Psychiatric Ward, Aabenraa
When Aabenraa Hospital opened the newly built psychiatric ward in 2015, it was with a whole new lighting concept: Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting.
The Region of Southern Denmark has taken a new turn in the construction of the new psychiatric ward with regard to lighting. They chose Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting from Chromaviso – a further development of dynamic lighting that supports the body’s natural circadian rhythm and ensures the proper lighting for the various functions of the building.
The Ergonomic Circadian Lighting becomes a natural part of the building, and when you walk on the site, you can clearly feel the effect
The light changes around the clock
”Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting becomes a natural part of the building, and when you walk on the site, you can clearly feel the effect. Furthermore, the light optimises the possibilities of each room – from relaxation to conversation or pause, as you can reset the atmosphere and create another one with the lights. This is brand-new”, explains Peter Houd from White architectural company, which is responsible for the construction.
The new psychiatric ward consists of eight sections with a total of 115 beds and joint functions. This makes the installation of Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting to the most extensive so far in psychiatry.
Lightning fast reaction time
Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting is integrated in the total electricity contract, for which the electricity contractor Wicotec Kirkebjerg is responsible.
“A complex assignment”, explains Søren Busch Madsen, project manager from Wicotec Kirkebjerg.
“The project is very large and challenging, and it is the first time that we have handled such an extensive integration between two systems – our KNX system and the lighting’s DMX system. This has worked out even better than expected, and Chromaviso has just carried out contractual delivery on time and without any remarks.”
That the task of integration has been fulfilled can be measured through the reaction time. One of the demands from the developer right from the beginning was high speed – from you press a button until the light reacts. A demand that Søren Busch Madsen and the consulting engineers Norconsult/Wessberg were mindful of.
The project is very large and challenging, and it is the first time that we have handled such an extensive integration between two systems – our KNX system and the lighting’s DMX system
“We see a lot of cases where it takes too long before the light changes. Today, this is one of the things I am proud of about the Aabenraa project. The reaction time is very short – 3/10 of a second or ‘as you are pushing’. This is important in emergency situations where you need to switch to full light intensity immediately,” explains Søren Busch Madsen.
Energy efficient solution
Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting is an energy efficient solution, where the power consumption should be seen across 24 hours. All in all, the light consumes an average of 1.8 W/m2 in the large hall and common areas with the light constantly on. Furthermore, motion sensor and daylight sensor are used to bring the energy consumption even further down.
”The light is brighter than normal during the day in order to simulate daylight and to achieve a physiological effect. However, at night time, it changes to the specially developed night light, which consumes considerably less energy than conventional installations. The combination of energy optimisation and circadian rhythm lighting is something completely new, and it places great demands on the knowledge of management and of how light affects people”, explains the innovation manager at Chromaviso, Torben Skov Hansen.
The dimmed night light contains all colours except the ones that primarily affect the body’s waking state during the night. This means that the staff has good visual conditions without affecting the patients’ circadian rhythm and sleep quality.
The light is brighter than normal during the day in order to simulate daylight and to achieve a physiological effect. However, at night time, it changes to the specially developed night light, which consumes considerably less energy than conventional installations
The lighting uses the latest technologies within LED with energy efficient light sources, and the light intensity is about 110 lumen per watt for the entire light fitting and at least 150 lumen per watt for the actual diodes.
User-friendliness and safety
The operation of the light consists of central touch screens in the staff room as well as push button panels in the rooms.
“I am thrilled with the panels. In the old days, it was on-off. Then came the dimmers and then it almost required a degree in engineering to turn on the light. With these panels, the light becomes user-friendly.
I am surprised that nobody has done anything like this before – it is incredibly easy to use and has a great design, is well executed and is comfortable to use”, explains architect Peter Houd.
I am thrilled with the panels. In the old days, it was on-off. Then came the dimmers and then it almost required a degree in engineering to turn on the light. With these panels, the light becomes user-friendly
The panels are a result of many years of experience in creating flexible and user-friendly solutions”, explains Torben Skov Hansen:
“We have been focused on creating control panels that suit the different needs. The staff needs an overview of all room and the possibility of setting the light according to the treatment, atmosphere or activity to be supported. And, we have worked with colours, icons and words in order to develop user-friendly and more homely push button panels, which are located in small common room areas and activity rooms, where they can be operated by the staff as well as the patients.”
A reliable solution
Because it is a psychiatric hospital, there has been a number of special circumstances that the installation has had to take into account.
”The light fittings have to be protected against vandalism, making sure that they cannot be smashed, used as a weapon or to hurt yourself. Here, Chromaviso found a good solution at a reasonable price. They have a professional approach, they take on the challenges right away and find a solution,” explains Søren Busch Madsen, and points out that the two parties have taken a proactive approach to the problems from the beginning and have therefore kept abreast of the project and timetable.
We have been focused on creating control panels that suit the different needs. The staff needs an overview of all room and the possibility of setting the light according to the treatment, atmosphere or activity to be supported
”We have not had many errors along the way, and we have used tested and documented components. The system functions stably today, and I expect the solution to be reliable in the long term”, says Søren Busch Madsen.
Next step: Training of the users
After the installation of the lighting, the project entered a new phase, which entails teaching the users to use the lighting system. More than 250 employees of the Psychiatric Ward have been taught how to ude the lighting.
”It looks good down there, and I think this is a system we can be proud of and get recognition for. Now, it is important for the project to be followed up in order for the settings to be correct for the users. Chromaviso is responsible for this, and they have a plan for it,” explains consulting engineer Hans Peter Smidt from Norconsult/Wessberg, which is the company responsible for the implementation of the project.
”It is important that the users gain insight into the beneficial effects of Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting, and how the different light settings work. Furthermore, we enter into dialogue with the users in order to make the final adjustments in accordance with their needs. This is an exciting process that improves the solution and provides us with important knowledge for our continuous development,” explains Torben Skov Hansen.
Chroma Zenit Circadian Lighting changes like the natural sunlight throughout the day