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SEPTEMBER 07 - LIGHT OF CONVENIENCE!



One of the UK’s most historic towns is throwing light on conservation of energy- even in its public conveniences.

Warwick District Council is continuing its energy efficiency programme in its properties, but needs to balance reduction of electrical consumption with making its facilities as attractive as possible to the 13m+ people who visit the county a year*. The solution, at historic Pageant Gardens in the heart of the old town, has been to retro-fit 5 no. x 250mm diameter Glidevale Sunscoop SR98 tubular rooflights with LSDs (light and sun deflector) and Skyview diffusers into the public toilets, which are open every day from 8am until 6pm.

David Medcraft, Warwick District Council building surveyor, explained, “The toilet block, which includes ladies, gents and disabled facilities, has no windows as it is abutted by a higher building and surrounded by tall trees. A Glidevale CPD seminar on natural daylight made us think that Sunscoops would be an effective solution to improving the internal conditions in the toilets for users, and make a significant reduction in electricity bills there: before,  the lights were permanently switched on. The Sunscoops mean we do not need to have the existing electric lights on during the day and we have installed light sensors so when it is very dark/ past dusk and the toilets are still open, the electric lights automatically come on so users can still see!

“The centre of Warwick is a conservation area, so we also have to consider the impact aesthetically on the surrounding environment. The Sunscoop dome is comparatively small against a conventional rooflight, so is far less visibly intrusive from the outside. Glidevale also put us in touch with an approved installer in the area to carry out the work.”

Sunscoops comprise a clear polycarbonate dome on the roof which reflects natural daylight down silvered tubing into the rooms below the ceiling. Even the smallest 250mm diameter Sunscoop gives up to four times more light than a single 60W bulb without a shade on a clear summer day with direct sunlight, and thus minimizes the amount of electrical lighting required within.

The rooflights are available in a choice of 95% or 98% reflectivity, a secondary glazing skin for further thermal performance, a Skyview diffuser to optimize the internal spread of light, and a light and sun deflector (LSD) to maximise direct light transmission. Also available are light attenuating dampers to provide control over the light entering the room, integral light fittings that use a low energy lamp to provide night-time illumination if required, and a fire protection collar.

Glidevale’s 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.

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