EA selects Sunpipe natural lighting systems

Monodraught, a natural lighting and ventilation specialist, has been contracted by the Environment Agency (EA) to supply and install Sunpipe natural lighting systems and controls.

The contract, which was won in an open tender based on price, performance and value for money, will involve the installation of Sunpipes and Monodraught-related products to a variety of buildings ranging from offices to operational depots.

Construction styles also vary from traditional single-story brick buildings with pitched concrete roofs to modern, steel-roofed industrial units.

Commenting for the EA, Nick Berry, southern region environment management advisor, said: 'We are one of eight regions throughout England and Wales, which, in line with government policy, have targets to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2011-12.

He added that, where practical, EA offices in the region will be fitted with Sunpipes.

The first of four installations planned for 2008 has already been completed.

The office building in Tonbridge, which accommodates around 50 people, is built of brick and has a concrete-tiled pitched roof.

It features a number of small offices, fed by a corridor that previously had no natural daylight.

In the offices, sunlight coming through the windows often caused reflections on computer screens, which meant that window blinds had to be closed, making the rooms quite gloomy.

The building is now fitted with more than 40 Sunpipes.

Berry said: 'After Monodraught fitted a single 450mm-diameter Sunpipe in each office, staff reported that the rooms were flooded with natural light and computer-screen reflections were eliminated.

'Similarly, Sunpipes introduced huge amounts of daylight to transform the gloomy corridor,' he added.

Monodraught also provided daylight linking controls using light and movement sensors, which ensure that the electric lighting is automatically switched off when the Sunpipes achieve a preset lux level.

Prof Terry Payne, managing director of Monodraught, said: 'Where Sunpipes are used to replace electric lighting during daylight hours, at least 75 per cent of electricity costs used for lighting can be saved during daytime.

'We estimate that cost savings can result in a five- to six-year payback period.

'In addition, considerable environmental and health benefits are experienced due to the much-improved working environment,' he added.

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