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SPN JUN 2012 Lighting


www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk


Recent advances in technology have helped improve the energy efficiency, aesthetics and fun to be had for lighting a swimming pool


efficient products have becoming increasingly the norm. Pools are also influenced by natural light, particularly diffused daylighting.


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This is increasingly popular because of new ways of insulating translucent glazing, such as pools which combine the Kalwall diffused day lighting system with artificial lighting. Seen from outside at night, the pool emits an ethereal glow. Traditionally, standard 300W 12V sealed Beam Pool Lighting has been used within the fabric of the swimming pool, mainly because it was considered more cost effective and easy to install in both concrete and liner pools. However, not only has this proved to be relatively expensive to run by today’s standards but also the lighting is considered somewhat dull, uninspiring and offering little chance to create an atmosphere. This is where fibre optics come into their own. Increasingly a popular choice for ‘starry skies’ in saunas and steam rooms, fibre optics offer several advantages over traditional lighting. Perhaps one of the first things that come to mind is colour changing. This is the ability to play with colour and create exciting, innovative and seductive lighting schemes which can be changed at the press of a button.


ool lighting continues to change dramatically. As advancements in technology have come on stream, newer designs and more energy


Fibre optic is what it says it is. Optical fibres use pure glass pulled into ultra fine strands. Fibre optics make use of conditions where all the light encountering the surface between two materials is reflected. Light can travel for long distances through fibre optic cables reflecting off the cable’s inner walls, even when the cable is bent. Although a fibre optic cable is transparent, almost no light escapes from it. This form of lighting can be used in areas difficult to service and because the light source is remote it can deliver multiple lighting options.


However, aesthetic effects aside, fibre optics also offer superior function. They are far more energy efficient with several light points being illuminated from a single lamp. They also offer low maintenance with the advantage of having the light source remote from the fittings. This makes lamp changing more convenient and safer as the light projector can be sited well away from the pool area and at ground level. This is better than traditional fittings which need to be re- lamped and, when located within the pool or above the pool, often require complicated access, such as scaffolding towers or pool coverings. Another benefit of having a remote lamp source is that the fixtures are neither moved nor touched which eliminates the risk of altering any orchestrated focusing. In addition, as fibre optics have multiple light sources from one lamp, there


will always be the same output from each end point, thereby maintaining uniformity and continuity across the whole installation. Finally, there is the matter of surface temperature. The light ends are cool to the touch which is very important bearing in mind that children with bare feet are often playing near and around the fittings. A good example of this is ESPA life at the Cornithia Hotel in London.


Here, Ellie Greisen from Lighting Design International has used a creative mix of fibre optics in a range of colours to create a stunning atmospheric and inviting pool. The light is cast up from the bottom of the stainless steel pool and passes through ever-moving water, creating dynamic patterns on the white ceiling while illuminating the entire room. Colour-changing and dimmable fibre optics lighting has been used to define precisely the steps and illuminate the feature wall of gold-veined black Tunisian marble. “The whole feeling is really relaxed,” says Greisen, “it’s like another world.”


LEDS LEAD THE WAY


Today, there is no argument across the lighting industry as a whole that LEDs are now the light source of choice. LEDs have crossed into both traditional lighting as well as fibre optics. Roblon, for example, is a world leader in the manufacturer of fibre optics and has launched a wide range of


Lighting Design International used a creative mix of fibre optics at the Cornithia Hotel in London


The Kalwall diffused daylighting system with artificial lighting which when seen from outside at night, emits an ethereal glow


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