Shine a Light on Sustainability: Reducing Night-Time Light Pollution for BREEAM Certification

Summary

This article provides a step-by-step guide for reducing night-time light pollution to achieve a higher BREEAM rating. It covers key strategies such as implementing smart lighting controls, selecting appropriate luminaires, and adhering to lighting curfews. By following these steps, building projects can minimize their environmental impact, enhance community relations, and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

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Main Story

Alright, let’s talk about tackling light pollution for BREEAM certification. It’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about creating a genuinely sustainable building, you know? Night-time light pollution, it’s a bigger deal than most people realise, with impacts on everything from ecosystems to human health. And yeah, it’s a waste of energy to boot.

So, how do we do this right? Well, a good BREEAM score isn’t just a nice-to-have it, it shows a commitment to sustainability, and light pollution is a key piece of that puzzle. Let’s break it down into actionable steps, shall we?

Step 1: Know the BREEAM Rules

First things first, you’ve got to get down and dirty with the BREEAM criteria. I mean, really understand them. What are the allowed light levels? What’s the deal with upward light spill, and what sort of controls are we talking about? The BREEAM documentation is your bible here, treat it as such. They’ve got all the nitty-gritty details you need.

Step 2: Assess Your Lighting

Before you start making changes, you need to see what’s actually going on. Do a thorough assessment of your existing or planned lighting. Where’s the light spilling where it shouldn’t? What’s shooting up into the sky? Is it too bright in certain areas? This assessment is crucial; it’ll help you focus your efforts and avoid just randomly throwing changes at the problem. For instance, I remember a project I worked on last year, where the light spill was worse than we had anticipated.

Step 3: Smart Controls are Your Friend

Smart lighting controls are not just a trend, they’re essential! Think about these things:

• Automatic Shutoff: We can’t leave the lights on all night; program them to switch off during unoccupied hours, maybe 11 PM to 7 AM, or when there’s enough natural light.

• Dimming Capabilities: Why have full brightness when you don’t need it? Dimming helps save energy and reduce light pollution.

• Motion Sensors: These are fantastic for areas with sporadic use, ensuring that lights are only on when someone’s there.

• Daylight Harvesting: Why use artificial light when you have the sun? Integrate systems that adjust artificial light based on natural light levels. It’s really clever when you see it working.

Step 4: Choose the Right Lights

The lights themselves matter too. Look for:

• Fully Shielded Fixtures: These are the gold standard for directing light downwards, which prevents glare and light spill.

• Low-Glare Optics: Nobody wants to be blinded by a light, right? Pick luminaires that control the distribution of light to avoid glare.

• Appropriate Colour Temperature: Opt for warmer colours (lower Kelvin values); it’s easier on the eyes and better for wildlife.

Step 5: Minimise Light Trespass

Basically, don’t shine light where it isn’t needed. Position your lights carefully and aim them so that you’re not lighting up your neighbours’ gardens or the wider area. Think of it as having good manners with light.

Step 6: Keep it Maintained

Regular maintenance keeps your lighting system performing as it should. Make sure you: clean fixtures, check for damage or misalignment, and ensure that all your controls are working correctly. And don’t forget to monitor light levels occasionally to be sure that you’re still in line with BREEAM standards.

Step 7: Get Professional Help

Sometimes, you need an expert. A lighting professional or a BREEAM assessor can really help you optimise your lighting design and ensure you meet all the criteria for a higher score. They’ve got the know-how you might not.

Step 8: Document, Document, Document

Keep meticulous records of everything – from the types of luminaires you’ve chosen, control systems, lighting plans, and monitoring data, you name it. This documentation is essential; it’s the proof you need to show you’ve done it all right when going for that BREEAM certification.

So, there you have it. By following these steps, you can seriously cut down on night-time light pollution and make a tangible difference. Not only will you improve community relations, you will also be working towards a more sustainable built environment. And, ultimately, you’ll be boosting that all important BREEAM score, which is a win-win, wouldn’t you agree?