Morrison Construction - misaligned floodlighting
UPDATE: 10/5/2007
I've received a response from Derek Chambers, Construction Project Manager at Morrison Construction in Inverness. He writes . . .
"The floodlights installed were as specified by the Highland Council, however we have adjusted them as much as possible to reduce glare outwith the site. The lights will be switched off when the school is not in use"
I'm grateful for the reply, but fear that there is a basic misunderstanding, either at Morrison Construction, or at the Highland Council, of why asymmetric lights are designed the way they are, and how they should be oriented.
They're designed to avoid the need for tilting to spread light across an area of ground by projecting it forwards rather than straight down, thereby reducing glare and light pollution as well as providing good lighting. Tilting is counter productive as this actually throws more light into the sky (and less on the ground) than a traditional symmetric fitting at 45 degrees, wholly negating the reason for using asymmetric fittings in the first place.
I shall now be writing to the Highland Council to clarify their recommendations, and see if Morrison Construction can be persuaded to correct the mounting angle.
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UPDATE: 31/5/2007
Tec Lighting Services at the Highland Council have now emailed me telling me that the floodlights used here are Philips 'Optiflood' mvp506 models.
According to Philips own literature . . .
"with its peak intensity at 60 degrees, the [optiflood] floodlight should not need to be tilted by more than 10 degrees.
and
"good artificial lighting should prevent uncontrolled stray light and light spillage beyond the boundaries of the area being illuminated so that it does not affect people living in the vicinity or driving past the area. Good lighting design is no longer just about satisfying the needs of those within the area: the rights and needs of those outside the area must also be considered."
Hopefully Morrison Construction will recognise that they have sited these lights incorrectly, and make changes soon.
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UPDATE: 24/7/2007
The floodlights have been adjusted! On the way past a couple of days ago I noticed that all of the offending floodlights have now been pointed down correctly. Excellent. Better lighting = less light pollution. Well done Morrison Construction, and thanks to Derek Chambers at the Highland Council.
Picture Added on 21 April 2007.
