• • • LIGHTING & LIGHTING CONTROLS • • •
Outdoor lighting and the environment
Graham Lewis, sales director at Red Arrow Electrical Distribution, looks at the social and ecological impact of external commercial lighting – and how electricians can use the right products and design to limit light pollution while delivering the lighting their clients needs
I
n the UK, we experience a national average of just eight hours of daylight during the winter months. Artificial outdoor lighting is a necessity
to maintain safe, secure and functional spaces outdoors – from car parks to sports arenas, college campuses to industrial loading bays. Yet while external lighting has an important role
to play in the safety and security of our commercial, industrial and recreational spaces, its impact on the local environment, nearby dwellings and roadways also need to be considered – as well as the energy it consumes. When it comes to outdoor lighting, electricians
need to maximise illumination where it is needed while minimising light pollution in the surrounding areas and reducing energy consumption. In other words, they need to get the right light, in the right place that activates at the right time. Here, I’ll look at the regulations and
considerations that electricians need to be aware of when installing commercial or industrial lighting outdoors, and how to solve the most common outdoor lighting issues.
What regulations cover
outdoor lighting? While there are no regulations (outside of usual Part P Building Regulations) governing the installation of outdoor lighting, external lighting can fall foul of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 after it has been installed. Under this law, lighting can be deemed a ‘statutory nuisance’, with the premise owners being requested to remove or adjust the offending light source – a frustration for the client, and for the electrician who is then called back to the site. Some premises are exempt from this law,
including transport depots, harbours, airports, army bases and prisons. However, it is recommended that electricians take steps to reduce nuisance and light pollution wherever possible, in order to avoid complaints to the client after installation and reduce environmental concerns. The Royal Commission on Environmental
Pollution also conducted a report, Artificial Light in the Environment, outlining the impact of outdoor lighting and recommendations for more sustainable solutions. While these are not a legal standard, lighting that conforms to these recommendations are increasingly in demand from highway authorities, commercial premises owners and recreational space managers in order for them to do their part in protecting the local
landscape, as well as avoid conflict with the local community and ecological welfare groups.
What are the biggest problems
caused by external lighting? • Light intrusion is where lighting spills out of the desired field of illumination and into surrounding areas. This can be annoying for nearby inhabitants, as well as a dangerous distraction to drivers and a disruption to nocturnal wildlife in the area, as detailed in ILP GN01.
• Sky glow pertains to a general glow in the night sky that can be caused by both natural and artificial light sources, but is most often seen where large amounts of outdoor lighting is in situ – such as towns or industrial parks. As well as being unsightly, it can also disturb wildlife by mimicking dawn or twilight.
• Glare relates to bright light that is uncomfortable to view: for instance, a bright security light in an otherwise dimly lit cul-de-sac, or an overly-bright floodlight outside of a warehouse.
28 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022
• Reflective glare is caused by certain building surfaces, like smooth stone and metallic panels. When lit by floodlights or uplighters, they can imitate water. Not only does it amplify general light pollution in the area, but it can confuse wildlife, disturbing natural behaviour and attracting insects.
How to reduce light pollution
and avoid nuisance Light pollution can be reduced – if not eradicated altogether – with the right products and lighting design. Electricians need to consider the type of lamps, their position, the angle of the beam and several other factors, which I’ve highlighted below.
• Position lighting carefully, taking into consideration the direction of the beam and any overspill into surrounding areas: including roads, residential areas and wildlife habitats (see, for example ILP’s guidance on bats and artificial lighting in the UK). Ensure only the task area is lit while minimising light spread, and ‘consider the height of lighting - for example, a lower
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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