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Building Regulations and Standards: Frustration re. lighting requirements....

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    ....Dear Chaps, this continues to be a deeply mystifiying area for me Please would someone clarify the current requirements for new build vis a vis the percentage of low energy only fittings required.

    Secondly, what constitutes a low energy only fitting

    Thirdly, which bulb types and fittings are deemed low energy. (I experience significant eyestrain/headaches with most fluorescent lights...)

    It's fascinating that in all my traipsing around light shops, electrical retailers/wholesalers, there is either complete ignorance of the latest requirements such thht there are no alternatives in the shop to old style battens or partial truths...

    Any tips as to good places to by the lampholders only would be v. helpful.

    Thanks,
    Carol
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2011 edited
     
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2011 edited
     
    Without properly reading ST's link isn't the gist of it that the rules re. special lampholders have been relaxed following the phasing out of tungsten light bulbs. In theory you would struggle to buy an inefficient luminaire these days. This may be another partial truth but hopefully somewhat explains the apparent relaxing of the regs.

    We certainly didn't need the special lampholders in our new build house which was signed off last November (although our electricians had insisted we did and had installed a few before we got clarity from Building Control).

    RobinB
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2011 edited
     
    Having read the latest advice I'm surprised...

    Part L para 4.13 says that lighting is now tradable with heating. However it also says the minimium reasonable amount of low energy lighting is described in this document..

    http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/domestic_building_compliance_guide_2010.pdf

    See Section 12 page 122 and the table on page 123. That says for internal lighting..


    "a) In the areas affected by thebuilding work, provide low energy light fittings (fixed lights or lighting units) that number not less than three per four of all the light fittings in the main dwelling spaces (excluding infrequently accessed spaces used for storage, such as cupboards and wardrobes.

    b) Low energy light fittings should have lamps with a luminous efficacy greater than 45 lamp lumens per circuit watt and a total output greater than 400 lumens.

    c) Light fittings whose supplied power is less than 5 curcuit watts are excluded from the overall count of the total number of fittings.


    The table also says that standard fittings with Low Energy bulbs _do_ count as low energy. No longer any need for special fittings.

    However it appears that the 4-5W 300-400 Lumen LED downlights that I've been playing with wouldn't count towards the "three out of four" because they DONT BURN ENOUGH POWER!!!
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2011
     
    Posted By: CWattersHowever it appears that the 4-5W 300-400 Lumen LED downlights that I've been playing with wouldn't count towards the "three out of four" because they DONT BURN ENOUGH POWER!!!

    Yes, that's a really annoying piece of government incompetence, isn't it?
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2011
     
    I think all Carol's questions have been answered but here's a checklist just in case:

    Posted By: Carol hunterPlease would someone clarify the current requirements for new build vis a vis the percentage of low energy only fittings required.

    3 out of 4 (75%), with some exclusions allowed for storage areas.

    Secondly, what constitutes a low energy only fitting

    Not relevant any longer, I think. But the idea was, any fitting that could only take low-energy bulbs - so look at what bulbs are available for the fitting.

    Thirdly, which bulb types and fittings are deemed low energy. (I experience significant eyestrain/headaches with most fluorescent lights...)

    Basically, most fluorescents and LEDs, limited by the "luminous efficacy greater than 45 lamp lumens per circuit watt and a total output greater than 400 lumens" and > 5 W.

    I believe some small flat circular CFL are excluded (GX35?) since not all of them are > 45 lm/W and as cwatters points out, small LEDs are excluded by the 5 W rule.

    IMHO, the trick with fluorescents is to use modern ones (i.e. high-frequency electronic ballasts and triphosphor coatings), to use enough of them to make it bright, and buy quality brands. I think the same goes for LEDs, though the phosphors may be more specialized.
    .
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2011
     
    ... the requirement for dedicated LE fittings has been relaxed.... Simply put in lots of CFLs and LEDs, and get signed off (3 out of 4 light fittings).

    If you change them afterwards, it's your choice.

    See the Domestic Building Compliance Guide 2010.

    Cheers


    :smile:
  8.  
    Has the rule on dedicated fittings also been changed for the Code for Sustainable Homes?

    David
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2011
     
    David,

    Ene1 and Ene2 are driven by the DER/TER SAP2009, the only other lighting criterion is external lighting.

    So CfSH doesn't really 'see' LE internal lighting outlets, dedicated or otherwise....

    Cheers...
    :smile:
  10.  
    The JCC LED units I have mentioned on here before gave 400 lumens @7w so they could count towards the "3 out of 4". The cool white did give more lummens but in all honesty I am very happy with the warm white lummen value to when fitted correctly. I do find the warm white maybe just a little too yellow though,
    Gusty.
  11.  
    Does anyone know what the plans are regarding the Tungsten halogen uplighter type lights, nearly all floor standing up lighters are still using these nightmare fittings which go from 75W up to 300W. I can't believe these fittings seem to have escaped legislation?
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2011
     
    Phil,

    The Regs. only effect fixed outlets, if they are floor standing then I don't think they come under Part L? ...these are portable by their nature?

    Cheers...
  13.  
    Posted By: DarylPEne1 and Ene2 are driven by the DER/TER SAP2009, the only other lighting criterion is external lighting.

    So CfSH doesn't really 'see' LE internal lighting outlets, dedicated or otherwise....
    Makes sense, but the SAP 2009 manual states:

    "12.8 Electricity for lighting
    The electricity used for lighting is calculated according to the procedure in Appendix L. The calculation
    allows for low-energy lighting provided by fixed outlets (both dedicated fittings and compact fluorescent
    lamps) on the basis of the proportion of the fixed outlets that have low-energy fittings."

    The part in brackets implies that both dedicated fittings and CFLs in non-dedicated fitting will be taken into account. While the last word in the paragraph implies, but does not explicitly state, that only dedicated low energy fittings will be taken into account.

    David
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2011
     
    David,

    Yes, the requirement for dedicated outlets has been removed... However CfSH doesn't care if you have 100% LE or 0% internally. Ene1 is driven by the DER/TER, which does cover LE lighting, dedicated ot otherwise.

    So you can just put in the cheapo bayonet CFLs free from the Electricity Suppliers if you wish.

    Cheers.. :smile:
    • CommentAuthorjamesingram
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2011 edited
     
    dont worry about confusing regs. just fit CFLs or LED through out and be an over achiever :rasta:

    CFsL in side/table lamps with shades improve greatly the light quality.

    standard ES/BC fine for current regs with cfls and LED ,

    one pendant per room and plenty of sockets for plug in lamps is the simple cost effective set up

    Downlight if you have to have them , CFL /LED plenty to choose from
  16.  
    Posted By: jamesingramdont worry about confusing regs. just fit CFLs or LED through out and be an over achiever
    That's my plan, but I didn't want to install non-dedicated fittings just to be told that they didn't comply!

    David
  17.  
    jamesingram wrote - one pendant per room and plenty of sockets for plug in lamps is the simple cost effective set up

    When I wired my place I put in sockets for lamps but I wired these to a light switch next to the pendant light switch. This means when you exit the room you can turn off all the lamps in one go - much easier than going around and switching individual lamps, the ease also ensures that lamps do not get left on. ( The lamp sockets are different to the power sockets to avoid confusion)
    Peter
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2011 edited
     
    Posted By: Peter_in_HungaryWhen I wired my place I put in sockets for lamps but I wired these to a light switch next to the pendant light switch. This means when you exit the room you can turn off all the lamps in one go - much easier than going around and switching individual lamps, the ease also ensures that lamps do not get left on. ( The lamp sockets are different to the power sockets to avoid confusion)
    Peter


    We did the same in our sitting room. With a 2 gang switch - each switch linked to a different group of 2-pin 3amp sockets. Therefore we needed matching plugs on each lamp. Sounds complicated but works simply and effectively.

    We didn't really need the ceiling lights at all.
    • CommentAuthorSigaldry
    • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2011
     
    L1A 2010 states that "in all cases, the DER shall be calculated assuming the proportion of low-energy lamps as actually installed in fixed lighting locations" and refers to Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide (DBSCG).

    NB Note lamps not light fittings.

    3 out of 4 (75%) is the minimum requirement according to Table 40 of the DBSCG and supplemental guidance states that these can either be dedicated fittings or standard fittings supplied with low energy lamps.

    That supplementary guidance alsoadvises that GLS tungsten filament or tungsten halogen lamps would not meet the standard.

    SAP 2009 now allows lighting as fully tradable to reduce the Dwelling Emission Rate, so there is a definate advantage to going to 100% LEL.

    CfSH (2010) version dumped the internal Low Energy Lighting credits (although it's present in the previous version of the Code if a dwelling were being built still in accordance with older regulations and version of the code).

    However a dwelling built to earlier regulations gains no benefit to DER over 30% LEL, although it does improve the actual SAP and EI ratings slightly.
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2011
     
    David,

    If you are looking to comply with 2010 Building Regs, then don't worry about the fittings, it is the bulbs that count now....

    Remember, it is 'fixed' fittings that are relevant.

    Cheers :smile:

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