Once the location of the electrical systems 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:
Switchboards are to be waterproof, comply with security measures and labelling standards and suitable for event requirements (where appropriate)
Cable pits are to be trafficable, lockable and vandal resistant
General power outlets and accessories are to be appropriately rated and correctly mounted
All lighting components, including poles and lighting controls are to comply with AS/NZS 1158.3.1 - Lighting for roads and public spaces - Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting - Performance and design requirements
All lighting designs are to be signed of by an RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland).
Electrical services are to be installed as per the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.
Electrical works are to provide for all inspections and permits required by federal, state or local governments and authorities in furnishing and transporting materials, including:
Electrical Safety Office (ESO)
Electrical distribution supplier (e.g. Energex)
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
It is illegal to do electrical work in Queensland without a licence. The Electrical Safety Act 2002 requires a person who performs or supervises electrical work to hold a current electrical work licence which authorises the person to perform the work.
An electrical contractor licence is required to provide work for others as a sole trader, in partnership or corporation. Eligibility requirements for electrical contractor licences are covered by the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.
Electrical connections to embellishments are to be installed as per manufacturer’s recommendations.
Where there is no power on site, a ‘supply availability request’ is to be obtained – contact Energex.
Always check Dial Before you Dig (DBYD) for underground cables before digging and be aware of overhead wires when carrying, moving or operating tall metal objects and machinery. See Energex brochure Look up and Live for further guidance.
The design, manufacture and installation of electrical components is to comply with the relevant Australian Standards, or best practice guidance where no standard exists.
Components must be made from robust materials that are vandal and corrosion resistant (particularly in coastal areas):
Suitable for the corrosive coastal environment
Suitable for use in the public open space environment
Manufactured to engineering specifications, where applicable.
Products designed for sub-surface electrical use shall be suitable for buried applications.
Products designed for electrical connections must be housed in a waterproof enclosure.
All electrical components must be an appropriate quality and voltage rating for the electrical installation in which they are used.
All electrical conductors, switches and accessories must be of a size capable of the maximum current which would normally flow through them, without their rating being exceeded.
All electrical components must conform to the relevant Standards.
All prescribed tests are to be carried out and certified.
All electrical fittings and equipment must be safety approved for the intended use and installed as per manufacturer’s recommendations, by a suitably qualified and licensed person.
Include best practice in the design, manufacture and installation of electrical equipment where possible, such as:
Energy efficient devices to reduce energy consumption cost
Power saving electrical switches with automatic cut off to reduce energy consumption cost
Electronic start buttons
Indicator light to illustrate that the power is on
Push and hold activation buttons for child safety.
Consider renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power and wind/solar hybrid power where possible.
A switchboard is an assembly of circuit protective devices, with or without switchgear, instruments or connecting devices, suitably arranged and mounted for distribution to, and protection of, one or more submains or final subcircuits, or a combination of both.
Where single phase power is connected, it runs with two wires – active and neutral. The neutral wire is earthed at the switchboard. Three phase power runs three incoming active wires and one outgoing neutral wire. The neutral wire is earthed at the switchboard.
The design of switchboards must include the following:
Labels, circuit schedules and installation as per AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as Australian/New Zealand Wiring rules)
Enclosures, panels and doors are to be designed and constructed in accordance with AS/NZS 3439.1 Low voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies
Switchboard protection is to be in accordance with AS 60529 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)
Heavy duty design and materials suitable for open space applications
Are to be fabricated in 316 stainless steel, powder coated in council preferred colour. Fixings are to be 316 stainless steel
Must be waterproof with a tapered roof
Vermin proof and vandal resistant
Able to be padlocked, utilising a swing handle security latch
Switchboard is to be divided into separate lockable compartments enabling specific access to different users.
All parts of the switchboard must be above the level of the access panel opening, a minimum 300 mm above ground level.
Consideration should be given to separate metering of lighting and power outlets. Separate sections for normal park use and events use can be utilised. Private metering, which can be accessed remotely, should also be considered in these situations. This will enable separate accounting of electrical costs for lighting and other uses during events (where required).
Switchboards are to be installed on a concrete pad so water can drain away efficiently.
All switchboards must have Traffolyte labels and an electrical plan showing the position of all electrical apparatus installed, in accordance with AS 3439 and AS 3000.
Labels are to be provided for switchboards and their contents, including:
Instruments
Controls
Circuit designations and ratings
Circuit protection devices
Discrete devices
Cabling
Warning notices.
See the following figures for further guidance:
Table 1: Switchboard types
Table 2: Key and padlock types.
Table 1: Switchboard types
Product photo
Type of mount system
Key considerations
Standard single phase switchboard
Plinth mount
240V
Consist of meter and single phase GPOs.
Standard single phase switchboard
Pole mount
240V
Consist of meter and single phase GPOs.
Standard three phase switchboard
Plinth mount
415V
Consist of meter, single phase GPOs and three phase GPOs
Park situations where higher electricity output may be required.
Custom/events switchboard
Plinth mount
May be single phase (240V) or three phase (415V) depending on park location and hierarchy
Consist of meter, single phase GPOs and/or three phase GPOs.
Park situations where public access during Council approved events output may be required.
Table 2: Key and padlock types
Key type
Key considerations
Parks #30 key
Council officer access to switchboard
Energex ELS929
Energex access to metering panel
Events key
Where public access during Council approved events may be required.
Access to Events switchboards
Customer Service manages the key/padlock system. Electricity access payments and key pickup/return can be made in person at council customer service centres.
Energex ELS929 padlock - Where there is an Energex ELS929 padlock on a meter box, this must not be changed as it restricts maintenance access to the box. An Energex ELS929 key will be issued to access these.
Council (Parks and Gardens) #30 padlock - Any parks #30 nominated electricity boxes (or gates) will be changed over by Council (Parks and Gardens) staff to an event padlock accessible by the events keys (issued by Customer Service).
NOTE: There may be older, legacy padlocks within the region. These are being replaced with Parks #30 padlocks when discovered.
Customer service centres hold at least three sets of event key bundles. This consists of an Energex ELS929 key and an events key on a blue tag. These bundles will be issued where required.
Electrical wiring is to comply with AS/NZS 3000 – Electrical installations (known as Australian/New Zealand Wiring rules)
To minimise voltage drop, avoid ‘long run’ electrical wiring from point of origin to embellishments as per AS/NZS 3000. For example, barbecue installation with long run wiring may cause a drastic corresponding reduction in hotplate heating/cooking performance.
Design final sub-circuits for 1.5% maximum voltage drop from switchboard to final accessory.
All cables must be sized to comply with EFLI requirements and shall not rely on RCD to provide automatic disconnection function.
Cables are to be continuous and without joints. Any jointing is to be on terminals within the switchboard, behind outlets or within equipment.
Park supply cables are to be minimum of 25 mm2 XLPE.
All cables are to be selected in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3008.1.1 – Electrical installations – Selection of cables - Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 0.6/1kV – Typical Australian installation conditions.
XLPE/HDPE or elastomeric cables are to be encouraged where appropriate.
Minimum cable depths are to be maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3002.
Where conduits are installed under pathways, install a brass marker to path or slab edges to indicate conduit location.
Install electrical ready conduits under pathways to accommodate planned future electrical embellishments to AS/NZS 3000 category A.
Conduits are to be heavy duty rigid, UV stabilised orange PVC.
To prevent conduit separation during handling and the ingress of water, all conduits are to be primed and joined with PVC cement.
In situations where there may be exposure to potential vandalism, mechanical protection is to be provided for all conduiting up to 2.4 m high. This shall consist of galvanised steel conduiting, or alternatively a heavy galvanised steel hat section.
All exposed conduit is to be painted to match adjoining surfaces.
All fixings and support brackets are to be 316 marine grade stainless steel, unless otherwise specified.
Electrical pits for installation to parks and open spaces must to be installed as follows:
Materials must be vandal resistant.
Pits must be lockable (where required).
Ensure that pit materials are trafficable by both pedestrians and maintenance vehicles.
Council’s preferred pit materials are:
HDPE plastic
Plastic/steel composite
Steel reinforced concrete.
Polycrete (polymer concrete) pits are not to be used as they:
Require a concrete collar with a galvanised steel lid to withstand a person’s weight
May not be cost effective
Ground movement causes breakage
Have an extended waiting period for parts
From experience, products have a minimal asset life.
Electrical pits should never be located in spaces where guidance or mobility requirements for people with disabilities may be required, such as where tactile ground surface indicators could be installed.
See Figure 2: Electrical pits – pathway and open space.
Lighting in public places is provided to maximise use of and promote safe use of public places outside of daylight hours to:
Enhance or highlight a space/view
Provide visibility for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists
Provide extended use of facilities
Provide equal access use of facilities
Facilitate wayfinding when natural light is insufficient
Enhance safe use of facilities outside of daylight hours.
All lighting design, manufacture and installation must consider the following:
All lighting designs are to be supplied with a Compliance Certificate for Building Design or Specification (Form 15) indicating the design criteria. All lighting designs are to be signed off by an RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland).
Pathway and carpark lighting is to be designed in accordance with AS/NZS 1158.3.1 – Lighting for roads and public spaces – Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting - Performance and design requirements.
Category P lighting is applicable to roads and other outdoor public spaces of which the visual requirements of pedestrians are dominant, and is acknowledged to be an effective counter both to the occurrence of crime and to the fear of crime.
The following minimum P categories are to be used for differing lighting requirements, unless specified otherwise:
Pathway lighting - PP4 for pedestrian and cyclist paths, PR3 or PR4 for local roads
PA3 for ramps and stairs
Site specific design is required for general carpark lighting
PCD for disabled carpark lighting.
To prevent areas becoming overlit, lux levels of lighting installation shall not exceed those stated in AS/NZS 1158 Lighting for roads and public spaces - Part 3.1: Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting - Performance and design requirements, unless otherwise specified.
Impact protection (IK rating) covers measures including the use of safety glass and the ability to withstand vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Lighting infrastructure must be installed to ensure minimal interference with known turtle nesting areas.
Wall lighting directed to target object is preferable to uplighting mounted in path or surround due to vandalism, damage and drainage issues. The use of decorative lighting should be minimised to reduce maintenance and remediation costs
Anti-vandal guards are to be fitted over lighting fixtures, where appropriate.
Install photoelectric (PE) cell or time clock to ensure lighting cannot remain operational during daylight hours.
Installation of lighting design is to consider adequate access for maintenance and repairs.
See the following for further guidance:
Table 4: Types of lighting (Open Space)
Table 5: Key considerations for Open Space lighting
Ingress protection rating of IP67; Impact protection rating of IK10
Uplights require cool to touch surface temperature
PE cell and time clock
Maintenance can be costly
Manufacturers recommendations are to be followed to ensure correct installation e.g. properly waterproof, etc.
May contribute to light pollution, impacting the natural environment
Not be installed within 500 mm of the pathway, as they may present a slip hazard to pedestrians/cyclists.
Bollard lights
At present, Council do not have a preferred bollard light type that meets LIM performance criteria for robustness.
LED light source
Ingress protection rating of IP65; Impact protection rating of IK10
Bollard lights require cool to touch surface temperature
Robust (vandal resistant)
PE cell and time clock.
Wall lighting
Illuminate architectural features, walls, seats, etc.
LED light source
Ingress protection rating of IP65; Impact protection rating of IK10
PE cell and time clock.
Pathway (post top) lighting
Illuminate pathways and park areas
LED light source
Ingress protection rating of IP65; Impact protection rating of IK08
Full cut-off/flat glass optic configuration
PE cell and time clock.
Shelter lighting
Illuminate under shelter areas, particularly where barbecues and seating are located
LED light source
Ingress protection rating of IP65; Impact protection rating of IK10
PE cell and time clock.
Illuminated signage
Entry signage, park naming signage
Project specific.
Table 5: Key considerations for Open Space lighting
Attribute
Key considerations
Quality
Light quality depends on factors such as the level of visual comfort and performance required for activities. It can also be assessed on the basis of pleasantness of the visual environment
Visual comfort is dependent upon the application. Lighting comfortable for an entertainment setting may be regarded as uncomfortable in a workspace
Potential contributors to light quality include:
illumination uniformity
luminance distributions
light colour characteristics
glare.
Output
Light output is the amount of light that is generated from a light source
The unit of measurement for determining light is the lumen (lm)
Lumens are a measurement of light output from the light source, but do not correlate to how much usable light there is for an application
Light can be absorbed or reflected depending on:
the surface it touches
how clean the fixture is
the total size and colour of the space.
Quantity
Luminous flux is the quantity of energy of the light emitted per second in all directions
Light quantity can be measured by the light intensity (the instantaneous amount of light).
Source
Artificial light is man made light, such as electric lights
A light source is any device (natural or man made) serving as a source of illumination.
CPTED
The most effective way to enhance the safety and quality of public spaces and facilities is to apply CPTED principles
Lighting of public spaces enhances security and reduces the opportunity for crime
Lighting for the public realm is to comply with:
AS 1158.3.1 - Lighting for roads and public spaces - Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting - Performance and design requirements
AS 4282 - Control of the obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting.
Unwanted light
Unwanted light, or light trespass, occurs when light spill is cast where it is not wanted
Consideration of curfew hours as part of broader planning decisions
Man-made sky glow increases the night sky brightness. Light emitted by luminaires or reflected off the ground is scattered by dust and gas molecules in the air, producing a luminous background
Select luminaires that have the appropriate distribution and shielding for the application and install correctly to limit light spill, glare and upward reflected light.
Glare
Glare can be defined as a condition of vision in which there is discomfort or a reduction in ability to see, or both, caused by an unsuitable distribution or range of luminance, or to extreme contrasts in the field of vision.
Reducing glare can improve lighting.
Glare can interfere with visual comfort and endanger physical safety by reducing the ability to see clearly.
Controlled glare can be used to discourage errant behaviour by creating more apparent illumination.
All work performed is to comply with the appropriate Australian Standards, or in their absence, the latest British or International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards.
The construction and manufacture of light poles shall comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the requirements of all relevant Australian Standards.
Lighting poles are to have communications conduits through footing, where specified.
Although not preferred by Council, hinged poles are cheaper to maintain, and may be acceptable where appropriate to fulfil safety in design (SiD) objectives.
Lighting controls shall comply with the relevant BCA requirements.
All control circuits and devices are to be located in the main switch board.
User adjustable/operated devices shall be accessible without the need to remove the escutcheon panel.
Control wiring, contractors and relays shall be suitably rated for the intended purpose.
See Figure 4: Street light spill demonstrates the indirect sources of unwanted light and glare.
Figure 4: Street light spill
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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.
