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x ‘PERSO’ AND PERSEVERENCE
Lighting and Covid-19
INDO Lighting’s innovative ‘PeRSo’ hood respirator, developed for NHS workers at the height of the pandemic last year, has now gained wider regulatory approval, allowing it to be used in NHS trusts around the country and even internationally
By Nic Paton
With the UK gradually unlocking and the Covid-19 vaccine rollout continuing apace, we can but hope that we’re now entering the endgame of the coronavirus pandemic.
Yet, even if Covid-19 moves from being a public health crisis to something more manageable, an endemic disease a bit like measles or flu that we simply have to live with (and regularly vaccinate against), the NHS will still need to be caring for people with the virus.
As we’ve seen throughout the past year, the lighting industry has been using its high-precision manufacturing skills and supply chain expertise to play its part in supporting NHS workers. Regular readers of Lighting Journal may recall that last summer we spoke to Rebecca Hatch, ILP VP Infrastructure and managing director of Southampton-based INDO Lighting about the story behind its development of an innovative hood-based respirator device for NHS frontline staff (‘Quality care commission’, June 2020, vol 85 no 6).
At the time, the ‘PeRSo’ device, which had been developed with the University of Southampton, and clinicians at University Hospital Southampton had been approved for local use in a number of Hampshire and south coast trusts.
REGULATORY APPROVAL
Gaining wider regulatory approval has proved a slow process but, as Tom Baynham, INDO chair, recently updated Lighting Journal, the two variants of the device, the PeRSo 1 and PeRSo 3, have now been approved for wider use across the NHS.
As he explains: ‘The PeRSo 1 is an entrylevel, low-cost, high-volume product that we are manufacturing in its entirety in Southampton using our UK supply chains. The PeRSo 3, by comparison, was a quick-tomarket redesign of a hood, filter and turbo unit that were already in use and which we simply adapted at speed, for use during the first wave of the Covid pandemic last year.’
The PeRSo 3 quickly received Health and Safety Executive approval for use in healthcare as well as the dental sector, and was the device highlighted in our original article last summer. The more complex iteration, the PeRSo 1, has now also received its CE certification.
Tom takes up the story. ‘The PeRSo 1 is currently (as of March) finishing its fulltype approval; so BSI is now signing it off. We are starting to have conversations with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care and various other bodies around the UK to roll it out for use.
‘We’re also doing a project with Southampton University to upgrade the hood system to make it a medical device as well. That means it would protect not just the wearer from those around them, but those around them if the wearer was infected.’
Another advantage of the device is the fact that it makes communication that much easier with patients who rely on lip reading, he adds.
Given that, of course, the pandemic is a global health crisis, INDO has also been looking at the use of the devices within international markets, including working with some hospitals in Africa as well as other countries.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
Ultimately, this success story (so far) shows how lighting – lighting professionals, lighting manufacturers and ILP members across the board – have successfully risen to the challenge of the pandemic.
As Tom explains: ‘At INDO, as well as designing and manufacturing fixtures, one of our core areas of expertise is in electronic engineering; we knew we had the skillset that could help – and that was essentially what was needed the most in this project.
‘We needed to design something that could detect low flow rates. You have air being filtered and delivered in through the hood system but, in order to comply with the standards, if the hose gets trapped, cut or damaged, the system needs to be able to detect that that has happened. The electronics therefore needed to be able to detect blockages or low flow rates; and all that had to be developed from scratch.
‘So, it was very much about using our electrical expertise and then, from there, knowing where to go to get the various elements designed, manufactured and incorporated into the product. But it has been a hugely worthwhile and rewarding project to be involved in,’ says Tom.
HERBIE BARNIEH
BEng IEng MILP PROJECT CENTRE
LONDON WC1X 9HD T: 0330 135 8950, 077954 75570 HERBIE.BARNIEH@PROJECTCENTRE.CO.UK
WWW.PROJECTCENTRE.CO.UK
Efficient, innovative, and bespoke lighting design services from an award winning consultancy. Experienced in delivering exterior lighting projects from feasibility studies to post construction. Whether it’s highway, street, or public realm lighting, let us assist you to realise your project goals.
STEVEN BIGGS
IEng MILP
SKANSKA INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
PETERBOROUGH PE1 5XG T: 07834 506705 E: STEVEN.BIGGS@SKANSKA.CO.UK
WWW.SKANSKA.CO.UK
Award winning professional multi-disciplinary lighting design consultants. Extensive experience in technical design and delivery across all areas of construction, including highways, public realm and architectural projects. Providing energy efficient design and solutions.
BONNIE BROOKS
BA(Hons) BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MSLL MCIBSE MILP
ILLUME DESIGN LTD
EXETER EX4 1NF T: 07840 054601, E: INFO@ILLUME-DESIGN.CO.UK
WWW.ILLUME-DESIGN.CO.UK
Professional independent lighting design consultancy providing designs for all exterior applications, including street lighting. Specialists in assisting at the planning application stage with designs, strategies, lighting impact assessments, and expert witness, with a focus on mitigating ecological and environmental impacts.
JASON MCNULTY
BEng (Hons) MIET
4WAY CONSULTING LTD
LEAMINGTON SPA, CV31 3RG T: 01926 832799 E: JASON.MCNULTY@4WAYCONSULTING.COM
WWW.4WAYCONSULTING.COM
Providing exterior lighting and ITS consultancy and design services and specialising in the urban and inter-urban environment. Our services span the complete project life cycle for both the public and private sector.
STEPHEN HALLIDAY
EngTech AMILP
WSP
MANCHESTER M50 3SP T: 0161 886 2532 E: STEPHEN.HALLIDAY@WSPGROUP.COM
WWW.WSPGROUP.COM
Public and private sector professional services providing design, technical support, contract and policy development for all applications of exterior lighting and power from architectural to sports, area and highways applications. PFI technical advisor and certifier support, HERS registered personnel.
STEPHEN HIGHAM
IEng MILP
SHD LIGHTING CONSULTANCY LTD
BOLTON BL2 6SE M: 07834 490 192 E: STEVE@SHDLIGHTING.CO.UK
WWW.SHDLIGHTING.CO.UK
Outdoor lighting consultancy specialising in adoptable highway and private lighting designs. Our services include Section 38, Section 278, Car Park lighting designs, Commercial floodlighting schemes and environmental impact lighting assessment reporting. Qualified design team with 24 years’ experience in exterior lighting.
ALISTAIR SCOTT
BSc (Hons) CEng FILP MHEA DESIGNS FOR LIGHTING LTD
WINCHESTER SO23 7TA T: 01962 855080 M: 07790 022414 E: ALISTAIR@DFL-UK.COM
WWW.DFL-UK.COM
Professional lighting design consultancy offering technical advice, design and management services for exterior/interior applications for highway, architectural, area, tunnel and commercial lighting. Advisors on lighting and energy saving strategies, asset management, visual impact assessments and planning.
ANTHONY SMITH
IEng FILP
STAINTON LIGHTING DESIGN SERVICES LTD
STOCKTON ON TEES TS23 1PX T: 01642 565533, E: ENQUIRIES@STAINTONLDS.CO.UK
WWW.STAINTONLDS.CO.UK
Specialist in: motorway, highway schemes, illumination of buildings, major structures, public artworks, amenity area lighting, public spaces, car parks, sports lighting, asset management, reports, plans, assistance, maintenance management, electrical design and communication network design. Registered personnel.
NICK SMITH
IEng FILP MIES
NICK SMITH ASSOCIATES LIMITED
CHESTERFIELD, S40 3JR T: 01246 229444 E: TRAINING@NICKSMITHASSOCIATES.COM
WWW.NICKSMITHASSOCIATES.CO.UK
Specialist exterior lighting consultant. Private and adopted lighting and electrical design for highways, car parks, area and sports lighting. Lighting Impact assessments, expert witness and CPD accredited Lighting design AutoCAD and Lighting Reality training courses.
SIMON BUSHELL
MBA DMS IEng MILP SSE CONTRACTING
PORTSMOUTH PO6 1UJ T: +44 (0)2392276403 M: 07584 313990 E: SIMON.BUSHELL@SSE.COM
WWW.SSECONTRACTING.CO.UK
Professional consultancy from the UK’s and Irelands largest external lighting contractor. From highways and tunnels, to architectural and public spaces our electrical and lighting designers also provide impact assessments, lighting and carbon reduction strategies along with whole installation packages.
LORRAINE CALCOTT
IEng MILP IALD MSLL ILA BSS
IT DOES LIGHTING LTD
THE CUBE, 13 STONE HILL, TWO MILE ASH, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, MK8 8DN T: 01908 560110 E: INFORMATION@ITDOES.CO.UK
WWW.ITDOES.CO.UK
Award winning lighting design practice specialising in interior, exterior, flood and architectural lighting. Emphasis on section 278/38, public realm, ecology receptor mitigation and supporting Councils with planning approvals, CDM2015 and SBD accredited. Specialists in circadian spectrally specific lighting design.
ALLAN HOWARD
BEng(Hons) CEng FILP FSLL
WSP
LONDON WC2A 1AF T: 07827 306483 E: ALLAN.HOWARD@WSPGROUP.COM
WWW.WSPGROUP.COM
Professional artificial and daylight lighting services covering design, technical support, contract and policy development including expert advice and analysis to develop and implement energy and carbon reduction strategies. Expert witness regarding obtrusive lighting, light nuisance and environmental impact investigations. registered personnel.
ALAN JAQUES
IEng FILP ATKINS
NOTTINGHAM, NG9 2HF T: +44 (0)115 9574900 M: 07834 507070 E: ALAN.JAQUES@ATKINSGLOBAL.COM
WWW.ATKINSGLOBAL.COM
Professional consultancy providing technical advice, design and management services for exterior and interior applications including highway, architectural, area, tunnel and commercial lighting. Advisors on energy saving strategies, asset management, visual impact assessments and planning.
ALAN TULLA
IEng FILP FSLL
ALAN TULLA LIGHTING
WINCHESTER, SO22 4DS T: 01962 855720 M:0771 364 8786 E: ALAN@ALANTULLALIGHTING.COM
WWW.ALANTULLALIGHTING.COM
Site surveys of sports pitches, road lighting and offices. Architectural lighting for both interior and exterior. Visual Impact Assessments for planning applications. Specialises in problem solving and out-of-the-ordinary projects.
MICHAEL WALKER
IEng MILP CMS MCCANN LTD
NOTTINGHAM NG9 6DQ M: 07939 896887 E: M.WALKER@JMCCANN.CO.UK
WWW.MCCANN-LTD.CO.UK
Design for all types of exterior lighting including street lighting, car parks, floodlighting, decorative lighting, and private lighting. Independent advice regarding light trespass, carbon reduction and invest to save strategies. Asset management, data capture, inspection and testing services available.
MARK CHANDLER
EngTech AMILP
MMA LIGHTING CONSULTANCY LTD
READING RG10 9QN T: 0118 3215636 E: MARK@MMA-CONSULTANCY.CO.UK
WWW.MMA-CONSULTANCY.CO.UK
Exterior lighting consultant’s who specialise in all aspects of street lighting design, section 38’s, section 278’s, project management and maintenance assistance. We also undertake lighting appraisals and environmental lighting studies
PATRICK REDMOND
HDip Bus, EngTech AMILP, AMSLL, Tech IEI
REDMOND ANALYTICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD.
M: + 353 (0)86 2356356 E: PATRICK@REDMONDAMS.IE
WWW.REDMONDAMS.IE
Independent expert lighting design services for all exterior and interior lighting applications. We provide sustainable lighting solutions and associated electrical designs. Our services include PSDP for lighting projects, network contractor auditing, and GPS site surveys for existing installations.
PETER WILLIAMS
EngTech AMILP
WILLIAMS LIGHTING CONSULTANTS LTD.
BEDFORD, MK41 6AG T: 01608642530 E: PETER.WILLIAMS@WLCLIGHTING.CO.UK
WWW.WLCLIGHTING.CO.UK
Specialists in the preparation of quality and effective street lighting design solutions for Section 38, Section 278 and other highway projects. We also prepare lighting designs for other exterior applications. Our focus is on delivering solutions that provide best value.
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