HOUSING

ENVIRONMENT
LIGHTING GUIDE

A guide to the lighting of

HOUSING ENVIRONMENTS

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 High Quality, value for money
lighting for all areas of the
HOUSING
ENVIRONMENT Housing Environment.
LIGHTING GUIDE

Designplan has for over 40 years been at the forefront of providing

purpose built high quality lighting to all areas of the housing environment
from warden assisted homes for the elderly to the most challenging high
rise blocks & more recently providing solutions for housing associations.

Vandal & weather resistant where required, but with a firm eye upon the
aesthetic quality of the product. The result being value for money, long
lasting answers to the many problems associated with the lighting of
housing areas. Indeed many of the fittings that are suggested for use within
this guide offer the unique Designplan ‘Lifetime Guarantee’, see page 29.

Specifiers whether they be architects, designers, contractors or engineers

regularly choose Designplan equipment because they are confident that
once installed their clients enjoy many years of trouble free, energy
efficient, good looking lighting. They also know that thought has been
given to the installer & maintenance engineer, at the design stage, with
most fittings having easily removable gear trays, to enable quick & easy
installation & maintenance.

Lighting to a high standard with modern, energy saving fittings not only
ensures the minimum possible energy costs but provides a safer & more
Wall mount Quadrant (p284) Quadrant (p192) pleasant environment for people to live in.

By choosing lighting which has been designed with the possibility of

vandalism being inflicted & being able to withstand the attack, the specifier
will ensure that his client effectively saves money for years to come.

The provision of a high level of lighting helps to deter crime & makes the
environment feel considerably safer.

Well designed fittings offered in various colours & optional grilles can
enhance otherwise drab walls & ceilings, turning uninviting communal
areas into warm, pleasant places to be in.

With the continuing use of CCTV for security again higher, reliable, lighting
levels are essential.

For safety & to comply with legislation emergency lighting is required to

be provided in many public areas of the housing environment.

The majority of fittings that we manufacture can be provided, when

needed, with either a self contained or central battery option within the
standard size fitting, (p313). This negates the need for any break in the
aesthetic look of the installation by having to ‘infill’ at intervals with an out
of place separate emergency fitting. An Auto test facility is also
recommended (p314).

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LIGHTING GUIDE

Outside Landscape Areas.

When lighting medium & large outdoor expanses, perhaps between
housing blocks, uniformity of light should be sought so as to avoid dark
patches where wrongdoers could lie in wait.

If an area is evenly lit then those passing through will feel much more at
ease & their quality of life after dark will be improved & made safer.
Various designs, all of which are weather & vandal resistant & can be
manufactured to avoid undue light pollution are suggested here.

Solaris (p266) available for either post top or wall mounting.

Hermes (p274) is a round polycarbonate bowl with anti light pollution

top, which is supplied with discharge lamps & is suitable for 76mm spigot
mounting.

Concourse (p271) is a post top fitting of unusual design & is

manufactured from polycarbonate & A.B.S. material. Again is suitable for
76mm spigot mounting.

Post Top Brunel (p273) can be supplied for one, two, three or four lamps.

Building Perimeters.
The immediate area around & approaching buildings needs to be well lit
with strong, weatherproof fittings.

This will assist in eliminating ‘no go’ areas after dark since the ally of the
criminal element is darkness. Brightly lit areas positively deter those who
wish to avoid ‘identification’.
Angle Rampart Angle Tuscan

The result enables law-abiding citizens to feel considerably more

confident to go about their normal activities.

Lighting will often be mounted on walls in these areas, any of the

following fittings would be entirely suitable for this purpose.

A number are available in surface, semi-recessed & fully recessed designs.

Pantheon (p287), Capella (p260), Ali Quadgrille (p190/191), Quadgrille

(p195), Quay (p232), Maxi Callisto (p256), Vertigo (p252/255), Ziggy (p261),
Wall Mount Brunel (p204), Corner Brunel (p202), Corner Quadrangle Pantheon (p287)
(p196), Hood (p245), Brunangle (p200) & Quadrato (p183).

Many of these fittings when used with SON lamps can incorporate the
“Half Night” feature, page 498, which can provide considerable energy
savings as well as the usual benefits of an electronic ballast.

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Paths, Walkways & Steps.

As with other outdoor areas, vandal & weather resistance are of
paramount importance.

The correct lighting of paths, walkways & steps with lighting that can
withstand mindless attacks ensures a much higher safety level than those
areas left in darkness.

Vision Ballard Tuscan II Whether the danger is from the criminal element or simply badly lit steps,
better lighting will stop crime & accidents & thereby cut the cost
financially & personally to the community & individuals.

There are of course housing areas where the likelihood of criminal

damage is much reduced although never totally absent, & aesthetic
appearance is as important as other considerations.

It is therefore important to ensure that the equipment used looks

attractive as well as being well constructed.
Wall Mount Concourse Vertigo

As previously mentioned Designplan give equal thought when designing,

to aesthetics, strength & weather resistance to ensure that all-round value
for money is achieved.

Uniquely Designplan offer a ‘Lifetime Guarantee’ against breakage by

vandals on a wide range of our fittings, see page 29.

Good lighting in outside areas helps to ensure safe passage between

buildings & certainly gives the environment an air of security into which
people will more happily enter.

Paths & walkways can be lit from post top mounted lanterns to provide
general area lighting perhaps, our Concourse (p271), Hermes (p271),
Solaris (p267), Prague (p270) or Post Top Brunel (p273). More localised
light can be obtained from bollards such as Vision (p297), Boston (p296),
Maxi Callisto (p293) or Vertigo (p292).

W h e re steps exist a small step light, perhaps recessed into a wall, will serve
to highlight the area, our Bricklight (p173) or Bastion Steplight (p170).

Alternative L.E.D. options.

Significant energy saving, ultra low maintenance and enhanced
aesthetic result can be achieved by the use of L.E.D. lamps. For example
Lid (p128), Callisto 2 (p127), Widget 2 (p126). Full L.E.D. range on p.105.

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Canopies.
Many buildings have entrance canopies or covered paths & walkways
between areas to protect people from the elements.

These are often targets for the vandal & the lighting requires to be of
sufficient strength to withstand an attack.

Fittings selected should not detract aesthetically & the use of unsightly
steel mesh over fittings gives the environment a prison or fortress like Recessed white Tuscan

appearance which should be avoided.

Fittings required can be surface, semi-recessed or fully recessed.

For such installations we recommend Buccaneer (surface only, p179) &
Aztec (p199) (which is available in all three options). Linear options include
Parkalux (p148/149), Monitor (p150/151) & the Tuscan range (p153) most
often used in recessed form. If a downlighting solution is sought the RDL
(p209) or SDL (p217) which are weather & vandal resistant fittings.

Car Parks.
Often a popular meeting place for troublemakers , but if well lit with
fittings able to withstand the mindless vandalism often aimed in their
direction, car parks can be made considerably safer.

For underground & multi-storey car parks the use of Parkalux (p148/149) or
Monitor (p150/151) fluorescent or Deluxe Brunel (p201) H.I.D. fittings is
recommended.

E m e rgency Exit or floor number signage on Circo (p321) bulkheads is

also effective.

If the car park is unlikely to be the target of vandals then our Sparta
(p147/148) would be our most cost effective answer, still being strong but
not to the level of the fittings mentioned above.

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Entrance Halls & Corridors.

The choice of lighting for these areas is entirely dependant upon the type
of housing being lit. If it is an entrance hall or corridor where a concierge
monitors those entering or access is only available to a limited number
such as warden assisted homes for the elderly then the question of
strength of product will not necessarily arise.

For such environments our Geneva (p36/37), or Zermatt (p46/47) are

Zermatt often utilised as surface linear solutions because they have very clean
looks & can have gasketting which assists in preventing the usual build up
of insects, dirt & dust which quickly detracts from the overall aesthetics.

If recessed fittings are preferred then our round downlight RDL (p209),
Mink (p63) or Sable (p62) may be suitable.

To enhance the general ambiance the use of wall mounted fittings,

perhaps with an uplighting element may be considered. Typical fittings
include Java (p94), Torino (p55), Ovale (p51) or Io (p58). Once again a self-
contained emergency facility should be included within some of the fittings.

Entrance hall & corridors where access is more freely available to the
wider public need more thought regarding possible damage.

Aesthetics are, as always, still very important but fittings often need to be
more robust so that in the event of an attack there is a good chance
that little or no damage will be sustained & the area will remain lit.

Darkness must be avoided for this positively assists criminals in their

pursuits. There are many fittings within our range that will assist here, most
designed to use energy saving compact fluorescent lamps.

Among the most popular are Buccaneer (p179 & 218), Quadrant (p192),
Quadring (p222), Ali Quad (p188), Aztec (p199) & Circo (p220). Each is
available, as is most of our range, in a wide variety of colours (p24) with
emergency lighting versions as options.

Where linear fluorescents are preferred then Sparta (p146/147), Parkalux

(p148/149) or Monitor (p150/151) would be suitable choices.

Angle versions for mounting into the corner of corridors are also available.

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LIGHTING GUIDE

Stairs.
Stairways are perhaps the most likely area to be subjected to abuse. This
is often where a gang will meet, where ‘deals’ are done & where light is
very definitely not wanted by those involved.

Often no effort is spared in the attempts to plunge stairways into darkness

or semi-darkness so that business can continue or a perpetrator can
await a victim virtually unseen.
Quadrant semi-recessed Tuscan installation

Darkness on stairs is obviously dangerous even without the criminal element

& climbing or descending badly lit stairways is positively dangerous, one
misplaced footstep & disaster awaits at the bottom of the flight.

Lighting fittings therefore often need to be at their strongest here, able to

withstand severe punishment. Nevertheless they can still look perfectly
acceptable especially if finished in colours (p24).

The Rampart (p166) is almost certainly the strongest standard fitting

Monitor
available anywhere. Once installed, whether the choice is a ceiling or
wall mounted version, it can be struck by virtually anything that can be
imagined & the immensely thick & strong aluminium body will hardly be
scratched.

Should spray paint or similar be used upon the diffuser then it is a simple
task, after a couple of routine cleans, to remove the old one & slide in a
replacement.

T h e re are of course stairways which either suffer from less vandalism or

Bergen in lift car Bastion
virtually none, for these any of Parkalux (p148/149), Buccaneer (p179 &
218), Circo (p220), Quadring (p222), Quadrant (p192), Aztec (p199), Tuscan
(p153) or in some cases Geneva (p36/37) would be the likely candidates.

Emergency lighting provision should be included.

Lifts
Lift cars are extremely vulnerable to abuse & the lighting used should be
of a very strong vandal resistant type. If recessed then our Bergen (p167)
or Tuscan (p153) are commonly used.

Most frequently chosen surface versions are Circo (p220) & Bastion
(p170). Angle fittings set into the corner of the car include Tuscan II (p172)
or Rampart (p166).

Whichever is chosen the provision of an emergency lighting facility is

essential for safety & security.

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Boiler Rooms/Plant Rooms & other ancillary areas.

Depending upon the size of the room in question the choice is either
small, robust, energy saving compact fluorescents, Quadrant (p192),
Circo (p220), RDL (p208) or Quadring (p222) or longer linear T5 or T8 units,
Sparta (p146/147) & Parkalux (p148/149).

Whilst there is little or no risk of vandalism in these areas it is worthwhile

installing a fitting that can easily withstand any accidental damage that
RDL Sparta could be caused by the careless handling of ladders, brooms & other
such implements.

By standardising upon, for example, the Quadrant range in the corridor

areas, stairways, lifts, boiler rooms & all other ancillary rooms the number
of spare lamps & gear trays needed to be held for maintenance is
considerably reduced.

Kitchens
Cleanliness is vital where food preparation & consumption takes place.
Quadrant
Lighting levels need to be good & the fittings chosen should not have
ledges, gaps, toggles or clips which would allow dirt & grime to collect.
D i ffusers need to be able to be cleaned with ease & a good seal between
the body & diffuser is essential to prevent ingress of foreign bodies & dirt.

The ideal choice for the general areas of both kitchens & canteens
would be the Zermatt range (p46/47) or Sterilux range (p353). Both are
finished in white, having either an acrylic or polycarbonate diffuser with
internal prisms, which assist the cleaning process. The diffusers are held
against a gasket on the body by internal spring clips or thumbnuts. There
Tuscan with wired glass Zermatt
are no ledges, external clips or areas where dirt can collect.

Where lighting is to be installed within cooker hood areas plastic fittings

would usually be considered less favourably than steel since the high
temperatures often present will inevitably have a detrimental effect upon
the plastic, with the likelihood of melting. A plastic diffuser would also be
less effective than its wired glass equivalent since to clean grease &
grime from plastic is virtually impossible & the use of cleaning agents
would quickly degrade plastic.

Cleaning grease from wired glass is very simple & the high temperatures will
have no adverse effect upon the life of the fitting or the silicon gaskets used.

To keep temperatures within the fitting down & thus improve the life of
the unit & lamps, high frequency or super low loss gear is often chosen.
Where extreme or constant high temperatures are expected then it
would be sensible to use fittings with the control gear mounted in remote
boxes. A version of our Tuscan (p153) would be suitable for this location.

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Emergency Lighting
For obvious reasons emergency lighting has become increasingly
important in all public buildings.

It is essential that escape routes are clearly visible in emergency situations

with adequate lighting levels in all areas to ensure prompt & safe
evacuation of buildings. Emergency lighting is available in many different
arrangements & a description of each is offered on page 313.
Zermatt with self contained
emergency system
Where possible the use of the standard fitting, which has incorporated
within it the emergency control gear & battery will often be the most cost
effective answer.

Not only saving on installation time & money but with the additional
benefit of less fittings cluttering the ceiling resulting in an aesthetically
better installation.

Emergency lighting has, by law, to be regularly tested. To ensure

Quadrant Emergency (p316) Quadring Emergency (p316)
compliance with current testing procedures we recommend the addition
of an ‘Auto Test’ system within emergency fittings – see page 314.

Buccaneer 1 Emergency (p179) Buccaneer 3 Emergency (p218)

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Energy Saving & Lighting Control System — see page 496

The cost of running an installation is necessarily high on the list of priorities
for any design engineer.

Strong well designed fittings reduce maintenance costs & the use of low
energy lamps keeps electricity costs to a minimum.

The capital expenditure on relighting an installation can often have a

short payback & can be justified on these grounds alone with the
improved lighting levels achieved being a substantial bonus.

These savings can be further enhanced by the use of suitable controls to

switch lighting to suit the users requirements.

Such controls can include time clocks & photoelectric switches, the latter
being available with many of our products by the simple addition of
M479 to the catalogue number.

Such a switch can be used to operate a number of fittings dependant

upon wattage or for larger installations a remote cell can be used in
conjunction with a contractor to cope with the higher loads.

Utilizing the “Half Night” system on discharge lamps (p498) with photocells
can make an appreciable energy saving.

P.I.R. (Passive Infra Red) detectors are a further means of switching lights
on only when required, usually on an individual basis, but really best
suited for tungsten lamps unless an adequate switch off delay is used to
protect fluorescent & discharge lamps from too frequent switching which
will be damaging.

More sophisticated controls are available to enhance the level of

illumination from fittings when linked to the ambient daylight available.
This is achieved by switching fitting on & off or by dimming. We are able
to offer the necessary controls to achieve this in areas such as car parks,
perimeter walkways, corridors etc.

Light pollution is a subject that is rightly receiving attention & the reduction
of ‘glow’ around urban areas is of concern to engineers. This upward light
spillage is wasteful & detracts from our environment & enjoyment of the
night sky. Our range of exterior fittings offers many items that minimise this
pollution directing light downwards where it is best utilised.

For information upon energy management & daylight linking please

see page 496.

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