Part L and chandeliers: do decorative fittings have to meet the efficacy limits?

At a glance

Volume 2, England, unless stated. lm per circuit-W is lumens per circuit-watt; luminaire lm = light source lm × the fitting's light output ratio. LENI is the Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator method. Page numbers are as printed in the PDFs read on 5 Nov 2026.

What the Approved Document says about chandeliers

Approved Document L is England's guidance on the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations (Part L). Its lighting guidance is written for fixed building services: paragraph 5.1 of the 2021 edition says each new fixed building service should be no less efficient than the value set out in Section 6, and Section 6 is where the lighting figures sit. The 2026 edition has the same sentence at paragraph 4.1, with the lighting figures in Section 5.

Two definitions decide whether a chandelier is inside that net.

• Specialist process lighting. Appendix A of Volume 2 (p. 89 of the 2021 edition, p. 91 of the 2026 edition) defines it as lighting to illuminate specialist tasks within a space as distinct from lighting the space itself. Its list runs from theatre spotlights and illuminated signs to “art objects with integral lighting, such as sculptures, decorative fountains and chandeliers”.
• Fixed building services. Regulation 2(1) of the Building Regulations 2010 defines the term to include fixed internal or external lighting systems and their controls, and leaves out emergency escape lighting and specialist process lighting. Appendix A repeats this (p. 86 in 2021, p. 88 in 2026). We re-read the regulation on legislation.gov.uk on 5 November 2026.

What follows on the text. A chandelier is named as an example of specialist process lighting, specialist process lighting is outside fixed building services, and the efficacy figures in paragraph 6.60 (2021) and 5.65 (2026) are set out for general lighting, display lighting and high excitation purity light sources. So on the wording of the two documents, the chandelier itself is not what those figures were written for. That is our reading of the text. Neither edition says in so many words that chandeliers are exempt, and each edition's Introduction says that following an approved document is one way to comply, not a guarantee of compliance, and that anyone preferring another route should agree it with the building control body early.

Three limits on that reading

• Only what is named. Neither edition defines “chandelier” or “art object”, and a plain decorative pendant, wall light or lit joinery is not on the list. Whether a given fitting counts is a question for the building control body, with the fitting's drawing in front of it.
• The definition's first sentence. It speaks of lighting for specialist tasks as distinct from lighting the space, while a large chandelier may well be what lights a hall. The Approved Document does not say how the list and that first sentence fit together for a fitting that is the main source of light in a room. We found no guidance text on the point.
• Guidance, not the regulation. The efficacy figures are guidance. The legal duty sits in the Building Regulations 2010 (Schedule 1, Part L), which this sheet does not quote.

What a chandelier does not take out of the scheme

Treating one fitting as specialist process lighting changes nothing for the rest of the room. The surrounding lighting is still general or display lighting, and it still has to meet the efficacy test in paragraph 6.60 (2021) or 5.65 (2026) and the metering and controls paragraphs that follow.

• Restaurants. “Display lighting” in Appendix A includes lighting used in spaces for public leisure and entertainment, and lists restaurants (p. 85 in 2021, p. 87 in 2026). It has its own test, any one of three routes, and goes on circuits that can be switched separately from the general lighting (paragraph 6.65 in 2021, 5.72 in 2026).
• Hotel bedrooms. Rooms for residential purposes are not dwellings, so Volume 2 applies to them (paragraph 0.3 of the 2021 edition, 0.4 of the 2026 edition). The 2026 edition adds paragraph 5.70 on controls such as key-card switches or occupancy detection to turn off internal lights when a room is unoccupied; paragraphs 6.62 to 6.65 of the 2021 edition have no equivalent.
• The whole circuit counts. The unit is lumens per circuit-watt. A circuit-watt includes the power used by drivers and transformers as well as the light source (Appendix A: p. 84 in 2021, p. 86 in 2026), so the driver matters, not just the lamp. Luminaire lumens are the light source lumens multiplied by the fitting's light output ratio (p. 88 in 2021, p. 89 in 2026).
• The LENI route. General and display lighting can instead be shown by the Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator method in Appendix B, which counts energy per square metre per year and gives credit for occupancy and daylight controls.
• Over-lighting. Paragraph 6.59 (2021) and 5.64 (2026) say fixed lighting should give levels appropriate to the activity, that spaces should not be over-illuminated, and that the design should be based on CIBSE's SLL Lighting Handbook (2021 text) or SLL Code for Lighting (2026 text), or an equivalent guide.
• Existing buildings. The efficiency paragraph applies to a new service “in a new or existing building”. For an existing building over 1,000 m2, Section 12 says further work may be needed when, for example, a fixed building service is provided for the first time or its capacity is increased, and Appendix D lists upgrading general lighting averaging under 60 light source lm per circuit-watt in areas over 100 m2 among the measures.

For a fitting made by a partner workshop, ask the workshop for the figures the lighting designer needs: circuit-watts at full output, the light source and its lumens, the driver and any dimming gear. Those are needed whichever class the fitting ends up in. Specifying Murano glass lighting covers the wider paperwork.

The 2021 and 2026 editions: what changes and when

England has two editions in play, and Wales has its own (see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland below).

• 2021 edition incorporating 2023 amendments. It took effect on 15 June 2022. Its own summary says the 2023 amendments concern district heat networks and community heating, not lighting.
• 2026 edition. It takes effect on 24 March 2027 for building work not in connection with higher-risk building work, and on 24 September 2027 for work in connection with higher-risk building work. gov.uk lists the 2026 volumes as updated on 8 September 2026 to correct minor errors; the lighting paragraphs in that version are identical to the file first issued in March 2026.
• Transitional arrangements. Circular Letter 01/2026 (24 March 2026) says that for work that is not higher-risk, the changes do not apply to a building where a building notice, initial notice or full-plans application was given before 24 March 2027, provided the work is commenced (as the regulations define it) before 24 March 2028. Separate arrangements apply to higher-risk building work.

In practice the edition a project is judged against depends on when its building control notice or application was made and when work starts, and the building control body can say which edition applies.

What changes for lighting

• General lighting rises from 95 to greater than 105 luminaire lm per circuit-watt, and display lighting from 80 to greater than 95 light source lm per circuit-watt.
• The 0.3 W/m2 and LENI routes stay (the Table B1 LENI limits were not compared between the editions). High excitation purity light sources move from 65 to greater than 65.
• Lighting moves from paragraphs 6.59 to 6.65 (Section 6) to paragraphs 5.64 to 5.72 (Section 5), and the design guide named becomes the SLL Code for Lighting.
• New paragraph 5.70 on hotel bedroom controls. The 2026 text also has paragraphs on lift car lighting (5.67) and on fixed external lighting in new buildings (5.73 onwards), which this sheet does not cover.
• Unchanged: the definition of specialist process lighting, with chandeliers still named, and the exclusion of specialist process lighting from fixed building services.

Dwellings, exempt buildings and fit-out

Dwellings. Volume 2 applies only to buildings other than dwellings. For dwellings, Approved Document L Volume 1 applies, and its lighting paragraph is blunter: in the 2021 edition (paragraph 6.58) each internal light fitting should have lamps of at least 75 light source lm per circuit-watt, and in the 2026 edition (paragraph 5.57) each internal luminaire should have light sources of at least 105, with lower figures for some specialist light sources in Table 5.7. Volume 1 carries the same definition of specialist process lighting, naming chandeliers (p. 76 in 2021, p. 94 in 2026), but paragraph 6.58 and 5.57 do not mention chandeliers. How a lit art object in a house is treated is a question for the building control body.

Exempt and historic buildings. Volume 2 lists classes of building exempt from the energy efficiency requirements (paragraph 0.11 in 2021, 0.12 in 2026), such as places of worship and temporary buildings, and says work to listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas and scheduled monuments need not comply fully where that would unacceptably alter the character or appearance (0.12 and 0.13 in 2021, 0.13 and 0.14 in 2026).

First fit-out. A first fit-out of a shell-and-core building follows the guidance for new buildings, and later fit-outs the guidance for existing buildings (paragraph 0.8 in 2021, 0.9 in 2026).

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Part L as described above is England. The other nations have their own documents, which differ in numbering, dates and sometimes content. We read only parts of them, so treat this table as a pointer, not an answer.

What to ask the building control body

Ask early, in writing, and keep the reply with the project file. A short list:

• Which edition of Approved Document L applies to this project, given its building notice or application date and its start date?
• Will the building control body accept this fitting as specialist process lighting (an art object with integral lighting) under Appendix A? Send its drawing, size, number of light sources and circuit-watts.
• If it will not, which class does it want it counted under, and what evidence of efficacy does it expect?
• Does it want the fitting included in the LENI calculation or the metering for the room?
• For a hotel or restaurant scheme: which spaces count as display lighting, and are the controls for bedrooms and for display circuits acceptable as drawn?

The lighting designer or electrical engineer should hold the efficacy calculation for the surrounding scheme whatever the answer on the chandelier. The reply from the building control body is the evidence; this sheet is not.

Before the lighting layout is fixed, the lighting designer is to issue a schedule classing every fixed internal fitting as general, display or specialist process lighting under Approved Document L, Volume [2], [2021 edition incorporating 2023 amendments / 2026 edition], as that edition applies to this project. For each general or display fitting, state the efficacy basis (lm per circuit-watt, or LENI) and the figure achieved. For each specialist process fitting, state the reason and the reference of the building control body's written confirmation.

For the [chandelier / lit art object] at [location], the workshop is to supply: circuit-watts at full output [ ] W; light source type, number and lumens [ ]; driver and any dimming gear [ ]; and a dimensioned drawing. The fitting is not to be released for production until the classification is confirmed in writing by [building control body].

We are lighting [project] at [address], England. Appendix A of Approved Document L, Volume [2], defines specialist process lighting to include art objects with integral lighting, such as chandeliers. We propose to treat [fitting, size, number of light sources, circuit-watts] as specialist process lighting, outside fixed building services under regulation 2(1). Please confirm in writing whether you agree, or say which class you would count it under.

Standards and sources

• Approved Document L, Volume 2, 2021 edition incorporating 2023 amendments (England): read 5 Nov 2026: 0.3, 0.8, 0.11 to 0.13, 5.1, 6.59 to 6.65, 12.1, Appendices A, B, D.
• Approved Document L, Volume 2, 2026 edition (England): read 5 Nov 2026 (gov.uk version of 8 Sep 2026): 0.4, 0.9, 0.12 to 0.14, 4.1, 5.64 to 5.72, Appendices A, B.
• Approved Document L, Volume 1, 2021 edition (England): 6.58, Appendix A. 2026 edition: 5.57, Table 5.7.
• Building Regulations 2010, regulation 2(1): read 5 Nov 2026. Also Building Circular 01/2026 (commencement, transition).
• Wales: Approved Document L, Volume 2, 2021 edition: 6.60, Appendix A; WGC 006/2026.
• Scotland: technical handbook 2022, non-domestic, 6.5: standard 6.5, 6.5.1.

Questions we are asked

Do chandeliers have to meet the Part L efficacy limits?

In England, Approved Document L names chandeliers within “specialist process lighting”, and the Building Regulations leave specialist process lighting out of “fixed building services”. The efficacy figures (95 luminaire lm per circuit-watt for general lighting and 80 light source lm for display lighting in the 2021 edition) are set out for general and display lighting. So on the text a chandelier is not what they were written for, but the document is guidance, a plain decorative pendant is not named, and the building control body decides. Ask it in writing.

Do the new 2026 limits apply now?

Not yet. The 2026 edition takes effect on 24 March 2027, or 24 September 2027 for higher-risk building work. It raises general lighting to greater than 105 luminaire lm per circuit-watt and display lighting to greater than 95 light source lm per circuit-watt. For work that is not higher-risk, work covered by a building notice, initial notice or full-plans application given before 24 March 2027 can stay with the earlier standards if it starts before 24 March 2028 (Circular Letter 01/2026).

Does a restaurant chandelier count as display lighting?

Appendix A defines display lighting to include lighting used in spaces for public leisure and entertainment, and lists restaurants. The lighting that lights the room falls under that heading, with its own efficacy test and separately switched circuits. Whether the chandelier itself is specialist process lighting is the separate question this sheet describes.

Is a decorative pendant treated like a chandelier?

The definition names art objects with integral lighting, such as sculptures, decorative fountains and chandeliers. It does not define a chandelier or say where a decorative pendant sits. Send the building control body the drawing and ask.

Does this apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

No. Approved Document L applies in England. Wales has its own Approved Document L, and its 2022 edition has the same 95 and 80 figures and names chandeliers in the same definition. Scotland's handbook points to a separate compliance guide for the figures. We did not read the Northern Ireland booklet.