Q&A: B.E.G. The benefits of modern-day intelligent lighting solutions


zones and student areas. Teachers tend to require supplemental lighting for delivering vertical illuminance onto white boards and blackboards, as well as video screens and projectors. This may require the illuminance of the screen to be minimised while sufficient ambient light needs to be provided for students to take notes. There are many other factors that need to be taken into account when considering a modern- day lighting design of a classroom, including uniformity of lighting, contrast, colour, glare, flicker, reflections and modelling of objects. These can impact performance, mood, environment and health and wellbeing.


What are the disadvantages of “traditional” lighting?


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n the next article in our popular Q&A series this month we’re delighted to hear from Paul Jones, Sales Director UK & Ireland, at B.E.G. Lighting Controls, who explains why good lighting is so important in schools and how you can save money using modern-day intelligent lighting solutions.


Tell us about B.E.G.


B.E.G. is a leading provider of energy-efficient lighting control solutions for schools of all sizes in the UK.


The company has a rich heritage of developing and manufacturing high-quality lighting products for more than 45 years and is recognised as a leading brand in the sector.


B.E.G. offer schools a complete lighting control solution regardless of whether it is for use in the construction of a new building or renovating an existing one. The nationwide company design innovative bespoke lighting designs which are safe and easy-to-use, contribute to energy savings and reduce climate emissions.


B.E.G. also provide special emphasis on providing a lighting control system for schools that will also benefit the health and wellbeing of pupils, teachers and staff. The range includes occupancy detectors, motion detectors, sensors and actuators control lighting, room temperature, air quality, ventilation and shading automatically.


Why is good lighting so important in schools?


Excellent lighting in schools is vital for educational purposes as the way a room is lit sets the scene for four main methods of learning for students, namely visual, auditory, read and writing, and sensory.


The layout of most classrooms is typically rectangular in shape with teaching zones designed with sightlines parallel to windows that provide daylight to the space, as well as sensory simulation and visual contact with the outside world.


Daylight through windows generally provides illumination through much of the school day, however, artificial lighting also plays a key role when a consistent visual environment is needed. Typically, classrooms are divided into teaching


Therefore, it goes without saying, that LED (light emitting diode) fixtures are a must in a lighting design project. LED technology is highly energy efficiency, offers excellent controllability, high flexibility in terms of optical design, a high resistance to shock and vibration and long lifespan.


What factors need to be taken into account when considering a modern-day lighting design of a classroom?


Schools need to consider implementing an intelligent lighting design into any modern lighting of a building regardless of whether it is refurbishing old classrooms or opening entire new buildings. This is vital both for educational purposes and energy savings because it is one of the most effective ways for schools to use less energy by ‘controlling’ how it is used. Modern motion and occupancy sensors are totally focused on ensuring that lighting is only used based on demand. These products are designed to consider the luminosity of the room in regards to natural light and engineered in such a way that the sensors automatically dim the artificial lighting to the required brightness.


16 www.education-today.co.uk July/August 2023


For decades, fluorescent lighting ion tubes have been used in educational spaces, especially schools, however they have many disadvantages when it comes to learning, including health risks which have generally been well documented over the years. This includes eyestrain, double vision, headaches and migraine, stress, poor concentration, reduced visual task performance, fatigue and even repetitive behaviour in autistic people.


This means the sensor includes as much ‘free’ available natural light as possible in order that energy consumption is significantly reduced. At B.E.G. we offer ‘presence-controlled building automation’ in hundreds of schools which works automatically in the background so that the lighting is automatically switched and dimmed. The room temperature and the cooling capacity are also reduced when rooms are not in use.


With the cost of energy so high at the moment, how can schools use intelligent lighting design to save on their energy budgets?


Overall, the foundation of any intelligent lighting design is that it integrates all human needs so that it cultivates a stimulating learning environment. With schools under pressure to be more environmentally-friendly and cut costs due to soaring energy and electricity bills – incorporating controls also provides the educational facility with substantial energy savings too.


At B.E.G., we have seen schools, for example, use lighting control sensors make energy savings of up to 50 per cent in a classroom, up to 60 per cent in a main hall and up to 80 per cent in student washrooms.


What other factors should schools consider when replacing outdated lighting systems? Educational facilities have a duty of care to make their buildings safe and as comfortable for students. In 2017, Human Centric Lighting (HCL) was introduced – this is a wellness multi- sensor which designed to control lighting based on time, presence and circadian rhythm with a ‘tuneable white function’. This works by adjusting the colour temperature over a 24-hour period from warm white to daylight white and the illumination intensity from 500 to 1500 lux. The results, which have been scientifically proven, show improved human biological responses for enhanced concentration, alertness, and performance.


For further information, please contact B.E.G. at: BEG Lighting Controls, Grove House, Apex Court, Camphill Rd, West Byfleet KT14 6SQ u0870 850 5412 uwww.beg-luxomat.com


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