Classroom lighting and controls

• Presence Detection
• Absence Detection
• Preset Dimming
• Centralised Control
• Daylight tubes
• Energy Saving Lighting

The head teacher wanted to create a better learning environment in the classrooms and hall as well as reduce energy consumption. The school was built in the 1960's and the lighting had not been updated since, as a result light levels were below the recommended levels for a classroom and there was little control. Since the introduction of interactive white boards the lack of control had become even more of a problem as sometimes it would be necessary to reduce ambient light on the boards when the projector was in use but at others normal lighting was required. Due to budget constraints the relighting of the classrooms and hall had to be phased over a period of time.

Design Innovation initially designed a control system for the new staff room extension to reduce energy consumption and ensure lights were not left on in unused areas. By using dimmable fluorescent lighting different lighting states could be used to suit the use of the rooms. For example when accessing the kitchen facilities in the staffroom light levels could be much lower than when staff were working. A Dynalite lighting control system was installed using a combination of multipurpose sensors and wall switches. The multipurpose sensors were used for presence and absence detection as well as light level maintenance. Where this system wins over simpler PIR based lighting controls is the ability to change the behaviour of the sensors depending on the use of the room or the school, for example presence detection could be disabled during a staff meeting and the lighting controlled manually (to allow for dimming for data projector use) but even in this mode absence detection would prevent the lights being left on after a meeting. At other times lights would come on and off as people entered or left the room.

Light level maintenance was used to reduce lighting levels as daylight increases reducing energy consumption whilst maintaining comfort levels. The system installed in the staff area was designed with expansion in mind to allow the whole school to be converted over time. A control panel in the administration office sets the general function of the whole system and allows the caretaker to ensure all lights are off before locking up. Controls have been programmed to respond differently depending on the overall function, e.g. lights are controlled more automatically when the school is in 'holiday' mode than when in 'term' mode.

Since the initial installation two classrooms and the hall have been upgraded with Design Installation designing a new lighting scheme to achieve 500 lux in the classrooms with good control for VDU work whilst providing sufficient lighting on the walls for displays, etc. In the hall protected fluorescent fittings were used as the hall is used for games regularly. Whilst installing the lighting in the hall a grid and patch panel system was fitted to allow hired in stage lighting equipment to be used easily.

In the classrooms a combination of presence and absence detection along with light level maintenance is used to minimise waste. The teacher also has a great deal of control over the lighting levels which are zoned to allow for dimming of lighting near the interactive white board when required for example. Again when the lighting is being controlled manually by the teacher the presence detection is disabled but absence detection is still used to ensure lights are not left on unnecessarily. Absence detection times are shorter when the school is in holiday mode.

Both staff and pupils have found the new lighting beneficial and whilst it is early days the school will see significant energy savings