Prolux have achieved 18 Years In Service…
Prolux continues to carry a strong vision in revolutionising electrical building maintenance procedures and providing professional, turnkey fit-out solutions.
Our strong emphasis on electrical building maintenance further strengthens our capabilities and knowledge in the fit-out sector. Combining the two areas of speciality ensures that we have the credentials as a marker leader in the industry.
Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand have issued Standard AS/NZ 2293.1: 2018 (effective 29th June 2018) for Emergency Lighting in Buildings, superseding AS 2293.1: 2005.
The Standard series covers three parts:
The objective of the AS/NZS 2293 series of Standards is to detail requirements and provide guidelines to ensure all exit and emergency lighting installations are of an acceptable level of illumination to nominated areas and to provide for the safe evacuation of occupants from those areas in an emergency situation.
The Standard specifies updated installation requisites and the new adaptations for emerging technologies. The changes include, but are not limited to:
AS/NZ 2293.1 outlines spacing tables for common mounting heights for emergency luminaries. It was identified that the previous Standard allowed for configurations that would result in the current minimum not being achieved. And, as new technology emerged, some luminaries (including modern LEDs) weren’t producing light beyond their assessed geometric imitation and therefore weren’t achieving the current minimum, at all points on the floor.
AS/NZS 2293.2 requires that emergency luminaires and exits lights are visibly labelled and previous inconsistencies between the information required for maintaining the system and references to requirements have been corrected, including provisions and requirements for centrally supplied systems. E.g. Buildings that were required to be constructed of fire-resisting elements, no longer have separate provisions for buildings supplied with automatic sprinkler systems compared to buildings without. Furthermore, cable protection class has been standardised to be WS4X protection, and fuse type within terminal boxes has been widened to include fuses of a higher grade than type gG, making it easier to match the fuse with a ceramic fuse holder. The use of spacing tables for stairwells has also been revised and simplified.
AS/NZS 2293.3 addresses the requirements for emergency luminaires to be classified according to luminous intensity. For Classification A-D it’s up to a 70 degree cut off angle and up to 65 degrees for Classification E; calculations for the classification currently don’t assess the contribution of luminance beyond a 70-degree geometric limit.
The Committee LG-007 continue to investigate new techniques, developing energy sources, new illuminants and new approaches like wayfinding systems to include in future editions of the AS/NZS 2293 series.
Case Study: C-Bus Lighting Centralisation
Summary
Client: Dexus
Location: 360 Collins St, Melbourne VIC
Project Summary: Provide a centralised C-Bus lighting system for all common areas from Level 1 to Level 35 to be controlled and programmed remotely.
Opportunity
360 Collins Street is one of Melbourne’s most prestigious buildings, offering 35 levels of prime office space. Prolux are the electrical maintenance contractors for the A-grade building and have identified the opportunity to greatly improve the lighting control and efficiency within the complex.
Challenge
Prolux identified the following issues within the building:
Scope
The project was to provide a centralised system for all common areas from Level 1 to Level 35 that could be controlled and programmed remotely to facilitate:
Results
A distributed intelligent lighting control system was provided to the base building at 360 Collins St. The base building lighting control system was set-up as independent and separate to the tenancy lighting control system, with the ability to be integrated at a later date. The following works were carried out:
C-Bus Lighting Controls
The lighting control at 360 Collins St falls under three control categories:
Automatic C-Bus Lighting Control
Areas falling under automatic control are areas whose main sources of control are only through PIR sensors (passive infrared – an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view) and time clock scheduling (turns lights on and off, sets lighting levels for different times of the day and changes the lighting profile for after-hours mode).
Groups that are automatically controlled are likely to be dependent on:
Semi-Automatic C-Bus Lighting Control
Areas falling under semi-automatic are areas whose main sources of control are through PIR sensors or a lighting control panel. Areas with this control type are usually within enclosed spaces and have two methods of altering the lighting: through detection of movement via sensor or through a manual user input via the lighting control panel (or combination of both). These areas are not affected by time clock.
Manual C-Bus Lighting Control
Manual control, where the end user makes a deliberate action to control a group. Lighting control panels indicate the state of a group, either ‘on’ or ‘off’ with an illuminated LED. Manual control is also possible for direct control to all areas through the use of a Head End PC.
Functionality – House Areas
These areas operate under an automatic control. Detection of movement via PIR sensors is the main source of input that provides switching of lighting within the space. Behaviour of the sensors depends on the time of the day. During business hours, sensors will operate to turn lights ‘on,’ but will not switch lights ‘off’ until after hours is triggered. During after hours, sensors will operate with a timeout of 30 minutes and set lighting ‘on’ to 100% upon motion. After 30 minutes of no motion detection, lighting will switch to 0%. If at any time motion is detected, lighting will return to 100% and the 30 minute timeout will re-trigger.
Lighting Control Server
The House Lighting Control System has been provided with a C-Bus Head End PC and software located within the Level 13 electrical riser. The C-Bus software will allow for control and monitoring of the house lighting from a central location, as well as the ability to adjust time schedules for the tenancy as needed. General buttons to control each floor is shown in the example template below.
Each floor contains three sections to control and monitor. These buttons will change the state of the whole floor as described:
This layout is presented when a level is chosen from the Head End PC on Level 13. From here they will be able to:
Benefits
The significant benefits for Dexus have been greater energy efficiency, extra security and a reduction in energy costs.
The ability to fully control any space within the building, achieve the right look and feel as desired is the ultimate in convenience for any client.
Having such enhanced lighting control with C-Bus Automation eliminates any unnecessary running hours. The energy saving measures will also extend the life of light fittings, which will be a significant cost saving over the life of the building.
Outcome
Prolux supplied and installed:
To find out how C-Bus Centralisation can improve the efficiency of your commercial building call Prolux Electrical Contractors today on 1800 800 880.
Sometimes there is a misconception regarding the difference between an RCD (Residual Current Device) and a Circuit Breaker. Let’s explain…
An RCD is typically known as a Safety Switch, designed to protect against electrocution and will detect any disruption of electrical flow through an electrical circuit. If the flow of electricity returning through the circuit does not exactly match the amount of electrical flow entering the circuit, the RCD will ‘switch off,’ due to electricity leakage (leakage to earth). The RCD ‘thinks’ that the leakage to earth is electricity going through a person and into the ground, therefore switching off the power supply to prevent any form of an electric shock.
A Circuit Breaker on the other hand is an electrical switch, designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage, caused by an excess electrical flow (current draw), due to an overload or short circuit.
Circuit Breakers will not ‘switch off’ the power to the circuit in the event of an earth leakage fault. They will activate by switching the power ‘off,’ in the event of a high current fault, short circuit or overload, such as when too many appliances are plugged into a single power point, or when one of the appliances is faulty.
An RCD constantly monitors the current flowing in both the ‘active’ and ‘neutral’ wires supplying a circuit or an item of equipment; which under normal circumstances should be an equal current flow in both wires. When an earth leakage occurs, it creates an imbalance, the RCD detects this and will automatically ‘cut off power’ before damage or injury transpires. RCDs must disconnect power supply (switch off) within 30 milli-seconds of leakage detection. RCD’s in Patient Protected Areas (such as hospitals) must ‘cut off power’ within 10 milliseconds of detecting a leakage.
“Even a 30mA of current could be enough to cause a person to go into cardiac arrest or cause irreversible damage to their body.”
Fixed RCDs can be identified by the ‘Test’ button. Portable RCD’s (plug into a socket outlet) and Socket Outlet RCD’s (incorporated into an outlet) also have a ‘Test’ button. If you can’t identify a ‘Test’ button, then it’s likely to not be an RCD.
All circuits rated 32A or less that are supplying socket outlets, lighting, hand held equipment or equipment that present as an increased risk of an electrical shock must be RCD protected (unless labelled otherwise for a specific item of equipment). All new circuit installations require RCDs to be installed, or when the circuit installations require additional protection (30 Amps +).
For Commercial and Industrial installations RCDs must be installed within a switchboard at which the final sub-circuit originates. This is a mandatory requirement of the AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Standard. Even though the standard calls for RCDs on all sub-circuits up to and including 32 Amps, exemptions apply. If a single item of electrical equipment (e.g. light) which isn’t RCD protected is to be replaced with an equivalent item within the same location, then the exemption may apply.
When switchboards are altered or replaced, RCDs are required for final sub-circuits. RCDs are also required to protect socket outlets when they’re added to an existing circuit. However, RCD protection only needs to be installed at the origin of the additional wiring. When all circuit protection within a switchboard is replaced, then additional RCD protection is required for the final sub-circuits supplied by that switchboard.
Looking to upgrade a switchboard? Call Prolux Electrical Contractors on 1800 800 880 and let us ensure your commercial and industrial buildings run safe and efficiently.
Eastland’s Town Square has been named as the best shopping centre exterior in South East Asia and the Pacific 2019, in the prestigious Prix Versailles architecture awards for its extraordinary design.
The Prix Versailles promotes design and architecture as tools for sustainable development across cultural, social and ecological spheres, with judges spanning from across sectors of architecture, art, politics, fashion, food, philosophy and beyond.
Designed by London’s Acme and Melbourne’s Buchan Group the $665m transformation of Eastland shopping centre is one of the world’s best examples of commercial architecture. The building’s Town Square civic and restaurant precinct has been noted by international judges with its impressive circular glass-enclosed pavilion as the main entrance and stand-out feature, named ‘the shard.’
It’s a great example of a retail precinct that encourages connection and discovery.
Prolux have been part of the award winning design with the installation of the new outdoor lighting and heating to the stylish mirrored canopies.
The world title global awards are unveiled at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in September, with Eastland noted as a worthy contender.
From its humble beginnings in 2004, Prolux had a vision to revolutionise electrical building maintenance and provide turnkey electrical fit-out solutions. Fifteen years later, Prolux is providing electrical building compliance solutions and maintenance to over 400 commercial and industrial properties throughout Australia.
The introduction of convenient lavish end-of-trip facilities is fast becoming adopted by commercial offices and workplaces to cater for those choosing to help themselves and our environment by ‘riding to work.’
Employers are getting on board with end-of-trip facilities as they know the importance of corporate social responsibility and their role in an era of addressing a greater environmental consciousness and increased awareness of health for their employees.
A healthier office leads to more productive and happier staff and less cars on the roads equates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; a win win for all.
Cars equate for over 50% of Australia’s total transport greenhouse gas emissions
For the employer, a reduction in traffic reduces the need to allocate more parking spaces, less construction costs associated with building parking towers and more space to be utilised to benefit the tenants in other ways: relaxation areas, chill-out zones or exclusive lounges. And by taking care of cyclists, joggers or walkers who get to work based on their efforts and not by those driving or utilising public transport, they’re not only creating a healthier workplace, but also helping to reshape the way in which our city is engineered. For what seems as convenience, is in fact forward-thinking in design.
It’s all about the end-user
A healthier workforce, increased staff well-being, higher productivity, an improved corporate image and reduced demand for car parking are all seen as benefits for leasing tenants, along with a reduction in carbon emissions for us all.
End-of-trip facilities include provisions such as bike racks, change rooms, showers and personal storage lockers. Many lavish tenancies are providing more appealing facilities to ensure busy executives have a clean, calm and comfortable place to start their day, or freshen-up after lunch-time recreation.
Take one of Melbourne’s prestigious office towers for example, located at 101 Collins Street. Last year the entire ground floor car park was replaced with a luxury end-of-trip facility, boasting personal grooming stations, lounge seating and parking for 500 bikes. This facility mimics the amenities of a six-star hotel or wellness centre with its fluffy towels, muted lighting, terrazzo floors, wood-panel and fabric walls, black marble showers, hydration stations and an opulent reception lounge.
Developers are incorporating such facilities into new commercial buildings, along with many older buildings being refurbished to host the highly sort after amenities. These changes are happening in response to the rising number of people who are using alternative methods of travel to work, rather than driving or using public transport. And that’s great news for sustainability.
