Installation of Chalmor Intelligence light fittings at GF Smith's Hull facility has reduced its lighting operational costs by 89 per cent, with an 87 per cent reduction in carbon emissions
This project formed a key element in a wide-ranging raft of measures being undertaken by GF Smith to reduce its carbon footprint. A speciality paper merchant that has been sourcing high quality and unusual papers and card for the graphics and printing industries for over 100 years, the company also has the capability for embossing and laminating paper and manufacturing standard and bespoke envelopes.
High visibility is an important criterion in its manufacturing and warehousing operations, particularly for picking coloured paper and card. Chalmor's Intelligence is a versatile fitting that combines long-life, high-efficiency T5 fluorescent lighting with a range of integrated controls. At GF Smith, these include ceiling microwave dimming sensors (CMD) that modulate the fitting, via dimming, in relation to presence and absence of occupancy and daylight levels.
Lightening the load
A total of 44 Intelligence fittings, mounted at a height of 14m, have replaced 47 400W high-pressure sodium (SON) fittings, improving lighting levels and colour rendering while reducing the installed electrical load by over 30 per cent. The six-lamp Intelligence fittings with multi-wattage, dimmable DALI control gear use four 49W T5 lamps, with two 80W high-output lamps in the centre. This arrangement provides GF Smith with their required lux levels, whilst providing a high level of flexibility in the control of lighting.
"With the SON lamps we were unable to control the lighting in relation to demand based on either occupancy or daylight levels because of the re-strike times for these lamps," explained GF Smith's Process Manager Tony Stewart. "As well as saving on installed electrical load, the Intelligence fittings reduce energy consumption through enhanced control."
Further savings are also being achieved through greatly reduced maintenance costs, as the Intelligence T5 lamps provide an average operating life of 24,000 hours, compared to just 8000 for the SON lamps they replaced. Enhanced control, resulting in the lighting being used less, will extend re-lamping schedules even further.
An additional major benefit was the inclusion of integral emergency lighting in selected Intelligence fittings: this means GF Smith no longer has to maintain a separate emergency lighting system.
