LRV Testing
LRV Testing Services
Luminance Reflectance Value, or LRV, is a measure on a scale of 0 to 100 of how much visible light a particular surface reflects. In Australian building and accessibility standards it's required for things like visibility strips, tactile indicators, braille signage and other accessible features.
LRV is used to ensure adequate visual contrast between adjacent elements such as doors/architraves, walls and floors, or handrails and surrounding surfaces, to support people with low vision as detailed in AS 1428.1 Design for Access and Mobility.
In order to test the LRV we use a LRV meter that isolates the testing area, then average the value over a set number of readings across the surface. In order to do so we need an approximately 10cm x 10cm clean sample of the material as errant flecks and dirt can throw a reading.
Additionally this service can be carried out insitu on your job site as long as we are provided clean, usable surfaces to scan.
Once you have the LRV of your components, you can calculate the LRV Contrast using our free, easy-to-use LRV calculator to ensure it meets the minimum required contrast.
Many types of surfaces can be scanned, from paint to vinyl, carpet to brick, even stone and wood, as the average value is calculated across the surface. Soft surfaces like fabrics and carpet often will have a lower average LRV than expected due to the presence of shadows caused by the depth of the pile.
*Please note that chrome, high-polished and other similar mirror-like surfaces cannot be scanned.
If you're interested in our LRV Testing services, please feel free to contact us today.