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The
futuristic-looking white aluminium-clad
building, Nationwide’s HQ, has
been a landmark in Swindon since it
was built in 1992. It comprises four
blocks centred round a large glass atrium.
Extensive landscaping - 100,000 trees
were planted - and a scenic lake with
fountains add to the grandeur of the
building.
Home
to 3,000 employees, it is almost like
an enclosed town. Internal trees and
shrubs, a boulevard of cafes and shops,
even a Starbucks coffee shop all contribute
to the street scene atmosphere created
inside the building. Such is its innovative
design it received a prestigious award
from the British Institute of Architects.
But
above all it is a working environment,
with open plan office areas, cellular
offices, boardrooms, meeting rooms and
staff recreation areas throughout the
building.
Energy efficiency is the responsibility
of David Bailey, Nationwide group energy
manager. The building has impressive
credentials - fully air conditioned
with variable air volume to eliminate
any water borne disease risk, double
glazed throughout, high insulation specification
with low heat transmission value of
0.2
However,
his concern was that the lighting within
the building was not being effectively
controlled. A review carried out by
Jim Ure, managing director of leading
lighting consultants ABS Consulting,
revealed there was some staff dissatisfaction
with the high levels of artificial light,
with a number of people complaining
of headache and eyestrain as a result.
“This
was the first reason for us looking
at how we should effectively control
levels of lighting in the building,”
said Bailey. “The second reason
was that the lighting needed to comply
with the latest requirements of the
Display Screen Equipment Regulations,
especially as the majority of the staff
in the building used computer screens.
“The
third reason was the company’s
desire to become even more energy efficient.
We run a 24 hour operation within the
building, all the lights were operated
manually, no-one had ownership of the
off switches. Consequently lights remained
on throughout the complex whether they
were needed or not. Further energy wastage
was caused by the air conditioning plant
which had to work harder to combat the
excessive heat generated by the lights
being left on needlessly.”
Nationwide
and ABS Consulting then conducted a
major survey of lighting controls manufacturers
before identifying three candidates.
Following this, Ex-Or Ltd, European
leaders in lighting management systems,
was chosen following a review of the
candidates’ range of systems,
capabilities, installation and commissioning
abilities and a competitive price tender.
Nationwide visited previous Ex-Or installations
at the Land Registry in Gloucester and
the Scandinavian Bank in London before
finally making its choice.
In
the complete design and fit contract,
Ex-Or installed its MLS Digital Managed
Lighting System throughout 60 per cent
of the occupied office space within
the complex. A total of 3,000 luminaires
are now under control. In the open plan
areas, where flexibility and expansion
capability is paramount, groups of three
luminaires are individually controlled
and lighting levels respond to both
occupancy and levels of natural light.
The communicating presence detectors
then swap this information with other
luminaires within the complex so automatically
delivering optimum lighting conditions.
MLS
detectors communicate with each other
to provide the correct level of lighting
to occupants in work zones and hold
lights on automatically in key circulation
areas. As part of the installation,
completely carried out outside working
hours to ensure there was no disruption
to occupants, Ex-Or upgraded the existing
luminaires by adding Tridonic high frequency
digital dimmable ballasts.
Working
groups within the open plan areas are
flexible at Nationwide and likely to
change rapidly as new financial products,
such as internet banking, are offered
to customers. Zoned groups of luminaires
are easily reprogrammed using the hand-held
remote MLS infrared programmer.
In
some cellular offices and meeting rooms,
equipped with large plasma screens for
AV presentations, Ex-Or commissioned
the SceneSelect capability built into
the MLS system. This enables occupants
to choose previously set lighting scenes
to best suit the current use of the
room. Again, individual control is provided
by dedicated hand-held remote control
units.
Said
Bailey: “We are delighted with
the Ex-Or installation. It was completed
on time, within budget, and the lighting
system does everything it is supposed
to do. Feedback from staff and senior
managers has been very positive. The
installation was a challenge, especially
considering the vast amount of high
level external glazing which exacerbated
the problem of excessive high lighting
levels. But the end result is that the
system has met our expectations entirely.”
In
particular, he said, the benefits delivered
by the Ex-Or lighting system installations
are:
•
Greater visual comfort for staff, significantly
reduced incidence of light-related headache
and eyestrain, and enhanced productivity
•
Reduced heat gain in the office areas
•
Ability to change configuration quickly
and easily to match changing working
patterns
•
Increased lamp life
•
Reduced lighting maintenance costs
•
Compliance with the Display Screen Equipment
Regulations
•
Preservation of the environment due
to reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
In
terms of energy savings and cost reduction,
Bailey estimates that a 70 per cent
reduction in lighting costs has been
achieved. Electricity savings have been
brought about by reduced light demand
and resulting reduced demand on air
conditioning load.
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