Christmas lights and decorations
Overview
Before installing Christmas outdoor lighting and decorations in the community, you must request permission from us and you will need to consider the following things:
Your responsibilities
- it will be your responsibility to purchase the Christmas outdoor and decoration
- you must organise a registered contractor to install the lights or decorations (we can provide advice on local contractors)
- you will need to apply to your local energy supplier for your MPAN number (Meter Point Administration Number). The number uniquely identifies your electricity supply point that will power your Christmas lights or decorations (please note that you will be billed directly by the electricity supplier for the power you use).
- you will need to consult with local residents and business groups where the lights or decorations will be located – consent in writing must be obtained for decorations fitted to private property
Requirements
- the lights must be a minimum of 5.8m above road surface (excluding Christmas Tree lighting applications)
- over pedestrian areas lighting must be 2.5m over head height (for pedestrian areas where emergency services require access minimum height must be 5.8m above road surface)
- a structural test will need to be completed to assess wall/anchor point fittings or column/pole strength for all new installations and any decorations installed for over five years
More guidance on specific Christmas outdoor lights and decorations:
Basic structural considerations
- the lighting should be a minimum height of 5.8m above the road surface
- 2.5m headroom must be allowed for over any area restricted to pedestrian movement
- pedestrian areas that permit access to emergency services must also allow for a minimum height of 5.8m above the road surface
- the integrity of the buildings anchor points that the lighting will be fixed to must be checked
- wall fixings and anchor points must be suitably fitted
- the minimum bolt size is 10mm (a check is required by calculation)
- a minimum load test of (6kN) is required. Certificates will be issued following this test
- two parallel catenary cables (stainless steel) are required
- a minimum wire size of 8mm is needed (check required by calculation)
- anchor and catenary wire reference labels are required
Basic electrical requirements
All work must:
- be carried out to the requirements ofBS 7671 IEE Wiring Regulations by a competent person (qualified electrician)
- be G39 Certified for works involving street furniture (awareness of the recommended safety procedures and clearances for ensuring electrical safety in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of public lighting and other street furniture)
- compliant with Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- electrical equipment should be below 3m maximum, 110 volts
- have a suitable time mechanism that is separate to the street lighting
- have a suitably rated residual current circuit device (RCD) circuit protection
- the electrical equipment must be secured and electrically safe
- have a suitably rated ingress protection on all equipment (IP66)
- have a detailed electrical inspection and test certificates pre and post installation
- provide drawn plans of the proposal
Please consider the following points before requesting a site visit by a street lighting engineer.
Basic structural considerations
- the lights or decorations must be a minimum height of 5.8m above the road surface
- there must be 2.5m headroom over an area restricted to pedestrian movement
- pedestrian areas that permit access to emergency services must allow a minimum height of 5.8m above the road surface
- structural tests must be undertaken to prove the column or pole has the strength to accommodate the additional weight and windage
- the lights or decorations must be suitably supported
- a copy of manufacturers design certificate will be required
Basic electrical requirements
All work must:
- be carried out to the requirements ofBS 7671 IEE Wiring Regulations by a competent person (qualified electrician)
- be G39 certified for works involving street furniture (awareness of the recommended safety procedures and clearances for ensuring electrical safety in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of public lighting and other street furniture)
- compliant with Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- have electrical equipment below 3m with a maximum of 110 volts
- have a suitable time mechanism, which is separate to the street lighting
- have a suitably rated residual current circuit device (RCD). The circuit protection should be as near as practicably possible to the source of supply.
- all electrical equipment must be secured and electrically safe
- have suitably rated ingress protection on all equipment (IP66)
- have a detailed electrical inspection and test certificates pre and post installation
- provide drawn plans of the proposal
Please consider the following points before requesting a site visit by a street lighting engineer:
Basic structural considerations
- foundations must be put in place (a calculation to support this can be found in the National Code of Practice)
- barriers need to be erected to keep the public at a safe distance from the tree or any part of the decorations. The minimum distance is 2m.
- the tree must be suitably supported and secured
Basic electrical requirements
All work must:
- be carried out to the requirements ofBS 7671 IEE Wiring Regulations by a competent person (qualified electrician)
- be G39 certified for works involving street furniture (awareness of the recommended safety procedures and clearances for ensuring electrical safety in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of public lighting and other street furniture)
- compliant with Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- have a maximum SELV, 24 volt AC power supply
- have a suitable time mechanism separate to the street lighting
- have a suitably rated residual current circuit device (RCD). The circuit protection should be as near as practicably possible to the source of supply.
- all electrical equipment must be secured and electrically safe
- have suitably rated ingress protection to all equipment (IP66)
- have detailed electrical inspection and test certificates pre and post installation
- provide drawn plans of the proposal
Application checklist
- you must have had a site visit from one of our street lighting engineers (if required)
- you must have permission to install electrical apparatus on or over the adopted highway or attachments to highway street furniture
- licence to install electrical apparatus on or over the adopted highway or attachments to highway street furniture
- final inspection from the Highway Authority for approval to light installed decorations
- MPAN (meter point administration number) requested from local energy supplier
- details of the site location
- type of lighting e.g. cross street, pole mounted, Christmas Tree
- if known, the light switch on date
