BRE DG498 PDF

Introduction

Appropriate lighting controls form an essential part of any lighting system (Figure 1). Controls allow the building occupants to take charge of their environment. They can also give significant energy savings, up to 30 to 40% or more in some types of building[1]. Their reasonable provision is required by building regulations whenever lighting work is carried out in buildings that are not dwellings^{[2, 3, 4]} (if more than 100 m2 of floor area is being provided with new fixed lighting, the work is notifiable under The Building Regulations Part L[3]). Lighting controls in commercial and industrial buildings may also be eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances[5], and they can help the building achieve BREEAM credits[6]. Modern types of control can help the building manager rearrange the internal spaces, avoiding costly wiring. And controls can be used to change the lighting at preset times (scene setting) giving changes of mood in, eg restaurants and public spaces.

Lighting controls should match the needs of building users. BRE IP 6/96^[7] gives guidance on this issue. Control systems have to be appropriate to the type of space where they are fitted, and they need to be safe. Section 3 of this Digest explains how to select the best type of control for a particular application.