© The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

Department of Building Services Engineering

Programme : CAR - STE Subject for Various Programmes

Subject : Light, Man and Environment (BSE1D02)

Level : 1

Session : 2015/2016 Semester 1

Date : 14 December 2015

Time : 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Time Allowed : 2 hours

This question paper has 12 pages.

(Some pages may be intentionally omitted.)

Instructions to Candidates:

1. This is a closed book examination.

2. Answer ALL Questions in both Section A and Section B. Give your answers on the
multiple choice answer sheet for Section A and the Answer book for Section B.
3. Section A carries 60% and Section B carries 40%.

DO NOT TURN OVER THE PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

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Section B (40%)

Short Questions – Answer ALL Questions

Write your answers in the given Answer Book

1. Read the following short paragraph, then answer the question below:
At the turn of the last century, daylight was our primary source of illumination, as
was natural ventilation for cooling buildings. But as the technology in buildings
changed in the 1930s to 1950s, we moved away from daylight as the primary source
and fluorescent lighting became the primary source of illumination. And we nearly
eliminated windows in buildings. So today, our role is to bring daylight back to
buildings.

Explain the reasons for us to bring daylight back to buildings.

(6 marks)

2. Do you agree that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is harmful to human body so that we
need to block all the UV radiation from reaching out body? Explain your view. How
does the human body being naturally protect themselves from the harmful effects of
UV radiation?

(6 marks)

3. Human visual system can process information over a very wide range of luminance,
about 1012 to 1. To cope with the wide range of luminances to which it might be
exposed, the visual system changes its sensitivity through a process called adaptation.
Name and explain the three types of adaptation mechanisms in human eyes.

(6 marks)

4. Read the following short paragraph, then answer the question below:
Every rainbow is different. Even it happens at the same time and same place, the
rainbow seen by each individual is different. The best time of a day to encounter a
rainbow is early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Elaborate and explain the above description about the formation of rainbows.

(6 marks)

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5. An open-plan office with length of 20 m, width of 15 m and height of 3 m is to be lit

by 40 numbers of recessed luminaires each of which houses three T5 fluorescent
lamps (F = 2900 lm). The utilization factor table of the luminaire is shown below.
Calculate the maintained illuminance on the working plane level of 0.8 m above the
floor.

Given: Maintenance factor is assumed to be 0.8.

Ceiling, wall and floor reflectances are 0.5, 0.3 and 0.2 respectively.
N × n × F × UF × MF
Lumen method equation: E =
A
L ×W
Room index equation: K =
H m × (L + W )

(5 marks)

6. Read the following short paragraph, then answer the question below:
Incandescent light bulb (ILB) is energy-inefficient as 90% of the electricity consumed
is used for heating whereas only 10% is used for lighting. Considering that there is
adequate supply of more energy-efficient replacement options, the Government
proposed to restrict the supply of energy-inefficient non-reflector type ILB by phases
through legislation in order to speed up the phasing-out process. The initial phase of
the proposed restriction would cover 25 watt(W) or above non-reflector type ILB,
which operates at a single phase electricity supply of 220 volts(V), including general
lighting service lamps, candle shape, fancy round and other decorative lamps, but
excluding tungsten halogen lamps. A three-month public consultation was launched in
August 2011 to invite public’s views on whether Hong Kong should restrict the supply
of energy-inefficient ILB by mandatory scheme, voluntary measures or leaving it to
market forces.

What is your view about the restriction of sale of energy-inefficient incandescent light
bulbs?
(6 marks)

7. What is light pollution? Write down any FOUR adverse effects of obtrusive light
from outdoor lighting installations.
(5 marks)

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