How the LET Diploma ensures lighting competence

Two major subjects are exercising the CIBSE currently; the first is the Building Safety Act and the second is the broad issue of sustainability. The Institution recognises the importance of these issues by – among other measures – making it mandatory to include both subjects in Members’ annual CPD returns.

This article looks at the Lighting Education Trust’s (LET’s) Diploma in Lighting in the context of building safety and sustainability, and Thorlux Lighting’s Richard Caple explains its value to his company.

The LET Diploma in Lighting

This two-year, distance-learning course is structured in a series of subject modules and was originally designed as a Foundation Diploma to gain entry to the Bartlett School of Architecture’s MSc in Lighting.

Like all ‘foundation’ courses, it offers the student the basic, first principles in all the disciplines relevant to lighting in the built environment. As such, its value goes beyond the original focus of entry to a Master’s degree course; it can be the educational base on which to build a career in the lighting industry.

Context and content

The first quarter of the 21st century has, arguably, seen the most significant changes to lighting technology since the introduction of electric lighting in the 19th century. These changes are not only technological developments; there have also been major advances in our understanding of how lighting impacts our workplaces, homes and the wider environment.

In addition, consider the ever increasing regulation, as well as demands for energy efficiency, sustainability and quality. All these changes need to be assimilated by the lighter to demonstrate their competence to practice. Learning a subject from first principles is a timeless approach to any subject; competency is not a veneer – it requires solid foundations.

The diploma course modules address all the challenges facing building services today, including:

• Studying the physics of light and the electromagnetic spectrum, and how the eye works. Knowledge that is especially important because of the current interest in the influence of the various wavelengths of light, both visible and invisible. Our understanding of how the eye works has made significant progress in recent years.
• Lighting sources and luminaires are covered to give the student insights into historical (or legacy) solutions, as well as the current evolution of light-emitting diodes – LEDs.
• The human factors that influence our perception of light and how it might affect performance, comfort and wellbeing. How much light do we need and why? What are the issues surrounding colour rendering and temperature?
• Daylight is free, but it needs to be considered carefully in the built environment. How do you use it effectively? The integration of natural and artificial light while making sure excess light levels are avoided is also studied.
• The subject of emergency lighting is introduced so that designers can be aware of how the legislative requirements can be met.
• Environmental issues studied include lighting pollution, exploring how lighting affects the natural world, including the potential impacts on the ecology of flora and fauna. The importance of ‘dark skies’ is also addressed.

The use and application of good lighting products and designs has never been more important than it is with today’s need to address both building safety and sustainability. Lighting technology has already made dramatic advances in efficiency, while maintaining its quality, when specified and applied correctly; arguably the most successful transformation in building services.

However, this can only be achieved by gaining and applying knowledge and experience of all the factors that need to be brought together to deliver a successful design. The LET Diploma offers a very pragmatic route to learn while you earn and build your knowledge.