Warehouse Lighting Layout Design: Spacing, Height & Fixture Guide
How to design warehouse LED lighting layout. Covers fixture spacing by ceiling height, aisle lighting, racking areas, loading docks, and energy code compliance.
Designing a warehouse lighting layout requires balancing light levels, uniformity, energy efficiency, and cost. This guide provides practical formulas and real-world spacing recommendations.
Spacing by Ceiling Height
UFO High Bay Spacing (120° Beam Angle)
| Ceiling Height | Wattage | Recommended Spacing | Coverage per Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-20 ft | 100W (15,000 lm) | 15×15 ft | 225 sq ft |
| 20-25 ft | 150W (22,500 lm) | 18×18 ft | 324 sq ft |
| 25-30 ft | 200W (30,000 lm) | 20×20 ft | 400 sq ft |
| 30-40 ft | 240W (36,000 lm) | 22×22 ft | 484 sq ft |
Linear High Bay Spacing (60°×120° Distribution)
| Ceiling Height | Wattage | Row Spacing | Along Row Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-20 ft | 165W | 12-15 ft between rows | 8-10 ft apart |
| 20-25 ft | 220W | 15-18 ft between rows | 10-12 ft apart |
Rule of Thumb
Spacing ≤ 1.0 × mounting height for 50 FC Spacing ≤ 1.2 × mounting height for 30 FCLayout by Warehouse Type
Open Warehouse (No Racking)
- Use UFO high bays in a grid pattern
- Uniform spacing across the entire floor
- Example: 50,000 sq ft × 25 ft ceiling → 125 UFO 150W fixtures at 20×20 spacing
- Cost: 125 × $89 = $11,125
Racking Warehouse (Narrow Aisles)
- Use linear high bays aligned with aisles
- Mount directly above the center of each aisle
- Aisle width 8-12 ft → one row per aisle
- Example: 10 aisles × 200 ft long × 12 ft spacing = 170 linear high bays
- Important: Vertical illumination on rack faces needs directed light
Mixed Use (Open + Racking)
- UFO high bays for open areas (shipping/receiving, staging)
- Linear high bays for racking aisles
- Transition zones: overlap coverage by 10-15%
Special Areas
Loading Docks
- Requirement: 30-50 FC at truck bed level
- Challenge: Fixtures must handle temperature swings and door openings
- Solution: Auvolar Vapor Tight 4ft 40W ($45) or UFO High Bay 100W ($69)
- Placement: One fixture per dock door, centered
Cold Storage / Freezer
- Temperature: -20°F to +40°F
- Requirement: Fixtures rated for cold storage operation
- Solution: Auvolar Vapor Tight IP65 — rated to -40°F
- Spacing: Same as standard warehouse (LED is not affected by cold)
Mezzanine / Office Areas
- Requirement: 40-50 FC
- Solution: LED Troffers ($49) or Panel Lights ($45)
- Ceiling height: Typically 9-10 ft
Energy Code Compliance
Maximum Lighting Power Density (LPD)
| Standard | Warehouse LPD |
|---|---|
| ASHRAE 90.1-2019 | 0.45 W/sq ft |
| IECC 2021 | 0.45 W/sq ft |
| Title 24-2022 (CA) | 0.40 W/sq ft |
Will Auvolar Fixtures Pass?
50,000 sq ft warehouse with 125 × UFO High Bay 150W:
- Total wattage: 125 × 150 = 18,750W
- LPD: 18,750 ÷ 50,000 = 0.375 W/sq ft ✅ Passes all codes
Get a Free Warehouse Lighting Layout
Auvolar's engineering team creates professional photometric layouts for warehouses at no charge. Send us:
We'll deliver a complete layout with fixture placement, foot-candle calculations, and a product quote within 48 hours.
Contact: sales@auvolar.com | (626) 342-8856 | auvolar.com/tools/photometric-requestNeed Help With Your Lighting Project?
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