Commercial Kitchen Lighting Layout & Design
Get Your Custom Lighting Plan With Product Recommendations
Includes up to 8% off the price of our recommended lighting products 
Dedicated Sales Support
Every lighting plan comes with a dedicated product specialist, providing personalized service and expert advice for your project needs.
How long does it take to get a plan?
1-2 for indoor and 2-3 days for outdoor projects
Our Customers
4
5
CBRE needed high quality lighting for their customer, with stock available for ongoing projects.
Customer had an urgent need for high temperature lights. We had them in stock & shipped out next day.
Poor lighting caused parking lot safety issues for spectators. Our lighting plan & new lights resulted in an improved experience.
Customer needed to source large quantities of specialty fixtures for use in their manufactured products.
Tracy Electric was seeking a reliable source for ongoing lighting projects.
Distributors partner with us to provide customers a high quality product at a reasonable price.
Repeat lighting supplier for an electrical contractor working in manufacturing facilities.
Permanent tent lighting for large acrobatics facility. Our lighting plan & recommendations resulted in ideal performer & spectator safety.
Commercial kitchen lighting design is critical for food safety, staff productivity, and code compliance. A well-designed plan ensures the right footcandle levels for each work zone, minimizes shadows from equipment, and selects fixtures that withstand harsh kitchen conditions. Understanding layout, spacing, and fixture selection helps you achieve a safe, efficient, and compliant kitchen environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Elements Determine Successful Commercial Kitchen Lighting Design?
Successful commercial kitchen lighting design requires meeting specific footcandle requirements and ensuring even light distribution across all work areas. Large equipment can create shadows, so strategic fixture placement is essential. We use lighting design software to model kitchens and provide graphical reports showing light levels and uniformity, helping you visualize and verify the lighting plan before installation.
With over 15 years of commercial project experience, we create optimized layouts that can be tailored to your operational needs and workflow.
What Are the Required Light Levels for Commercial Kitchen Areas?
The FDA requires a minimum of 50 footcandles in areas where machinery or knives are used. Typical recommendations include:
- General Kitchen Areas: 50-75 fc
- Food Prep Stations: 50-150 fc
- Cooking Areas and Grills: 100-200 fc
- Storage and Cold Storage: 20-50 fc
Do NSF-Rated Fixtures Affect Kitchen Lighting Layout Design?
NSF certification and IP69K ratings address sanitation and washdown requirements, not lighting performance. These food-safe fixtures provide the same light output and distribution as standard commercial fixtures, while meeting hygiene standards required for commercial kitchens.
What Codes and Regulations Apply to Commercial Kitchen Lighting?
Commercial kitchen lighting must comply with local building codes, health department regulations, and FDA food safety standards. Requirements vary by location and kitchen type. Consult your local building code department and health inspector to confirm the specific regulations for your project.
What Are the Core Lighting Requirements for Commercial Kitchens?
Core requirements include NSF or food-safe certification, washdown capability, and achieving the required footcandle levels for each work area. Fixtures should withstand high-pressure cleaning, temperature changes, and grease exposure. A CRI of 70+ is recommended for accurate food color assessment during preparation.
Which Lighting Solutions Work Best in Commercial Kitchens?
The best solution depends on ceiling height, equipment layout, and work zones. NSF-rated LED fixtures with the right beam angles and lumen output are typically most efficient and compliant. Custom lighting designs help determine the ideal fixture types, quantities, and placement for your specific kitchen layout.
How Much Do Commercial Kitchen Lighting Upgrades Typically Cost?
LED upgrades generally cost $15-40 per square foot, depending on fixture type and project complexity. NSF-rated fixtures may cost more but can deliver 60-70 percent energy savings compared to fluorescent systems. We provide detailed estimates, including fixture costs, installation factors, and projected utility savings based on your kitchen’s requirements.
What Maintenance Do Commercial Kitchen LED Fixtures Require?
NSF-rated LED fixtures require minimal maintenance beyond regular cleaning with approved sanitizers. Most commercial kitchen LEDs offer 50,000+ hour lifespans and sealed designs to prevent grease infiltration. Quarterly cleaning and annual inspections are recommended to maintain light output and code compliance.
How Do You Calculate the Number of Fixtures Needed for a Commercial Kitchen?
The number of fixtures depends on required footcandle levels, ceiling height, fixture lumen output, and equipment layout. Professional lighting calculations consider light loss, beam angles, and spacing. We use specialized software and real-world experience to model fixture counts and placement for optimal coverage and compliance.
How Many Lights Do I Need for My Commercial Kitchen?
The exact number of lights depends on your kitchen’s size, ceiling height, and required footcandle levels for each area. A lighting layout or photometric plan will determine the optimal quantity and placement to ensure even coverage and compliance with safety standards.
What Mounting Height Should I Use for Commercial Kitchen Fixtures?
Mounting height is typically determined by ceiling height and the type of fixture used. Most commercial kitchen fixtures are installed between 8 and 12 feet above the finished floor. Proper mounting height ensures adequate light distribution and minimizes glare or shadows on work surfaces.
How Far Apart Should Fixtures Be Spaced in a Commercial Kitchen?
Fixture spacing depends on the fixture’s beam angle, lumen output, and ceiling height. Even spacing helps achieve uniform light levels and reduces shadows, especially around large equipment. A lighting plan will specify the ideal spacing for your kitchen layout.
How Can I Reduce Shadows or Dark Spots in My Commercial Kitchen?
To minimize shadows and dark spots, use a combination of direct and indirect lighting, and position fixtures to avoid obstructions from equipment or shelving. Layered lighting and careful placement ensure even illumination across all work areas.
What Lighting is Best for a Commercial Kitchen?
Depending on the layout of the kitchen, there are several NSF-rated lighting options that would work in a commercial kitchen. The best way to determine the right lighting plan is to create a commercial kitchen light design. We are happy to do this for your commercial kitchen space.
