ and boys’ dormitories was 0. 12 and 0. 14، respectively. The total illumination intensity of study halls with the average of 567 Lux was acceptable. However، lighting intensity at night، due to the elimination of day light and use artificial of sources، with an average of 229 Lux was unsuitable.