interiors


Lighting the path to future success


The top five lighting considerations for educational establishments, by Graeme Shaw, Technical Application and Academy Manager, Zumtobel Group


to reduce costs whilst continuing to drive improvements to the overall environment of learning. In recent years, the issue of lighting


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has risen up the agenda, with decision- makers recognising that the right lighting has a considerable role to play in the overall efficiency and success of any educational establishment. So - what are the key factors to consider


when assessing the performance of lighting across a school, university or college? Cost– of course. The education sector


is no stranger to working under budgetary constraints and cost will always be a major factor in any solution decision. In many cases, legacy lighting will have been in place for several years and will rarely be optimised for efficiency. Lighting typically accounts for between 20-30% of a school’s energy bills so it is an obvious place to look in order to realise cost savings. Be seen to be green. Not only are


educational establishments under pressure to save money, they are also expected to demonstrate a responsibility towards environmental good practice. LED lighting is significantly more energy efficient. In a recent project for a 1,200 pupil school we realised energy savings of


28 educationdab.co.uk


HOSE responsible for educational buildings and estate management face a seemingly impossible task -


60% by replacing outdated and inefficient luminaires with the very latest LED technology. LED lighting can help reduce an establishment’s carbon foot-print and contribute towards a greener operation. Hassle-free maintenance. Upgrading to


LED lighting can significantly reduce the maintenance burden. Educational sites are expected to dispose of lamps safely to meet WEEE recycling legislation. Given the number of lamps typically used across a site, this can be both a time consuming and costly exercise. Any failed lamps can impact the learning environment and, potentially, compromise health and safety. LED lights mean fewer failures, fewer replacements, reduced maintenance costs and a site maximised for best performance. Take control. Schools and further


education establishments are not just about classrooms. Each site has a wide variety of spaces and functions, from reception areas and cafeterias to lecture theatres, sports halls, passageways and drama theatres. Clearly, lighting cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. Scene-control systems enable lighting to be adapted to specific scenarios. So, for example, a school hall might require brightness for formal exam conditions. The same space might then be used for presentations or performances, with more muted lighting


only required at the back of the space. Light can be adapted to room usage, enabling subtle changes to ensure optimum conditions. Light can even be controlled by sensors - activated by footfall meaning light is only used when an area is occupied. Such techniques can eliminate wasted energy and further cut costs. Peak performance. All educational


establishments have the wellbeing and success of their pupils as the number one priority. The right lighting is proven to positively impact pupil behaviour and performance. Fluorescent lighting in schools can be an irritation if it flickers or delivers a light that is too harsh. But more than this, studies show that fluorescent lights can be a serious issue for those with autism, epilepsy and migraine sufferers. A number of recent studies have shown that the use of LED lighting increases productivity and learning in students. One such example - published in the International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Engineering - reported a 25 percent increase in learning. LED lighting is contributing towards


greater efficiency, reduced costs, improved student performance and maximised site usage.


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