Layout best practices and service clearances.

Layouts decide whether technicians can actually work. Place devices for heat/airflow (347, 337), zone cable entries, and leave real service clearances. Choose DIN/trunking wisely, specify door furniture/locks, and control drainage/condensation (516). Lifting/mounting requirements and drawing standards (931) ensure repeatable build quality for HVM bollard panels across projects, easing commissioning (631–636) and O&M (733, 734). Include one-sentence context that naturally links upward to the parent hubs (this section and the chapter hub). Add SIRA context with a link to SIRA Bollards (UAE) when relevant. Link installation pages only if helpful: What to Expect and Installation Guide.

Important: This is a general guide. For live projects we develop a tailored Method Statement & Risk Assessment (MS/RA) and align with authority approvals (e.g., SIRA) where in scope.

528.1 Device placement

Keep heat sources apart and serviceable (347). Placement preserves HVM bollard reliability.

Start with a thermal-first map: separate drives, power supplies, and inverters from logic devices like the PLC/Controller. Keep high-dissipation parts high in the cabinet with clear air paths; mount sensitive I/O and communication modules away from transformers and contactors to reduce EMC coupling. Group terminals by function (power, control, safety) so fault-finding matches the interlock matrix flow in 352.

Ensure field maintainers can test and swap parts without dismantling half the panel. Provide front access to fuses, test points, and isolators; avoid stacking components so tightly that ferrules or screws are unreachable. Cross-reference with 527 Panel Wiring Standards to maintain consistent numbering and labeling.

AspectWhat mattersWhere to verify
PerformanceRated heat load & air path926 Enclosure Heat-Load Estimator
OperationsDuty cycles, fail-state, safety devices & measuresInstallation Guide
ComplianceIngress/impact & ratings516 Enclosure Protection

528.2 Heat & airflow paths

Create clear intake/exhaust paths (337). Airflow protects crash rated bollard electronics.

Design a single, predictable airflow direction: low-front intake, high-rear exhaust (or as dictated by the enclosure). Keep intakes below hot devices; avoid dead zones behind trunking. Use baffles or divider plates to prevent short-circuiting between fans. Where natural convection is insufficient, add thermostatically controlled fans or a heater-thermostat pack to manage dew point and temperature swings.

Validate the plan with 926 estimates and derating curves. In hot GCC climates, prioritize shading and reflective finishes from 363, and ensure filters or bug screens are serviceable. If you deploy acoustic lining (546), check static pressure so fans still meet volumetric airflow targets.

528.3 Cable entry zoning

Bottom entries, segregated glands (516). Zoning keeps HVM bollard wiring clean.

Split gland plates into power, control, and communication zones. Maintain segregation and minimum bending radii per 515, and provide spare gland locations for future devices. Use a raised gland plate or rain hood where surface water is present. Inside the enclosure, route power on one side and low-level signals on the other to tame noise and simplify EM compliance.

Add drip loops at the entry and mark each cable per the cable schedule. Document spare cores and terminations for upgrades (446). Tie this layout to as-built updates in 731 so maintenance crews aren’t guessing years later.

528.4 Service clearances

Respect finger and tool space (365). Clearances speed crash rated bollard repairs.

Set a “service envelope” for each device: room to extract modules, swing a screwdriver, and probe test points safely. Keep at least one full bay of free trunking space near dense I/O areas for rework. Provide clear floor/front clearance for door swing and a safe step-in area if it’s a floor-standing cabinet. Add an internal work light and a small fold-down shelf if operators need to plug in a laptop for diagnostics.

Guard live parts during service with shrouds and isolators (725). Add a door-open tamper input so the system can alarm or inhibit risky actions when panels are open.

528.5 DIN rail & trunking

Sized for spare capacity and neat routing. Good rails help HVM bollard upgrades (446).

Plan rail spacing so devices breathe and labels are visible. Reserve at least 20–30% spare rail length and trunking fill for additions. Use trunking reducers and cross-overs to keep separation between power and control while minimizing cable length. Pre-terminated looms can accelerate build quality—ensure pre-terminated looms match your ferrule scheme (527).

Where devices must be isolated (e.g., VFDs), mount them on separate plates for thermal and EMC reasons. Add captive hardware on plates that are frequently removed to reduce dropped-fastener risks during service.

528.6 Door furniture & locks

Durable locks/hinges with anti-tamper (516). Furniture secures crash rated bollard panels.

Use robust hinges and multi-point locks with shrouds in exposed or public areas. Standardize keying (with escalation paths for incidents) and record lock types in the asset register (732). Where frequent access is required, consider a swing frame for inner plates to maintain wiring integrity while exposing the rear of devices for inspection.

Add signage: isolation points, arc-flash warnings (where applicable), and emergency contact info. Tie lock status into alarm philosophy (536) if security monitoring is in scope.

528.7 Drainage/condensation

Drip shields, drain points, desiccants (334). Control protects HVM bollard terminations.

Prevent water routes: use membrane vents, breather drains, and rain hoods on cable entries. Keep terminations above any potential ponding level and away from the base corner. Place the drip shield so it doesn’t block airflow, and ensure desiccant packs are service-replaceable.

Where groundwater, washdown, or salt spray is expected, revisit 516 for IP/NEMA targets and materials from 361–364. Include a maintenance note to inspect drains and vent membranes at each service interval (734).

528.8 Lifting & mounting

Support frames and anchor points. Safe mounting preserves crash rated bollard integrity.

For floor cabinets, specify base channels or plinths that clear surface water and allow bolt access. For wall cabinets, confirm wall capacity and fixing edge distances; keep anchors clear of cable entries. Provide certified lifting points if the enclosure will be moved post-wiring, and document centre of gravity. Ensure mounting allows door swing without striking adjacent walls or equipment.

Coordinate with civil/MEP to protect ducts/trenches (246, 934) and avoid creating new leak paths. If cabinets are outdoors, ensure sun-load mitigation and service lighting for night interventions.

528.9 Layout drawing standards

Provide layered CAD with BOM (931). Standards accelerate HVM bollard approvals.

Publish front/rear elevations, plan views, door-swing envelopes, and detailed sections for each plate. Use consistent layer naming, title blocks, and revision tags (915, 537). Include a device list (with heat load), terminal maps, and cable entry schedules so commissioning teams can verify against drawings during SAT (638). Export a snapshot PDF with bookmarks for submission packs (938).

Related

External resources

528 Enclosure Layout & Access — FAQ

What’s the quickest way to check if my enclosure will overheat?
List the device watt losses and run the Enclosure Heat-Load Estimator (926). Then confirm airflow direction, filter sizes, and that intakes/exhausts aren’t blocked by trunking or door cards. In GCC sites, add sun-load mitigation from 337/363.
How should I separate power and control wiring inside the cabinet?
Use zoned gland plates and dedicated trunking runs: power one side, control/communications the other. Maintain bend radii and segregation clearances from 515, and keep sensitive I/O away from contactors to improve EMC.
What minimum service clearances should I plan for?
Provide finger and tool access around all terminals and modules, plus unobstructed door swing. Keep spare trunking capacity (≈20–30%) and rail length for additions. Add work light and laptop shelf if diagnostics are expected.
How do I prevent condensation and water ingress?
Use membrane vents or breather drains, drip shields, and raised cable entries. Keep terminations above any ponding level and select the correct IP/NEMA rating (516) for the environment.