Therapeutic lighting
“We are thus increasingly developing new products with factors such as circadian rhythms, and light’s ability to affect mood, in mind. The wider Fagerhult Group is involved in several studies on lighting’s impact on recovery and general health, and we can harness some of its research in our own new product development for mental healthcare.” He continued: “Specifiers in healthcare – not only clinicians, but increasingly estates and facilities managers and architects, are increasingly looking, when selecting lighting, at its therapeutic qualities – for example considering the possibility of its positive impact on patients, and at how changing its colour temperature to mimic the natural cycle of light from day to night could speed recovery.”
KEENNESS TO BE SEEN AS A THERAPEUTIC LIGHTING SUPPLIER Alan Carter said: “Against this backdrop, we are keen to be seen as a lighting manufacturer that offers therapeutic lighting – a factor very much behind the development of our Basilica Tuneable White luminaire, which we demonstrated at this year’s Design in Mental Health Exhibition, and is a development of our existing Basilica luminaire.” In addition to having no ligature points, making it particularly well suited to environments where service-users are considered at high risk, the ‘original’ Basilica luminaire – a key product for the company – has an IK20 rating, meaning it can withstand up to 250 joules of impact. The durability of of its strong die-cast aluminium body is further enhanced via a ‘tough protective skin of oven- baked polyester paint’, while the LED fitting reportedly ‘produces a uniformity of light distribution, with an impressive light output of 116 lumens per circuit watt’. The Basilica luminaire, which is said to consume up to 65% less energy than ‘comparable florescent lighting’, was recently specified for use in the ‘new’ Broadmoor Hospital, where 1,500 such luminaires were fitted in early 2017 in corridors, patient reception and waiting areas, and day spaces, during the facility’s construction, having been selected by the West London Mental Health NHS Trust, M&E consultants, WSP, and main contractor, Kier, for their ‘non-institutional, contemporary appearance’. It was felt that the luminaires would enhance the features of the modern interior of a new inpatient facility with a design that contrasts sharply with the austere and somewhat forbidding, if undoubtedly imposing, Victorian appearance of the old brick-built former asylum the new hospital replaces.
EXTERNAL LIGHTING Other Designplan Lighting products installed at the new Broadmoor Hospital – which is due to open next Spring – include Parkalux Angled luminaires with a robust IK14 construction and tamper-proof screws, which ‘help create a bright, fresh environment in therapy and education services ‘spaces’, and Zelos Wall Max bulkhead lights, wall-mounted in perimeter applications, which have an IK16 die-cast aluminium body and an IP65 rating. Designplan Lighting says the bulkhead lights ‘can be relied upon to function in challenging environments, and withstand extreme weather conditions’,
Designing and manufacturing the Basilica range of luminaires.
and provide good light distribution over doorways.
Alan Carter explained that Designplan Lighting has supplied the existing Broadmoor Hospital for a number of years, and thus has a close working relationship with its operator, the West London Mental Health NHS Trust, “However,” he added, “when it came to the new hospital’s interior, it was clear that the Trust would be taking a completely new, 21st-century approach to service-user accommodation and facilities, as well as to care models.”
A ‘PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES’ A Designplan Lighting case study on the scheme says: “The redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital (BHR) is like a phoenix rising out of the ashes of the old brick building, which is synonymous with the Victorian era, but, although impressive to look at, costly to maintain. Staff often spend time observing corridors and blind spots in the existing ward areas. However, the purpose-built new design contains bright and wide passageways, which means more time will now be able to be spent carrying out therapeutic activities, and less on service-user observation. “The new-build will modernise living conditions, with upgraded facilities for patients, and an improved working environment for all employees.” Early in 2017, 1,500 Basilica luminaires were installed in the corridors, ward day space, and reception areas, of the new Broadmoor buildings. Designplan Lighting said: “The improvements in the new development will help staff provide the best possible
treatments in surroundings that support therapy, and encourage recovery. The contemporary lighting will contribute to a light, bright, and airy environment which retains a feeling of hope for change.”
CONFIDENCE IN THE COMPANY Jonathan Watkins, of Kier Mechanical & Electrical – Major Projects, added: “Designplan was appointed to deliver a number of the lighting elements for the BHR project due to its long-standing sector knowledge, and the confidence levels we had in it from both its desktop studies and the quality of its manufactured products. At installation stage the products were all ready for delivery on the planned dates, and when commissioned we were pleased with the end result, which embraces the latest LED technology.” Clearly a highly successful contract, but back to the new Basilica Tuneable White, and Designplan Lighting says the new luminaire ‘brings daylight indoors’, and, by doing so, can – in mental healthcare settings – ‘help regulate patients’ and service-users’ circadian rhythm, our natural body clock’. “Basilica Tuneable White can create a calmer, more relaxing environment,” the company explained. “During the day, light levels can be raised to give a cool colour temperature to replicate daylight, providing an energy boost that would occur naturally. This cool light is particularly beneficial in areas with little natural daylight. At night the luminaire can lower its output to give a warm colour temperature light, so that patient observation can be undertaken with minimal disturbance, to aid restful sleep. In an emergency, a clinician can change light levels at the touch of a button.”
Lee McCarthy, Technical Applications director (left), and Alan Carter, Marketing manager, at Designplan Lighting.
ANTI-LIGATURE, TAMPER-PROOF DESIGN The Basilica Tuneable White has a smooth, anti- ligature design, while Resistorx screws secure the diffuser to help maintain its tamper-proof rating. With its IK20 rating, it can reportedly resist 250 joules of impact, ‘12 and a half times more than a standard IK10 EN 62262 fitting’. The luminaire is said to be easy to clean, while an IP66 rating ensures dust and water resistance. Designplan Lighting adds: “Energy consumption can be reduced by varying light output, and an integrated presence detection sensor dims to 10% when nobody is present. A daylight sensor also reduces the light levels
THE NETWORK OCTOBER 2018 21
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