Power

General socket outlets are to be protected by 20A circuit breakers.

In some situations this may require the use of final subcircuit wiring larger than 2.5mm².

Socket outlets are generally used for the connection of low power consumption devices such as digital projectors, computers, television sets, portable music equipment etc. The maximum number of socket outlets per 20A circuit is:

Critical items of equipment such as: 1

Refrigerators                                      

Freezers

Animal life support systems   

High consumption device areas such as: 6

Main Staff Common Room               

Canteen                                                          

Other areas: 12

Double socket outlets are to be considered as 2 and triple outlets as 3 in application of the above.

Socket Outlet Positions

Socket are to be positioned to suit the application and intended use, as follows:

• Positioned to suit specific items of equipment, the exact position is to be co-ordinated with the selected item of equipment.
• General use socket, positioned on the wall generally 300mm above floor level for general use of the occupants. At least 20% of these sockets and at least one per classroom, are to be positioned to enable access for disabled persons in accordance with the requirements of AS1428. This will require sockets to be positioned at least 500mm from internal corners and between 600mm and 1100mm above the floor.
• Specific task sockets could be positioned above work benches or sink benches. The position of the socket is to be identified on construction documentation drawings.
• General maintenance sockets, positioned in general walkways and the like at regular intervals for use by cleaning and maintenance staff.

Where the socket is to be positioned in wet areas or close to sinks and other water sources, as required by the standards, the socket is to be noted as weather proof or hose proof. These sockets should be rated as IP65.    

Label each socket outlet with the switchboard and circuit number.  Labelling to be machine engraved and paint filled or hot stamped into the plate or into an insert fixed into the plate.

Use only plates that require the use of a tool to remove the cover.

Refer to individual rooms and spaces pages for equipment that is to be provided in each space.

These systems are used in some of the specialised Materials Technology spaces to provide increased flexibility when relocating pendant socket outlets, and also as a connection point for task or supplementary lighting.

Provide pendant socket outlets as noted in the EFSG, and locate as shown in the typical drawing.  Provide a continuous cable way, fixed to the underside of the ceiling adjacent to the pendant supports, for connection of the pendant socket outlets to the permanent wiring. Install pendant socket outlets clear of ceiling fans.

The cable-way must meet the following:

• 20A minimum rating, single-phase, neutral and earth
• Provide either a standard track system, as used for display lighting, or a normal plug-in busway
• Maximum number of Socket outlets per circuit to be as nominated in DG / POWER / SOCKET OUTLETS
• Connection of pendant to cable way to be via proprietary type “take-off” plugs/modules which must have a minimum rating equal to the rating of the pendant Socket outlets
• It must be possible to relocate the power take-off point in steps no more than 1 metre long, without needing any electrical expertise

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Provide ceiling fans together with fan speed controllers from a recognised and approved supplier that offers equipment that has been assessed as suitable for school use.

Ceiling fans are to be quiet in operation.

Install ceiling fans where indicated in the Rooms and Spaces data table and as determined in the project cooling strategy except in:

• Rooms less than 12 sq.m. (Provide a wall fan in lieu of the ceiling fan)
• Food service units
• Small rooms where lighting flicker effect from the blades may occur
• Where dust nuisance could be exacerbated (E.g. over woodworking machine bays)
• Over bandsaws or disc sanders in Materials (Wood) Technology
• Close to fume cupboards in science laboratories and science preparation rooms
• Ceiling spaces subject to ball damage (E.g. Gymnasiums)
• Spaces with ceiling heights of less than 2700 mm (Provide a wall fan in lieu of the ceiling fan)

The installation of ceiling fans in some Materials Technology spaces is potentially dangerous due to the materials being handled and locations must be carefully considered to reduce the risk of impact.

Ceiling Fan Locations

Refer to ceiling mounted fan standard drawing for further information on ceiling fan clearance requirements.

Generally, provide ceiling fans:

• At a rate equal to one 1420 mm diameter fan per 25 sq.m of floor area. (or larger fan to larger area)
• Evenly distributed throughout that space.
• Positioned to suit the lighting layouts and building features while providing adequate ventilation.

In rooms of between 13 sq.m. and 25 sq.m., install one ceiling fan in the centre of the room and arrange the lighting to suit.

Locate ceiling fans with respect to luminaires to avoid reflections and stroboscopic effect.  Do not mount ceiling fans where the top of the blades are less than 2.4m from the floor or less than 300mm from a (sloping) ceiling.                            

In rooms where natural-lighting strips or rooflights are provided, position the fan to avoid flicker.                                

Where only one luminaire can be installed, provide a wall fan in lieu of the ceiling fan.

Maintain adequate clearances from ceilings, cupboards, other structures and personnel.  Forcing air movement close to fixtures can create noise, and operable walls could impact with blades. 

For the Safe advisable clearance limits refer to DG DRAWINGS / CELING MOUNTED COOLING FANS 

Ceiling Fan Controls

• 3 hour local timed switch/fan speed controller
• Do not mount controllers on stainless steel switch plates 
• Use “reduced maximum speed” controllers where fan blades are less than 3.0 m above floor
• Connect no more than 4 ceiling fans to the one controller
• Adjust the “minimum speed” setting of the speed controllers so that no fan remains stationary when first turned on

Locate the ceiling fan controller with the lighting control switches for the particular space.  The requirements for the switch panels are contained in DG / LIGHTING.

Use the gimbal type mounting bracket supplied with the ceiling fan to mount on either flat or sloping ceilings, provided the slope is within the capacity of the bracket.  Connect the final subcircuit wiring at the terminal strip incorporated in the bracket.

Specify the fan with either the standard short or optional long rod for gimbal mounting.

Use the optional ceiling hook mounting and fabricated rod assembly with either steeply sloping ceiling and/or a rod longer than standard.  With the hook type bracket use a 3-pin plug top/socket outlet connection between the flexible cord and the fixed wiring.

Rigidly mount into solid backing framing. Mount any gimbal bracket with the opening on the high side.

To limit fan wobble, adjust the blades so they are equidistant from the floor.

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Electric heating may be considered subject to the department approval and as identified in the Heating strategy developed for the project.

Generally gas heating will be used in areas where natural or town gas is available.

In areas where natural or town gas is not available obtain the following information from the relevant electricity retailer as part of the Whole of Life Analysis in the development of the project heating strategy.

• The price of the on-demand rate
• The type of off-peak rates available and associated prices
• The time bands that the off-peak rates are available

Refer to DG / WHOLE OF LIFE and DG / HEATING

The types of electric heating that can be used are:

a)      Off peak:

• Heat banks

b)      On demand:

• High-mounted fan heaters in laboratories
• Both high-mounted and low-mounted fan heaters in offices
• Radiant strip heaters
• Under floor heating and supplementary heating for Severe [Support] Unit

Run timers are required for on-demand electric heating other than in severe (support) units.  Locate heater controls in a flushplate matching the lighting switchpanel under or beside the heater at switch height.  Label as HEAT with switch/es to both turn the heater on and off.  The time delay unit may be in the switchplate or the switchboard.  The run time is stated for the heater types.

Provide an isolation switch at each heater which may be in the form of a 10A or 15A switched socket outlet for heaters up to 3kW and an isolator in the fixed wiring for larger heaters.  Label the isolation switch as HEATER and locate beside the heater.

Use only where approved as part of the project heating strategy after heating options study is completed.

Generally rooms that are to receive on-demand electric heating are identified in the Rooms and Spaces Data pages. On-demand electric fan heating could be considered for the following areas:

• In high use offices where furniture layouts preclude the use of gas space heaters or off peak electric heat banks
• In Science Laboratories and Preparation Rooms
• In Materials Technology workshops, Learning Spaces, Technology Bays, Art Rooms
• In schools where gas heating or off peak electric heating is not available or cost effective
• When required as a supplement to other forms of heating.

Determine the sizing and location of the fan heaters in conjunction with the mechanical engineer, project architect and the architectural furniture layouts.

Heater noise is a particular problem in all areas of the school.  Select heaters that are quiet in operation.

62.10.01 High-Mount Fan Heaters in Laboratories and TAS Spaces

A zone map divides the state into four climatic zones each of which has different requirements for this type of heating installation. 

• Laboratory heating is not normally provided in Zone A, though this is to be  assessed for each project as part of the Project Heating Strategy. 
• Single line diagrams for Zone B,C,D, are included.

Install and control high mount laboratory type fan heaters in laboratories and other areas as identified in the Rooms and Spaces technical data table.

Control any supplementary on-demand heating by a thermostat set 2°C below temperature set for the heat banks.  Provide a run timer to switch heater/s off after 2 hours. If supplementary on-demand heating is installed for night time use provide an over riding time switch for the circuit which will prevent use during the daytime school hours.

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62.10.02 High-Mount Office Type Fan Heating

Due to restrictions imposed by furniture layouts, ECH - high-mount office type fan heaters may be considered for office areas.  Generally rooms that are to receive fan heaters are identified in the Rooms and Spaces Technical Data tables. Provide individual on/off controls with run timers to switch heater off after an adjustable 0 to 3 hours.  In addition, control each heater by an individual thermostat within the heater or external at 1800mm.

When called for, provide high-mount office type fan heaters in Severe [Support] Units, as supplementary heating to the under floor heating system. Control by timed switches separate from the under floor system.

62.10.03 Wall Mounted Fan Heaters (Low-Mount Style)

Wall mounted fan heaters may be considered for high use office and teaching spaces where gas or off-peak electric heating is not available or practical.  Use a heater with built-in start/stop switch, adjustable 0 to 3 hours timer, high temperature cut-out and thermostat control. Do not use external controls.  Mount these heaters within 100mm of the floor.

Exercise care where heaters are located beneath windows so that there is sufficient height for the heater and its clearance above the finished floor level, to ensure that adjacent elements such as blinds, curtains or blind control cords will not overheat melt or burn. Also heaters should be located where there will be minimal obstruction to the flow of heated air about the space.

Use only where approved as part of the project heating strategy after heating options study is completed.

62.12.01 In Severe [Support Units]

Children spend substantial periods of time in contact with the floor surface undergoing therapy or instruction.  These children may be unable to regulate their body heat as efficiently as others; or communicate discomfort readily; or lack sensations of heat or cold.

When providing under floor heating in these areas:

• Embedding MIMS heating cable in the concrete slab to manufacturer's recommendations, and to Rule 4.3.8 of AS/NZS 3000.  Design of this heating method shall be only by the manufacturer or his agent.  Advise the Architect/Structural Engineer of the slab requirements.
• In existing installations, lay the cable on top of the existing slab and apply concrete screed to adequately cover the cable.  Provide heating under both vinyl and carpet covered areas of the Home Base and Practical Activities Areas, but not Laundry/Bathrooms and Withdrawal Areas.
• Provide a centrally located time switch / programmable timer, to ensure an adequate floor surface temperature when classes begin in the morning. Override by a non-timed switch in each building / room, mounted at a minimum height of 1800 above finished floor level.
• In addition provide control in each room by embedded ON/OFF thermostats to maintain floor temperatures in the range 20-22oC.
• Floor heating is in addition to the high mounted fan heaters.

Refer proposed floor heating for suspended concrete or timber floors to the Project Manager.

Alternatives to in-slab heating are to be considered, which may include the use of heating mats in small areas or hydronic heating. Seek advice from the Project manager, design team and the Department.

High Mounted Fan Heaters

• High mounted fan heaters are required in addition to the underfloor heaters.
• Provide thermostat control of these heaters separate from than installed for the under floor heating to maintain temperatures in the range 20-22⁰C.
• Do not install undersized fan heating on the basis of the floor heating.

The Education Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG) require a “Master Switch” in certain rooms such as the Computer Learning Space. This item allows authorised staff to control power supply to all outlets by a suitably located key-switch.  Each room must be able to be isolated without affecting any other room. Leave one outlet uncontrolled, for use by cleaners.

Where the size of the load or number of circuits is too great for direct switching, locate a contactor within the distribution board enclosure from which the circuits originate and with an independent circuit breaker to feed the control circuit through the master switch.

Refer to the Rooms and Spaces Technical Data tables and equipment schedules to determine items of equipment to be included.  The schedules will also note equipment requiring safety switches and/or master isolating switches.