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66 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON
W I N T E R 20 1 6
Practicality and functionality:
Any commercial project should be
approached with consideration as to the
total cost of ownership, being the initial
cost of the update, operation costs and
maintenance costs.
As we know, the installation of LED
luminaires can reduce operating costs
substantially. However, they can also
positively impact maintenance costs,
largely due to the lifetime of the lamp.
The most common lifetime specification
is L70, which indicates estimated
operating hours before light output
falls to 70% of initial levels; from a
well-designed LED luminaire you can
expect 50,000 hours of use offering
up to 70% of initial lumen levels. This
compares favourably with conventional
lamps which offer an average lifetime of
15,000 to 20,000 hours.
From a functional standpoint it is
also important to consider current
Australian standards, both in regard to
the Australian Building Code and those
set by Standards Australia. This often
relates to appropriate lighting, it is
common to take a uniform approach to
lighting, but it should be considered on a
needs basis, specific to the area being lit
to avoid over-lighting.
Finally, when considering practicality
– with the rate at which LED technology
is developing – it is vital to take
into account the upgradability of
the installation, particularly in this
commercial context. This will allow
building owners, and lessors, to keep up
with technology without the need for
another expensive redesign.
Australian lighting standards:
While minimum energy performance
standards (MEPS), which are a common
standard applied to lighting, do not
currently apply to LEDs there are other
safety requirements to be aware of.
All imported and locally manufactured
electrical and electronic equipment
must comply with EMC (electromagnetic
compatibility) emission requirements,
as stipulated by the government.
Compliant products are identifiable by
the RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark).
It’s important to be aware of this, as
non-compliant products do still make it
onto the shelves, and can hinder building
approval processes, as well as incur
additional costs for the client.
Leverage your network:
From
planning through to installation it is
important to leverage the knowledge at
your disposal.
As discussed the impact of a lighting
upgrade goes beyond driving down
cost to a business, it is also vital for
employee wellbeing and reducing the
environmental footprint. Generating a
lighting plan upfront, during planning –
rather than as installation starts – will
allow all elements to be catered for
and provides a pathway to achieving a
satisfactory result.
It’s also worthwhile considering the
growth in building certifications during
the planning phase, and when required,
seeking options that will allow these to
be met.
For example, many new builds
and retrofits strive for a Green Star
Certification, which will – because of
the energy consumption of lighting
– undoubtedly inform the overall
lighting plan. The earlier lighting can be
considered in the broader refit or build,
the more likely the building is to achieve
the certification.
GETTING IT RIGHT
While it seems a big undertaking, the
opportunity in the commercial space for
lighting refits is substantial, particularly
with the wider focus on sustainability.
It is suggested that contractors look to
upskill where possible and develop in
the area by gaining accreditations
through trusted solutions providers to
ensure they are well positioned for this
type of work.
Building and working within a
network of practitioners will also help
to develop exposure to the process
of planning. Lighting design has an
important role in commercial spaces,
some products will be better suited than
others, and working with partners in
design will help to ensure the best fit.
Building relationships with
partners, such as Registered Lighting
Practitioners, and working with them
to plan lighting requirements early on
will result in a better outcome for
the client.
EFFICIENCY INPRACTICE
Aurecon recently sought to refurbish its
Sydney, Neutral Bay office to better align its
workspace to support its future business.
For Aurecon the refurbishment meant more
than an upgrade of inefficient legacy fittings;
it was a long-term investment in enabling
the business to offer a workspace that will
support its growth and its employees in
Sydney to 2020 and beyond.
Philips worked with Aurecon and
interior design and architectural studio
futurespace to undertake Aurecon’s
first major installation of LED lighting in
Australia, which focused on improving its
workspace aesthetically, and reducing its
environmental impact.
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The lighting plan became critical to
Aurecon’s ambition of achieving a Green
Star Interiors PILOT rating of 4 Stars from
the Green Building Council of Australia.
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Aurecon and the project team considered
wider functionality and aesthetics
concurrently with the environmental
impact of the design to develop a pathway
to deliver a suitable solution.
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To help Aurecon on the path to realise
its workspace and green objectives, LED
luminaires were used this allowed for a
balance between energy efficiency and
controllability.
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From a workspace comfort perspective,
the lighting team accounted for lighting
quality and application, glare control and
lux levels.
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The selected luminaires alone, allowed
for a reduction in energy use of up to 25%
when compared to the legacy 2 x 36W T8
fittings as well as reduced operational
costs with a service life - as referenced
earlier - of more than three times a
conventional solution, and importantly
also delivered on the aesthetic and
functionality requirements.