Ovia highlights its five-in-one exit sign, Orbik Synex5

Lighting brand Ovia, part of the Scolmore Group, continues to strengthen its Orbik by Ovia emergency lighting range, a portfolio that has undergone significant investment to elevate innovation, performance, and compliance. A major part of the upgraded portfolio is the Synex5, a five-in-one exit sign. Designed for maximum flexibility, the Synex5 provides multiple mounting options within a single unit: ceiling and wall mount as standard, with additional accessories available for suspended, recessed, or side-mounted installations. This provides contractors and specifiers with a true five-in-one solution, adaptable to any application. In addition to Synex5, every product within the Orbik by Ovia range benefits from a number of key technical and functional upgrades including enhanced self-test functionality, long-life LiFePO4 battery technology, a five-year warranty, and refined designs to meet the evolving demands of modern emergency lighting applications. The expanded Orbik portfolio The Orbik range is broken down into the following categories: exit signs, ‘Five in One’ exit signs, hanging exit signs, exit boxes, twin spots, circular and square spots, bulkheads, pin spots, and control gear and accessories - encompassing a comprehensive selection of emergency lighting solutions designed to meet diverse commercial and industrial requirements. Bespoke emergency lighting designs Ovia also offers bespoke emergency lighting design schemes engineered to comply with the latest BS5266 code of practice, incorporating all design objectives for optimal performance. Ovia’s highly skilled specialists produce detailed, accurate lighting layouts tailored to project requirements, ensuring comprehensive solutions that are perfectly engineered for safety, compliance, and peace of mind. For more information on the Orbik emergency lighting range, visit Ovia’s website or download the Scolmore Group app. For more from Ovia, click here.

Overheating in social housing: Preparing for Awaab’s Law Phase 2

UK summers are becoming hotter. Following record-breaking temperatures and intense heatwaves, social housing providers face a growing challenge: managing overheating properties while navigating increasingly strict regulatory demands. The scale of the problem According to the UK Climate Change Committee, 50% of UK homes are currently at risk of overheating, a figure projected to rise to 92% by 2050. Data from Aico’s Dr Silviu Nistor reveals that, during recent heatwaves, average indoor temperatures across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland exceeded 25°C, with some southern areas surpassing 32°C. Understanding unsafe temperatures While there is no single legal threshold for unsafe indoor temperatures, landlords must be aware of several critical benchmarks: • 24°C: The WHO warns that temperatures above this can cause discomfort or harm to vulnerable groups. • 25°C: The BRE Guidance notes a visible increase in strokes and mortality. It is also the HHSRS ceiling for winter heating. • 28°C: CIBSE TM59 states temperatures should not exceed this for more than 1% of sleeping hours. Crucially, risk is context-dependent; the same high temperature poses a far greater threat to an elderly resident in a top-floor London flat than a healthy adult in a semi-detached home. Practical mitigation strategies Landlords can implement several measures to reduce indoor temperatures: • Insulation: Double glazing, draft sealing, and cavity insulation keep external heat out. For top-floor flats, reflective roof coatings are highly effective. • Purge ventilation: High insulation can trap heat at night. Opening windows and running fans when outside temperatures drop helps purge hot air. • Shading and appliances: Blinds, shutters, and awnings block solar gain on south- or west-facing windows. Using eco-friendly appliances and kitchen ventilation also reduces internal heat. Preparing for Awaab’s Law with HomeLINK The urgency for housing providers is mounting. This October, Awaab’s Law Phase 2 will introduce tight inspection and repair deadlines for seven new hazards, including extreme heat. To avoid an unmanageable wave of emergency complaints during future heatwaves, providers must transition from reactive fixes to proactive risk management. HomeLINK offers an efficient, preventative solution. Aico's smart sensors continuously monitor indoor temperature, humidity, and CO2. Through its dashboard, housing providers can identify high-risk properties at a glance, receive real-time hazard alerts, and conduct portfolio-wide risk assessments. Residents are also provided with live temperature data, empowering them to take action when necessary. By utilising these insights to prepare now, landlords can protect vulnerable residents and ensure full compliance before the new regulations take effect. To learn more about HomeLINK technology, click here to visit the website. For more from Aico, click here.

BEAMA publishes low-voltage switchgear specification guide

UK trade association BEAMA's Low Voltage Switchboard and Busbar Systems (LSBS) Group has published a new guide to help improve the specification and procurement of low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. The publication, Specifying a Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Assembly, has been developed to help specifiers and procurement teams ensure assemblies comply with relevant standards and are suitable for their intended operating conditions. Designed to complement the BS EN IEC 61439 series of standards, the guide covers key considerations including conformance, design verification, environmental conditions, and marking requirements. The guide aims to support informed specification decisions that contribute to the safety, performance, and reliability of electrical installations. It also builds on the BEAMA LSBS Group's ongoing work to promote best practice within the low-voltage switchboard sector, following last year's Consequence of Non-Compliance campaign. Supporting best practice in electrical specification Nick Hayler, Head of Building Electrical Systems at BEAMA, comments, "Correct specification is critical to the safety, performance, and efficiency of low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. "Developed in close collaboration with technical experts from our Low Voltage Switchboard and Busbar Systems Group membership, the new Specifying a Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Assembly guide sets out practical and safety-critical considerations to consider before selecting an assembly. "Too often, assembly specification is treated as a box-ticking exercise and there is a tendency for selections to be driven by price considerations rather than a full assessment of the appropriate specification, when it should be based on a clear understanding of conformance, design verification, and the environmental conditions an assembly will face in service. "Getting this wrong can have serious consequences. It can affect assembly performance and the safety of everyone who installs, operates, and maintains it. "By addressing marking requirements and other details that can be missed, we want to support the specification of robust, fit-for-purpose electrical distribution networks." For more from BEAMA, click here.

Circular Lighting Live 2026 speakers announced

Recolight, a UK not-for-profit compliance scheme for lighting waste recycling and sustainability, has announced the speaker line-up for Circular Lighting Live 2026, a one-day conference and exhibition focused on the circular economy in the lighting sector. Taking place on 8 October at the Minster Building in the City of London, the event will bring together designers, specifiers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and supply chain professionals to discuss topics including embodied carbon, material selection, product repairability, and end-of-life responsibility. The conference programme will run alongside an exhibition showcasing developments in sustainable lighting products and practices. Conference explores circular economy challenges The event opens with two keynote presentations: • John McRae, Director of Orms, will present Vision 2040, examining how the lighting industry could move beyond traditional linear manufacturing models. • Sabine De Schutter, Founder of Studio De Schutter, will deliver a keynote titled Beyond Fast Lighting, focusing on upcycling as a design approach. Delegates can then attend a range of themed sessions covering environmental product declarations (EPDs), emerging circular economy legislation, material innovation, AI-assisted design, lighting specification, remanufacturing projects, carbon literacy, and approaches to reducing waste from Cat A fit-outs. The programme will also include the Build Back Better Awards 2026, recognising projects and organisations contributing to environmental progress within the lighting industry. Attendance is free for eligible lighting specifiers, including independent lighting designers, architects, consulting engineers, wholesalers, and end users, while discounted early bird tickets for manufacturers are available until 31 July. The conference is sponsored by Light Projects Evolve, Albis, Fagerhult, Thorlux Lighting, and WAGO. For more from Recolight, click here.

TRILUX lighting supports radiotherapy centre refurbishment

TRILUX, a manufacturer of professional lighting systems, has completed a bespoke lighting installation at the Maastro radiotherapy centre in the south of the Netherlands, helping create a more comfortable environment for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The project formed part of a wider refurbishment programme that included the replacement of radiotherapy equipment and a redesign of treatment spaces. Working with Architecten aan de Maas and installation partner Equans, TRILUX developed a lighting scheme intended to make the highly specialised treatment rooms feel less clinical. Each of the six treatment rooms has been designed around a different theme, including water, meadows, marl, and cherry orchards. Bespoke sky images have been incorporated into TRILUX Arimo LED panels above treatment units to create the impression of looking at the open sky. Liesbeth Cloin, Manager Facility Management at Maastro, says, "Nobody comes here by choice. That's exactly why we wanted to move away from the cold, clinical feel often associated with healthcare environments. "We looked at how light, colour, and themed interiors could bring a sense of calm to what is, for many patients, an anxious experience." Lighting designed around patient wellbeing The lighting design extends beyond the treatment rooms to support patients throughout their journey. A Finea light line provides wayfinding through access corridors, while Sonnos downlights deliver even illumination. Within the treatment rooms, the lighting has been specifically positioned to improve patient comfort during treatment. The project also required adaptations to integrate the Finea luminaires into the centre's suspended ceiling system. The redesigned spaces combine lighting with colour schemes and artwork by a local graffiti artist to create a more welcoming environment. According to Maastro, the lighting system also benefits staff by reducing visual fatigue through programmable lighting levels and supports the organisation's sustainability objectives. Four treatment rooms have now been completed, with the remaining refurbishment work planned as part of the centre's wider modernisation programme. TRILUX lighting will also be installed in offices and waiting areas. Liesbeth concludes, "We want patients to feel safe and relaxed. If lighting helps achieve that, then we've done our job." For more from TRILUX, click here.

Manrose launches black bathroom extractor fan

Manrose, a British ventilation manufacturer, has introduced its new Black Tiled Fan, expanding its range of domestic ventilation products with a model designed for modern bathrooms and WCs. The fan features a black tiled fascia intended to complement contemporary interiors, providing an alternative to traditional white extractor fans for residential installations. Designed for wall and panel mounting, the fan is available in several versions, including a model with an integrated timer, making it suitable for a range of domestic bathroom and WC projects. The unit delivers an extraction rate of 75m³/hr (21l/s) and operates at a maximum power consumption of 16W. Manrose says the fan has low operating noise while providing effective ventilation. Designed for domestic installations Ashley Smith, Product Manager at Manrose, comments, "The Black Tiled Fan is an exciting addition to the Manrose range. "Customers increasingly want products that not only perform well but also complement the look and feel of modern interiors. "The Black Tiled Fan gives wholesalers and electricians a stylish, reliable, and easy-to-install fan that makes it easy to recommend and sell." Manufactured from thermoplastics, the fan incorporates an integral backdraught shutter and a motor with a minimum warranted lifespan of 30,000 hours. Manrose says these features are intended to provide long-term durability and help reduce maintenance requirements. For more from Manrose, click here.

DALI-2 controls support £18.8m Innovation Centre

A new £18.8 million Skills and Innovation Centre in Suffolk has incorporated a DALI-2 lighting control system designed to improve energy management, simplify maintenance, and support the building’s sustainability targets. The three-storey development forms part of Gateway 14, a business, innovation, and logistics park adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14 and part of Freeport East. The centre has been created to support businesses, training providers, and education partners, with facilities including office space for high-growth start-ups, collaboration areas, meeting rooms, training facilities, and a café. The project is focused on supporting sectors including the green economy, digital technology, and artificial intelligence, while also helping address regional skills requirements through partnerships with organisations including the Universities of Suffolk and Essex, West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College, and Colchester Institute. The £18.8 million development received £16.66 million in funding from Freeport East, with the remaining contribution provided by Mid Suffolk District Council. Designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, the 35,000ft² (3251.6m²) building incorporates a range of measures intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational demand. Lighting controls throughout the building were delivered using a DALI-2 solution from B.E.G. - a German manufacturer of occupancy sensors, motion detectors, and lighting control products - incorporating occupancy detection, daylight harvesting, emergency lighting testing, and energy monitoring. For the main contractor, Fusion360 Group, the project represented its first B.E.G. installation using a DALI-2 lighting control system. B.E.G. provided technical support throughout the specification, installation, and commissioning stages, helping the project team deliver the system successfully. Mohamed Abosharaf, Head of Engineering for the UK & Ireland at B.E.G., says, “The lighting strategy at Gateway 14 needed to support the wider objectives of the building, particularly around energy efficiency and operational management. A DALI-2 system provided the ability to control lighting according to occupancy, available daylight, and building requirements, rather than relying on fixed lighting operation. “By integrating occupancy detection, daylight harvesting, and monitoring functions, the system helps reduce unnecessary energy use while providing the facilities team with better visibility of lighting performance. This is particularly important in a building designed to support businesses and training activities where different areas will have different patterns of use.” Centralised control and monitoring The installed DALI-2 network was set up to ensure there was centralised lighting control across the building, with integration into the building management system (BMS). This allows facilities teams to monitor system status, receive fault information, and manage lighting operation from a central interface. Occupancy detection then adjusts lighting operation based on whether spaces are in use, whilst daylight harvesting is designed to automatically respond to changes in natural light levels to help maintain appropriate lighting conditions and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. The system includes automated emergency lighting testing and reporting, removing the requirement for manual testing routines and providing recorded compliance information. Energy monitoring also provides visibility of lighting consumption, allowing building performance to be reviewed over time. Mohamed continues, “For electrical contractors, open protocols such as DALI-2 provide flexibility because they allow lighting systems to be integrated with wider building services. It also gives building operators access to information that can help them manage energy use and maintenance more effectively throughout the life of the installation. “At Gateway 14, the objective was to deliver a lighting system that was appropriate for a modern commercial building - one that could respond to how spaces are used, support energy management, and provide reliable information for those responsible for operating the facility.” Dan Glynn, Sales Director for the UK & Ireland at B.E.G, adds, “The Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14 represents a significant investment in the region, providing a base for businesses, educators, and training providers while supporting the area’s economic development plans. “The project demonstrates how DALI-2 lighting controls are being used in commercial buildings to improve control, monitoring, and energy management while meeting the requirements of increasingly connected building environments.” For more from B.E.G., click here.

Powered Now: Tradespeople report growing business pressures

More than nine in 10 UK tradespeople experience stress or anxiety as a result of running their business, according to new research commissioned by job management software Powered Now and Installer. The NOW Report: National Outlook on the Trades Workforce 2026, carried out by independent research company Fusion Insight & Strategy, surveyed 140 heating engineers, plumbers, electricians, builders, and other tradespeople across the UK in June 2026. The findings show that 93% of respondents experience stress or anxiety linked to running their business, with almost half saying it is a regular occurrence. Business administration, including preparing quotes, issuing invoices, and chasing payments, takes an average of five hours and 20 minutes each week. Much of this work is completed during evenings and weekends. The report also found that 52% of respondents had not taken a week's holiday during the previous 12 months. Cashflow remains another significant challenge, with respondents reporting an average of £5,901 in unpaid invoices. More than two thirds (67%) say a customer has deliberately delayed or disputed payment. Benjamin Dyer, CEO and co-founder of Powered Now, comments, "Nobody gets into this business because they love the paperwork; they get into it because they’re good with their hands, because there’s real satisfaction in doing a job well. "But the craft comes packaged with quoting, invoicing, chasing payments, and a business to run - usually alone, usually after a full day on site. "The trades are full of people who are proud of what they do but get quietly ground down by everything else." Confidence remains despite ongoing challenges Despite the pressures highlighted in the report, 84% of respondents say they would recommend a career in the trades to a young person, whilst 51% of business owners remain confident about the year ahead. Powered Now says it has recently introduced an AI Receptionist designed to answer customer calls when tradespeople are working on site, helping to reduce missed enquiries and administrative workloads. For more from Powered Now, click here.

Collingwood lights up Northampton Saints RFU

Northampton Saints has completed the first phase of an LED lighting refurbishment at its stadium, with Collingwood Lighting, a UK manufacturer of LED lighting products, supplying new fittings for the Barwell Stand as part of the club's wider net zero strategy. The project covers spectator seating, corporate hospitality areas, corridors, staff facilities, toilets, and other public spaces. According to the club, the initial installation is expected to reduce carbon emissions by almost 15 tonnes annually and cut running costs by up to £9,000 per year. Across the entire stadium, projected carbon savings are estimated to reach around 60 tonnes each year. The refurbishment forms part of Northampton Saints' stated commitment to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, which includes a target to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040. Julia Chapman, Chief Executive of Northampton Saints, comments, "This LED lighting refurbishment future-proofs our stadium because it not only costs us less money and uses less energy, but it has a real impact on how our fans enjoy a space." Talking about one of the hospitality areas, the Tunnel Club, Julia goes on to say, "The environment that we create makes all the difference to someone’s match day experience, with lighting having such a big impact on the look and feel of an area." Collingwood Lighting designed the lighting scheme, supplied the fittings, and estimated the project's energy and cost savings. The company states the investment has an estimated payback period of 19 months. Different lighting schemes for hospitality and operational areas Hospitality spaces, including the Tunnel Club, feature warm 3000K lighting using Thea Pro downlights with DALI controls and LED strip lighting to create a more relaxed environment. Elsewhere, including corridors, toilets, kitchens, and storage areas, the design uses 4000K lighting intended for more functional spaces, incorporating Thea Pro downlights, Solis LED panels, and Caiman bulkheads. The installation also includes emergency lighting packs, enabling selected luminaires to operate during mains power failures. Operations Manager Stuart Jenkins notes, "We are a high-end hospitality venue, so the right lighting design using reliable products is key. "This refurbishment has saved us energy, running costs, and maintenance, but, most importantly, it improves the match day experience for our fans." The lighting project complements other sustainability measures at the club, including the installation of more than 800 solar panels, the use of zero carbon purchased electricity, rainwater harvesting for pitch irrigation, and improved building insulation. For more from Collingwood Lighting, click here.

UK lighting market set for return to growth

The UK lighting market is expected to return to growth in 2026 after several challenging years, according to new research from Barbour ABI, a UK construction intelligence provider. The report attributes the projected recovery to increasing adoption of LED lighting, wider use of smart lighting technologies, and new energy efficiency regulations. It also highlights improving prospects for the non-residential construction sector, which remains the largest source of demand for lighting products. Barbour ABI says luminaires remain the largest product category in the UK lighting market, although integrated products that combine LED lighting, luminaires, and smart controls are becoming increasingly common. LED lighting now accounts for the majority of UK lighting sales by value, with further growth expected as regulations continue to phase out incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lighting. The report also points to growing uptake of smart lighting in homes and commercial buildings as awareness of connected technologies increases. Energy efficiency regulations influence future demand Looking ahead, the Future Homes and Buildings Standard (FHBS), due to come into effect in March 2027, together with updates to Part L of the Building Regulations, is expected to increase demand for more energy-efficient lighting and automatic controls, including occupancy sensors and daylight-linked dimming. Public sector investment is also expected to support the market, including National Highways' programme to convert the majority of its road lighting to LED by 2027. Barbour ABI forecasts that non-residential construction will remain the primary driver of market growth through to 2030, alongside continued adoption of smart lighting, Human Centric Lighting (HCL), Building Energy Management System (BEMS) integration, and Lighting as a Service (LaaS).