Once the location of the shade sail area has been decided, based on the Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS) and Recreation Parks Plan (RPP) guidance, consider the appropriate embellishment level to suit the selected site.
Overall design considerations:
Smaller, multiple shade sails are preferred over larger single units
Shade sails are to be non-climbable. Anti-climb barriers are to be installed.
Clearances are to be maintained to minimise access to shade sail.
Framework and steel are to be hot dipped galvanised after manufacture. Coating systems must NOT be used.
For all structures over 3.0 m in height, certification by a professional building certifier is required. The professional certifier will advise which forms are necessary. (e.g. Form 15 - Before construction, Form 12 - During construction, Form 16 - During construction at mandatory inspection stages, Form 21 - End of construction).
Provide site specific shade modelling (shade diagram) to illustrate a minimum of 50% shade cover of the activity area (e.g. play space) between 9 am and 3 pm (EST) in summer. (In this instance, 50% shade cover means that between the times nominated, 50% of the play space should be shaded). In addition:
Dependent on the size, orientation and activity elements, shade modelling shall be extended for:
a longer duration of the day
autumn, winter and spring months.
To maximise shade coverage, choose materials with maximum Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) protection factor ratings.
Consideration should be made to mitigate heat build-up on surfaces.
Orientation of embellishments must be carefully considered to ensure the shade coverage is appropriately positioned e.g. slide facing south.
A combination of natural and built shade is the most effective outcome.
Shade trees:
Plant new trees to the northern and western sides of the activity area for future shade provision.
Incorporate existing trees into the design - consider tree roots.
To prevent opportunities for climbing onto shade sails, consider trees both at time of planting and at expected mature size.
Ensure that the expected mature size of the tree is considered when positioning shade sails, to prevent creating opportunities for climbing onto sails.
Supporting documentation includes the following:
Creating Shade at Public Facilities: Policy and Guidelines for Local Government Edition 2. For example:
“consider the movement of sun throughout the day, with particular emphasis between the highest risk hours of 9 am and 3 pm.
the solar movement impacts the effectiveness of shape and size of a shade structure
generally east and west positions require wider overhangs to improve shade protection.
the combination of natural and built shade should be considered as the most effective outcome.
remember there is concern for UVR both in winter and in summer”.
Refer also to the appropriate Australian Standards for each activity area eg. playground equipment, exercise equipment.
It is particularly important to ensure retention of line of sight and to minimise unintended access to a shade sail. Incorporate Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles where possible.
The Sunshine Coast Council area sits wholly within wind speed region B (non cyclonic). Wind region B (South East Queensland) ultimate wind speed is 51.9 m/s or 186.84 km/h.
Shade sails are to comply with the following:
Minimum wind rating of N3 (non-cyclonic), W50 (gust wind speed in metres per second), or greater.
Waterproof sails need to be tensioned correctly to make allowance for adequate water runoff, to avoid ponding and the risk of collapse during a rain event.
Shade sails must be designed to drain into garden beds, not onto equipment.
Suitable offsets should be incorporated to maintain adequate separation distances to prevent abrasion wear between sails
Shade structure is to be non-climbable. Clearance heights between the equipment and the shade sail, must be observed. See LIM Shade sails – Positioning for further guidance.
Any sail connection point is to be a minimum 4.5 m above ground level.
All shade structures are to be minimum 3.0 m above the highest point of any equipment. This allows for sag and product stretch over time and reduces the opportunity for vandalism.
Shade sails are to incorporate anti-climb vandal barrier, 1.0 m from the top of each supporting arm.
Large diameter posts (over 250 mm) are preferable as they are difficult to climb.
Installation must be by an installer licensed to carry out shade sail installation.
Technical specifications must be supplied for each item of the shade sail.
Sails are to be cut to form, not stretched to form.
All shade sail stitching is to be PTFE (polytetrafluoreothylene) UV stabilised sewing thread.
Smaller multiple sails are preferred over larger single units. This ensures reduced maintenance and replacement costs.
Where larger single units are necessary, a hole or flap must be engineered to release wind pressure in storm events.
Dark coloured shade sails are preferred to minimise staining and to meet UV requirements
The use of subtle colour schemes also needs to be considered for parks in character areas and in direct residential view-lines.
Light colours (e.g. white, cream, yellow) are NOT accepted.
Shade cloth acts as a physical barrier to incident solar UVR however it may transmit as much UVR as visible radiation. The more you can see through it, the more UVR can get through.
Tightly woven shade cloth can absorb up to 90% of harmful UVR penetration.
Where shade cloth is tightly stretched to form a cover, the holes may expand and therefore allow more UVR to penetrate.
To maximise shade coverage, select materials with a minimum ultraviolet effectiveness (UVE) rating of “Very Effective”. Shade sail fabric is to be a minimum 91% UV protection.
AS 4174:2018 Knitted and woven shade fabrics. The performance classification of knitted and woven shade protection fabrics is determined by ultraviolet effectiveness (UVE) classification system:
Anti-climb vandal barriers should be fitted to all shade sail posts to discourage climbing of the framework.
All shade structures are to be 3.0 m above the highest point of any playground equipment.
Shade sails are to incorporate anti-climb vandal barriers 1.0 m from the top of each supporting arm.
Any sail connection point is to be a minimum 4.5 m above ground level.
Anti-climb vandal barriers are to be attached in the following manner:
Posts – 250 mm minimum preferred diameter.
To protect the integrity of the post, a ring is to be welded to the post 1.0 m from the top of the post, and then hot-dip galvanised after manufacture.
Anti-climb vandal barriers must provide a minimum 200 mm clear of post
Assembly – the two halves are positioned above the ring, welded and screw fixed to each other.
Figure 3: Plan view – anti-climb vandal barrier (square and circular post examples)
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Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM) DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer
Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.
All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.
This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.
Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.
Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.
This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.
Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.
Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.
Acknowledgements
Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.
Copyright
Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Council) supports and encourages the distribution of its material however, copyright protects this document. Council has no objection to this material being reproduced but only if council is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered.
