OUTDOOR POWER IN PUBLIC AREAS
Ensuring power supplies are fit for the purpose and comply with public safety requirements.
Specifying and designing outdoor power sockets for public areas can be a challenging process. Architects, urban designers, developers, and other construction professionals have to ensure the power supply is fit for the purpose intended, as well as complying to public safety requirements.
It is common for traditional power sources such as generators to be used in outdoor areas such as town centre market days or university open days. However, these can be loud and disruptive for nearby pedestrians, not to mention pose various hazards such as tripping over the cables or electrocution as the generator is exposed.
A solution for a safe, more reliable, and cleaner outdoor power source is our range of outdoor power units. Pop Up Power Supplies Ltd® supply a range of versatile, discreet and retractable power service units for construction professionals and councils. They can either be raised from the ground and lowered back again when not in use, or can be operated while submerged in the ground with the lids locked.
OUTDOOR POWER SOCKETS FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Land owners and councils who are responsible for built up areas which host events throughout the year, often rely on an outdoor power source for stalls and kiosks.
Traditionally, generators are commonly used. And even though these serve a purpose in that they supply stall owners with an outdoor power supply, their safety credentials are sometimes questionable.
For a start, they are usually located towards the perimeter of an outdoor event due to logistics and the difficulty in navigating more centrally. This means there are a lot of trailing cables for pedestrians to avoid.
Another aspect is the fact the generator units are usually exposed to nearby pedestrians. There is a chance that members of the public could come into contact with exposed elements, causing potential health risks such as electrocution.
This is where the outdoor power sockets units from Pop Up Power supplies® add value to the built environment, and various outdoor events. Councils and event organisers will benefit from a secure and reliable power source, from units which can either be locked down while in use or in between events they can be lowered back into the ground.
This means they have minimal impact on the surrounding area while the power units are not needed.
Pop Up Power Supplies® specialises in planning, designing and installing outdoor power solutions for the built environment. We work closely with construction professionals with their specification project tender process.
OUR 3 MAIN POWER UNITS
Each outdoor power unit has its own key advantages and reason for specification, and can accommodate a range of electricity sockets and utilities.
POP UP UNITS
Pop Up Units, or Retractable Service Units as they are sometimes referred to, are discreet and fully retractable units that provide electricity or data points for the built environment.
They supply a safe and secure outdoor power source, and one of their key advantages over more traditional power sources such as petrol generators, is their retractable nature. When you need power you simply raise them (using a separate handle which is supplied with a unit), and when you are finished with them, you simply lower the unit back into the ground.
This feature means they are particularly popular with universities, where it is commonplace for open days and student fairs to be held within campus spaces or next to principal buildings for universities which are located in a city centre location. The Pop Up units provide either a 16A or 32A power supply in both single and three phase plug sockets, all with RCBO protection.
EXETER UNIVERSITY
Developers and architects working on Exeter University designed a range of our PUPS01 Pop Up Power units into the communal space outside their Forum building, which is the central hub of their Streatham Campus.
The quad area houses various open days and student events throughout the year, and now the University benefits from a power unit that provides a safe and secure power source. And when it is not needed, it is simply lowered back into the ground.
The power units were designed with the paving infill that was used in the communal outdoor area, meaning when lowered into the ground the units appear seamless to the campus communal space. The pop up units provide a 125A power supply in both single and three phase plug sockets, all with RCBO protection.
IN GROUND UNITS
Our In-Ground Units (IGU) provide a range of safe and continuous power sockets for outdoor events, and can be operated even while unattended.
There are six models to choose from in the In-Ground Units collection – Slim IGU, PUPS 03, PUPS Floorbox, PUPS02 4040, PUPS02 5050, and the PUPS02 7050.
The lids can be locked down while in operation and they can be designed into the local environment with the stall layout in mind, so protruding cables are kept to a minimum reducing any tripping hazard for nearby pedestrians.
Our In-ground power units are popular with architects, contractors and local councils. They have been installed in many town and city centres across the UK to power market stalls and other outdoor events.
STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE
Our In-ground power units were installed in public areas in the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire, for their market events that they hold on a weekly basis.
Manufactured in high grade mild steel and hot dipped galvanised to BS EN:ISO1461. Each unit is tested infilled to FACTA Class B loadings. The cover of each unit was neatly recessed and therefore accommodated the exact paving surrounding the power supply.
Council Planners were pleased with the power units as not only did they benefit from a safe source of outdoor electricity for the local market stalls, but there was minimal impact on the integrity and beauty of the local area.
POWER BOLLARDS
Our range of Power Bollards provide an outdoor power supply in elegant street furniture format.
They are available in a wide range of configurations, including three standard diameters of 250mm, 325mm and 500mm. And four styles of bollard tops including parc paris top, domed top, sloping top, and button top.
With our range of Power Bollards, you have the ability to lock away the power sockets from public interference. Each bollard can provide between 220 and 400 volts and 125A of power. This means they have the capacity, suitable voltage and amperage to comfortably handle the electrical load requirements and successfully power outdoor events.
The stainless steel nature of the power bollards is of benefit as they have a high degree of weather resistance and protection against the elements. The power bollards are also relatively straightforward to install for the landscaping or electrical sub-contractor. They are surface mounted meaning they are simply fixed to the floor substrate.
SAFE AND SECURE
Our Power Bollards were installed outside the local civic centre in Gravesham, Kent. It is a popular venue for various outdoor festivals and other events. There was a requirement for an outdoor electrical supply to power various stalls and activities.
Specified in a button top Supply Bollard with hatch closure, the slim bollards are located around the perimeter area next to walls, and as a result have a limited impact on the outdoor area.
To discuss our range of electrical Pop Up Power Supplies®, please contact us or call 020 8227 0208.