Measure · Assess · Verify
Lighting surveys and illuminance measurement by drone
Thousands of measuring points instead of spot checks – at night, without scaffolding and without interrupting operations.
Only a measurement shows whether lighting meets the requirements – and a survey report explains what follows from it. For large areas, Felsch Lighting Design has developed a patent-pending method: an indoor drone automatically flies the standard measuring grid and records the illuminance at every point. Our own ultrasound and radio positioning system locates it to the centimetre, without GPS. On this basis we produce independent, manufacturer-neutral lighting survey reports for emergency lighting, workplaces and sports facilities.
Complete
Thousands of grid points reveal weak spots that spot checks miss.
No downtime
Measured at night, without scaffolding or lifts – even above water.
Reliable
Test report with heat maps for operators, inspectors and authorities.
For large halls, venues and assembly buildings
- Congress and exhibition centres, arenas, civic halls, theatres and event venues
- Airports, warehouses and logistics halls, shopping centres
- Swimming pools (measured above the water without boat or scaffolding), sports halls and stadiums
- Public building authorities, inspectors and electrical engineers
Typical occasions
- An inspection report finds deficiencies in the emergency lighting.
- A periodic inspection is due. Old calculations do not replace a current measurement.
- Refurbishment, change of use or LED retrofit
- Acceptance of new floodlighting or hall lighting
Measuring emergency lighting to EN 1838
When the power fails, emergency lighting has to light escape routes and open areas safely. We measure illuminance on escape routes and anti-panic lighting in open areas and assess uniformity. The grid is 1.5 or 2 m depending on the area.
How we work
Preparation
Review drawings, define the standard grid, agree access and switching states.
Positioning
Install a temporary positioning system in the building, accuracy ±1–1.5 cm.
Measurement
At night with general lighting off. The drone flies to each point automatically and stores lux value, time and 3D position. Where there is extraneous light, we measure with and without emergency lighting.
Assessment
Minimum illuminance and uniformity per area, heat maps and false-colour images.
Report
Audit-proof test report, on request with remedial design.
Drone measurement on film
From floor plan and measuring grid to the measurement report: the 100-second animation shows how illuminance is measured by drone.
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Lighting survey reports based on measurement
The measurement provides the data, the report the assessment. We check whether an installation meets the relevant standard and regulation, identify deviations by location and reading, and show how they can be remedied.
Typical reasons for a lighting survey report: deficiencies in an inspection report, acceptance of new or retrofitted lighting, disputes between operator, designer and contractor, assessment before refurbishment, and recurring proof for assembly buildings.
Note: Our reports cover interior, emergency and sports lighting. Light pollution or glare reports for photovoltaics and advertising are not our focus.
Frequently asked questions
Does the measurement replace the electrical inspection?
No. We provide the photometric proof. The inspection of the installation remains separate.
Do I need a measurement or a survey report?
For regular proof a measurement report is usually sufficient. For deficiencies, acceptance or disputes we recommend a report with assessment and recommendations.
How long does a measurement take?
It depends on floor area and access. We measured a congress centre of around 18,000 m² in about ten night sessions.
Do you measure outside Germany?
Yes, the method can be used internationally.
Talk to us about your survey or measurement
In a short call we clarify which proof you need – measurement report or survey report – and how the measurement works.
Markus Felsch
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Lighting Design
+49 (0) 40 636 599 10
mail@felsch.de