EMBELLISHMENT REINVENTED

An innovative non-metallic polymer lighting column embellishment kit has been developed as an alternative to traditional cast-iron kits, and is now being rolled out on lighting columns within Essex

By Jonathan Brown

There are more than 4,000 lighting columns fitted with traditional castiron embellishments in the county of Essex, all maintained by Essex Highways, a partnership between Ringway Jacobs and Essex County Council.

In early 2019 a lighting column with traditional cast-iron embellishments was involved in a road traffic incident and knocked down. On inspection, it was found to have rusted through beneath the embellishment kit.

This type of corrosion (as most ILP members will undoubtedly be well aware) is called galvanic corrosion. If this column hadn’t been knocked down in the accident, it is possible it would have collapsed anyway because of a lack of structural integrity.

This column was not the first, nor likely to be the last, that was potentially unsafe because of galvanic corrosion, with such degradation over time one of the key drivers behind the ILP’s launch last year of its GN22 ATOMS asset management toolkit.

C o l u m n s w i t h a n d w i t h o u t embellishments are routinely tested for their structural integrity. But testing columns with traditional cast-iron embellishment kits is problematic.

Often columns with traditional castiron embellishments are marked ‘unable to test’ as the cast iron interferes with the test. The only way to carry out the test properly is it to remove and refit the cast-iron embellishments. In practice, this is not feasible because of time, access and compromised fixings.

This article intends to outline how at TMP Solutions we have been working with Essex Highways to develop a non-metallic polymer lighting column embellishment kit as a safer and more economical alternative to traditional cast-iron kits.

These new polymer embellishments eliminate the structural safety issues caused by galvanic corrosion and can make column testing quicker, safer and more economical, as the embellishments don’t need to be removed during the testing procedure.

The four elements of the kit, showing (left to right) the base, collar, ring, and ladder bar

A QUICK RECAP ON GALVANIC CORROSION

Galvanic corrosion, also known as bimetallic corrosion, is an electrochemical process whereby one metal corrodes in preference to another metal that it is in contact with through an electrolyte.

The galvanic corrosion occurs when the two dissimilar metals are immersed in a conductive solution and are electrically connected. One metal (the cathode) is protected, while the other (the anode) is corroded.

The rate of attack on the anode is accelerated, compared to the rate when the metal is uncoupled. In the case of lighting columns, the metal that corrodes is the steel column (the anode) when in contact with the cast-iron embellishment (the cathode) and the electrolyte is primarily dog urine or saltwater.

Galvanic corrosion is such a safety concern because it normally happens out of view, behind the cast-iron embellishment kit, yet is weakening the column.

Unfortunately, the most susceptible area of the column is also the most dangerous – the base – as this is often where dog urine and saltwater collects the most.

Street lighting columns can occasionally catastrophically fail because of such corrosion, potentially causing severe injury to people and objects in the vicinity.

UNDERSTANDING OUR POLYMER SOLUTION

Essex Highways had been searching for an alternative to cast-iron embellishments for around four months before contacting us. As a company, we’re generally more synonymous with traffic bollards rather than lighting columns. However, without wanting to blow our trumpet too much, we are known for developing innovative products and bringing them to market. For example, we invented the retro-reflective rebound traffic bollard. So being asked to develop a non-metallic embellishment kit was certainly something that sparked our interest.

From initial discussions back in September 2019, it took just eight weeks to take the design from idea to prototype. The new non-metallic polymer embellishment kit was designed to be very similar in appearance to the traditional cast-iron embellishments already installed on across the county.

The embellishment kit is made up of four parts: base, collar, ring and ladder bar. Producing all these parts could have involved a lot of expensive tooling but, thanks to our talented design team, we arrived at a solution where each part only needs one tool. Each part is made up of two identical pieces that interlock, providing not only strength and security but making installation quick and easy, too.

Designing an embellishment kit that could be left in place during structural testing was another vital part of the brief. We therefore worked with structural testing companies and listened to their feedback to ensure these new polymer embellishments could indeed be left in situ and not cause any interference.

Installation takes just seconds, with each piece interlocking together. The fixings that hold the pieces together also secure the part to the column. The fixing method is very secure, and the whole kit is resistant to rotation and vandalism. For anyone who is interested, we have videos demonstrating this on our website (www.tmp. solutions).

Sustainability is a crucial consideration in any new product design, and the new embellishment kits are no different. The manufacturing process produces almost no waste, and each embellishment can be removed and reused on a different column if needed.

The TMP polymer embellishment kit is currently patent pending.

FIRST INSTALLATIONS

Following the development phase, the first 50 sets of the polymer embellishment kits were installed in and around Stockwell Street, part of the so-called ‘Dutch Quarter’, in Colchester, Essex, in January.

I’m very glad to say the installation went without a hitch. The kits arrived ready to fit right out of the box, pre-painted in gloss black and complete with all the necessary fixings. With this initial phase of the project completed successfully, the second phase of the larger 8m-10m columns was given the green light and installation was due to start last month (May). I’m also glad to say the feedback so far has been really positive. Indeed, once installed, the TMP non-metallic embellishments look just like their traditional cast-iron counterparts – apart from of course protecting against galvanic corrosion, not needing to be removed when testing for structural integrity, and generally being quicker, safer and cheaper to install and test!

GN22 ATOMS

The ILP’s GN22 Asset Management Toolkit: Minor Structures (ATOMS) is free to download from https://theilp.org.uk/ resources/#guidance-notes

Jonathan Brown is head of group marketing at TMP Solutions

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Jess Gallacher looks back at the first year in her role as ILP Engagement and Communications Manager, including overseeing the change from regional to Lighting Delivery Centre local volunteer groups

By Jess Gallacher

One year ago – in June 2019 – the Institution of Lighting Professionals officially made the change from our previous regional group structure to the new system of Lighting Delivery Centres (LDCs).

The fundamental reason behind this reorganisation was to enhance the amount of continuous professional development (CPD) provided to members at a local level. Sharing knowledge, best practice, and technical information about the best way to provide lighting which benefits society is at the heart of the Institution’s reason for existence.

Following extensive consultation with

members there was a clear message that people wanted more CPD events held in their local area – and they wanted these to provide them with high-quality, relevant and reliable information to help them carry out their lighting roles as effectively as possible.

To that end, the ILP set up an implementation panel with local volunteers and soon ascertained that our volunteers had a great appetite to deliver more CPD to more lighting people than ever before and wanted more support from the staff team to do this.

A FLEXIBLE NETWORK

The questions then were: what would this look like, how should this be organised, how could volunteers be supported to spend their precious time adding value to the Institution using their skills and expert lighting knowledge?

The intention was for the LDCs to become a flexible network of volunteer ILP members across the UK and Ireland, organising local CPD events and networking opportunities. Each LDC would have a main committee and an organising group, supported by ILP staff, to deliver quality educational events.

In implementing these changes, we really wanted to make sure that volunteers weren’t burdened with responsibilities for administrative tasks and were easily able to comply with the requirements of the new GDPR data protection regulations.

Sometimes organising events of any kind can be a series of tasks that don’t in fact need specialist lighting expert knowledge.

We identified areas that could be automated very successfully, freeing time for people to consider content, style, and engagement with members. We decided it was key to create helpful and user-friendly systems that still gave local volunteers the flexibility to customise each event according to their own needs and requirements.

This led to changes in the roles of ILP staff at Regent House, including the introduction of my own new role as Engagement and Communications Manager.

KEY ‘WINS’ FOR MEMBERS

From the word go, we wanted to ensure members were left in no doubt about how accessible and welcoming LDC events would be. Our mantra became ‘no boundaries, no charge for CPD, no limits’. Let me explain each of these in turn.

• No boundaries. The key here was, ‘everyone is welcome to all ILP events, wherever their location’. We set up a system for ILP members to choose which LDC event invitations and emails they would like to receive by logging into MyILP and choosing their preferred branches within ‘communication preferences’. • No charge for CPD. Our focus here was, ‘talks run by the LDC branches are free for ILP members’. Fees only apply for social activities, some refreshments and non-member CPD tickets.

We rolled out a very simple procedure where local volunteers fill out a simple spreadsheet, which is then submitted to the ILP treasurers for approval. This enables each LDC to create the right events for their attendees whilst keeping everything recorded and accountable in a consistent way across the whole organisation. • No limits. For this, it was all about, ‘ILP members can attend as many events as they like’. We introduced a new membership benefit at the same time: each LDC is asked to take a register of attendees and pass it to the membership team at Regent House.

The team then ensures that CPD attendance is recorded on each member’s MyCareerPath account. Each member has their part to play in making sure they have MyCareerPath set up and adding what they have personally learnt at the event.

Adding the event for members has been a very well-received move to help members record their CPD. The extra cost to members for this enhanced service? Absolutely zero. The system is completely free to use.

OFF TO A GREAT START

We launched in June, using the AGM and the Professional Lighting Summit in Newcastle upon Tyne as a platform for members to get together and celebrate all the great work of the previous regions and a bright future as LDCs.

Armed with templates, guidance and an amazing array of branding materials, the new teams got underway organising events.

The first LDC event to take place was organised by LDC Birmingham, chaired by Michala Medcalf. This really set the bar high for the new style of ILP local events. Held at the inspiring venue of the Think Tank, and including a planetarium experience as well as CPD talks, Michala explained, ‘the reason for choosing the planetarium is to show a link between light and the environment and our solar system; how light is created, distributed and measured.’

LDC Birmingham invited lighting professionals with the enticing message, ‘join us in our day of curiosity; a show of the universe lit up in all its glory, quality CPD papers and reflections on the environment’. The turnout was high, and feedback was 100% supportive showing our renewed CPD focus was the right move.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

Part of our change to LDCs included the development of a new communications strategy and heightened social media presence.

During September, this meant LDC Bristol managed to reconnect with several former members who had drifted away from the Institution. In fact, seeing how much CPD the ILP could provide

prompted them to rejoin.

Over the course of the year we have found the new LDC system has become a key part of membership growth for the Institution, accounting for 26% of new or rejoining members, as can be seen in figure 1.

A key strength of the ILP has always been its ability to tailor local events to suit the membership.

For example, LDC Durham took the approach of ensuring consistency for local members and arranged a programme of regular evening events from September onwards, in line with what had always been offered by the former region.

This proved especially popular with the local street lighting community. The group also capitalised on nearby lighting CPD with an event exploring the Lumiere Durham light festival, as written up by LDC members for Lighting Journal in February ( ‘Wear it lightly’, vol 85 no 2).

TRAINING COURSES

Hand in hand with CPD events, the importance of training courses cannot be underestimated.

The new LDC structure has been designed to empower members at a local level and, for example, meant that in November LDC Ireland was able to offer local members the opportunity to attend lighting courses as a collaboration between ILP and Engineers Ireland.

Along with its CPD events, this meant LDC Ireland offered an unprecedented amount of development opportunities for the lighting profession.

JOINED-UP APPROACH

Relationships between each LDC branch, the YLP and the staff team at Rugby have been developed to make sure we share common goals, and work together for the benefit of the members, profession and public.

In fact, LDC branches now provide onethird of all CPD generated by the Institution, as figure 2 shows. Our plan for staff at Rugby to carry out administrative tasks so as to free local volunteers to use their lighting skills and judgement to create relevant events has really paid off, with quality CPD, high attendee figures and wonderful member feedback.

To give a few more examples from around the country, LDC London has been a great example of the different parts of the Institution working in harmony, with members being given a seamless experience of a range of CPD activities from a range of sources.

For instance, over the past year LDC London members have been invited to a university to participate in lighting research, welcomed to learn about lighting

Figure 1. Growing

membership – new or rejoining

members. This chart shows the role national, LDC or training events play in attracting new or rejoining members to the ILP, and clearly illustrates the impact LDCs are now having in terms of encouraging lighting professionals to join or come back to the ILP Via training Via national events Via LDC events

Figure 2. CPD hours

delivered by the

ILP. This chart illustrates the split in how CPD is now delivered by the ILP. In fact, LDCs now provide approximately a third of all ILP CPD, which is a massive achievement in just a year Via training courses Via LDC events Via national events

LDC Events - members

LDC Events - Non-members

National Events - Members

National Events - Non-members

Training courses - Members

Training courses - Non-members

Figure 3. Attendance. This chart shows how LDC events have attracted new people to get involved with the Institution on a local basis. Each bar represents the split of members versus non-members attending. This shows LDC events have proved nearly as popular as our standalone national events, a great achievement in just 12 months

and surfaces at a major architectural fair, nurtured at informal ‘How to be brilliant’ CPD sessions and wowed at Southwark Cathedral to explore lighting and smart cities (and turn overleaf to page 30 for a review of this event).

The range and depth of CPD provided on a regular basis has encouraged a good number of members apply to upgrade their membership.

The team from LDC Manchester, too, has worked hard all year to provide themed CPD days built around specific topics and issues that members have been asking for.

As LDC chair David Jones puts it: ‘Thank you all for your assistance in providing the above event. I really liked the extra attention you were able to provide in advertising the event... we are in a better place going forward.’

Another thing worth noting is that all LDC events welcome members and non-members alike.

Of course, we hope to encourage everyone with an interest in lighting to join the Institution and become a member, and this often begins with showcasing what we do and inviting people to experience events for themselves.

LDC Scotland’s programme of events, for example, included a particular focus on welcoming people, explaining more about what the ILP does and how it can help individuals with their careers.

With supporting materials provided from the staff team, this meant non-members were guaranteed a warm welcome. Figure 3 shows how LDC events have attracted new people to get involved with the Institution on a local basis, and we see this as an important part of the role of LDCs.

Even with the coronavirus pandemic sadly cutting short our first year of LDC events, the total number of CPD hours generated was a massive 2,136. This is a phenomenal achievement for the whole Institution to celebrate and of which hard-working LDC members should be immensely proud.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

Tempting as it is to challenge ourselves to surpass the 2019-2020 CPD figure, that may not be the case. The focus will of course remain on CPD, the ILP’s reason for existence.

But, as the effects of coronavirus continue to unfold during 2020, the LDCs will begin to explore online events.

We also have it in mind to develop and refine the CPD National Curriculum still further as a result.

Finally, we always need volunteers! So if you have any spare time, please get in touch by emailing me at jess@theilp.org.uk as we’d love you to be part of our achievements.

Most of all, the future includes you – the lighting professional. Contact us and let us know what you need from the LDCs – and that is what we will aim to deliver.

Jess Gallacher is the ILP’s Engagement and Communications Manager

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