Holophane Gives B&Q a Boost

Switching to Holophane Europrism luminaires has provided B&Q's store in Beckton, East London with an increase in light levels of around 70% with no increase in energy consumption. The upgrade has also improved the quality of the lit environment for staff and customers, with a natural white light and enhanced colour rendering.

Lighting at the store was around 10 years old and used 385 high bay luminaires with acrylic reflectors using 250W MBFU light sources. They were replaced on a point for point basis with the Europrism luminaires by Prime Maintenance, based at East Grinstead, working closely with B&Q's maintenance partners Lingar Design.

"The Holophane luminaires were very easy to fit, " commented Paul Fogarty of Prime Maintenance. "This enabled us to complete the work quickly with the minimum of disruption to B&Q," he added.

Europrism luminaires use glass reflectors to provide a higher light output ratio (LOR), combined with precision optics to ensure efficient light distribution. At B&Q they were installed with 250W Venture HDPSP metal halide lamps so that the installed electrical load for the lighting remained the same. However, the combination of higher LOR, more precise light distribution and whiter light source gave an average increase in illuminance levels of 70%, with some areas achieving an increase of as much as 120%.

"Upgrading the lighting has made a phenomenal difference to the ambience and brightness of the store," noted the store's general manager Ian Herrett. "It has enabled us to show the products at their best, created a more welcoming atmosphere for customers and a more comfortable environment for staff," he continued.

Before: Acrylic reflector luminaires before refurbishment -70 % lower light levels but same energy consumption as Europrism		After: Refurbished with Holophane Europrism luminaires - even illumination and a welcoming atmosphere