CLIENT: DUBLIN CITY BUSINESS IMPROVMENT DISTRICT (BID)

Review of Christmas Light Fixings, Dublin City

November 2014

TOBIN CONSULTING ENGINEERS

REPORT

PROJECT: Independent Review of Christmas Light

Fixings in Dublin City.

CLIENT: DUBLIN CITY BUSINESS IMPROVMENT DISTRICT (BID) C/O Mr Gerard Farrell Operations Manager, 22-24 Foley Street, 1st Floor Ulysses House Dublin 1

COMPANY: TOBIN Consulting Engineers Block 10-4 Blanchardstown Corporate Park Dublin 15

www.tobin.ie

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DOCUMENT AMENDMENT RECORD

Client: DUBLIN CITY BUSINSS IMPROVMENT DISTRICT (BID) Project: Independent Review of Christmas Light Fixings in Dublin City. Title: Independent Review of Christmas Light Fixings in Dublin City.

SIGNED: ______________________________________________________ (For and on behalf of Tobin Consulting Engineers)

DATE: _____________________

PROJECT NUMBER: DOCUMENT REF:

A Draft KB 25/11/14 AOB 25/11/14 AOB 25/11/14

Revision Description & Rationale Originated Date Checked Date Authorised Date TOBIN Consulting Engineers

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................... 1 

2  INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 2 

2.1  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 2 

2.2  SCOPE OF WORKS ............................................................................................... 2 

3  INFORMATION RECIEVED ...................................................................... 3 

4  STRUCTURAL DESIGN REVIEW ............................................................ 4 

4.1  DESKTOP STUDY (PHASE 1) ................................................................................ 4 

4.2  TESTING (PHASE 2) .............................................................................................. 4 

5  ELECTRICAL DESIGN REVIEW .............................................................. 5 

6  CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................... 6 

6.1  DESKTOP STUDY .................................................................................................. 6 

6.2  VISUAL INSPECTION ............................................................................................. 6 

6.3  INSITU TESTING .................................................................................................... 6 

TABLES , FIGURES

FIGURES Fig. 1A: Christmas Light Connection on Upper Liffey Street Fig. 1B: Christmas Light Connection on North Earl Street

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this report is to appraise the design as well as the quality of workmanship and materials associated with the installation of temporary Christmas lighting in Dublin City. Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID) is charged with the responsibility of arranging the installation of Christmas Lights for a total of 30 streets across the city. In order to perform due diligence on their part it was decided to carry out an independent check on a random sample of fixtures, a detailed scope of which is outlined in the body of this report.

Based on visual inspection, a review of materials used and insitu testing on a sample of the total number of connections it is the opinion of this author that all works have been carried out in accordance with “CSS A Code of Practice for the Installation and Operation of Seasonal Lights” (The Institution of Lighting Engineers) from a structural perspective.

A review of the Christmas lights from an electrical perspective was carried out by HEALY Consulting Engineers. It was observed that the electrical installation of all connections reviewed appeared to be neat and tidy in form and installation with feeder cables well secured. A full high level report produced by HEALY Consulting Engineers can be viewed in appendix 4 of this report.

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2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 INTRODUCTION  TOBIN Consulting Engineers were commissioned by Mr. Gerard Farrell on behalf of Dublin City BID to carry out an independent structural review (scope of which is highlighted below) of Christmas light fixings for a sample of the overall number of fixings. At present Dublin City BID is responsible for Christmas lights on a total of 30 different streets. It was agreed between Gerard Farrell and TOBINS that a selection of 5 streets would be a sufficient sample to give an accurate overview of the general standard of works. This equates to 16.6% of the total number of streets which Dublin City is responsible for. The following streets were selected for different reasons:

North Earl Street Upper Liffey Street Grafton Street South Great George’s Street

The above streets were selected as they spread both north and south of the city. Works on these streets were carried out by two different contractors.

Duke Street: Duke Street was selected for review as works here were carried out by a new contractor who had not previously worked for Dublin City BID.  

 

2.2 SCOPE OF WORKS The review consisted of two phases.  

Phase 1 

 Phase 1 consisted of a desk top study of materials used. The purpose of this was twofold. Firstly relevant ISO certificates were sought in order to confirm that all materials used had the mandatory CE mark as appropriate, (The CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets the requirements of the applicable EC directives) Secondly materials used were reviewed to ensure that they could withstand applicable forces as defined in “CSS A Code of Practice for the Installation and Operation of Seasonal Lights”

Phase 2 

 Phase two involved independent insitu testing of the Christmas Light Connections. This involved carrying out a visual inspection of all connections on a particular street. Two connections on each street reviewed were then selected for testing. The basis of selection of a particular connection for testing was down to appearance. Connections showing the worst the case of deterioration of block work due to spalling or excessive cracking ware deemed to be most onerous. Appendix A contains pictures of connections that were tested.

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3 INFORMATION RECIEVED Paul Byrne of Fantasy Lights who are responsible for construction works on Upper Liffey Street and South Great Georges Street submitted the following information:

Procedure /Instructions for the installation of M12 eye bolts in accordance with CSS A Code of Practice for the Installation and Operation of Seasonal Lights” (The Institution of Lighting Engineers)

European Technical Approval Document Fischer V Resin Specification Sheet Din 580-582 Ring Nut Specification Sheet Sikla Rod Specification Sheet Hydrajaws Pullout Tester Specification sheet

Colin Carroll of Elmore Group who are responsible for construction works on North Earl Street and Grafton Street submitted the following information:

Procedure /Instructions for the installation of M12 eye bolts in accordance with CSS A Code of Practice for the Installation and Operation of Seasonal Lights” (The Institution of Lighting Engineers)

European Technical Approval Document Various Fischer Resin Specification Sheets Fischer Resin Accessories Spec Sheets – (Threaded rod, Anchor sleeve & Washers) M8 Steel Cable specification sheet Ring nut RI specification Sheet Hydrajaws Pullout Tester Specification sheet

Enda Dunne of New Park Electrical who are responsible for construction works on Duke Street submitted the following information:

European Technical Approval Document Various Fischer Resin Specification Sheets Fischer Resin Accessories Spec Sheets – (Threaded rod, Anchor sleeve & Washers) Ring nut RI specification Sheet Hydrajaws Pullout Tester Specification sheet Procedure /Instructions for the installation of M12 eye bolts

Note: All material specifications and certificates can be found in Appendix 2a-2c

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4 STRUCTURAL DESIGN REVIEW

4.1 DESKTOP STUDY (PHASE 1) A review of all the information received from each contractor was carried out. Coincidently each contractor used the same anchorage system, namely Fischer Fixing System supplied by Masonry Fixings. All materials had the appropriate certification as required. Instructions for the installation and testing of resin M12 eye bolts provided to contractors by Masonry Fixings confirmed that the fixing system conformed to CSS A Code of Practice for the Installation and Operation of Seasonal Lights” (The Institution of Lighting Engineers).

4.2 TESTING (PHASE 2) As mentioned previously, the initial stage of phase two was to carry out a visual inspection of all connections on each street. Connections of this kind used to hang the Christmas lights are most likely to fail due to failure of the block work. Two connections on each street which appeared to be in the most unfavourable condition were singled out for testing. Condition of the connection was determined visually by consideration of the amount of spalling and cracking in the block work (see below and Appendix 1)

Fig. 1A: Christmas Light Connection on Fig. 1B: Christmas Light Connection on Upper Liffey Street North Earl Street

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Independent testing of connections was carried out by Simon Dixon of Independent Testing Services Ltd. over the course of two nights, 12th and 17th of November. Each connection was tested using a Hydrajaws Model 2000 Tensile Tester. At each test location, the apparatus was connected to the ring bolt of the anchor using a clevis pin adapter and the loading frame was aligned to ensure an axial application of the tensile load. Load test procedure was carried out in accordance with the Construction Fixings Association Guidance Note: Procedure for Site Testing Construction Fittings. The tensile force was gradually and continuously applied up to the maximum test load of 5kN as advised by Dublin City BID. The load was maintained for a minimum period of one minute. The anchor was carefully inspected during and after the test for any signs of movement or distortion. Observations/results of testing are summarised below.

5 ELECTRICAL DESIGN REVIEW A review of the Christmas lights from an electrical perspective was undertaken on the 2nd December 2014 by Tim Healy of HEALY Consulting Engineers with the following in attendance: Paul Byrne: Fantasy Lights Enda Dunne: New Park Electrical David O’Connor: Elmore Group The purpose of which is to give the client a degree of confidence that electrical works had been carried out safely and in accordance with relevant regulations The following streets were considered and formed part of the inspection/ review:

Duke Street Grafton Street North Earl Street Georges Street Upper Liffey Street

Commentary is given based on a non-intrusive, visual only inspection. The inspection exercise comprised of a sample set of isolation points per street. Electrical cabinets were not available for close review as installed typically at first floor level. It was observed that the electrical installation of all connections reviewed appeared to be neat and tidy in form and installation with feeder cables well secured. A full high level report produced by HEALY Consulting Engineers can be viewed in appendix 4 of this report.

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6 CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS Conclusions put forward in this section are the opinion of the Engineer based on a review of a sample number of fixtures. Information provided by Contractors has been accepted in good faith. The total weight of the Christmas lights on each cross-over is unknown to the Engineer however design load has been based on the recommendations of CSS A Code of Practice for the Installation and Operation of Seasonal Lights” (The Institution of Lighting Engineers).

6.1 DESKTOP STUDY

Having carried out a review of the material specification sheets provided by all contractors it is our opinion that they all conform to current regulations. All materials used had the required CE mark. Each component within the connection system could safely withstand applied loads.

6.2 VISUAL INSPECTION

A visual inspection was carried out on all connections in each street. Generally the quality of workmanship appeared to be of a high standard, as such the connections which were singled out for testing was due to the deterioration of the existing block work and not the appearance of bad quality workmanship.

6.3 INSITU TESTING

A total of 8 locations on four streets were identified for testing. All Christmas light fixings which were tested sustained the maximum tensile of 5kN without suffering any significant movement or distortion. It was therefore concluded that they have sufficient pullout-resistance in relation to the criteria specified by CSS A Code of Practice for the Installation and Operation of Seasonal Lights” (The Institution of Lighting Engineers).

APPENDIX 1

CONNECTION TEST LOCATION PHOTOGRAPHS

Photograph 1: Guiney’s of North Earl Street

Photograph 2: Value 4 You of North Earl Street

Photograph 3: Value 4 You of North Earl Street

Photograph 4: Rocks Fine Diamonds of Grafton Street

Photograph 5: Rocks Fine Diamonds of Grafton Street

Photograph 6: Dunnes Stores of Grafton Street

Photograph 7: Dunnes Stores of Grafton Street

Photograph 8: No. 62 of South great Georges Street

Photograph 9: No. 62 of South great Georges Street

Photograph 10: The Outlet Store of South great Georges Street

Photograph 11: The Outlet Store of South great Georges Stree

Photograph 12: of Upper Liffey Street

Photograph 13: of Upper Liffey Street

Photograph 14: Freckles of Upper Liffey Street

Photograph 15: Freckles of Upper Liffey Street

APPENDIX 2A

CERTIFICATES/SPECIFICATION SHEETS RECIEVED FROM FANTASY LIGHTS

APPENDIX 2B

CERTIFICATES/SPECIFICATION SHEETS RECIEVED FROM ELMORE GROUP

APPENDIX 2C

CERTIFICATES/SPECIFICATION SHEETS RECIEVED FROM NEW PARK ELECTRICAL

APPENDIX 3

INDEPENDENT TESTING SERVICES LTD REPORT

Page 1 of 4

Independent Testing Services Limited 5, Main Street Portarlington

Co. Laois Registered in Ireland, No. 368795

Telephone: +353 (0)57 8642810

Fax: +353 (0)57 8642786 Mobile Tel: +353(0)87 4173203

INDEPENDENT TESTING SERVICES LIMITED Testing & Inspection Services to the Civil Engineering Industry

TEST REPORT No. RL2955

Tension Load Testing of Resin-bonded Masonry Anchors

Site: Christmas Light Fixings, Dublin City Centre

Visit Nos. 1 & 2, dated 12th-13th & 17th November 2014

I.T.S. Job No. JL2219

Prepared for: Dublin City Council

Report No. RL2955

Page 2 of 4

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 2 SITE DETAILS 3 METHODOLOGY 4 TEST RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Simon Dixon

Director

For and on behalf of Independent Testing Services Limited.

Report No. RL2955

Page 3 of 4

1 INTRODUCTION

Independent Testing Services Limited was instructed by Dublin City Council carry out

tension load testing of Christmas light fixings at a number of locations in Dublin City

Centre.

The purpose of testing was to prove the pull-out resistance of the fixings in masonry walls

up to a maximum tensile load of 5 kN.

8 no. fixings were tension load tested on 12th-13th & 17th November 2014, and this report

contains a description of the methodology, the test results and our conclusions.

2 SITE DETAILS

The fixings that were tested were all of the ringbolt anchor type, and are used to fasten the

ends of the cables that are suspended across the street to the walls of the buildings on

either side of the street. We understand that the anchors are resin bonded into the masonry.

The exact locations of the anchors to be tested were specified by Tobin Consulting

Engineers. Two test locations were specified on each of four streets, with one anchor

being tested at each location, i.e. there was a total of 8 no. test locations. The names of the

streets and the reference names of properties at each test location are as follows:

North Earl Street; Value4U

North Earl Street; Guineys

Grafton Street; Dunnes Stores

Grafton Street; Rocks Fine Diamonds

South Great George Street; No. 62

South Great George Street; Outlet Store

Liffey Street Upper: Freckles

Liffey Street Upper: Empty Shop

Report No. RL2955

Page 4 of 4

3 METHODOLOGY

Five of the Christmas light fixings were tested on the evening of 12th-13th November 2014,

as follows:

North Earl Street; Value4U

North Earl Street; Guineys

Grafton Street; Dunnes Stores

Grafton Street; Rocks Fine Diamonds

South Great George Street; No. 62

The remaining three Christmas light fixings were tested on the evening of 17th November

2014, as follows:

South Great George Street; Outlet Store

Liffey Street Upper; Freckles

Liffey Street Upper; Empty Shop

Access to the fixings at each of the test locations was achieved using a mobile elevating

work platform (MEWP).

The apparatus used to test the fixings was a Hydrajaws Model 2000 tensile tester. At each

test location, the apparatus was connected to the ringbolt of the anchor using a clevis pin

adapter and the loading frame was aligned to ensure an axial application of the tensile load.

The load test procedure was carried out in accordance with the Construction Fixings

Association Guidance Note: Procedure for Site Testing Construction Fixings. The tensile

force was applied gradually and continuously up to the maximum test load of 5 kN, and

this was maintained for a minimum period of 1 minute. The anchor was carefully

inspected during and after the test for any movement or distortion.

4 TEST RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

All of the Christmas light fixings that were tested sustained the maximum tensile load of

5 kN without suffering any significant movement or distortion. We therefore conclude that

they have sufficient pull-out resistance in relation to the criteria specified by the Engineer.

 

APPENDIX 4 

 

 

HEALY CONSULTING ENGINEERS REPORT 

 

 

 

HEALY Consulting Engineers _________________________________________________________________________________ Introduction The purpose of this report is to comment on the electrical services relating to the festive lighting installation. The following streets were considered and formed part of the inspection/ review:

• Duke Street • Grafton Street • North Earl Street • Georges Street • Upper Liffey Street

The review was undertaken on the 2nd December 2014 by Tim Healy of HEALY Consulting Engineers with the following in attendance: Paul Byrne: Fantasy Lights Enda Dunne: New Park Electrical David O’Connor: Elmore Group Commentary is given based on a non-intrusive, visual only inspection. The inspection exercise comprised of a sample set of isolation points per street. Electrical cabinets were not available for close review as installed typically at first floor level.

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HEALY Consulting Engineers _________________________________________________________________________________ DUKE STREET In total 6nr cross-street frames are sited within Duke Street as observed and confirmed by Enda Dunne and make up the overall festive lighting display for this street. The feature lighting electrical cabinet is positioned at first floor level on the left gable wall of The Duke’s bar as per image 1 complete with Fireman Switch for local panel isolation. This LV cabinet serves 4nr 16amp wall mounted sockets, it was noted that one socket comprising of a splitter unit feeding 3nr sockets downstream of this provision, refer to image 2.

Image 1: Festive lighting LV Cabinet Image 2: 16Amp socket c/w splitter unit The other 3nr frames are served by a standalone wall mounted service provision refer to image 3.

Image 3: 16Amp socket Enda Dunne confirmed that the electrical infrastructure was existing in relation to all wall mounted 16Amp sockets and that their scope of works included utilizing this available service provision. In terms of protection the main feeder panel complete with local fused 16Amp sockets form the overall protection service/ strategy for the electrical installation. It was observed that unlike other installations reviewed local points of isolation in the form of an isolation switch local to the socket service was not provided. In general the overall electrical installation downstream of the wall mounted services was noted to be both tidy and neat in installation with feeder cables well secured.

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HEALY Consulting Engineers _________________________________________________________________________________ GRAFTON STREET Cross-street frames as per image 4 make up the main Grafton Street festive lighting of which there are 13nr in total. Works where undertaken by Elmore Group and as confirmed by David O’Connor the complete scope included rewiring/ re-lamping of each frame assembly.

Image 4: Grafton Street Festive Frame Frames are generally served by a 16Amp socket combined with a RCD switched unit mounted in close proximity to each assembly as per image 5 below. This provision provides both protection locally and also local isolation.

Image 5: Grafton Street Festive Frame It was confirmed by David O’Connor that the electrical LV infrastructure was in place/ existing for all wall mounted services with this installation used to provide the final electrical connections. The overall electrical installation was observed to be both neat and tidy in both form and installation.

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HEALY Consulting Engineers _________________________________________________________________________________ NORTH EARL STREET Electrical supplies for North Earl Street festive frames as per image 6 comprise of wall mounted isolation switches rotary type. Each rotary switch is fed from an adjoining junction box which in turn is served from the main electrical panel/ cabinet.

Image 6: Typical North Earl Street LV service Image 7: Typical North Earl Street LV service Wall mounted 16Amp sockets as is the typical arrangement for other streets was noted to be absent from the wall services arrangement but installed local to the frame unit. Again the overall electrical installation was observed to be both neat and tidy in both form and installation. GEORGES STREET Festive lighting electrical cabinet is sited at first floor level on the left gable wall of Decwell’s Store as per image 8 complete with Fireman Switch for local panel isolation.

Image 8: Festive Lighting Sub-distribution Image 9: Typical Georges Street Frame Board c/w Fireman Switch

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HEALY Consulting Engineers _________________________________________________________________________________ As confirmed by Paul Byrne of Fantasy Lights Georges Street works comprised of a complete rewire of the festive lighting infrastructure complete with the following service installations:

• New main distribution board • New sub-distribution boards (2nr), • Associated feeder cabling • 16Amp fused sockets • Local isolation switches

The installation required a new metered accounted with formal engagement with ESB Networks based on this services requirement. 16Amp sockets were sited local to the festive frame, with final connections made via a appropriate plug for ease of final termination. In terms of service protection, this is provided both local in terms of the isolation switch and at the main and local distribution panels also. The installation was observed to be both neat and tidy in both form and installation. UPPER LIFFEY STREET Upper Liffey Street comprises of 5nr cross-street frames. Main LV feeder board complete with Fireman switch is located at first floor level over the Outdoor Adventure Store, all festive frames are feed from this panel provision.

Image 10: Festive Lighting feeder Image 11: Typical Upper Liffey Street LV service board c/w Fireman Switch As per image 11, electrical service to the frame assembly is feed by a combined socket and RCD unit providing local and protected supply. The installation was observed to be both neat and tidy in both form and installation.

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