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Ex-Or
automatic presence detection control
operates in the library at Verne Prison.
The
Government’s continuing crackdown
on energy waste affects all of its departments,
and the Prison Service is no exception.
With the variety of building styles,
heating systems and insulation levels
there is no magic answer to energy conservation
that can be applied across the entire
Prison Service estate. Control of wasteful
lighting, however, is something that
has been enthusiastically embraced by
the Prison Services works departments
and energy managers.
It is estimated that just 13.5 per cent
of total energy consumption of the Prison
Service is taken up by electricity.
But as a unit of electricity costs between
four and five times as much as a unit
of other forms of power, the cost of
electricity accounts for more than 47
per cent of the total energy bill.
As lighting accounts for much of the
cost of electricity, effective automatic
lighting control has the potential to
cut energy bills dramatically.
Market leader
Automatic lighting control systems from
market leader Ex-Or Ltd are now installed
in virtually all prison establishments
in the UK. One of the latest to install
such systems is Verne Prison on Portland,
Dorset, which has 550 prisoners.
On the works department team specifically
responsible for energy saving at the
prison is Andrew Gault. He explained
that all the old fluorescent and tungsten
lights had been replaced by energy efficient
high frequency fluorescent luminaires,
yet they knew much more could still
be done to cut energy costs. The main
problem was the human factor: lights
were being left on needlessly by inmates
and prison staff alike.
Having carried out a thorough review
of the lighting control market, Mr Gault
specified presence detection control
systems from Ex-Or. Experience gained
of Ex-Or at other prisons, and Ex-Or’s
TBA listing, were deciding factors.
The systems comprise various types of
presence detectors, designed to automatically
switch on the lights when the presence
of occupants is detected, and switch
them off again when occupants have left.
The detectors operate using ultrasonic
or microwave detection, rather than
passive infra red which lacks sensitivity.
Ex-Or undertook a major installation
programme covering six cell blocks,
classrooms within the education building
offices and other areas in the works
department, the visiting area, gymnasium,
and auxiliary buildings. More than half
of the total 2,500 light fittings are
now controlled by Ex-Or systems.
To gain maximum energy savings, detectors
near the windows were fitted with photocells.
These ensure the lights remain off in
occupied areas when levels of natural
light are sufficiently high.
“Installation of the system went
extremely smoothly with the minimum
of disruption” said Mr Gault.
‘We are pleased with the result
- the system works efficiently and reliably.’
As well as dramatically reducing the
use of lights, the security aspect of
the system is another plus factor. Mr
Gault explained that, being a medium
security prison, inmates are allowed
some free association within the secure
confines of the prison, Lights coming
on automatically when occupants are
detected helps reduce vandalism and
similar problems, he said.
Large savings
However, energy cost saving was the
main reason for the installation. Mr
Gault estimates that up to £14,000
per year is being knocked off the total
electricity bill thanks to the energy
saved by automatic lighting control.
On the total £38,000 cost of the
installation that gives a payback period
of well under three years and the prospects
of large savings in the years to come.
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