Schréder - Lumascape

FEATURE
LIGHT POLLUTION
Examples not to follow!
Globes are a no-no!
Globe-shaped luminaires devoid of any optical
system whatsoever and shining light in all
directions are a good example of what should
be avoided under all circumstances!
However, one-fifth of the decorative lighting
installations in France are equipped with this
type of luminaire.
While “globe lighting” may be one of the classics when
it comes to decorative lighting in our urban landscape,
it is nevertheless a horrible source of unwanted light!
Schréder has developed several luminaires inspired by
this basic form by equipping them with high-quality
optics that are more respectful of the environment.
GENERAL GUIDELINES TO LIMIT
UNWANTED LIGHT:
[1] Make sure the floodlight receives regular
maintenance and that the exterior surface
of the protector is regularly cleaned. Dust
can modify light distribution by increasing
the overall diffusion of the light.
10 I SCHREDER GROUP NEWSLETTER
[2] Do not “over-light” by respecting the
existing standards as closely as possible.
[3] Soon, electronic intensity dimmers will
allow operators to precisely adjust the light
emitted by a luminaire depending on the
levels of lighting required.
In the Canaries, the
stars shine more
brightly
Wide open spaces, a clear sky nearly all year
round, a very thin atmospheric layer...all these
are conditions sought after by astronomers.
Hardly surprising then that they decided to set
up shop in the Canaries! And it is no surprise
either that these islands are leaders in the fight
against halos!
In 1988, the Spanish government promulgated a
law relating to the protection of astronomical
observations, finalised by a royal decree in
March 1992. An office for the protection of sky
quality in the Canaries (O.T.P.C. - Oficina
Técnica para la Protección de la Calidad del
Cielo) was also created in January 1992. Its aim
is to control and assess the various activities
which could hamper observations.
These laws (*) control both outdoor lighting and
anything that could disturb the astronomical
observations, such as industrial emissions,
exhaust fumes from planes or radio signals.
In particular, they specify that luminaires for
lighting roads cannot be inclined and cannot
emit light upwards. They must also be equipped
with a double lamp system or a system to vary
the lamp’s intensity allowing the luminous flux
to be reduced after midnight by at least two
thirds of the initial power, without having a
negative effect on uniformity.
The light from the floodlighting on public
buildings, monuments and advertising boards,
and light from the lighting in parks or sports
grounds must always be emitted downwards.
Furthermore, these types of lighting must be
switched off by midnight at the latest.
Nevertheless, social life does not appear to
suffer from this drastic legislation. A list of
authorised lighting devices has been
established by the IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica
de Canarias), and Schréder luminaires are
among the most highly rated.
(*) the two legal texts are available at
www.iac.es/proyect/otpc/docum.htm
The Isaac Newton observatory on the site of Roque de
los Muchachos on the island of La Palma. Sources:
website of the “Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias”:
http://www.iac.es/