Beta Panel from Thorn is a recessed LED luminaire with high efficacy (94Llm/W) for high energy savings and provides 11 years of useful light, if on 12 hours per day (50 000 hours) and a 5 year warranty.
With seamless corners and a slim design Beta Panel has a sleek appearance. The luminaire provides a light output of over 3 200 lumens and it is available with a colour temperature of 4000K providing an exact colour match to fluorescent and a colour rendering index (CRI) up to 80.
Application areas for Beta Panel are general illumination as well as corridors and circulation areas. It offers an easy retrofit solution for luminaires with conventional light sources (4x18W T26) and is suitable for installation in T-grid ceilings. In addition, the slim profile makes it suitable for installation in small ceiling void and can be surface mounted or plasterboard recessed (using an additional accessory).
In stock and available from Novel Energy Lighting, click here for details on the product:
Call us for volume pricing: 0208-540-8287, or email for further details: sales@novelenergylighting.com
John Doyle, Managing Director of Doyle & Tratt Products Ltd, British manufacturer of the Varilight brand of dimmer switches, explains further why contractors no longer need to accept second-best, particularly in relation to the dimming of LED lamps.
With an ever-increasing array of new control technologies available and many style and colour options for clients to choose from, electrical contractors rely heavily on good product availability from wholesalers across a very wide range of wiring accessories. You cannot always rely on the products you need being available ex-stock. Therefore, if a wholesaler is not offering same-day or next-day availability on a full range they are likely to miss out on orders and risk losing your support.
Further, if the product most suited to an intended application is not readily available there is also a danger that you will purchase a generic item off-the-shelf instead, especially at the final fix phase when time is of the essence. Inevitably, this often leads to problems down the line when products fail to perform satisfactorily or fail prematurely, requiring a re-visit to the site to troubleshoot or replace the originally installed item. This is costly in terms of your time and also your reputation. With your own credibility at stake, you want to install the best solution first time around and not settle for second best.
Don’t settle
Take the increasingly common example of a client asking their electrician to install energy-efficient LED lighting. Through (sometimes bitter) experience, most electrical contractors will have settled on a preferred brand of lamp, and, if the customer is looking for dimmable lighting, a preferred brand of dimmer as well. Unsurprisingly, all LED lighting is not created equal, even if it is described as “dimmable”, and so it is important to select the best dimmer switches for the job in hand. There are many dimmer switch technologies now available but very few deliver consistent results so it’s important for the electrician to have quick and easy access to the best dimmer for the application to avoid significant delay and client dissatisfaction.
“Unsurprisingly, all LED lighting is not created equal, even if it is described as ‘dimmable’, and so it is important to select the best dimmer switches for the job in hand.”
Many leading manufacturers have established supply chains that enable next-day delivery of items not generally available on wholesalers’ shelves. Therefore, you should always ask specifically for and insist on receiving the product you know is best suited to the job.
This is particularly important when new technologies arrive because it is difficult for wholesalers to indentify whether a new product should become a stock item. For example, when Varilight’s V-Pro series LED dimmers were first launched it took a while for wholesalers to begin stocking them. The V-Pro dimmer is now our best-selling product and widely available ex-stock. Meanwhile, our new V-Com series dimmers for larger LED loads are new to the market and not yet widely stocked. However, as with all Varilight products they are available on a next-day basis through our well established supply chain.
Ready to go
For contractors, the knowledge that a product is available next-day from your preferred wholesaler enables you to confidently recommend the products you know will be the best ones for your client’s application. Ready stock availability streamlines your business with reduced downtime and site re-visits while enabling you to deliver the optimum solution for the client.
Additionally, in situations where two manufacturers’ products are being used in an application, as in the above case with LED lamps and dimmer compatibility, knowledge is especially important. Many lamp manufacturers have tested their lamps with a range of dimmer switches and list them on their websites. Additionally, dimmer manufacturers may be able to recommend lamps that they know from experience give excellent results every time.
Quite clearly, it is no longer sufficient for manufacturers to have great products; investment is required to develop robust and well-structured supply chains to ensure those products are readily available for contractors to procure on a next-day basis.
You, as contractors, have a vital role to play in this process. It is only by insisting that your preferred wholesaler stocks or can quickly obtain products you know and trust, that they will have them available when you need them. In this way, you are able to respond at short notice and you can increase your credibility with your clients.
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com today to explore our range of Varilight dimmers and LED lighting. Call us 0208-540-8287 which questions, or email us: sales@novelenergylighting.com
State-of-the-art LED lighting brings new life to The Lowry’s high-profile auditoriums. The major upgrade shows Dextra Lighting’s edge over competitors by offering the theatre venue both quality and modern functionality, without compromising on affordability.
About the Project
The Lowry is the fruit of decades of continuous efforts to regenerate the local docklands. The magnificent architectural landmark is more than just an arts centre, it is a bustling tourist destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to the Greater Manchester region. Since opening in April 2000, the flagship building has been raising the cultural profile of the North West and boosting the regional economy. The centre now offers a number of facilities including two high-profile theatre halls – the Lyric, with a capacity of 1,730 and the Quays theatre, offering up to 430 seats.
The complex is situated in the heart of Salford’s thriving MediaCityUK; a creative hub for the digital and media industries. In 2007, the BBC relocated five of its major departments from London and its existing Manchester offices to the redeveloped Salford Quays, using The Lowry’s theatres and studio spaces for a number of productions and events.
Launched as a National Millennium project, The Lowry has been financed through British and European public sector programmes and patrons from the private sector. As a cultural attraction of national and regional importance, the project’s procurement and design process have always been to the highest standards, with periodic renovations aimed at improving the financial and environmental sustainability of the building. With this in mind, Dextra Lighting were approached by AA Projects’ experienced team of low carbon consultants, to provide a modern lighting solution balancing quality with cost-effectiveness, using its vast range of precision-engineered LED luminaires to enhance the theatre’s facilities.
The brief
The lighting upgrade targeted both the main auditoriums and backstage areas. The theatre’s existing lighting needed to be replaced with cutting-edge LED alternatives, offering today’s standards of energy-efficiency and flexible controls, whilst creating a suggestive atmosphere for theatre-goers. For the back-of-house areas, energy-saving, low-maintenance lighting was required abiding by all health and safety regulations. Dimmable front-of-house lighting was required to allow The Lowry’s technicians to easily and accurately dim the lights from the audio-visual control rooms. Overall, the LED upgrade’s aim was to save The Lowry more money on the installation through reducing electrical consumption, installation and maintenance costs.”Pro-light Mini – The Lowry saved money on installation with this product, as prewired leads and simple retractive spring clips helped minimise fitting times”
The products
Theatre Main Lighting – Protec LED
The highly popular Protec LED downlight was supplied in a range of lumen outputs to act as primary lighting for both the theatre halls. Using the latest Lumileds LEDs and efficient anodised aluminium reflectors, the luminaire offers impressive energy savings with short payback periods over fluorescent equivalents. The combination of high-quality LED sources and advanced optics allow the Protec LED to offer LORs in excess of 90% in lumen outputs of up to 3000lm to allow The Lowry to comfortably meet its energy targets whilst giving designers the flexibility to tailor the installations to suit the hall’s architectural design.
The Protec LED’s appealing contemporary construction is ideal for high-end specifications and can be customised with a wide selection of options including,
interchangeable reflectors and colour attachments, and custom bezels (for retrofit applications), to suit a host of interiors and adapt to future changes in decor.
From a range of dimming options, the luminaire was supplied with High-Frequency dimming drivers and was commissioned to give AV technicians full access from the halls’ control rooms.
The Protec LED is also designed to offer flexible and cost-effective installation, with a four-point, self-clamping bracket making the job quicker and easier for appointed electrical installers, AMEON Ltd, whilst being suitable for plaster, mineral fibre and metal tile in thicknesses between 3mm and 30mm.
Accent Lighting, Front of House & Box Office – Pro-Light Mini
The Pro-Light Mini high-quality LED spotlight was chosen to replace the existing accent lighting for the theatre hall, to safely guide patrons to their seats and add to the inviting atmosphere. The spotlights also helped welcome theatre-goers to the theatre with a controlled and elegant lighting effect. The luminaire is a highly-efficient replacement for fluorescent equivalents, offering the durability, reliability and energy-efficiency of the latest Tridonic COB modules combined with advanced aluminium faceted reflectors, to cut The Lowry’s electricity bills and maintenance costs (e.g., avoiding frequent lamp changes) whilst offering premium performance.
Like the Protec LED, versatility and quality define this range. Offering a number of body styles (Fixed, Gimbal, Wallwash and Scoop), coloured bezels, three beam angles and a range of replaceable twist-lock reflectors, the luminaire can be fashioned to suit the aesthetic and practical needs of a host applications whilst offering flexibility to adjust to changes to the interior. The
luminaire is also available in colour temperatures of 3000k or 4000k in a colour rendering index of 80+.
For the theatre halls and box-office, the Pro-Light Mini was provided in a round Fixed body, providing an unobtrusive yet elegant look. The luminaire was angled at 40°, with an efficient specular reflector to direct the lighting in key areas. Centralised High-Frequency dimming controls and integrated 3 hour maintained emergency functions were also provided as per The Lowry’s specific safety and technical requirements.
The Lowry saved money on installation with this product, as prewired leads and simple retractive spring clips helped minimise fitting times. Dextra Lighting also supplied made-to-measure infill rings for both the Pro-Light Mini and Protec LED to assist with installation into the ceiling’s existing cut-outs.
Dressing Rooms & BOH – AMED LED & Hydra LED
Although BOH areas are often neglected in lighting designs, huge savings can be made by simply upgrading to high-efficiency, low-maintenance LED luminaires, helping improve returns on investment further. The Amenity Decorative LED bulkhead not only lowered energy consumption by approximately 60% compared to the existing lighting without compromising on performance; it also added an appealing decorative touch to the performer’s dressing rooms. Available in a number of options including lumen outputs of up to 3000lm, a range of integral sensor and dimming controls to maximise energy savings, and self-test or auto-test 3-hour maintained emergency functions, the luminaire comfortably fulfilled The Lowry’s practical and safety requirements whilst tying in with its sustainability goals.
The IP65-rated Hydra LED offered an efficient, hassle-free, low-maintenance solution for the remaining back-of-house, such as store rooms and back stage
circulation areas. Available in of lumen outputs ranging from 2200lm to as high as 12,600lm across 4 body sizes, with LORs of over 90%, the luminaire combines flexibility and efficiency in a practical and affordable package. A number of dimming options (High-Frequency, Switch, DALI, DSI and Corridor Mode) and emergency functions are also available with this range to suit a host of applications. The durable luminaire also offers protection to dirt and dust ingress, water and light impact, as well as resistance to temperatures between -20℃ and +25℃. The Hydra LED is also designed to offer tooled access in compliance to current regulations .
Upon special request, all LED products were provided in a warmer C83 colour temperature to suit The Lowry’s desired aesthetic and were offered with Dextra Group’s comprehensive 5-year warranty for additional peace of mind.
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com today to explore LED options for your project retrofit. We can supply Dextra, Philips, Thorn, and other major lighting brands, and support with site surveys and lighting designs. We can assist with project funding using energy efficiency financing. Call us: 0208-540-8287, or email us: sales@novelenergylighting.com today to start the discussion!
The Person of the Year for 2016 has been revealed in the Lux Awards Middle East. PLUS: Featured interview with Lutron chief Michael Pessina. Lux Today newscast for 19 April 2016 is presented by Courtney Ferguson.
When Greers of Antrim wanted lighting that would not only show the cars off to the best effect but also provide massive energy savings, they decided on various Megaman lamps for the refurbishment. Greers, a family business and the only independent authorised Volvo Dealership in Northern Ireland, needed more space and decided to merge two buildings together to make one big showroom. Megaman’s technical team worked out the best way to achieve perfect illumination on the cars, achieving the maximum financial and energy savings, whilst reducing future maintenance. T & E Howie carried out the installation.
Megaman’s Carlo was specified for the main showroom over the cars utilising a 39W Tecoh RDx LED module in the fitting. Carlo is a range of recessed adjustable scoop LED downlights that offer excellent lighting performance and can be used to replace metal halide fittings. Adjustable up to 45° tilting angle and 355° rotation angle, the Carlo is an
ultra-flexible energy saving solution for use in retail applications where the merchandise has to catch the eye.
Megaman’s 15W AR111’s were chosen for the wooden ceiling in the ‘customer welcome area’ to provide a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The 2800K colour temperature of the AR111’s produces a comfortable warm, white light and the narrow beam angle make it perfect for installation in display and furniture applications. UV resistant and corrosion-proof Dino LED battens have been used in the service and inspection bays to provide a high performance illumination. The IP66 rating ensures protection against water and dust ingress and a tough polycarbonate body with a prismatic diffuser.
The Siena integrated LED downlighters have been incorporated in toilets and small store rooms. Compact in size and with no external driver, these downlighters are easy to install and maintain whilst delivering high efficiency and lumen output. Ultra slim 50W Berto panels have also been installed in the offices to provide an integrated lighting solution that facilitates easy installation and maintenance. It delivers a high luminous efficacy up to 109lm/W – matching the lighting levels of 3 x 18W T8 and 3 x 24W HE T5 fluorescent modular fittings.
The lighting refurbishment has resulted in a saving of £2569 pa when compared to traditional lamps and, perhaps more importantly, reduced energy consumption by 18,291kw a year and 9950kgs of CO2. Paul Howie, from the installers T & E Howie, commented “We are delighted to have been nominated to do the work for Greers and are very pleased with the finished work on the project. I hope that it helps Greers to continue their success in selling cars whilst keeping lighting bills to a minimum”
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority worked with telecoms provider du to integrate the streetlights into an Internet of Things network, where sensors are placed in everyday objects to become ‘smart’ and interact with their surroundings.
A series of street lights in Dubai are pioneering the way for the internet-connected future of the smart city.
In one of the first applications of its type in the world, the luminaires are fitted with motion sensors which detect traffic movements and react accordingly. If there’s no vehicles, the lights remain at 25 per cent output, but if cars approach the output is ramped up to full output.
Additional sensors can be added to the street lights – located at the Silicon Oasis in Dubai – to collect and share information and data on the surrounding environment, such as pollution and weather conditions – or even relay CCTV, advertising messages and safety warnings.
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority worked with telecoms provider du to integrate the streetlights into an Internet of Things network, where sensors are placed in everyday objects to become ‘smart’ and interact with their surroundings.
The smart building technologies include high-tech sensors in the DSOA headquarters which use du software to allow energy and cost saving through managing the electricity consumption and allowing automatic regulation of temperature throughout the headquarters.
Engineer Muammar Khaled Al Katheeri of the DSOA told Lux Review: ‘Through these initiatives – great and small – DSOA is proud to contribute to achieving the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, of making Dubai the smartest city in the world. We have launched several smart initiatives in DSO that went through Proof of Concepts testing ahead of large scale implementation such as DSO smart waste management that proved to be very successful for reducing waste collection cost and environmental footprint.’
‘We look forward to increasing our collaboration with du on the installation of more smart street lights and smart building technologies around DSO.’
GE to deliver energy savings of more than 50% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes annually with Santander lighting infrastructure upgrade
Demonstrating that corporations no longer have to choose between ‘profit and planet’, GE has delivered a cash-positive lighting infrastructure upgrade for the UK business of global banking institution Santander.
Lux reports: As the UK’s biggest ever fully-funded LED lighting retrofit, the project will see 90,000 new lights installed across the bank’s UK estate of 800 branches and 13 office buildings – slashing energy use in half and reducing carbon emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes each year.
Providing a full scope solution, GE will deliver lighting services throughout the 10-year contract, which includes optimised system design, installation, maintenance and management.
Importantly, the project is to be delivered using a cash-positive financing model, in a move that is set to reinvent the way people (companies?) think about investment in energy efficient lighting upgrades. The model includes a substantial investment of £17.5 million by the UK Green Investment Bank plc and Sustainable Development Capital Limited, making it the biggest LED-financing package the UK has ever seen.
This unconventional approach, in which the financing partners enable the lighting to be procured as a service rather than a product purchase, allows Santander to benefit from the reduced operating costs and improved energy efficiency of the LED lighting but without the capital investment and impact on the balance sheet – a flexible solution that could pave the way for many other organisations to follow suit.
Dan Vinton, CFO GE Lighting EMEA at , commented: “The lighting industry has changed dramatically in the last few years, moving away from supplying product as a simple disposable commodity, to providing high value solutions to customers while becoming a true energy efficiency partner. The old models of the lighting industry are no longer fit for purpose in this new market and this project represents a glimpse into the new world.”
“More than anything, this project has been about listening to our customer’s needs and working with them to develop a tailored package of lighting and finance solutions that perfectly meet their requirements. The strength, credibility and expertise represented by the GE brand helped make the project bankable which was a key element of success. We’re privileged to have been able to walk this learning journey together with our partners and proud of what we have accomplished here. We are now focused on scaling this offering more broadly and allowing more customers in our target markets and verticals to benefit from this type of smart value creation.”
Nick Roberts, Property Director, at Santander, said: “We launched our 20-20-15 energy efficiency strategy three years ago, in which we committed to reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2015. LED lighting has become an integral part of our Energy Efficiency Plan and plays a key role in achieving these overall sustainability goals. Through this lighting upgrade we have taken a huge step forward in executing our long-term efficiency objectives, with GE providing the support, scale and suitable products that we needed.”
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com today to explore what LED can do for you. Distributors for all major brands, including GE LED. Call today for project pricing and financing details: 0208-540-8287, or email: sales@novelenergylighting.com
A court in Germany has ruled that light output claims by the architectural fixture maker Planlicht are misleading. PLUS: We preview next week’s LuxLive Middle East and interview Lighting Europe chief Diederik de Stoppelaar about data and privacy. Lux Today newscast for 5 April 2016 with Courtney Ferguson UPDATE: Planlicht says it’s been unfairly singled out and that the legal action was based on ‘out of date’ literature and practices. Read the full story below the video:
The Austrian lighting manufacturer Planlicht has been censured by a German court for misleading claims for its LED fixtures’ performance.
The legal action is being widely seen as test case in the lighting industry over the validity of the data included in specification sheets.
The architectural luminaire maker XAL – which took the case against rival Planlicht – described the ruling by the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court as ‘a major step towards greater transparency’ in the industry.
The judges ruled that the advertising of LED luminaires with lumen values that refer to the LED itself and not to the luminaire is not permitted – especially when it is not clear to the customer what the value is actually referring to. A general reference in the descriptive text ‘lumen information = circuit board output’ is not sufficient for this. When advertising LED fittings, a power consumption that is lower than the actual power consumption of the lamp may not be indicated. Finally, the court ruled that only luminaires that actually have a Unified Glare Rating of less than 19 may be advertised as such. If other luminaires in the same family do not meet this criterion, they can’t be included in the description.
Planlicht CEO Felicitas Kohler says the company has been unfairly singled out and that the court ruling was based on out-of-date sales literature and practices.
‘The judicial decision is based on a state of facts from 2013, when most lighting manufacturers published LED information on the luminous flux and power requirements of the LED boards. XAL decided to take legal action against the competitor they fear most and let all the others go their ways.
‘In fact, for all manufacturers of architectural luminaires, there is the challenge in making catalogues provide some overview. To detail all the technical specifications is not as easy as illustrated by you in your article for XAL, who displays luminous flux and power consumption data for only one specific light colour – for the most efficient, not for all.
‘On the fast-improving LED market, Planlicht decided to switch to net figures of luminous flux and power consumption of lighting systems and invested in our own light laboratory. This all happened long before the court decision in Frankfurt, which was based on a two-year old catalogue. So it had no effect on Planlicht; there was no penalty, just the order not to use the old catalogue.’
In a statement, XAL said: ‘Lighting designers and specifiers need exact information regarding lumen output and system capacity so that they can make sound decisions when selecting lighting. Especially when using high-quality LED luminaires, lighting designers expect to be able to rely on the information provided by the manufacturer.
‘But in fact, this information is not provided transparently in the print and online catalogues of some manufacturers. In many cases, the lumen output refers to the LED or circuit board itself, and is therefore substantially higher than the actual luminous flux of the luminaire.
‘But this value is not relevant for specifiers because it does not represent the visible light output of the luminaire itself. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the correct power consumption is also not always taken into account, but the power consumption without electronic ballasts. These levels are lower than the actual power consumption. This distorts the efficiency level, which is indicated in lumens/watts.
‘Such misleading information in catalogues poses serious risks for customers. They may be faced with lux levels that are too low, circuit breakers with insufficient capacity, and assumed efficiency levels that are not true.
‘To minimise such risks for customers and to prevent lights from being selected on the basis of incorrect information, [we] decided to take legal action against Planlicht based on a particularly clear case of misleading catalogue information. In its own catalogues, XAL provides a high level of transparency and wants customers to be able to fairly compare offerings across the industry and to be able to accurately plan their lighting systems.’
XAL chief Harald Dirnberger told Lux Review: ‘We’re confident that this ruling will set an important precedent and will contribute to a greater level of transparency in the entire lighting industry. As a manufacturer of high-quality lighting solutions, we see it as our duty to provide our customers with absolutely accurate information as a basis for their planning’.
The first LED PL-C lamp designed to save energy and downsize costs
CorePro LED PL-C is the first PL-C lamp replacement for downlighters that provides up to 60% energy saving, three times longer lifetime (30,000 hours) and a robust, shatterproof plastic housing. A retrofit lamp that’s simple to install, fits fixtures with E.Mag or HF ballast and requires less maintenance and servicing. So you can downsize your downlighting costs with energy efficient LED.
Application areas:
Focus on general circulation areas in downlight luminaires as key applications
Saving energy without compromising on light quality:
• CorePro LED PL-C lamps save >50% energy by directing the light so that none is wasted above the luminaire.
• Therefore the CorePro LED PL-C lamp also requires less light (lumen) to reach the same lux levels.
• In addition, the rotating end-cap feature ensures lamps can always be rotated in the ideal direction.
• The rotating functionality (from -45˚ to +90˚) offers the possibility to optimise light distribution and fit of the lamps, whatever type of luminaire they are being installed in.
Range build-up
Compatible with all Electro Magnetic ballasts
• Recognisable by 2 connector pins on socket base
• Available in two socket types:
– G24d-2 to replace 18W / G24d-3
– to replace 26W conventional PL-C lamps.
Compatible with Electronic / HighFrequency ballast
• Recognisable by 4 connector pins on socket base
• Available in two socket types:
– G24q-2 to replace 18W
– G24q-3 to replace 26W conventional PL-C lamps.
Key benefits
Energy efficient
• More than 60% more efficient compared to fluorescent PL-C lamps, saving on energy costs
Long lasting & robust
• With lifetimes up to 30,000 hours (vs. 10,000 hours Fluorescent PL-C), reducing maintenance costs
• PL-C LED Lamps are made of shatter-proof plastic instead of glass
Simple lamp for lamp replacement
• Easy upgrade from current conventional downlight fixture to LED PL-C (hassle free)
• Re-using the existing fixture without major modifications, using a similar PL-C form-factor
High quality of light
• No flickering or stroboscopic light
• Instant 100% light
Product specifications
Philips CorePro LED PL-C 2-pin range:
• Two wattage positions for G24d-2 and G24d-3 socket holders
• 3000 K & 4000 K
• Efficiency up to 112 Lumens / Watt
• < 2 years pay-back, at affordable initial price point
• Rotating end-caps, to rotate light in the ideal direction
• Perfect fit dimensions, to enable optimal fit with existing luminaires
Philips CorePro LED PL-C 4-pin range:
• Two wattage positions for G24q-2 and G24q-3 socket holders
• 3000 K & 4000 K
• Efficiency up to 100 Lumens / Watt
• < 2 years pay-back, at affordable initial price point
• Rotating end-caps, to rotate light in the ideal direction
• Perfect fit dimensions, to enable optimal fit with existing luminaires
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com to browse the selection of Philips Corepro PL-C lamps today, or call us for volume pricing, tel: 0208-540-8287
Education is no longer about teaching; it is about creating a stimulating learning environment. Or to put it another way the quantity of information given out by a teacher is less important than the amount of information taken in by a student. This shift in emphasis has impacted the design of education buildings. Previously they were designed around the needs of the teacher whereas they are increasingly designed around the needs of the student. This requires more flexible spaces suitable for formal teacher led sessions and also for less formal group discussions and breakout sessions.
Building design has also developed as the importance of daylight to learning rates and attendance levels has begun to be understood. Therefore modern learning spaces tend to receive significant levels of daylight which in turn leads to significant energy savings in well-designed lighting installations.
Best practice
The European Standard EN 12464-1:2011 Light and lighting – Lighting of work places Part 1: Indoor work places provides recommended lighting levels for academic buildings. However whilst important these recommendations address only a part of the lighting requirements. Education is a communication centred discipline and lighting of people so they appear friendly and so that body language is readily visible is important, as is facilitating the use of all presentation materials and formats. EN 12464-1:2011 also provides recommendations for cylindrical illuminance to ensure good lighting of verticals, 150lx at 1.2m height. It discusses the modelling index, the ratio between the horizontal and vertical flow of light, to provide the correct balance between light and shade. It also highlights the importance of lighting room surfaces to make a space feel light and airy and prevent a sensation of gloom, recommending an average illuminance of 75lx on the walls and 50lx on the ceiling.
Education should always be centred on the needs of people and care should be taken not to design spaces for technology at the expense of comfort. However in some areas of high DSE use care should be taken to take account of the effect of lighting on screens. Recommendations for lighting for DSE are provided in the European Standard EN 12464-1:2011 Light and lighting – Lighting of work places Part 1: Indoor work places. However these criteria are for general computer technology and if plasma screen technology is used tighter control of luminaire brightness should be considered. Ideally the balance between lighting for people and lighting for technology should be achieved by intelligent use of lighting controls and scene setting to allow lighting to be adjusted to the needs of the moment.
Taking control
Supplying comfortable and effective light is not the same as supplying controlled and energy-efficient light. A lighting system should interact with the space, dimming in response to increasing levels of daylight, turning on or off in response to occupancy within the space, and with increasing use of technology and the need for flexibility of learning styles allow lighting scenes to be set to provide the optimal conditions for the needs of the task at hand. Lighting should be an integral part of the space ambience, giving a calm or lively atmosphere dependant upon the needs of the subject, providing an inspiring and stimulating environment for students and staff.
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com to explore LED lighting retrofit options for your school or university project. Please call us to discuss options or arrange for light designs: tel. 0208-540-8287, email: sales@novelenergylighting.com
