Anybody know how to design lighting for a barn?

It is a 40' x 50' x 12' metal barn with concrete floors. 25' x 20' area is set aside for a work space and it has a 12' x 25' storage room as well (on the same end). I can't find anything that says hang these light at 12' and it has a X light pattern. The electrical wholesale store told me to try a light design place, then they can sell me what they say.

All I really want is some decent light at night and in the winter so I can close the bay doors.

Any ideas or experiences?

Agee96 at yahoo

Google photometrics and find a site that will allow you to layout your barn, input the wattage of lamp per fixture, and see how many footcandles they are throwing.

We are really satisfied with our "Big Ass" lights (yes, that is the brand name) using LED's. Awesome lighting. Their fans are great too!

Macro Air fans are built to the same specs as BAF and are about half the cost, its worth a look.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/light-level-rooms-d_708.html

I have a 30'x50'x16' and I put 8 t5 high bays. I have them on 2 switches, the two center lights on one and the 6 outer on another. If I'm doing woodwork, welding, or mechanic work I'll turn them all on. Otherwise, I just turn the 2 in the middle on. I am very happy with the lighting and regularly work late in the night in it. On your building I would put 9 and you will have plenty of light. I definitely believe in overkill when it comes to lighting in a shop.

Look at the cut sheets provided by the manufacture. I'd aim for 30 foot candles as a ample amount of light for work.

A barn that size I'd say off the cuff 6-8 fixtures. Home Depot has a 13000 lumen lithonia fixture for 199 that I'd be looking at.

I put 8 fixtures on a even grid on my 40x60 shop with 16' ceilings.

Fixtures have 4-T5s each

I was going to put 6 fixtures, like my dad has in the exact same size building, but my brother ordered me 8.

My dad's is plenty bright, but I am glad I put 8 fixtures in because it is nice and bright.

With 12' ceilings you do not want high bay lights. You could end up with very bright spots under the light and dark spots between lights.