Design

SunPipes for Horizontal Applications

SunPipes can also be used to light up basements by carrying sunlight down from an adjacent flat roof area and by using the mirror finish elbows, the SunPipe can turn through 90 degrees to terminate on any internal wall.

Example showing SunPipes that utilise a wall mounted diffuser suitable for horizontal SunPipes, where you need to pipe in light to internal corridors, storerooms etc.

SunPipes for Basement Applications

SunPipes have been a resounding success with their ability to pipe in natural daylight to just about any building but one area that is proving increasingly popular is to bring natural light into basements.

Such is the versatile application of SunPipes that they can even be used angled down into the basement from either ground level or through a purpose built arrangement, as shown in the photograph.

The most popular method for sunpiping where no windows are possible is to install a SunPipe at ground level (ideally on the south side of the building) and then carry this SunPipe down and turn through 90° terminating on an inside wall. The SunPipe can be used to great advantage through any adjacent flat or sloping roof. Alternatively, a small chamber can be constructed, similar to a manhole, to accommodate the SunPipe. The actual SunPipe material is only 0.5mm aluminium and is prone to damage and therefore should be protected where it passes through the ground.

When sizing a SunPipe, particularly for basement applications, it is useful to know that a 12” diameter SunPipe will light up an area of up to 10ft x 10ft on plan, whereas an 18” diameter SunPipe will light up an area of approximately 150sq.ft. It may be necessary to use 2N° or 3N° SunPipes to bring natural light into the side of the room and full technical advice can be obtained from Monodraught on 01494 897705. Where the SunPipe cannot be positioned on the south side of the building where the SunPipe is not subject to exposure to the sun, the performance of the SunPipe will be similar to that of a SunPipe on an overcast day.

The Basement Information Centre (TBIC) is a formalization of the original Basement Development Group, which was set up in 1992, to encourage further development and provide information on domestic basements. It was formed as a direct result of the interest in basements being shown by both builders and their clients, and in recognition of the benefits that they offer.

No Limit to your imagination!

SunPipes can twist and turn to take light wherever it is required even, as shown in this case, to take natural daylight into a wall termination but still utilising the benefits of the Square SunPipe at roof level. There is virtually no limit to the length of SunPipe that can be used in this way nor indeed to the size of SunPipe that can be utilised. Two 45° elbows are used for the 90° connection and natural daylight is reflected along the SunPipe tube, so it does not matter whether the pipe runs horizontally or vertically, the reflection is still just the same.

The wall termination uses the same standard SunPipe ceiling diffuser trim and since the SunPipe is relatively rigid in itself, usually it is unnecessary to provide any lintel or support over the SunPipe, since the brickwork or block work should be self supporting. If necessary, a steel arch bar can be incorporated over the actual SunPipe itself. A builders' opening 10mm larger than the SunPipe diameter should be used. Full detailed drawings will be prepared by Monodraught's Design Team on receipt of actual installation dimensions.