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MARCH 07 - SCOOP CREDITS TO BEST PRACTICE

An alternative approach to contributing towards Government targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 is being proposed by Glidevale Ltd.

The company, one of Britain’s leading suppliers of roofing and ventilation products, says that Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) already recognises the value of tubular rooflights and allocates them credits towards BREEAM ratings in schools, commercial environments, Health Trusts and EcoHomes, be they new build or existing. BREEAM is regarded as a measure of best practice in environmental design and management.

Glidevale’s Sunscoop uses a circular roof mounted clear dome to transmit daylight down a highly reflective tube into rooms and corridors below. Tests at the Silsoe Research Institute showed even the smallest 250mm diameter standard SunscoopSR95 gives up to four times more light than a single 60W bulb without a shade on a clear summer day with direct sunlight. Even on an overcast day without direct sunlight, it still yields more light than the bulb. The largest 530mm dia Sunscoop yields over eight times the light of a single 60W bulb in those same sunny conditions, and over double the amount in the overcast conditions.

The SRI research has led Glidevale to develop a unique computer software programme, to accurately predict the light levels achievable compared to standard electric light bulbs for any given application, enabling specifiers and end users to compare light levels for all Sunscoop options across the spectrum of external light levels, enabling informed decisions to be made about the best siting and configuration for the rooflights to achieve the optimum internal light benefit.

Neil Rideout, Glidevale Technical Director, observes, “Harnessing natural daylight through Sunscoops not only reduces energy consumption by cutting the amount of artificial light required and used, but natural daylight is proven to promote improved performance by students and workers, encourage a positive atmosphere in retail environments and prompt faster recovery of hospital patients. Under BREEAM, tubular rooflights like Sunscoop score credits particularly under the Health & Wellbeing Section and the Energy Section. It is a win:win situation.”

Glidevale Sunscoop can be fitted to pitched or flat roofs, and incorporates a range of roof flashings in a choice of colours to optimise ease of fitting and blending with the roof fabric. For pitched roofs there is also the option of an in-line or traditional skylight roof flashing.
The Sunscoop glazing and flashings are all AA fire rated, enabling use without restriction in number, spacing, position or proximity to neighbouring properties. Glidevale is part of the Building Product Design Group, which specialises in bringing to market innovative yet practical products in line with changing requirements.

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