The Table of Contents for this section is available.
The work covered by this section consists of furnishing and installing lighting fixtures (luminaires) with electrical circuitry and controls to provide complete lighting systems for overhead sign assemblies in accordance with the requirements of the plans and the provisions of these specifications.
All work shall be performed in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC).
These specifications are for materials and equipment to construct and put in working order the proposed lighting systems(s); however, every fitting, minor detail, or feature may not be shown or described. The Contractor shall perform the work in accordance with the best practice of the trade.
The Contractor actually performing the work shall have a license of the proper classification from the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 87 of the General Statutes.
The provisions of Section 900 will be applicable to all work covered by this section.
(A) General:
All materials shall meet the requirements of Division 10 shown below:
Overhead sign lighting systems Section 1097
Zinc-rich paint Article 1080-9
(B) Submittals:
The Contractor shall submit for the Engineer's approval catalog cuts and/or shop drawings for materials he proposes to use on the project. Thirty days shall be allowed for the Engineer's review of each submittal. Materials which have not been approved shall not be incorporated into the project. Eight copies of each catalog cut and/or drawing shall be submitted and each shall show the material description, brand name, stock number, size, rating, and manufacturer's specification. The submittals shall include sufficient information for the Engineer to verify compliance with the specifications, and each material shall be referenced to the appropriate contract pay item. In addition to catalog cuts, submittals for luminaires shall include the luminaire manufacturer's isofootcandle charts and coefficient of utilization graphs, ballast replacement part numbers, and wiring diagrams.
(A) Layout:
The Engineer will establish the actual location of service poles. The location of service poles as shown in the plans is approximate based on available project data. The Contractor shall mark the proposed location of circuits, ducts, and all other components for the Engineer's approval prior to installation.
The Contractor shall submit a drawing showing all underground conduit and cable dimensioned from fixed objects or station marks.
(B) Conduit Installation:
Conduit shall be installed as shown in the plans, and in accordance with NEC requirements for an approved watertight raceway.
The conduit system shall be attached to and installed along the structural components of the overhead sign assembly. Conduit shall be attached to structural components with beam clamps or stainless steel strapping. Strapping shall be installed in accordance with the strapping manufacturer's recommendations. Welding or drilling of structural components to fasten conduit will not be allowed.
Conduit suspended from concrete portions of a bridge shall be supported by galvanized clamps attached to the concrete with 1/4 inch stud type concrete expansion anchors.
Spacing of conduit fasteners shall not exceed 4 feet for conduit 1 1/2 inches and larger, or 6 feet for conduit 1 1/4 inches and smaller. Fasteners shall be placed a maximum of 3 feet from the center of bends, fittings, boxes, switches, and devices.
Underground conduit shall be located as shown in the plans at a minimum depth of 30 inches and shall extend a minimum of 2 feet past the edge of pavement or paved shoulder. Underground conduit may be either metallic or nonmetallic.
Where conduit is required beneath pavement, it shall be buried at the required depth prior to paving, or shall be bored or jacked beneath the pavement. Cutting of pavement will not be allowed. Installation by "water jetting" will not be acceptable. The bored or jacked opening shall not be more than 1 inch larger than the outside diameter of the conduit. Any abandoned opening for bored or jacked conduit shall be plugged as directed by the Engineer.
Buried conduit shall be installed in a trench with essentially vertical walls and no wider than necessary for easy installation of the conduit. Backfilling shall be in accordance with Article 3006.
Conduit shall be cleaned after installation by "snaking" with a mandrel of a diameter not less than 85% of the nominal diameter of the conduit. Ends of underground conduit shall be sealed with temporary caps and after installation of circuits, the ends shall be plugged with oakum. Field cut threads and other uncoated metal or damaged galvanizing shall be coated with 2 coats of zinc-rich paint. Ends of rigid conduit shall be reamed.
(C) Wiring Methods:
Underground circuits shall be buried at the depth shown in the plans and surrounded with at least 3 inches of sand or earth backfill free of rocks and debris. Backfill shall be compacted in 6 inch layers. Splicing of underground circuits will not be permitted unless specifically noted in the plans.
All conductors shall be color coded per the NEC (grounded neutral-WHITE; grounding-BARE or GREEN), and phase conductors shall be BLACK and RED. Approved marking tape, paint, or sleeves may be used in lieu of continuous colored conductors for No. 8 AWG and larger. A white conductor in a cable assembly shall not be marked any other color. However, a white, red, or black conductor may be stripped at all accessible points and used as a bare equipment grounding conductor.
Joints, taps, and splices will only be permitted at locations indicated in the plans.
Joints, taps, and splices in junction boxes and enclosures shall be made by either of the following methods:
1. Cut and remove the insulation only as far as necessary to make a secure mechanical and electrical connection. The connector shall be a removable type (split-bolt, set screw, wire nut, etc.), and shall be covered with self-vulcanizing rubber tape, applied in half-lap layers to give a smooth covering of not less than twice the thickness of the original insulation. The rubber tape shall be a self-fusing type putty in tape form that can be wrapped, stretched, or molded around irregular shapes for smooth insulation build-up. Two layers of vinyl plastic tape shall be applied, half-lap, over the rubber tape. The vinyl plastic tape shall be 7-mil, (0-2200 degrees F), and ultraviolet, abrasion, moisture, alkali, acid, and corrosion resistant.
2. Install an approved manufactured mechanical or compression connector, with factory-made waterproof insulating boots, in accordance with procedures and tools specified by the manufacturer.
Joints, taps, and splices located underground in direct buried circuits shall be made as follows: Cut and remove the insulation only as far as necessary to make a secure mechanical and electrical connection. The connector shall be a compression type, installed in accordance with procedures and tools specified by the manufacturer. Vinyl plastic tape shall be applied over the connector and bare conductor. The entire connection shall be encased with a manufactured splicing kit. The kit shall include an insulating and moisture-sealing field-mixed epoxy resin compound, and snap-together mold forms. The kit shall be installed as specified by the manufacturer. No more than one "leg" (phase, neutral, or equipment grounding conductor) shall be encased in each epoxy resin compound mold for individual conductor circuits. For cabled conductor circuits, no more than one circuit shall be encased in each epoxy resin compound mold.
(D) Grounding and Bonding:
An equipment grounding conductor of the type and size shown in the plans, shall be included with each set of circuit conductors.
All metal conduit, enclosures, luminaires, and structures shall be bonded together and grounded with the equipment grounding conductor to the grounding electrode.
Grounding electrode conductors shall be protected with rigid galvanized steel conduit that is bonded to the grounding electrode conductor at each end.
(E) Equipment Mounting:
Equipment shall be mounted securely at locations shown in the plans and in conformance with the dimensions shown, and shall be plumb and level. Fasteners shall be installed as recommended by the manufacturer, and shall be evenly spaced. All mounting holes and attachment points shall be utilized, for attaching enclosures to structures.
Straps and buckles shall be located as shown in the plans and installed per the manufacturer's instructions.
Holes for expansion anchors shall be of the size recommended by the manufacturer of the anchors and shall be drilled and thoroughly cleaned of all debris.
One key operated, pin tumbler, dead bolt padlock, with brass or bronze shackle and case, conforming to Military Specification MILP17802E (Grade I, Class 2, Size 2, Style A), shall be provided for each electrical panel and switch on the project. All padlocks shall be keyed alike, and 6 keys shall be provided to the Engineer.
(F) Luminaires and Lamps:
Lamps shall be provided for all luminaires, and the installation date shall be clearly marked on the mogul base of HID lamps.
(G) Inspection:
The Contractor shall comply with all local ordinances and regulations. Prior to the start of any electrical work, he shall apply for and obtain all permits and/or licenses required by local regulation. He shall be responsible for having each system inspected and approved by the licensed city, county, or state electrical inspector having jurisdiction where the systems are located.
Inspection by the local electrical inspectors shall neither eliminate, nor take the place of, inspection by the Department.
The Contractor shall furnish written certification to the Engineer that the system(s) have been approved by the local electrical inspector having jurisdiction. This approved electrical inspection certificate shall be provided prior to final acceptance of the project.
The Contractor shall be responsible for having the power turned on.
(H) Electrical Service:
Where the electrical supply is not furnished by the Department or required by other work in the contract, the Contractor shall contact the utility company, make application, have the power turned on, and pay all costs, including the monthly power usage bill, to assure that all work can be completed. The Contractor, upon request, will be reimbursed for the actual verified cost of any utility company charges, including the monthly power usage bills. The Contractor will be responsible for payment of utility company charges incurred until the date of acceptance of the work by the Department.
The Contractor shall coordinate all work to insure that the electrical power of the proper voltage, phase, frequency, and ampacity is available to complete the project.
(I) Performance Tests:
Lighting systems for overhead sign assemblies will not be accepted until the Contractor has operated the lighting system, including automatic control equipment and all other apparatus, without interruption or failure attributable to poor workmanship or defective material for a period of 2 consecutive weeks. All lights and equipment will be inspected by the Engineer for normal operation. The Contractor shall perform these tests and make all repairs and replacements needed.
If the Contractor proposes to furnish luminaires other than those shown on the plans, he shall prepare and submit for the Engineer's approval a complete design for the proposed lighting system for each overhead sign assembly. Such design shall be based on mercury vapor luminaires, and shall conform to Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) criteria. The design shall be for signs sized and spaced as shown in the plans.
The Contractor shall submit designs for alternate luminaires for approval prior to the submittal of shop drawings for the overhead sign assemblies. The design for the lighting system shall be coordinated with the design of the overhead sign assembly, and any changes necessitated by the alternate luminaire design shall be shown on appropriate shop drawings.
Photometric data for each sign will be required for review of the alternate luminaire design. The data shall include a point-by-point footcandle chart, showing readings along the sign face at one-foot intervals, vertically and horizontally, based on the proposed alternate luminaire design spacing. An isofootcandle diagram for the luminaire shall also be submitted. The mounting height shall be stated on the isofootcandle diagram. If the mounting height shown on the isofootcandle chart differs from the horizontal distance from the bottom of the sign face to the center of the luminaire, a correction multiplier shall be furnished.
The work covered by this section will be paid for at the contract lump sum price for each "Lighting System for Overhead sign Assembly _____". Such price and payment will be full compensation for all work covered by this section including but not limited to furnishing and installing all electrical equipment and components, luminaries, service poles and related service equipment, conduit, wire, and all other hardware; design of alternate luminaire systems; and performance testing.
Payment will be made under:
Lighting System For Overhead Sign Assembly _____ Lump Sum