Once the location of the shelter 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:
All open spaces should include universal access (e.g. provide a pathway, and design to allow movement around furniture).
Shelters are prominent structures in parks and open spaces. They provide shade and protection from skin damage due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Shelters also provide some protection from weather events such as wind and rain.
Shelters facilitate social interaction and provide the opportunity for social inclusiveness.
Provide site specific shade modelling (shade diagram) for shelters. Refer LIM Shade sails for shade requirements.
The level of shelter embellishment should be as follows:
Basic shelter – meets the basic function, with minimal embellishing.
Embellished shelter – may be more responsive to the local precinct character, architecture or material palettes of the site and surrounds. They may also respond to a specific purpose/design. As an example, an embellished shelter may have more intricate roof lines, guttering, shade slats, side panels and lighting. These shelters typically require more upkeep and maintenance, so care should be taken to ensure maintenance notes mentioned in this document are considered.
Compliance with all council building codes and the most recent version of the National Construction Code (NCC).
Must meet or exceed (where appropriate):
AS 1720.1-2010 Timber structures - Design methods
AS 4100-1998 Steel Structures
AS 4055-2012 Wind loads for housing
AS 1170.1: 2002 (R2016): Structural design actions - Permanent, imposed and other actions.
Must exceed Minimum Wind Classification standards.
Geotechnical investigation may be required for a slab design and post/structure.
Structural certification by an RPEQ (registered professional engineer of Queensland) is required.
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).
Form 15 – Compliance certificate for building design or specification. Certifies a building design or specification will, if installed or carried out under the certificate, comply with relevant building laws
Form 16 – Inspection Certificate/Aspect Certificate/QBCC Licensee Aspect Certificate. Certifies that an aspect of building work complies with the building approval and the relevant building laws.
Special purpose shelters are designed specifically for a particular function such as bird hides or sports shelters. They may be procured in either kit or custom form.
Provides shade that allows solar protection in summer and protection from gentle rain events.
There are a number of roof designs that may be used on shelters (see Table 1: Shelter roof types). Some of these are site specific, and are not suitable for all applications, therefore an engineer and/or architect may need to be consulted.
Light coloured roofing materials reflect heat away from a shelter.
Metal roof sheeting must be installed as per manufacturers’ recommendations. The following Colorbond (or equivalent) roof sheeting is available, including types for more demanding environments:
Standard Colorbond (or equivalent) Steel is suitable for locations more than 600 m from breaking surf or 200 m from calm marine areas. Quality Class 5 fasteners (conforming to AS 3566) are recommended for this application
Colorbond (or equivalent) Ultra Steel for areas more than 500 m from breaking surf or 100 m from calm marine areas. Class 5 fasteners (conforming to AS 3566) are recommended for this application
Colorbond (or equivalent) Stainless Steel for coastal areas within 100 m of breaking surf. Stainless steel fasteners (conforming to AS 3566) are recommended for this application.
Different roof sheeting types require specific fasteners. Unless noted otherwise, sheeting must be fixed with self-drilling, self-tapping marine grade 316 stainless steel screws with hex washer head. All fasteners are to be colour matched to the roof sheeting to be fastened (where possible).
Plastic roof sheeting (e.g. polycarbonate) is NOT to be used due to:
Weight bearing limitations. Where there is unapproved access, injury may result from falls.
Ongoing maintenance and replacement costs arise due to vandalism and storm damage.
Insulated sandwich panels may be used to alleviate heat under shelters.
Roofing (without gutters) must be designed to drain onto an extended slab, and not on or near a footpath. The concrete slab must be extended a minimum of 500 mm beyond the lower side(s) of shelter roof (dependent on roof style) to prevent scouring of adjacent areas.
A steeper pitched roof may require more than 500 mm slab extension to prevent scouring.
Generally, east and west facing positions require wider overhangs to improve shade protection.
Permanent roof anchors (harness points) should NOT be installed. When required, Council prefers the use of the temporary roof anchors, due to the ongoing testing requirements of permanent roof anchors.
See Table 1: Shelter roof types.
Table 1: Shelter roof types
Roof style
Features
Advantages
Disadvantages
Gable (pitched or peaked roof)
Two equal sized panels at an angular pitch, meeting at a ridge in the middle of the structure.
Triangular shaped section left open.
Good roof design for rain prone areas - sheds water easily.
Inherently simple design makes them easy to build.
Cheaper than more complex designs.
Can be problematic in high winds.
Roof can collapse if frames are not properly constructed with adequate supports.
High winds can cause materials to peel away.
Reduced provision of shade and shelter.
Box gable
Two equal sized panels at an angular pitch , meeting at a ridge in the middle of the structure.
Triangular shaped section enclosed to form box gable.
As per gable roofs.
As per gable roofs.
Hip
Slopes on all four sides of equal length and height that come together at the top to form a simple ridge
Polygon on two sides and a triangle on two sides.
More stable and stronger than gable roofs - inward slope on all sides makes it more sturdy and durable.
Excellent for high wind areas, due to sloping surfaces on all sides making it self bracing against side wind loads.
Guttering can be installed on all sides.
More expensive to build than gable roofs
More complex design that requires more building materials.
More structurally challenging to put together than gable type roof.
Additional seams can make it easier for water leaks to form if not properly installed.
Hip roofs may fail at hips, which is visible under flashings, not on roof.
Gable hip or Dutch gable
A small gable at the top of a hip roof for ventilation and architectural interest.
As per hip roofs.
As per hip roofs.
Pyramid
A type of hip roof
All four sides come to a point at the top of the roof.
Extremely resistant to strong winds.
Excellent choice for high wind areas.
Construction cost is higher due to the complexity of design.
Generally doesn't shed water as well as a gable roof, making pyramid roof styles more prone to leakage.
Pyramid with lean to
A pyramid roof with a simple sloping roof structure leaning against it, gaining extra shelter area.
As per pyramid roofs
As per pyramid roofs
Skillion
Single continuous sloping roof, with no ridge present.
Easy to construct.
Uses fewer materials than other roof types.
Steep pitch allows water to easily run off.
Excellent for high rain areas.
Can be used purely for design purposes to add architectural interest and aesthetic appeal.
Less cuts required in roof sheeting and flashings.
Can be problematic in high wind areas.
Not as robust as other roof styles.
Minimal weather protection compared to other roof types.
Flat
Appear to be completely flat, however they have a slight pitch to allow for water run off and drainage.
Easier to construct than pitched roofs
Require fewer building materials
Upfront cost is less expensive than pitched roofs.
Low pitch makes flat roofs more susceptible to water leakage.
Not suitable for high rainfall areas, as flat roofs are not designed to shed water as quickly or easily as sloped styles.
Debris can gather on roof, with no way of dispersal.
May be more expensive in the long run due to maintenance, ongoing roof repair and replacement costs.
Flat roofs are a heat absorbing design.
Butterfly roof
Roof meets in the middle with two inward sloping gables.
Not preferred by Council.
Allows more natural light into structure.
Causes water to runoff easily and quickly from either end of the valley.
Very aerodynamic, able to resist wind damage.
Higher risk of water pooling and leaking into structure if gutters become clogged with debris.
If a large amount of water is able to collect on the roof, it may collapse.
Complex and difficult to install.
Maintenance can be costly and difficult to undertake.
Poor shade provision.
Gazebo
Pavilion style roof, typically hexagonal or octagonal in shape.
Good shade protection
Inherently stronger roof construction.
Construction cost is higher due to the complexity of design.
Generally doesn't shed water as well as a gable roof, making gazebo roof styles more prone to leakage.
Cantilever
A freestanding shelter supporting an overhanging roof with posts on one side of the structure.
Simple 2 post design.
Provide easy access around the structure.
Allows uninterrupted views of prominent features.
Eliminates extra posts, providing an open and functional covered space.
Can be problematic in high wind areas.
Not as robust as other roof styles.
Marquee
Provide cover for larger areas, for community events, etc.
Cost effective method for covering large gathering points.
More expensive than standard roof styles due to extra materials and labour required for construction.
Council prefers shelters with no guttering for local parks and environmental reserves.
Leaf litter buildup in heavily vegetated sites can block downpipes and guttering, requiring ongoing maintenance.
Where a shelter has no guttering, roofing must be designed to drain onto an extended slab, and not on or near a footpath. The concrete slab must be extended a minimum of 500 mm beyond the lower side(s) of shelter roof (dependent on roof style) to prevent scouring of adjacent areas.
Slab extension treatments should consider the possibility of creating slip hazards through pooling water and algae growth.
Rainwater sheeting off a shelter and falling directly onto natural turf, soil, sand or planted area can lead to erosion which may undermine the slab, causing subsidence.
Guttering may be utilised in other open space areas where appropriate, specifically to redirect roof water flow.
Where installed, guttering is to match roof sheeting material.
Quad or "D" guttering is preferred to box guttering. Box guttering has two points of exit for water flow, i.e. either side, and it has a tendency to backflow into the structure during high volume rain events, causing moisture damage.
All guttering is to be installed with suitable fall to the outlet to minimise ponding.
Gutter hangers must be coastal hardy material, i.e. stainless steel or aluminium.
Gutter guard (matched to roof colour) must be used to minimise leaf litter build-up. Must be robust, coastal hardy and suitable for open space environment. Plastic is NOT to be used.
Downpipes from a roof must be discharged appropriately. Downpipe to drainage grate (provide 100 mm clearance for maintenance access).
Where there is a potential for vandalism, protective shrouds shall be installed around downpipes. Spiral welded, stainless steel downpipes with a 2-3 mm nominal wall thickness may be used.
Avoid discharging water directly on to a concrete surface, as this can result in a slip hazard.
See Table 2: Gutter applications for shelter roofing.
Table 2: Gutter applications for shelter roofing
Gutter type
Recommended use/application
Key considerations
Gable roll
Not to be used as guttering - edge protection only.
Suitable for use on high side of skillion roof type shelters and sloping edges of roofing.
Suitable for concealing sharp edges of roofing panels.
Not recommended in other circumstances, due to the propensity of this guttering to collect moisture.
Aesthetically pleasing.
No sharp edges.
Can collect moisture and leaf litter, contributing to corrosion of the guttering.
Quad or "D" gutter
Suitable for low side of skillion roof type shelters (where guttering is specified).
Most widely used guttering type.
Excellent option for high rainfall areas.
Available with overflow slots.
Available in various profiles - such as 'hi-front', 'lo-front'.
Squareline gutter
Designed to hide the ends of roof sheets.
Slots are located on the front to allow heavy rain events to overflow freely.
Half round gutter
Suitable for higher rainfall areas, due to faster emptying ability
Suitable for low side of skillion roof type shelters (where guttering is specified).
Good water carrying ability, allows quicker emptying.
Largely self cleaning.
Very little residual debris due to rounded shape.
Box gutter
Placed in a valley between parallel roofs.
Not accepted by Council.
Require regular maintenance, due to increased collection of leaves and debris.
Debris that collects in box guttering can be difficult to access and remove
Can clog with debris, causing water to pool which may overflow into structure.
Heritage gutter
Suitable for low side of skillion roof type shelters (where guttering is specified).
Post anchors/stirrups must be engineered in accordance with the relevant Australian standards.
Where replacement of the structure or any component is required, anchors enable removal of posts without damage to the concrete.
Timber posts are to be secured by post anchor embedded in concrete. This will elevate the timber above the ground (minimum 75 mm above a concrete slab) to aid drainage and to prevent the occurrence of wet rot.
Post anchors also provide the required gap to identify and protect the structure from termite infestation.
Design Capacity of the post anchor must be certified for the maximum 'limit state design' load which the anchor can safely support under the specified load condition.
Post anchor materials:
East of the Bruce Highway, 316 marine grade stainless steel is preferred.
West of the Bruce Highway, 316 or 304 marine grade stainless steel or hot dipped galvanised steel may be used.
Dog off-leash parks (particularly fenced) - 316 or 304 stainless steel post anchors must be used. Galvanised steel is not the preferred material for anchors at the base of post legs, as dog urine has been found to corrode the galvanised steel.
Posts (both timber and steel) must not be embedded into walls, as this prevents maintenance access. Anchors or base plates (or similar) must be used to maintain separation from the wall.
To prevent termite infestation and the occurrence of rot, timber is not to be used in direct contact with the ground surface. All timber posts are to be set into options such as post anchors, 'shoe' fixings, blades with timber on either side.
It is not preferred that steel posts are embedded directly into walls as this allows water ingress and rust development. In these situations, post replacement requires dismantling of the wall.
Rough sawn timber may be used, as it has improved durability.
All rafters must be full length with no joins.
Timber must be pre-drilled for fastening where appropriate to prevent splitting and to make allowance for shrinkage.
Timber insets may be incorporated within metal posts for a customised finish.
Limit timber protrusions outside of a shelter roofline. Install stainless steel caps over any timber protrusions to prevent water damage.
All timber in contact with roof sheeting must be sealed to minimise corrosion and prevent warranty being voided.
All timber battens and shade slats (both structural and decorative) must allow for maintenance access to any other components of the shelter without requiring batten/slat removal.
See Table 3: Timber grading for further guidance:
Table 3: Timber grading
Timber term/grade
Description
Grading system
Minimum Council requirements
'F' grade
A measure of the bending strength of a piece of timber
The amount of force a piece of timber can withstand without bending beyond an acceptable limit, e.g. a piece graded to F11 will have a safe working stress of 11 MPa
'F' stands for force in megapascals (MPa)
The 'F' grade system consists of a set of grades with specific properties.
The grades are:
F4
F5
F7
F8
F11
F14
F17
F22
F27
F34.
Minimum grade F14 for outside of a covered area, e.g. shelter posts.
Durability class
Durability rating of timbers refers to the natural ability of the heartwood to resist decay (as a result of fungal attack) in high risk conditions such as low ventilation or high moisture.
Durability is expressed as a four class system:
Natural durability ratings do not apply to sapwood.
Natural durability class
H3 - above ground exposed
H5 - in ground contact.
Class 1 - Highly durable
>40 years
25+ years.
Class 2 - durable
15-40 years
15-25 years
Class 3 - moderately durable
7-15 years
5-15 years
Class 4 - non-durable
<7 years
<5 years
All timber used in shelters is to be durability Class 1 (above ground).
Timber hazard levels (treatment levels)
Guidelines providing information as to which type of treatment is suitable for which purpose.
Hazard levels range between H1 and H6.
Hazard levels range from H1 (lowest) to H6 (highest) H6 treated timbers are suitable for immersion in saltwater.
Minimum treatment level for pine that is installed under cover is to be H3.
Strength groups
Timber species graded for structural purposes are classified into strength groups
There are two sets of strength groups - one for green timbers and one for dry timbers:
Permanent bracing in shelter construction is intended to resist forces from gravity, wind, seismic and other forces, as specified by a structural engineer.
316 stainless steel strap bracing is typically used for cross-bracing roof trusses.
Ensure bracing is separated from roof sheeting to prevent galvanic corrosion
Bracing is to comply with the relevant Australian Standards.
Electrical - shrouds over electrical conduit are to be aluminium or stainless steel with simple, anti-vandal fixings. It is preferred that electrical conduit is recessed within the structure.
Downpipes - where there is a potential for vandalism, 2.0-3.0 mm stainless steel wall plate (shroud) shall be installed around downpipes.
Where hand painting of shrouds is required, this should occur before installation, to minimise damage.
Alternative design solutions that achieve the same protection may be utilised (i.e. concealed services within the structure, whilst still providing maintenance access).
Fixings and fasteners used in shelter construction must be in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards:
All plates, washers, bolts, rods, angles, roof bracing, straps and any other steelwork is to be marine grade 316 stainless steel. Stainless steel roofing may require specific fasteners to minimise corrosion.
Using 316 marine garde SS fixings and fasteners eliminates the ongoing regular maintenance requirements to remove and regrease components.
316 marine grade SS will not rust and expand, minimising the need to upsize bolts for replacement
Fixings are to include flat washers, spring washers and nuts, secured with thread lock compound (suitable for removal by hand tools). This will prevent loosening of nuts and loss of structural integrity, while allowing for replacement of parts.
Nyloc nuts (or equivalent) are a type of lock nut which contains a nylon collar insert that resists turning. These are preferred to prevent release or loosening of thread joints due to vibration, corrosion or temperature fluctuations.
All bolts must have a suitable grade of thread lock compound applied to prevent bolts working their way loose
Dyna bolts must be installed and tightened to manufacturers recommendations to ensure they do not work loose.
No exposed thread or rod is permitted. Excess bolt protrusion is to be covered or cut back flush to nut to avoid personal injury.
Metal brackets are to be flush and free of sharp protruding edges, to avoid injury to shelter users.
All fixings (fasteners) are to be checked for tightness prior to handover, and re-tightened where required.
Galvanic corrosion can occur when two dissimilar metals are in contact with each other.
For example, this may result in a white powdery film that forms on the surface of an aluminium part where it contacts a steel part. This generally bubbles the paint and deteriorates the aluminium.
To avoid cross contamination of metals, fixings are to match the metal being fixed to, alternatively use neoprene or nylon washers or corrosion protection tape to separate the different metals.
Reinforced concrete is composed of concrete and an embedded material, generally steel reinforcing bars. The steel strengthens the concrete, enabling it to resist tensile stresses that can cause cracking. Foundations and slabs on ground can be constructed by:
Reinforced concrete poured into formwork directly on the prepared ground surface.
Reinforced concrete poured directly into the ground in pre-excavated trenches.
Construct a shelter base slab in accordance with the following:
Minimum crossfall of 1% or 1:100, so that water does not pool under the shelter in a rain event.
Grade slab away from pathways to avoid water pooling on, or flowing across a path and creating a slip hazard.
To provide equal access, ensure that the finished slab level is flush with the surrounding surfaces. Turf to be flush to finished floor level of slab.
Where finished surface levels differ, mobility devices and prams may be 'tramlined' and people who use wheelchairs may be in danger of tipping over.
Concrete is to be underlain with an approved waterproof membrane to prevent shrinkage cracking.
Where a shelter has no gutters, the concrete slab must extend a minimum 500 mm outside the shelter roofline (on the lowest edges of the roof), to prevent scouring of adjacent areas.
To prevent wear and to provide increased access, concrete slab may be extended to 1000 mm (or greater) beyond roofline.
Consider drainage (based on soil type) to ensure slab does not create standing wet areas.
Broom finish is the preferred finish for concrete slabs under shelters (fine finish is preferred, but slip resistance must be achieved). Exposed aggregate and honed finishes are not preferred, as they have been found to be less hygienic as they accumulate dirt, grease and grime.
Shade slats may comprise part of a standard kit shelter or they may be incorporated to provide a custom finish to a shelter, in addition to providing extra sun and weather protection. The shade slats should be designed to minimise maintenance, e.g. full panel shade protection, material selection to reduce painting and preparation time.
Shade slats can be steel, aluminium or timber
Timber slats are not to be checked in too deeply, as they may be easily broken, requiring replacement or repair.
Select larger sized timber slats to minimise sun entering the shelter Considerations should be made to minimise excess sun filtering through the shade slats.
Shade slats are to be a minimum of 2.1 m above the finished floor covering, as per the latest edition of the National Construction Code.
Lighting design may be included where required and appropriate. Consider the following:
All lighting designs are to be supplied with a Compliance Certificate for Building Design or Specification (Form 15) signed by an RPEQ indicating the design criteria.
Lighting infrastructure must be installed to ensure no interference with known turtle nesting areas.
Install photoelectric (PE) cell and time clock to ensure lighting cannot remain operational during daylight hours or can be switched off at certain times of night.
Anti-vandal guards are to be fitted over lighting fixtures, where appropriate.
Shrouds are to be installed to protect electrical conduits. Conduits may be recessed within structure where appropriate.
Shelters may incorporate smart infrastructure, such as, motion sensors (for lighting and people counting), loT gateways (for wireless connectivity) and other sensors and devices such as rain sensors etc, where appropriate and when approved by asset custodian.
See LIM Smart technologies for further guidance, including key considerations for installation.
Page payload data
This component is currently in development
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.
