ROOFLIGHTS & ROOF VENTS
When is a rooflight
not a rooflight?
With many roof glazing solutions available, a rooflight is so much more than that. Jim Lowther, sales director
at Xtralite, delves into the many benefits oered by the humble rooflight
The benefits of natural light in
buildings, both commercial
and domestic, has become
more evident in recent years,
as the positive impact that it has on
wellbeing has been well researched and
documented in public buildings.
To support the vision of building
designers, modern technologies have
permitted and driven innovative solutions
attributed to rooflights, allowing
them to do so much more than merely
filter light into a building from a glazed
roof panel. Furthermore, they can be
a stunning addition to a roofline with
aesthetic and architectural benefits for
the space below.
When it’s a ventilator
In the Clean Air Strategy, which was
launched by the government earlier this
year, building users were urged to open
their windows to assist in improving
indoor air quality.
This highlighted that having access
to fresh air, through windows or
rooflights is essential for our health and
wellbeing, and with air pollution being
the fourth biggest threat to our health,
integrating external openings, through
windows or rooflights, into building
designs has never been more important.
Whilst windows are the more
traditional way of doing this, rooflights
can offer enhanced benefits, aiding the
circulation of air and avoiding direct
draughts for building users. They allow
warm stale air to rise and escape, and
can help to prevent condensation, which
is instrumental in the growth of damp
and mould. It can also assist those
occupants who suffer from respiratory
disorders.
With a variety of roof light options
available, building users can safely and
easily operate rooflights that are often
placed high above ground level. Furthermore,
several can be automated to
allow easy opening and closing, and to
permit users in a variety of situations to
enjoy the benefits that fresh air brings.
When it’s an access hatch
In addition to assisting with improving
indoor air quality, rooflights can often
prove hugely beneficial as safety access
points. Both commercial and domestic
buildings have regulations that determine
the safe egress of occupants and
users, and rooflights can play a significant
part in facilitating this.
Now, purposely designed glazed
access hatches are perfect for planned
access routes, and permit ingress and
egress for both maintenance and escape
purposes. Furthermore, to ensure the
security and integrity of the building
is maintained at such access points, a
product that is lockable from both inside
and outside should be specified without
compromise. It is also important to
ensure they are compliant with Part L of
the Building Regulations.
A variety of rooflight solutions
can be specified, which fulfil safety
requirements and still allow architectural
creativity to flow unhindered in the
building design process.
When it’s a smoke vent
Allowing smoke to escape from buildings
is part of many fire protection plans
and indeed is necessary on occasions to
comply with fire regulations.
Many are integrated into fire systems
and are activated automatically,
preventing the build-up of smoke in a
fire situation and aiding the escape of
personnel and fire safety professionals
from the building. Specialised manufacturers
can advise on the options and on
the areas where fire escapes and smoke
hatches are legally required.
Providing health benefits
Whilst rooflights can fulfil Building
Regulations, it is also worth noting the
health benefits attributed by allowing
natural light into buildings too.
It has been proven that natural light
can aid concentration, promote wellbeing
and other physiological positive
impacts. Indeed, in new construction
hospitals and educational facilities, natural
light is becoming one of the primary
design considerations. Whilst many
comparable studies have been conducted,
one over-arching message was clear
– that natural light improves productivity
and wellbeing dependent upon the
situation. Indeed, it was found in one
study* that a typical 21% improvement
in learning rates was achieved for pupils
in well daylit classrooms.
With a range of polycarbonate and
glass rooflight options, natural light
can be diffused at varying levels, and
can help to regulate temperature and
reduce glare in critical areas in a variety
of settings.
By allowing daylight to penetrate
the property or building, energy saving
benefits can also be realised. Natural
light can reduce the need for electric
lighting, lowering CO2 emissions, and
allowing building users and homeowners
to reduce their carbon footprint.
Professional advice
Lighting level in the UK is measured in
LUX, and the amount of light required
in specific areas should be considered
to ensure regulatory compliance is met.
Working with members of the National
Association of Rooflight Manufacturers,
the correct products can be specified,
and with rooflights such as those from
Xtralite, a wide range of domestic and
commercial architectural situations
are solved. Furthermore, all industry
standards are met through its range of
products, giving architects, installers
and end-users peace of mind.
w www.xtralite.co.uk
*Study source:
Daylighting in
Schools Report
for California
Energy
Commission,
Heschong
Mahone Group
2003
54 www.rcimag.co.uk November 2018
/www.xtralite.co.uk
/www.rcimag.co.uk
