This Standard sets out general principles and recommendations for the lighting of interiors of buildings for performance and comfort. It applies primarily to interiors in which specific visual tasks are undertaken and takes into account both electric lighting and daylight. The recommendations have the object of producing a visual environment in which essential task details are made easy to see and adverse factors which may cause visual discomfort are either excluded or appropriately controlled.

Recommendations for the lighting of particular interiors or activities are provided in the Standards which comprise AS(/NZS) 1680.2. Refer also to AS/NZS 1680.0 for basic requirements for safe movement.

The Standard does not deal with lighting for the purposes of decoration, display, entertainment or sport.

NOTE: Attention is drawn to the AS(/NZS) 2293 series of Standards which set out requirements for the lighting necessary to alleviate panic and to permit safe evacuation of the building occupants should this be required in the event of loss of the normal lighting.