1Introduction
2Criteria of identification of parking sites
3Set the site – Electrical network, charging systems, fire detection systems, hydrants and sprinklers, etc.
3.1Electrical and Lighting Systems
3.2Charging battery system - “light” version
3.3Charging battery system - “monitoring” version
3.4Earthing plant
3.5Mechanical Ventilation
3.6Installation of fixed fire detection system and alarm
3.7Hydrants and sprinklers
3.8Mobile devices for firefighting
3.9Horizontal and vertical signs
4Manage the site
1Introduction
This guideline aims to provide technical tools to identify, set and manage in the safest waythe parking sites for hybrid and electric vehicles called FREE DUCK.
These are special vehicles for postal delivery service, electric powered, also available in hybrid version, actually in use in the city of Perugia (Italy),Bruges (BE), Szentendre (HU) and Rousse (BG).
2Criteria of identification of parking sites
Vehicles Free Duck, hybrid version as electric one, need adequate space for their park.
Each Free Duck has the following dimensions:
Length: 1.75 m
Width: 1.32 m[1]
Height: 1.63 m
Consequently, each quadrycicle needs an estimated parking areaof at least 2.70 square meters per vehicle, allowing for the proper park (1.80 meters x 1.50 meters),keeping an easy enter and exit by half.
The maximum number of vehicles in the site should be evaluated according to the total surface available, including the internal driving lanes, featured by a minimum width of around 3 meters.
The site must present a perfectly flat floor, free from cracks or roughness, both for safety reasons, both for paintyellow markings on it.
In Italy, as required by national laws, all structures should be fire protected for at least 60 minutes.
In Europe, each country should follow EN standards accordingly with national laws.
Any eligible communication with locals such as offices, shops, and so on, forming part of the building in which the parking area could be set, must be protected with solid metal doors close automatically.
Further:
- Are prohibited communications with places for storage or use of explosives and/or flammable;
- The area of natural ventilation must be not less than 1/30 of the plant surface in the site;
- The height of the site must be not less than 2 meters.
3Set the site–Electrical network, charging systems, firedetectionsystems, hydrants and sprinklers, etc.
3.1 Electrical and Lighting Systems
Electricity supply will take the form of a three-phase low-voltage 400V distribution system.
The Main Electric Cabinet (MEC) of the site, located within the site, must be equipped with LED lights to check voltage presence, or better with a digital multifunction instrument.
The distribution lines will be installed in appropriate steel cable-trays andrigid PVC or galvanized steel pipes, where it is needed to prevent crushing by the same means.
All equipment such switches, single-phase sockets (2P + T)/230 V, three-phase sockets, etc.would get plastic insulation element.
The lighting system will be built using ceiling devices, single or multiple fluorescent tube, to ensure the average illumination of 75 lux minimum required by the standard EN 12464-1.
Moreover, parking areas will be equipped with emergency 1h autonomy self lamps.
IP protection of each equipment should be set in compliance with the reference IEE rules.
3.2 Charging battery system - “light”version
This includes charging cabinetsinstalled along the perimeter of the parkingplace or on the pillars, consisting of electrical sockets with a single-phase 2P+T socket, individually linked to the three-phase local network and protected by appropriate circuit breakers (magneto-thermal-residual current switches).
They will be installed to an height between 1.80 and 2.15 meters, for easy access also to shorter postmen (Postwomen).
At the end of the working day, the operator will connect the plug of the FREE DUCK with the matching socket.
3.3 Charging battery system - “monitoring” version
A solution that will be used if you intend to assess over time the energy performance of vehicles, which must be provided with an hardware/software system that allows you to track energy consumption also supported by individual vehicle and check the status of the batteries in order to measure the useful life.
Unlike the previous system, this solution involves the installation of energy meters, LAN ethernet connection, network concentrators, personal computer for data processing, appropriate software.
3.4 Earthing plant
This plant is necessary for the safety of the operators and to prevent any electrical accident, or shock.
It’s important to make a strong connection with the (existing) plant when a new one has to be done inside the parking place.
The measures and/or instrumental checks should be easily performed thanks to an accessibile and visible testing point on the earthing plant.
3.5 Mechanical Ventilation
In Italy the law provides for such places, as before indicated, an area of natural ventilation not less than 1/30 of the total area of the place.
If you are not in the above assumptions, you must:
- Identify an alternative place, or:
- Install an air ventilation duct system (In compliance with the national Firefighters rules) with a command of automatic release in case of fire.
3.6 Installation of fixed fire detection system and alarm
In Italy the law does not provide for any obligation to install such devices and hydro-network in these kind of parking places.
If you want to proceed with the installation of this facility, you should follow the European Standard TS 54-14 "Fire detection and fire alarm systems - Part 14: Guidelines for planning, design, installation, commissioning, use and maintenance" accordingly with national laws.
3.7 Hydrants and sprinklers
In Italy the law does not provide for any obligation to install such devices and hydro-plant in these kind of parking places.
They are required only when the placesare over the second floor level or over the fourth-ground, if closed, and beyond the fifth floor above ground, where open.
If you want to proceed with the installation of these facilities, you must follow the national technical rules.
3.8 Mobile devices for firefighting
In general, in such placesmobile fire extinguishers must be installed on the wall, at the entrances and/or in position visible and easily accessible, and regularly maintained.
The type and the number of the extinguishers should be defined in compliance with national laws.
3.9 Horizontal and vertical signs
The markings provide the exact location of single vehicle, with yellow stripes and the numbers matching with the vehicle.
Vertical signs should identify the exact location of mobile fire extinguishers, exodus ways, emergency exit doors, any warning signal.
It’s recommendable to install fluorescent signs, visible even in the darkness.
4Manage the site
It 'important to program a regular maintenance of the technology installed and cleaning floors.
Anyplace will be equipped with emergency kit for oil and fuel spill, to be used in accordance with the existent procedures.
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[1]Including mirrors