Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 27, 2011 10:11 pm Hi All We're completing a new build and just finalising our lighting selection. Because we're post May 2011 we are subject to the 5w/m general, 4w/m patio/deck and 3w/m garage regulations on lighting. One question I've got (and the question I can't get a straight answer from *anyone* on is); lights like the up/down lights in front of the garage, or the halogen type spot lights that iluminate the backyard - what is the calculation needed (if any) in the BCA requirements? I read the BCA/HIA FAQ about lighting and it suggests that outdoor lights are excluded because they illuminate an unknown space (perimeter lighting, spots on eves etc). It does illude to another calulcation based on daylight sensors or lumens/watt. Lighting shops seem to just say not included, but I'm curious does anyone know how these types of lights are treated? Best Regards Mark Re: BCA Lighting Rules 2011 - Outdoor Lighting Question 2Nov 28, 2011 9:10 pm I did a bit of research on this recently to plan the lighting for my house. BCA rules (there's an Australian Standard for it) exist for commercial buildings, but following these rules is not required for a residential house. If you follow the general guidelines, you need to use lumens (a measure of light output per m2) for the calculation, instead of watts. For example, a 60w bulb is about 850 lumens, as is a 50w halogen, or 12W philips master led bulb. For general lighting in the house, you should have 150 lux (lumens per m2). For a kitchen, office, or anywhere you are doing task work such as reading, you probably want 300 lux, but you could probably get away with 80-100 in a hallway. For example a 3 x 3 M room = 9m2 if you want 150 lux, then you take 9 x 150 = 1350 if you want 300 lux then you take 9 x 300 = 2700 If you are using an 850 lumen bulb, you would need at least 2 (2 x 850 = 1700) to have sufficient light output. You could also get to 1350 with lower wattage bulbs than 60W. If you use lower lumen output bulbs (some LED bulbs are nowhere near 850), then you need to put more lights per m2 to get sufficient light output. someone who's a lighting expert can probably explain it better than me - but that's what I seemed to understand from the few google searches i did. my house blog: http://sugarloafdrivebuild.blogspot.com/ Re: BCA Lighting Rules 2011 - Outdoor Lighting Question 3Nov 29, 2011 5:24 am Hi The BCA has this to say: Quote: (d) Artificial lighting around the perimeter of a building must— (i) be controlled by a daylight sensor; or (ii) have an average light source efficacy of not less than 40 Lumens/W. A typical CFL has an efficiency of about 60 Lumens/W, while a halogen has about 20 Lumens/W So, if you stick with fittings that can take a standard E27 or Bayonet Cap bulb you can use CFL and be OK. Paul Re: BCA Lighting Rules 2011 - Outdoor Lighting Question 5Nov 30, 2011 2:49 am paulw11 Hi The BCA has this to say: Quote: (d) Artificial lighting around the perimeter of a building must— (i) be controlled by a daylight sensor; or (ii) have an average light source efficacy of not less than 40 Lumens/W. A typical CFL has an efficiency of about 60 Lumens/W, while a halogen has about 20 Lumens/W So, if you stick with fittings that can take a standard E27 or Bayonet Cap bulb you can use CFL and be OK. - Ta for that information; Question though I understand option (ii) - efficient outdoor lights, however what exactly is the specification of a daylight sensor. The standard "flood" lights that everyone from bunnings to beacon sell - for lighting the yard (2 x 75 Watt hallogens or those traditional yard floods) - none of them would be subject to (ii); but surely plenty of people still install them. I don't think there is a CFL/Fluro equivalent - not for yard flood lights? Cheers Mark BCA Lighting Rules 2011 - Outdoor Lighting Question 6Nov 30, 2011 5:07 am Hi I have seen both CFL and LED bulbs in PAR38 style (this is the round floodlight globe). The long halogen globe (R7) has no alternative yet. All of the motion sensor lights I have seen also have a daylight sensor (although you can override it). They still sell lots of lights that would prevent your house from meeting the standard, although bulbs are going to become harder to purchase as the import bans and minimum efficiency levels come into effect. The whole problem with the lighting efficiency regime is that is so easily bypassed. Once you occupy your house you can replace all your energy efficient lights with something else if you want. It isn't even clear to me who, if anyone, is going to check that my house complies. From what I understand my builder is going to issue a document stating that the house complies with the BCA. It is possible that the final inspector may run around and count up lighting loads, but I doubt it. I am installing efficient lighting where I can, in the interest of reducing power consumption, not because of CO2, just because of $ - the CO2 reduction comes as a side-effect. I prefer the carrot approach (save $) to the stick (lighting bans). Paul 1 2037 "is it exempt or do I need to get permission from council" Call your Council and ask them 1 1939 About a year ago, I embarked on a DIY project to construct an outdoor Pergola, which measures approximately 5.2 meters by 4.0… 0 29941 |