To date, Ex-Or equipment has been installed in 55 fire stations. Between now and March 2011 the remainder of the LFB estate - a further 50 stations, will benefit from the installation of Ex-Or lighting controls.
Said Ian Shaw, environmental and energy officer for London Fire Brigade: "The Mayor of London has set the London Fire Brigade a target of making a 60 per cent reduction in our use of energy by Year 2025. Our continuing use of lighting management systems from Ex-Or is helping us go a long way towards meeting that target."
One of the first installations under this contract took place at LFB's main training centre in Southwark. The installation of Ex-Or lighting controls throughout the complex resulted in a 25% reduction in the electricity bill.
At 7,700 sq m, the specialist training centre is one of the largest buildings in LFB's estate. LightSpot presence-detecting lighting controls were installed in all parts of the centre including training suites, open plan and cellular office areas, sports hall, storerooms, classrooms, corridors and the reception area.
The discrete LightSpot controls with integral photocells automatically switch lights on and off by monitoring the presence of occupants and by measuring the amount of natural light available.
Different types of LightSpot are employed according to the size and type of area being controlled. Individual detector types have ranges varying from 6 metres to 60 metres. Regardless of the size of area monitored, LightSpot detectors ensure lights automatically switch on when areas become occupied, and automatically switch off when occupants leave.
The installation at Southwark took place over a 4-week period; it was trouble free and caused minimal operational disruption.
lan Shaw added: "Typically, lighting accounts for around 70% of the electricity load at each fire station. The average lighting bill per station is £10,000 and the typical saving made as a direct result of the installation of lighting controls is around 20%. So to date, we are achieving annual savings of £120,000.
Once the entire estate has Ex-Or's equipment installed, we will be making savings of almost quarter of a million pounds each and every year.
"Not only is lighting control saving significant amount of public expenditure, it is also helping us meet our environmental responsibilities."