Nowadays, an administrative, public or industrial building is required to meet modern requirements, not only in terms of exterior but also in functionality and practicality. Today, the microclimate in the workroom is subject to compliance with certain regulatory requirements. Namely:
- The workspace should be well lit.
- Indoors, it is necessary to maintain a comfortable level of humidity.
- A normal air temperature should be set for the work process.
- Ventilate the work area regularly.
The performance of workers depends on compliance with these standards. Basically, these tasks are solved by installing a variety of translucent structures.
Anti-aircraft lights in industrial buildings
Today, quite often you can find modern buildings with light domes of complex geometric shapes. Such translucent superstructures are called “anti-aircraft lamp”. The sophisticated design developed by the designers quickly spread due to its practicality and functionality.
Most often, during the construction or reconstruction of industrial buildings, light lamps are installed on the roof. This installation provides the building with additional natural light when it is not possible to install classic windows in wall openings or use any other sources of sunlight. In addition, anti-aircraft lights installed on the roof solve the problem of lighting rooms with a large area. The light activity of such structures is higher than that of vertical windows of the same area at least twice.
Anti-aircraft Light Functions
In industrial buildings, as well as in administrative and public buildings, the installation of anti-aircraft lights helps to ensure the high-quality operation of many important systems. They perform the following functions:
- Located in the upper part of the building, light domes transmit soft and comfortable sunlight, scattering it throughout the entire interior space. Even small anti-aircraft lights provide large fluxes of daylight due to the refraction of sunlight. The use of such structures makes it possible to significantly save money on artificial electric lighting.
- Most light domes are located on the roof of the building and are equipped with mechanisms for opening. Thanks to this design, the superheated air of large rooms is eroded naturally. That is, systematic effective air ventilation is carried out without the use of forced ventilation and electric drives.
- Almost always, a transparent roof is an element of the overall fire protection system. To remove excess heat and smoke during internal fires, the anti-aircraft lights of industrial buildings are equipped with mechanisms that open when the automatic control system is activated. In most cases, light lamps provide access to the roof in case of fire or technical roofing.
Anti-aircraft lights for industrial buildings are classified according to several criteria.
Types of anti-aircraft lights by material
According to the type of translucent canvas, the following types are distinguished:
- Light lamps made of modern, lightweight, durable and easy-to-use transparent polycarbonate. In regions with high solar activity, tinted material is used. A light transparent polycarbonate roof in an aluminum frame is characterized by a high degree of transparency, resistance to atmospheric phenomena, non-flammability, protection with a special layer from solar radiation and ultraviolet radiation. And to drain condensate from the inner surface, manufacturers recommend installing a special profile with channels for draining excess moisture.
- Glass roofs are made of organic or laminated glass. Such structures are completely safe, since they do not crumble into fragments if damaged. Possessing high light transmission, organic glass does not fade, it is resistant to ultraviolet and high temperatures.
Classification by structural type
She is as follows:
- The tape anti-aircraft lamp has the form of an oblong structure with an arch of arched, flat or triangular shape. Its high efficiency is determined by the installation location - in the center of the roof along the ridge or between the lines. Dimensions depend on the area of the roof and range in width from 1 to 5 meters at 10-15 meters in length.
- Square or rectangular spotlights are installed to illuminate a specific area indoors. They are made, as a rule, from cellular or monolithic polycarbonate and have relatively small sizes.
Calculation of the anti-aircraft lamp
The anti-aircraft lamp of any configuration consists of two systems:
- The supporting structure, that is, the supporting metal frame.
- The enclosing profile system, usually from aluminum.
When calculating the anti-aircraft lamp, experts consider several factors:
- what snow loads, wind force and other environmental influences must be withstood;
- static calculation;
- maximum permissible weight of the lamp;
Properly selected structural elements and professional installation of light lamps will ensure the long term operation of a robust and reliable system.
Glass roof frame
The frames of transparent roofs made of glass or polycarbonate can be made of aluminum alloys, steel or polymers. Oversized structures are mounted only on strong steel frames. The polymer base significantly reduces the price of an anti-aircraft lamp. However, despite the high anti-corrosion characteristics, such a base can only be used in regions with a warm climate. In severe frosts, polymers decrease in strength.
Most often, the supporting base of anti-aircraft lights on industrial buildings is made of aluminum profile. Its high reliability with low weight does not create a special load on the foundation and load-bearing walls of the building. In the process of the interaction of aluminum with atmospheric oxygen, a protective, anti-corrosion, self-healing film forms on its surface. Therefore, even an unpainted aluminum frame will last for decades. In addition, aluminum alloys are environmentally friendly. When heated, this design does not emit any carcinogens, nor heavy metals, nor other toxic substances. With a low coefficient of linear expansion, aluminum reduces to zero the likelihood of internal stresses leading to the collapse of the transparent dome.
Installation of spotlights
High aesthetics of point structures stipulates the use of anti-aircraft lamps not only on the roofs of industrial buildings, but also for the equipment of additional daylight sources on the roofs of commercial and public buildings. The frame of spotlights made of metal or PVC is glazed with polycarbonate or acrylic glass.
These structures can be mounted both on flat roofs and on sloping roofs with a slope of no more than 25 ° . Depending on the size of the flashlight, one or two power mechanisms are installed to open the wings. The electric drive or pneumatic cylinder is controlled either automatically (remotely) or manually.
Mounting tape lights
Similar tape lights are mounted only on flat roofs. The aluminum frame is usually glazed with multilayer cellular polycarbonate. The height of the arched lights ranges from 1/5 to 1/9 of the width of the base. The height of the gable anti-aircraft lights on the roof is determined solely by the appearance of the building.
Features of the glass dome
Translucent ceilings of complex geometric shapes are harmoniously combined with both modern and classical architectural ensembles. Non-standard domed anti-aircraft lights of industrial buildings are distinguished by a stylish appearance and practicality.
The main advantage of the domed glass roof is the maximum possible amount of daylight throughout the interior. With the development of modern technologies and the advent of new materials, it became possible to erect large-scale structures with a high level of safety.
A complex transparent domed roof is usually made up of individual elements. The aluminum frame and polymer glazing provide high strength and light weight. At the design stage, the thermal conductivity of the structure, the light transmission percentage of the dome, the resistance of the roof to external influences, and other characteristics are determined.
Anti-aircraft lights installed on an industrial building to save energy will last for decades, without requiring constant maintenance and without needing regular repairs.
Recommendations for the manufacture of anti-aircraft lights
To ensure the most effective and uniform lighting of the entire space, it is recommended to consider the following:
- It will be rational to install several anti-aircraft lamps of different sizes.
- The area of glazing of a spotlight should not be less than 2 m 2 .
- In regions with heavy snowfalls, raising the anti-aircraft lamp above the roof by 35-40 cm will prevent snow from sweeping the structure.
Such a solution to the issue will affect the increase in the price of the anti-aircraft lamp, but the cost savings on the full coverage of dark corners will quickly pay off this difference.
To prevent leakage and increase heat loss of the structure, when installing a glass roof, it is necessary to carefully seal and warm the interface with the elements of the rafter system.
Other use of light
A variety of shapes and designs helped anti-aircraft lights find wide application in the private sector. Owners of country houses and cottages often mount transparent domed roofs in their households, or install spotlights in the attics, in attics and for natural lighting of stairwells.
In the urban area, glass roofs are erected on the last floors of skyscrapers to equip winter gardens and to admire the panorama of the starry sky on a clear night. The possibility of mounting on the roof of metal, profiled metal, with a polymer or bitumen coating makes available flat, arched or gable anti-aircraft lights for many.