Lighting Controls
Why lighting controlsshould not be a dot on a page
When lighting designers take on a scheme, they commonly consider in detail the type of lights needed as well as the number and the positioning of the lights, however, in BEG’s experience, all too oſten designers are missing a trick by reducing the actual all-important lighting controls to a mere dot on the page. By Paul Jones, BEG UK (pictured).
W
hen lighting controls were basic, simple units, a simple pencil ‘dot’ may have covered the main
consideration of where sensors would be located in the space. That time is firmly in the past as, with the giant strides in technology that have been made, lighting controls are now extremely sophisticated, with near endless possibilities for the function and control of the light. Anyone designing lighting with their customer or indeed the actual end-user in mind, should be fully aware of the range of options and variations, and be ready to stipulate exactly which lighting control they specifically require for each particular room or zone. In our current world where there are systems and sensors to save energy, save money, make lighting suitable for flexible spaces, or adaptable for different times of day, rooms or activities, there’s no excuse for lighting controls to be overlooked by lighting designers. There is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ lighting control solution. A dot just doesn’t cut it anymore.
A more informed brief for a better result To enable a designer to make the right lighting decisions when taking on a brief, the basic information they need to know is what the room or space is for, which activities will be carried out there and how the room should look, all which of course informs which lights are selected. When gathering information to inform lighting
control decisions, the obvious questions would be about the mechanics of the system – such as which switches or remote controls are needed or whether a handy smart phone app is more suitable for ease of use. Do the lights need to be limited by a timer function or be reactive to the available light in the room? However, when thinking about the full range of possibilities that current lighting controls offer, it’s like adding the fourth dimension to the brief and there is extra information needed to make the right choices. For example, how should the lighting in the room work? Is it a multifunctional
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room requiring different intensities or colours of light for different activities? Is it a room with ‘zones’ which can be defined by different levels of lighting? If it is a corridor should it be lit at 10 per cent when vacant, but increase to 100 per cent when occupied, and should it light up entirely or in sections as it is used? If occupancy sensors are used in larger rooms, which sections of the room should trigger the light, as masks can be installed to make sure that the sensor is only activated in certain areas.
Lighting controls for a customer centric approach In fact, asking these questions of a customer for the brief can make for a much more rounded and fulfilling designer-client relationship, and can ensure that the final result delivers against all the levels of the build brief, often exceeding customer expectations. For example, cutting down energy consumption can be a key concern for facilities managers, and of course goes hand in hand with financial savings for companies and organisations. Specifying the right lighting controls within each room can optimise the energy and cost savings of around 30 per cent can be made.
A wise lighting designer will use their knowledge of the systems available to
demonstrate to their customers that they are adding value to the design by making the lighting as sustainable as possible. This may even mean recommending top of the range sensors and systems which come with an initial higher outlay, but if the customer understands there is a longer-term saving, they are likely to be on board with the decision. Offices may have one lighting requirement needing to be light enough to work and automatically adjusting depending on the natural daylight available. Bathrooms, corridors and communal spaces are all different again. Another example might be designing a school which has multiple rooms each with a different purpose. Classrooms may benefit from some of the most advanced lighting control technology available, and actually subliminally influence the teaching experience. For example. a whiter light can be used to increase the productivity of students, and a warmer yellow light can help calm an over excited class. When you add to this the opportunity to dim certain areas to focus the class on the smart board, or create a reading zone, the potential of what can be achieved by lighting controls alone, are almost endless. By using the full range of lighting controls
available the designer can create a school that works harder and more effectively and efficiently
●Continued over Lighting Edition September 2019 electrical wholesaler | 17
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