Technical

SunPipe Sizing

The 9" (230mm) Diamond Dome SunPipe

Will typically light up an area of 6sq. metres, suitable for Lobbies, Shower rooms and similar smaller areas i.e. an area of 6' x 9' approx, bringing natural light to your home to an equivalent light level of up to 200 watts.

The 12" (300mm) Diamond Dome SunPipe

The most popular size for residential properties, suitable for Kitchens, Bathrooms, Studies, Living Rooms and Landings. To light up an area of approx 12sq. metres, i.e. a 12' x 9' area.

The 18" (450mm) Diamond Dome SunPipe

For Games Rooms, Galleried Halls or anywhere you need a real 'WOW' factor. To light up an area of approx 144 sq.ft, i.e a 12' x 12' area.

The 21 " (530mm) Diamond Dome SunPipe

Mainly used on commercial properties ideal for offices, classrooms and similar areas. The 21" SunPipe provides approximately three times as much light as the 12" SunPipe and more than twice as much light as the 18" SunPipe.

The 750mm diameter hemispherical dome SunPipe

Being increasingly used on Warehouses, Sports Halls and Leisure Centres. Recommended for use where the floor to ceiling height is more than five metres the area covered for natural lighting is proportional to the other sizes.

The 1000 mm diameter hemispherical SunPipe

Often used as a focal point or feature of a nautral lighting arrangement. Used with great effect at the British School Abu Dhabi as the central light feature to the main library.

The 1500 mm diameter hemispherical dome SunPipe

In practical terms this is just about as large as SunPipes go! Larger bespoke systems can be manufactured but such systems have to be manufactured in two halves and have a double joint along the centre. Successfully used as part of a SunCatcher arrangement as shown at Nature World Middlesborough.

For 'commercial' applications:-

Corridors

For corridors, whether they are for domestic or commercial applications, the following guidance may be of assistance.

a. For small corridors approximately 1m - 1.5m wide, we recommend our 300mm (12") diameter SunPipes at approximately 3m (10ft) centres.

b. For small areas, such as lobbies, vestibules, etc., our 230mm (9") diameter SunPipe will be sufficient.

c. For larger corridors, 2m wide or more, our 450mm (18") diameter SunPipe can be used at say 4m centres.

For most corridors, a lux level of around 250 lux is normally sufficient.

Schools

The most popular application for schools is to use SunPipes instead of rooflights to bring daylight into the rear of the classrooms. Depending on the configuration of the building and the amount of light required, etc., our 450mm (18") diameter SunPipes spaced at 4m centres can be used but it is usual to recommend our 530mm (21") diameter SunPipes at 5m centres.

Otherwise, in general terms:

a) 450mm (18") diameter SunPipe will
light up an area of 22sq.m

b) 530mm (21") diameter SunPipe will
light up an area of 40sq.m

c) 750 diameter to light up areas up to 50 sq metres

d)1000 diameter to light up areas up to 70 sq metres

e)1500 diameter to light up areas up to 90 sq metres