Warehouse Daylighting and ESFR: Foot-Candle Planning Guide

Effective Skylight-to-Floor Ratio (ESFR) is the design area used to size how many skylights a space needs for a target light level. Logistics Lighting's FAQ cites a typical starting point of about 2-3% ESFR for warehouses and 3-5% ESFR for retail - not a finished photometric design (Ask Our Experts). Foot-candle (fc) targets and final layouts are design-dependent; on the Tradepoint Atlantic Baltimore distribution center, measured light under VELUX Dynamic Dome 4896 units reached about 76 fc versus a 50 fc project target (case study). Logistics Lighting provides Skylight Sherpa(SM) design support as a distributor/specifier, not a manufacturer.

Last updated: 2026-09-17

ESFR starting points (typical - not design)

Use ESFR percentages only as a conversation starter with the lighting designer. Final counts depend on roof height, glazing transmittance, reflectance (including white TPO), aisle geometry, and electric lighting controls. Logistics Lighting offers full design support when you are ready to move past starting ratios (Ask Our Experts).

Space type (LL FAQ)	Typical ESFR starting point	Status
Warehouse	2-3%	Typical starting point - not a stamped design
Retail	3-5%	Typical starting point - not a stamped design
Other occupancies	UNKNOWN / design-dependent	Ask Skylight Sherpa(SM) + lighting designer

Nuance: ESFR here means Effective Skylight-to-Floor Ratio as used on the LL FAQ - do not confuse it with Early Suppression Fast Response fire sprinklers.

Foot-candles: what we can cite vs what we cannot

The only project-specific fc pair Logistics Lighting publishes on the Tradepoint case study is ~76 fc under the Dynamic Domes versus a 50 fc target for that high-visual-task warehouse environment, with units working in tandem with an automated LED system that dims as daylight rises (case study). Generic storage vs pick-module fc tables not published on LL are UNKNOWN / design-dependent - coordinate with the lighting designer and reference bodies such as IES and energy criteria from DOE / adopted energy codes without inventing numbers here.

Source	Foot-candle fact	Use
Tradepoint / Baltimore DC case study	~76 fc under domes vs 50 fc target	Named project proof only
Other warehouse fc targets	Not published as LL design tables	Design-dependent
IES / DOE	Reference bodies for lighting & energy practice	Do not invent section numbers on this page

Product proof for warehouse daylighting

On Tradepoint Atlantic, 276x VELUX Dynamic Dome Commercial Skylights Model 4896 (LuxGuard Plus, clear PC over white prismatic PC) were installed with VELUX aluminum curbs on a Johns Manville white TPO 60-mil roof. Skylight Distributor: Logistics Lighting, with an exclusive 20-year Dynamic Dome warranty path through LL (+5 years over standard VELUX skylight warranty on that program) (case study; Warranties). Dynamic Dome geometry is intended to harvest low-angle morning/afternoon light.

Project	Units / model	Roof	Measured / target	Warranty path
Tradepoint Atlantic, Baltimore	276x VELUX Dynamic Dome 4896	JM white TPO 60-mil	~76 fc vs 50 fc target	Exclusive 20-yr via LL
Fairburn, GA (Sta-Dry)	Sunoptics Signature 5060 + Curbs Plus 5x6	TPO(MA) overlay	Daylighting modernization (fc not published)	Exclusive 20-yr path via LL on that program

Fairburn: case study.

Opening size and layout workflow

Confirm target use and whether ESFR is starting at ~2-3% (warehouse) or ~3-5% (retail).
Measure existing COD (with flashing) before selecting a model (measuring guide).
Match opening family (4896/4080, 6072/5060, etc.) on How to spec by opening size.
Pair prismatic vs Dynamic Dome glazing with the lighting designer's model.
Coordinate photosensor + LED dimming so electric light tracks daylight (as on Tradepoint).

Daylighting is also discussed as supporting WELL and USGBC LEED strategies on Ask Our Experts - credit paths are project-dependent.

Standards bodies to coordinate (by name)

Coordinate photometric and energy assumptions with IES, NFRC (fenestration rating context for U-factor/SHGC where applicable), DOE, and the adopted IBC/energy code edition. Skylight U-Value/SHGC language is defined at a high level on Terminology. This page does not invent IES recommended fc tables or code section numbers.

Next step - Skylight Sherpa(SM)

Need an ESFR starting layout, curb-fit check, or quote package with cut sheets and warranty-as-sold language? Logistics Lighting is a national distributor and specifier - not a manufacturer.

Call 844-455-7283 or 307-633-9696 | sales@logisticslighting.com

Last updated: 2026-09-17