LIGHTING

Lighting is the deliberate use of light to achieve practical or aesthetic effects. Lighting includes the
use of both artificial light sources like lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by
capturing daylight. Daylighting (using windows, skylights, or light shelves) is sometimes used as the
main source of light during daytime in buildings.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

Artificial lighting is any form of lighting that is not 'natural'. Typically, artificial lighting is produced
by electrical means. Artificial lights are available in a wide range of sizes, power, colours, and so on,
to suit a variety of applications.

Task lighting
Task lighting is focussed, local lighting used to illuminate a specific area
where a task is, or may be, performed. It is used as a contrasting light, which
produces less general glare than if brighter lights were used to light an entire
room.
Examples:

 Desk lamps
 Under-cabinet lights
 Adjustable spotlights

Accent lighting or feature lighting

This type of lighting is used to provide texture and focus to general lighting,
and can draw attention to items on display such as artwork, while shadowing
other areas. Accent lighting might be provided by spotlights, table lamps
landscape lighting, and so on.

Examples:

 Track lighting
 Wall-mounted sconces
 Recessed directional light
 Ambient lighting
Also known as background or ‘mood’ lighting, ambient lighting creates a soft
glow that gently illuminates an area without causing glare. Light fixtures such
as upward facing wall lights can be effective at creating ambient lighting.

Examples:

 Fluorescent tube lights

 LED panels
 Recessed ceiling light

Track lighting
Track lighting uses a series of spotlights mounted to a horizontal track.
The lights can freely move along the track, allowing easy customization
options.Track lights are a less intrusive way of adding downlighting to a
space. Other solutions, like recessed lighting and ceiling panels, require
heavy ceiling modification. In contrast, track lighting only requires a few
mounting points

Commercial lighting
Commercial lighting is designed for spaces where businesses operate, such
as offices, retail stores, and restaurants. The goal is to create a productive
environment that also appeals to customers.

Emergency lighting or safety lighting.

Emergency lighting is installed to provide lighting in the event of mains
power failure and provides sufficient illumination to allow occupants of a
building to evacuate safely. Types of emergency lighting include;
emergency exit signs, recessed fluorescent lights, powerful halogen
emergency spotlights for larger spaces, emergency ceiling lights and
downlights etc.
Examples:

 Battery-operated emergency lights

 Illuminated exit signs
TYPES OF LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
 NATURAL LIGHTING

Natural lighting, also known as daylighting, refers to the use of natural light sources like the sun to
illuminate a space, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and offering potential health and energy
benefits.

To optimize natural lighting in a commercial building, we should consider these directional

strategies:South-Facing Facades:
South-Facing Facades:
Benefits: South-facing facades receive the most direct sunlight, especially during winter months
when the sun is lower in the sky.
Considerations: While beneficial for winter, excessive south-facing glazing can lead to
overheating in the summer. Use shading devices, like awnings or overhangs, to mitigate this.

East-Facing Facades:
Benefits: East-facing facades receive morning sunlight, which can be ideal for spaces where people
are starting their workday or activities.
Considerations: East-facing windows can also lead to glare in the morning, so consider using
blinds or other light-control mechanisms.

West-Facing Facades:
Benefits: West-facing facades receive afternoon sunlight, which can be beneficial for spaces where
people are working or relaxing in the evening.
Considerations: West-facing windows can also lead to overheating and glare in the afternoon, so
consider using shading devices or light-control mechanisms.

North-Facing Facades:
Benefits: North-facing facades receive diffused, indirect light, which is generally cooler and more
even than light from other directions.
Considerations: North-facing windows can be less bright than windows facing other directions, so
consider using skylights or other light-control mechanisms to supplement natural light.
 VENTILATION

Ventilation is the process of providing fresh air to a space and removing stale or polluted air, which
can be achieved through natural or mechanical means, and is crucial for maintaining good indoor air
quality and comfort.
Natural ventilation
Artificial ventilation

NATURAL VENTILATION

Natural ventilation uses natural forces like wind and thermal

buoyancy to bring fresh air into a building without relying on
mechanical systems, improving air quality and potentially reducing
energy consumption.

1. Wind-Driven (or Cross) Ventilation:

This type of ventilation utilizes the pressure differences created by
wind around a building to draw air in through openings on one
side and out through openings on the opposite side.
features:
 Openings on opposite walls or sides of a building are essential.
 Effective when buildings are oriented to maximize wind exposure.
 Can be enhanced by strategically placing wind-catchers or windbreaks.
Examples:
Openable windows, high and low-level louvres, and strategically placed vents.

2. Buoyancy-Driven (or Stack) Ventilation:

This method relies on the principle that warm air rises and cooler air sinks, creating a natural
airflow.
Key features:
 Warm air is drawn out through openings at higher levels (e.g., roof vents, tall
chimneys).
 Cooler air is drawn in through openings at lower levels (e.g., windows, vents near the
floor).
 The "stack effect" or "chimney effect" is a common term for this type of ventilation.
 ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION

Artificial ventilation is also called heat recovery ventilation. This

type of ventilation system is usually installed on the roofs of houses
or apartment buildings. It works by transferring heat between
incoming and outgoing air to provide fresh air. This system is
designed to keep the air flowing in your home while also
controlling its temperature.

FIRE SAFETY

Fire safety involves measures to prevent fires, minimize their impact, and ensure the safety of
individuals and property in the event of a fire, encompassing awareness, preparedness, and proper
practices.

FIRE DITECTOR

A device which can detect a fire, and provide a signal to an alarm circuit. Fire detectors can be
operated by smoke, flames, and heat, or any combination of these factors.

Types of fire detector

Ionization
onization smoke detectors rely on a constant electrical current. This current runs between two
electrically charged plates within the device and is only disrupted when smoke enters. When this
happens, it triggers an alarm signal to signal a fire. Typically, this fire alarm is touted for detecting
fast-burning fires fast.

photoelectric
Photoelectric smoke detectors operate similarly to ionization detectors, however, instead of
electricity, they rely on a laser beam. This light is scattered when it encounters smoke, signaling the
alarm to sound. This is an incredibly reliable fire alarm that works well with small fires.

Heat
Heat detectors signal an alarm when they sense a change in air temperature due to flames. However,
since it's temperature-reliant, these alarms do experience false alarms due to humidity or steam. For
this reason, these are most often relied upon in storage facilities or warehouses.

combined ionization and photoelectric

A go-to in the industry, a hybrid of ionization and the photoelectric detector is often deemed the best
option on the market. With both an electrical current and a light beam, this device is one of the fastest
you can get, detecting smoke rapidly to sound a warning alarm.

Manual fire alarm

A manual fire alarm system relies on human intervention to activate the alarm,
typically through devices like pull stations or break-glass call points, alerting
occupants and potentially the fire department.
 FIRE SPRINKLE SYSTEM

A fire sprinkler system is a network of pipes and sprinkler

heads designed to automatically detect and suppress fires
by releasing water. These systems are activated by heat or
smoke, and are a common and effective fire suppression
method.

Fire sprinkle system work on given methods;

Detection:
When a fire starts and the temperature rises, the sprinkler heads in the affected area activate.

Activation:
Sprinkler heads contain a heat-sensitive element (like a glass bulb or fusible link) that melts or
breaks when exposed to high temperatures.

Water Release:
The opening of the sprinkler head allows pressurized water to flow and spray onto the fire,
effectively suppressing it.

Types:
There are different types of sprinkler systems, including wet-pipe and dry-pipe systems, each with
its own advantages and applications.

Wet-pipe systems: have pipes filled with water at

all times, offering a faster response time.
Dry-pipe systems: are used in areas prone to
freezing temperatures, with the pipes filled with
compressed air or nitrogen until a fire activates the
system.

CO2 fire extinguisher

A CO2 fire extinguisher, filled with pressurized carbon dioxide gas, is effective
for Class B (flammable liquid) and Class C (electrical) fires, working by
displacing oxygen and suffocating the flames, leaving no residue.

Powder fire extinguishers

Powder fire extinguishers are used for fighting burning solids, liquids and gases
(Class A, B and C fires). Specialist powder extinguishers are designed to tackle
type D fires involving combustible metals such as lithium, magnesium, or
aluminium. They work by the powder forming a crust which smothers the fire and
stops it from spreading.

FIRE ESCAPE

A fire escape is a special kind of emergency exit, usually mounted to the outside of a building—
occasionally inside, but separate from the main areas of the building. It provides a method of escape
in the event of a fire or other emergency that makes the stairwells inside a building inaccessible.

Exterior Staircase Fire Escapes

These are the most traditional type, typically found on older buildings.
They are constructed on the exterior of the building and provid e a
direct route to the ground.
Interior Staircase Fire Escapes
These are enclosed within the building and provide a protected path to
the outside. They are often designed to be fire-resistant and may include
featu res like smoke-proof enclosures.

EXPANSION JOINT

A expansion joint is an assembly designed to hold parts together while

safely absorbing temperature-induced expansion and contraction of
building materials.Building faces, concrete slabs, and pipelines expand
and contract due to warming and cooling from seasonal variation, or
due to other heat sources. Before expansion joint gaps were built into
these structures, they would crack under the stress induced.

The minimum width of an expansion joint should in no case be less

than 1inch.

Concrete Structures: Expansion joints are typically placed every 30 to

45 meters (100 to 150 feet).

Steel Structures: Expansion joints are required every 45 to 60 meters

(150 to 200 feet) due to steel’s higher thermal expansion.