The Burj Al Arab Hotel - Dubai
Futronix has
provided the lighting control systems for some of the most prestigious hotel
and building projects around the world. This includes the Burj Al Arab - a
seven star hotel in Dubai.
There are many
hotels in the world which can be described in superlatives, but there are few,
if any, which can touch the Burg Al Arab for its stunning opulence and
dynamics.
It is the world's tallest hotel at 321 meters and 1053 feet.
It stands on its own man made island 280 meters of shore and has the largest
atrium in the world at 60 stories. It consists of 202 luxury double floor
suites that range from 6 to 30 rooms. From the rooftop helipad to the 100ft
fire and water displays, to the restaurant with a 3 minute submarine voyage,
the Burj Al Arab combines the greatest display of luxury with the latest in
technology.
Futronix was proud
to be the manufacturer of the lighting control system for the hotel. At 14,000
channels it is the largest architectural lighting control system ever made.
Each suite has one or more PFX-32 dimming control systems, which operate the
lighting in every room. The largest suites have five systems giving a total of
160 channels of lighting.
The table lamps in each room are fitted with
Futronix table lamp controllers and operated as part of the scene dimming. The
scenes in each room can be selected from the switch panels and, additionally,
the table lamp levels can be individually set.
 In the bedrooms, there are dedicated control panels on
either side of the beds. These feature such innovations as " trail to the
toilet". When a guest wishes to travel to the toilet at night, they simply
press a permanently lit button on the panel. The nearest table lamp will then
fade gently on, as does the lighting in the rooms leading to the toilet and the
bathroom itself.
The dimmer racks which control all the landings are
networked together and operated by a custom graphical interface.
There are many automation features
that make the system unique. For example, each floor has it's own guest
reception, fitted with a Floor master controller. When a guest arrives, the
receptionist selects the suite number and turns all the lighting to a
pre-programmed "welcome" scene. Similarly, when a guest leaves, the lights can
be turned off. The building has the energy requirements of a small city, and
for emergency use, is fitted with back-up generators. In the event of these
operating, the BMS system sends a signal to the floor controllers. They then
switch the lighting in each suite to energy saving levels taking into account
the levels already selected by the customer.
 There is a master panel by the front door of each suite
for the guests to turn all the lighting to a "welcome" or "exit "scene". The
exit scene excludes important are as that might still be occupied such as
bedrooms, and bathrooms.
In use the Futronix PFX system's all digital
design has demonstrated the ability to operate with the greatest of long term
reliability.
 The Burj Al Arab is testimony to the flexibility of the PFX-32
system to adapt to the most complex of requirements and meet the highest of
standards.
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