Background & Objectives: Comfort lighting is one of the most important topics, which provides optimum physical conditions in general environment and workplaces such as hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate general, local and area artificial illumination of Hamadan city hospitals .

  Methods : In this descriptive-analytical study, general, local and area artificial illumination in seven Hamadan hospitals in 2006 were evaluated. Lighting intensities (illuminance) were measured according to recommended IESNA method using the lux meter model (Lutron-Lx102) in the early hours of night. Lighting quality parameters such as color rendering, technical suitability of design and lighting uniformity were evaluated. Data was analyzed using SPSS 13 .

  Results : The average of interior illuminance was 90.44 ± 46.97 lx, which was lower than the national recommended limits. Maximum and minimum intensity values of interior illuminance were in nursing station and laboratory, respectively. The average of area illuminance was 47.92 ± 53.2 lx and local illuminance was 131.5 ± 60.2 lx, which were lower than the recommended limits. Maximum intensity of local illuminance was in laboratories and the minimum levels were in admitted rooms, checkup and injection units. In total, 90.6% of general interior lighting systems, 83.3% of area lighting systems and 100% of local lighting systems had unaccepted design .

  Conclusion : The average of general, local and area illuminance in Hamadan hospitals were not within the acceptable limits for comfort lighting. To obtain comfort lighting in studied hospitals, reforming and modifying lightening systems is necessary .