Managed lighting systems from Ex-Or Ltd are being installed throughout the West London HQ building of Dunnhumby, the high profile international marketing company behind Tesco’s Clubcard scheme.
All four floors of the office building in Ealing are being refurbished to provide higher quality accommodation for Dunnhumby’s 350 staff. Equipment from Ex-Or was specified by consulting engineers, Jonathan Hart Associates and is being installed by electrical contractors, Farr Electrical.
Light fittings are being replaced during the refurbishment, but under its tenancy agreement Dunnhumby had to retain the existing wiring, so the new networked lighting control system had to be capable of integrating with the wiring systems already in place.
The Ex-Or MLS Digital Managed Lighting System has that capability. It automatically ensures that lights remain on only when needed, and automatically delivers light at optimum levels. Communicating detectors share information on occupancy and light levels to provide lighting tailored to the needs of occupants – and in conveniently configured work zones. The system automatically detects the presence of occupants, measures levels of ambient light and regulates luminaire output accordingly. In addition, it ensures lights in key circulation areas are kept on.
Doug Good, Director of Property and Procurement with Dunnhumby, said compliance with legislation and the need to cut energy were the two main reasons for choosing the Ex-Or MLS Managed Lighting System.
He explained: “The lighting system had to guarantee we are complying with the new Part L of the Building Regulations. The open plan office areas are built around a central atrium. Without automatic control we were faced with the prospect of fitting numerous fixed wall on-off switches to ensure occupants were no further than six metres away from a light switch.
“The significant energy cost saving resulting from lights only being on when needed was another major driver for specifying the Ex-Or MLS.
“We have 10,000 sq ft of office floor space on each of the four floors, and with varying work patterns there are some members of staff still working at 10pm at night but only occupying small areas of the total space.
“In addition, security staff patrol the building on a 24 hour basis. Before the system was installed, lights burned needlessly throughout the night and early hours as occupants did not always remember to switch the lights off. Now, the lights come on only when needed and at optimum lighting levels, so guaranteeing the most productive lit environment for our staff as well as cutting our energy costs significantly.”