Unified Glare Rating (UGR)

The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) is a method for calculating glare intensity of a given light source.

Glare is a visual sensation of high intensity light that provides discomfort and visual disabling effects to the viewer(s). In effort to reduce the glare, the placement, luminaire power and material choice of the lighting fixtures must be properly planned and designed. Here at aaline we believe in the well being of our users and have been following the WELL Building Standard closely in order to do so.

WELL Certification Standards

When it comes to anti-glare properties within in the WELL Certification Standards, there are a few feature areas that talk about glare:

Light - Electric Light Glare Control (Feature 55)

• Luminaries with greater luminous intensity need a greater shielding angle

• At workstations/ seating areas luminaires must be 53 degrees above the center of view must have luminances less than 8000 cd/m²

• Workstations/ seating areas achieve a UGR of <19

Light - Low-Glare Workstation Design (Feature 57)

• Avoid putting workstations in high-intensity glare areas

• Avoid luminaires being aimed directly at computer screens

• Adjusting luminaire angles to help guide the reflected light away from viewers eyes

Light - Surface Design (Feature 59)

• Efficient and even light throughout the space to encourage alertness and activity

aaline’s Linear Anti-Glare

We’re not a fan of glare here at aaline either.

So much so that we’ve designed our own solution towards the problem, aaline’s Linear Anti-Glare.

With our proprietary carved-visor design, the luminaire sits higher up in the fixture and allows the carved portion to reflect and diffuse the light. This results in nearly eliminating the glare from most reasonable positions in the room.

As shown on the diagram on the left, at the average sitting position the glare amount would be UGR<10 from our light. A UGR of <10 means the glare is pretty much non-existent and even if the viewer were to lean towards the table the UGR remains with WELL Standards limits of UGR<19.