A quick guide to LRV specification and lifts

Lift design is ever-evolving and without a doubt, specifying the right surface or object reflectance for your lift cabin finishes is key to designing a building that everyone can use − especially the visually impaired. Find out more about LRV and lifts...

What is LRV?
It is important not to confuse light reflectance value (LRV) with colour intensity. LRV measures how much light a colour reflects and absorbs. It runs from 0% to 100%.

Zero is assumed to be an absolute black and 100% an assumed perfectly reflective white. Approximately speaking, the average blackest black has an LRV of 5% and the whitest white at 85%. Some yellows can measure up into the ’80s or 90s as well.

Why is LRV important?
For the majority of people, colour differences can provide adequate visual contrast. However, this is not the case for all building users. People with vision impairments often distinguish surfaces by the amount of light they reflect. The greater the difference between LRV and adjacent materials, the more likely the difference in surfaces will be identified, for example enabling the visually impaired to identify controls or distinguish lift car doors from adjacent walls.

Examples of where visual contrast and LRV difference between finishes can be required in lifts:
The call panel should be easily distinguishable from its background.
The floor area outside the lift and lift car doors should be visually distinguishable from the adjoining walls.
Lighting and surfaces within the lift car should minimise glare, reflection, confusing shadows and pools of light and dark.
Lights adjacent to control panels are not recommended because they could make it difficult for people to read controls.
What do the building regulations and design guidance say?
As far as building regulations are concerned, and where compliance with Technical Guidance Document Part M 2010 is required, it is important to ensure that elements of a building do not pose a risk to people with vision impairments.