Simon Balle School – LED Sports Floodlighting Refurbishment

Project Overview

Simon Balle All-through School is located on Mangrove Road in Hertford, Hertfordshire, providing education for pupils from the age of four through to eighteen. The school has extensive grounds used by pupils across all phases for PE and other curriculum activities.

The school has also made a strong commitment to improving the sustainability of its site, with measures including LED lighting, solar panels and improvements to building insulation. The upgrade of the sports floodlighting formed part of this wider approach to improving the efficiency and usability of the school’s facilities.

SJB Floodlighting was appointed to refurbish the existing floodlighting serving the school’s AWP pitch, replacing the existing metal halide fittings with a modern LED system.

The Existing Floodlighting System

The project involved the refurbishment of the existing floodlighting installation, with the existing columns retained and adapted where necessary to accommodate the new LED floodlights.

The existing metal halide floodlights and associated operating equipment were removed, while suitable existing cabling, switchgear infrastructure and controls were retained and reused where possible.

LED Floodlighting Upgrade

The upgrade comprised the installation of 20 Philips LED floodlights, consisting of:

* 12 × Philips BVP 528 LED floodlights

* 8 × Philips BVP518 T15 A55-NB 3.5 gen LED floodlights

The new fittings were installed onto the existing columns and aimed in accordance with the lighting design.

New LED drivers and flexible cabling were installed, with modifications made to the local switchgear within the column base cabinets to accommodate the new system.

Remote Lighting Control

As part of the project, SJB Floodlighting also installed a remote switching and control system, giving the school much greater control over the operation of the sports floodlights.

The system allows authorised staff to control the floodlighting remotely, including from computers within the school office. This removes the need for staff to manually operate the lighting at the pitch or travel to the floodlighting controls.

A key benefit is the ability to set operating schedules, allowing the floodlights to automatically operate only during the periods when they are required. This helps prevent the lights being left on unnecessarily and provides the school with greater control over energy consumption and operating costs.

The remote control system also provides a practical solution for a busy school environment, where the sports pitches may be used by different groups throughout the day and evening.

Specialist Installation

Access to the floodlights was undertaken using SJB Floodlighting’s specialist column raise-and-lower equipment, allowing the existing fittings to be safely removed and the replacement LED floodlights installed.

SJB’s experienced operatives are trained in the use of column raising and lowering equipment, with electricians qualified in the 18th Edition and Testing & Inspection.

Testing and Commissioning

Following installation, each column was function tested before the complete floodlighting system was tested and commissioned.

An after-dark illumination test was carried out to verify the lighting performance, with the completed electrical installation tested in accordance with BS 7671 and the appropriate certification provided.

The remote switching system was also commissioned to ensure the school could operate the floodlighting effectively and make use of scheduled lighting periods.

A Modern, Efficient Sports Lighting Solution

The project transformed the school’s existing sports floodlighting by replacing older metal halide technology with modern LED fittings while retaining the existing column infrastructure.

Combined with the new remote switching system, the upgraded installation provides Simon Balle School with a more flexible and controllable sports lighting solution. Staff can control the floodlights remotely, schedule their operation and ensure the system is only operating when the pitches are actually in use.

The project provides a modern floodlighting system capable of supporting the school’s extensive sports and outdoor activities while complementing its wider commitment to improving the sustainability and efficiency of its facilities.