A Guide for Simulating
Natural Light in Interior Environments: The Vita-Lite Fluorescent Tube Has the
Proven Capability to Maximize the Quality of Working Life.
The results show that subjects felt more
relaxed and less fatigued with Vita-Lite than cool white, with higher eye
comfort. Subjects perceived Vita-Lite as significantly more pleasant, natural,
bright, and stimulating.
Double savings since
Vita-Lite provides both improved quality lighting plus the additional benefits
of how people feel in an improved environment, the result is both people and
energy conservation.
A Guide for Simulating Natural Light in
Interior Environments to Maximize the Quality of Working Life
THE VITA-LITE FLUORESCENT TUBE HAS THE PROVEN CAPABILITY TO:
· Blend with natural light from windows and skylights
· Reveal detail and color accurately. Improve seeabllity
· Render warm, and cool environments equally well
· Help improve the performance and productivity of people
Vita-Lite is the only patented (U.S. Patent #3,670,193) general-purpose
fluorescent lamp that simulates natural daylight. This simulation is a major
asset toward creating the perfect interior lighted environment. No other
general-purpose lamp can provide the lighting benefits provided by Vita-Lite.
Vita-Lite was developed and is manufactured by Duro-Test Corporation, America's
largest exclusive manufacturer of light sources, including incandescent,
fluorescent and H.I.D. lamps.
VITA-LITE PROVIDES ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN FREEDOM
(1) True Natural Spectrum, Color Temperature, Color Rendering
Natural light has the unique spectrum which includes a balance of ultraviolet
and visible radiation. The whitest natural light is characterized by a color
temperature of about 5000K + and a perfect color rendering index of 100. In
lighting, natural daylight is the reference standard for all high color
temperature and high color rendering index (CRI) lamps. It also is the design
standard for the spectrum of Vita-Lite.
A general-purpose fluorescent lamp, Vita-Lite, with its color temperature of
5500K and CRI of 91 , is the closest simulation of both the ultraviolet and
visible spectrum of natural light.
The simulation of natural light means that for the first time environmental
lighting with Vita-Lite can blend perfectly with natural light from windows and
skylights -- an important consideration with today's increased use of natural
light for energy conservation. This visual system does not have to adapt to a
new spectrum, color temperature or color rendering when one goes from outdoors
or a naturally lighted environment to an indoor environment lighted with
Vita-Lite.
Interior colors are true, and details are rendered accurately with Vita-Lite as
with natural light. Therefore, it is an excellent source for color and shade
matching.
(2) Renders Both Cool and Warm Environments
With natural light, cool or warm environments can be created by choosing the
appropriate surface coverings and furnishings because the natural light spectrum
is balanced and complete -- with all colors properly represented.
In the past, architects and designers had to associate cool or warm furnishings
with cool or warm fluorescent lamps. Because of the spectral deficiencies of
these lamps, one had to compensate for the poor color rendering. But
spectrally-balanced Vita-Lite allows design color freedom.
In addition, the ultraviolet spectrum from natural light or Vita-Lite causes
optical brighteners (used in papers and fabrics) to increase black and white
contrast and color discrimination. Black and white tasks are more distinct and
sharp. Colors appear more vivid.
Vita-Lite does away with the need to take clothing or articles to the window to
see their true color. Vita-Lite maximizes what the architect and designer have
created. After all, color is the property of the reflected light from a surface,
and the source of the reflected light is the light source. It's right if it's
Vita-Lite.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WITH POSITIVE IMPACT
(1) Vita-Lite Energizes the Interior Environment
Natural light energizes the environment for people. They generally feel better,
are more alert, see better and perform better. The mechanisms for these positive
responses to natural light are not completely known. Many of our customers tell
us that Vita-Lite produces similar responses in the ambience and acceptance of
the lighted environment.
VITA-LITE -- SHOWN TO ENHANCE THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
In a survey conducted to determine the impact of Vita-Lite in the workplace,
three user-dimensions were examined: (a) evaluation of work environment; (b)
evaluation of work task; (c) evaluation of how subjects felt.
The results show that subjects felt more relaxed and less fatigued with
Vita-Lite than cool white, with higher eye comfort. Subjects perceived Vita-Lite
as significantly more pleasant, natural, bright, and stimulating. Additionally,
they rated their seeing tasks as more distinct under Vita-Lite, and their work
tasks as easier and more satisfying.
VITA-LITE COMBINES PEOPLE CONSERVATION WITH ENERGY CONSERVATION
Double Savings
Since Vita-Lite provides both improved quality lighting plus the additional
benefits of how people feel in an improved environment, the result is both
people and energy conservation.
While electrical energy conservation for lighting is one of today's major
concerns in building renovation and construction, people conservation is even
more important and cost effective. For example, compare the average people cost
per square foot of office space at $1.50 to that of $1.25 for lighting cost.
With almost 80% of the lighting cost being energy costs, increasing the
productivity of people 1% is equivalent to an increase of 135% for lighting
energy conservation.
We believe this gain can be achieved with the use of Vita-Lite because Vita-Lite
increases seeability and improves the work environment.
And since Vita-Lite is available in all typical fluorescent wattages and
lengths, including Watt-Savers, you can, for the first time, specify for the
best of both worlds: people and energy conservation.
SEEABILITY OVER FOOTCANDLES
The complete and balanced spectrum of a 40-watt Vita-Lite lamp produces fewer
lumens than the predominantly yellow-green cool white fluorescent (2180 vs.
3150), but those Vita-Lite lumens are more powerful and energetic for visual and
physical activities. We use the word "seeability" to describe the
human factors effects in Vita-Lite spectrum and lumen output.
"Seeability" is a non-technical term which describes how well the eye
sees. It includes the ability to define form, which is a primary function of the
eye, but it also includes color discrimination, color rendering and influences
on physical activity. In reality, the reaction of the body is greatly influenced
by these and other factors which make up seeability. Footcandle level, while a
measurement of light quantity, is not the indicator of real seeability.
The concept that the footcandle or lumen does not adequately define light for
visual acuity is well documented. Light from high-color rendering lamps such as
Vita-Lite provides enhanced seeability and visual effectiveness even at lower
footcandle levels than is obtained with standard high-lumen-output lamps such as
cool white. Vita-Lite lamps can be specified and substituted in installations
using conventional lamps on a one-for-one basis and still improve seeability.
Any task that is adequately lighted with cool white or warm white will have
improved seeability under Vita-Lite. Vita-Lite is then the ideal replacement for
cool white or any other fluorescent lamp, wherever they are used.
In calculating the number of lamps required for task and area lighting (using
the recommended illumination levels in the Illuminating Engineering Society
Handbook Applications Volume, 1981) simply use lamp data for cool white lamps
and then substitute them with Vita-Lite lamps in the lighting system. This
technique provides a lighting system with the same installed wattage and with
enhanced seeability.
SPECIFYING VITA-LITE
Vita-Lite or equal light sources shall simulate the full visible and balanced
ultraviolet spectrum of natural light for use in general indoor illumination as
follows:
Correlated Color Temperature: 5500K
Color Rendering Index: 90 or greater
Near Ultraviolet Radiation:
(UVA, 320-380nm) 254 +/- 51uw/lumen
Middle Ultraviolet Radiation: 15 +/- 4 uw/lumen
Near UV/Middle UV Ratio: 11 - 28
FIXTURES FOR VITA-LITE
Vita-Lite is available in all conventional fluorescent sizes and will provide
exceptional color and color rendering in all types of fixtures.
For maximum effectiveness of Vita-Lite lamps use the new high efficiency open
type fixtures (with energy saving features and improved glare control), fixtures
with open ("egg crate") louvers, or fixtures with ultraviolet
transmitting diffusers... ideally K-S-H Utran Panels.
In the past, architects and
designers had to associate cool or warm furnishings with cool or warm
fluorescent lamps. But spectrally-balanced Vita-Lite allows design color
freedom.
