Lighting control for schools, universities, and other educational institutions is rarely given the emphasis it deserves when facilities are being designed or upgraded.
The high cost threshold for legacy control systems in the past has resulted in lighting control being relegated to “would be nice, but not really necessary” when it comes to specifications for new buildings or upgrades within the educational sector.
New technology has made even complex, multi-site control, achievable on a limited budget, and lighting control should be considered essential to provide an optimal learning environment for all ages.
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface), which was adopted as the lighting control standard for New Zealand in 2020, is a cost-effective way of providing lighting control that offers a range of benefits that make it highly useful for educational buildings like schools and universities. These benefits include:
Energy Efficiency
DALI systems allow for precise and automated control over lighting levels. When classrooms, toilet blocks, or other areas are vacated, lighting can be automated to turn off. Light level sensors can evaluate the level of natural daylight available, and only augment with artificial lighting to achieve optimum levels for the use of the area. For example cloakroom and bathroom areas, may require less illumination than learning spaced. This can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption by ensuring lights are on only when needed and at the appropriate brightness levels.
Customisation and Flexibility
Schools and universities often have diverse lighting needs, from classrooms and lecture halls to laboratories and accommodation blocks. A DALI system provides flexibility to customise lighting settings for different buildings, different spaces and different activities. The lighting can be controlled by pre-determined schedules to fit in with term time activities, and be controlled by sensors during weekends and holidays, so lighting only turns on when cleaners or teachers access the building(s).
Cost Savings
With improved energy efficiency, combined with longer-lasting LED lighting, a DALI system of lighting control for schools can lead to substantial cost savings in both energy bills and maintenance. The zencontrol DALI-2 (wired) or DALI+ (wireless) system can continuously monitor the health of each light fixture, allowing for proactive maintenance before failures occur. Additionally, zencontrol software can even automate the monitoring, testing and reporting of emergency lighting, make compliance easier, and maintenance less labour-intensive.
Improved Learning Environments
Proper lighting can enhance students’ concentration, reduce eye strain, and create a more conducive learning atmosphere. DALI systems can dynamically adjust lighting to suit various pedagogical activities, contributing to better academic outcomes. The zencontrol multi-sensors, as well as detecting light levels and movement, can also report back on other environmental factors such as air quality, sound, pressure, and more.
Integration and Interoperability
The zencontrol DALI system is designed to work seamlessly with other systems and devices. This makes it easier to integrate with existing building management systems, audio-visual systems, stage lighting, etc.
Ease of Installation and Operation
The DALI system is easy to install, configure, and modify. It supports remote access and configuration via software, making it easier to manage large campuses with multiple buildings, but also remaining cost-effective as lighting control for schools, childcare facilities and other smaller sites, with smaller budgets.
Human-Centric and Adaptive Lighting
DALI allows for the implementation of human-centric lighting, which can adjust colour temperature and intensity based on the time of day or specific activities. This can help in maintaining the circadian rhythms of students and staff.
Summary
Overall, DALI’s advanced features and versatility make it an excellent choice for educational institutions aiming to create efficient, sustainable, and supportive learning environments.
A system can be tailored to an individual institution’s needs and budget. A DALI system can be expanded upon as requirements change and access to additional funds becomes available.
Get in touch to discuss why the inclusion of lighting controls in a learning environment provide benefits that must be considered when a new building or upgrade to existing facilities is planned.
