SUBSTATION 

DESIGN GUIDE 

2009 December 
Revision 0

RECORD OF REVISIONS
Rev. No. Date By Pages Description
Revision 0 2009 Dec BCHE All First issue
 Substation Design Guide

Disclaimer

This Substation Design Guide (the Guide) was prepared by the Engineering division of
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) and by British Columbia
Transmission Corporation (BCTC). This Guide is not intended as a design specification
or as an instruction manual for substations built for BCTC and shall not be used by any
third party for those purposes. Persons using the information included in this Guide shall
do so at no risk to BCTC, and they rely solely upon themselves to ensure that their use
of all or any part of this Guide is appropriate in the particular circumstances.

Any third party, its employees or agents must recognize that they are, at all times, solely
responsible for the design and construction of any substation built for BCTC. BCTC, BC
Hydro nor any of their employees or agents shall be, nor become, the agents of any third
party, in any manner whatsoever arising.

BCTC’s review of the specifications and detailed plans shall not be construed as
confirming or endorsing the design or as warranting the safety, durability or reliability of a
substation built for BCTC. BCTC, by reason of such review or lack of review, shall be
responsible for neither the strength or adequacy of design of a substation built for BCTC,
nor shall BCTC, BC Hydro, or any of their employees or agents, be responsible for any
injury to the public or workers resulting from the design or construction of any substation
built for BCTC.

In general, the advice by BCTC, any of its employees or agents, that the design meet
certain limited requirements of BCTC does not mean, expressly or by implication, that all
or any of the requirements of the law or other good engineering practices have been met
by a third party, and such judgement shall not be construed by a third party and others
as an endorsement of the design or as a warranty, by BCTC, or any of its employees.

The information contained in this document is subject to change and may be revised at
any time. BCTC should be consulted in case of doubt on the current applicability of any
item.

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................1
2 Abbreviations .........................................................................................................................1
3 Safety.....................................................................................................................................1
3.1 Safety Incident Response and Reporting .......................................................................2
3.2 Safety Review.................................................................................................................2
4 Environmental........................................................................................................................2
4.1 Equipment Replacements ..............................................................................................3
4.2 Work Planning and Management ...................................................................................3
4.3 Incident Response and Reporting ..................................................................................3
4.4 Spill Contingency and Environmental Plans ...................................................................3
5 Project Scope of Work ...........................................................................................................4
5.1 User Requirements.........................................................................................................4
5.2 Review points .................................................................................................................4
5.3 BC Hydro Engineering Standards ..................................................................................5
5.4 BCTC Maintenance Standards.......................................................................................6
5.5 Other Standards .............................................................................................................6
5.6 Special Tools ..................................................................................................................6
5.7 Materials and Auxiliary Equipment .................................................................................7
5.8 Spare Parts.....................................................................................................................8
6 Documentation.......................................................................................................................8
6.1 General...........................................................................................................................8
6.2 Substation Design Basis.................................................................................................8
6.3 System Information and Studies.....................................................................................8
6.4 Drawings.........................................................................................................................9
6.5 Manuals ........................................................................................................................10
7 Interfacing ............................................................................................................................10
7.1 Distribution Interface.....................................................................................................10
7.2 Transmission Interface .................................................................................................11
7.3 Telephone Interface......................................................................................................11
8 Properties ............................................................................................................................11
8.1 Acquisition ....................................................................................................................11
8.2 Permits .........................................................................................................................11

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9 Substation Planning.............................................................................................................11
10 Common Substation Requirements .................................................................................12
11 Equipment ........................................................................................................................12
11.1 General .....................................................................................................................12
11.2 Transformers.............................................................................................................13
11.3 Shunt Reactors (Oil Filled)........................................................................................13
11.4 VTs, CTs and CVTs, CCs and WTs..........................................................................13
11.5 Series and Neutral Air-Core Reactors ......................................................................13
11.6 Shunt Capacitor Banks .............................................................................................13
11.7 TRV Capacitor Units .................................................................................................14
11.8 Station Service Transformers ...................................................................................14
11.9 Station Service Batteries and DC Power Supplies ...................................................14
11.10 Voltage Regulators ...................................................................................................14
11.11 Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) ...............................................................................14
11.12 Static and Series Compensation Equipment ............................................................14
11.13 Switching Equipment ................................................................................................14
11.14 Disconnect Switch.....................................................................................................14
11.15 Surge Arresters.........................................................................................................14
11.16 Circuit Breaker ..........................................................................................................14
12 Civil Design ......................................................................................................................15
12.1 Site Selection ............................................................................................................15
12.2 Site Preparation ........................................................................................................15
12.3 Seismic .....................................................................................................................15
12.4 Flood Protection........................................................................................................16
12.5 Insulating Oil Spill Containment for Outdoor Equipment...........................................16
12.6 Cable Trenches, Manholes, and Pull boxes and Duct ..............................................16
12.7 Fence ........................................................................................................................17
12.8 Footings ....................................................................................................................17
12.9 Support Structures ....................................................................................................18
12.10 Access Roads ...........................................................................................................18
13 Electrical Design ..............................................................................................................18
13.1 Clearances................................................................................................................18
13.2 Switchyard ................................................................................................................18
13.3 Major Equipment Control Cabinets ...........................................................................19

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13.4 Arc Flash...................................................................................................................19

13.5 Lightning Shielding....................................................................................................19
13.6 Lighting .....................................................................................................................19
13.7 Substation Markings .................................................................................................20
13.8 AC Station Service....................................................................................................20
13.9 DC Station Service....................................................................................................21
13.10 Control Cables ..........................................................................................................21
13.11 Grounding .................................................................................................................22
14 Control Buildings ..............................................................................................................24
14.1 General .....................................................................................................................24
14.2 Battery Rooms ..........................................................................................................25
15 Protection and Control design..........................................................................................25
15.1 General .....................................................................................................................25
15.2 Protection and Control Switchboard Panels .............................................................26
15.3 Panel Isolation and Test Facilities ............................................................................26
15.4 Circuit Supervision ....................................................................................................26
15.5 Station Metering, Control and Alarms .......................................................................26
15.6 SCADA and RTUs ....................................................................................................26
15.7 Remote Access Security...........................................................................................26
16 Telecommunication Design..............................................................................................26
16.1 High Voltage (HV) Entrance Protection ....................................................................27
16.2 Fibre Optic ................................................................................................................27
17 Mechanical Design...........................................................................................................27
17.1 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) ....................................................27
17.2 Battery Rooms ..........................................................................................................27
17.3 Fire Protection...........................................................................................................28
17.4 Standby Generators..................................................................................................28
17.5 Auxiliary Mechanical Equipment ...............................................................................29
17.6 Plumbing (Include Washrooms)................................................................................29
17.7 Audible Noise and Abatement ..................................................................................29
18 Construction .....................................................................................................................29
18.1 Coordination..............................................................................................................29
18.2 Site Security..............................................................................................................29
18.3 Project Acceptance for Energization.........................................................................29

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19 Operation and Maintenance.............................................................................................29

19.1 Considerations ..........................................................................................................29
19.2 Training .....................................................................................................................30
19.3 Operation and Maintenance Manual.........................................................................30
Appendix A..................................................................................................................................A1
Appendix B..................................................................................................................................B1
Appendix C ................................................................................................................................ C1
Appendix D ................................................................................................................................ D1
Appendix E..................................................................................................................................E1

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1 INTRODUCTION
This guide is a high level summary of substation functional design and construction
requirements. The intended audience is Contractors who design, construct, and commission
substation projects for the British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC).
This Substation Design Guide applies to all BCTC substation projects. Contractors shall notify
BCTC when the requirements of this guide cannot be met for a project. Any variances from this
guide must be accepted in writing by BCTC.
Other documents that Contractors will refer to include:
• Information Management Process for BCTC Consultants.
• Drawing Management Process for BCTC Consultants.
• BC Hydro Engineering Standards.
• BCTC Maintenance Standards.

2 ABBREVIATIONS
BCH – British Columbia Hydro
BCTC - British Columbia Transmission Corporation
CC – Coupling Capacitor
CT – Current Transformer
CVT – Capacitive Voltage Transformer
LOO – Local Operating Order
MMBU – Material Management Business Unit, a division of BC Hydro
OSH – Occupational Safety and Health
PPE – Personnel Protective Equipment
PSSP – BCTC Power System Safety Protection
SA – Surge Arrester
SDA – Substation Distribution Asset. Substation assets associated with the supply of the
distribution system at 25 kV or below. The boundary of SDAs is the high side bushing of any
step down transformer and all associated equipment to connect to the distribution system.
SPR – BC Hydro Safety Practice Regulations
TA – Transmission Assets. Substation assets associated with the transmission system. See
boundary for SDA.
TRV – Transient Recovery Voltage
VT – Voltage Transformer
WT – Wave Trap

3 SAFETY
Safety is one of BCTC’s key operating considerations. It is consistently and visibly applied
throughout the corporation. Contractors shall follow this philosophy in substation projects by

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applying appropriate measures and all applicable statutory standards to eliminate the risk and
hazards that contribute to accidental injuries and occupational diseases.
The following documents provide a guide only in establishing safety requirements for
substation projects.
(a) WorkSafeBC Occupational Health & Safety Regulations
(b) BC Hydro Safety Practice Regulations (SPR)
(c) BCTC Power System Safety Protection (PSSP)
(d) BC Hydro Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.

BCTC maintains a database of hazardous materials at substations. The Contractor will contact
the BCTC project manager to learn about known hazards at a substation. An example of this is
asbestos that may exist in a substation that does not pose a risk until disturbed.

3.1 Safety Incident Response and Reporting

BCTC expects its Contractors to be competent in incident preparedness and response. Should
a safety incident occur, the Contractor shall:
• Respond immediately to the incident as appropriate; and
• Advise the BCTC Project Manager as soon as possible.

3.2 Safety Review

The Contractor shall complete a Safety Review for the project which looks at safety hazards
and how they are eliminated or mitigated. Preference is given to mitigation without using
Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE). BCTC is to be involved in the risk evaluation and
hazard treatment. High cost hazard treatments and all hazards that cannot be mitigated to an
acceptable level and require PPE shall be accepted by BCTC before proceeding. See
Appendix E for additional information.
All residual hazards and those requiring PPE must be documented. This documentation shall
be provided to the Field Coordinator prior to energization so they can be included in the station
Local Operating Order (LOO). This will allow operation and maintenance staff to become aware
of these hazards. See Section18.3.
A list of common hazards in a substation is given in Appendix E. This list is not exhaustive and
the Contractor must review all hazards associated with the project. An example is exposed,
energized bus. This hazard may be mitigated by having sufficient space to allow for the
required Limits of Approach.
Hazards for the supplied equipment that could occur during operation and maintenance shall
be included.

4 ENVIRONMENTAL
BCTC requires that construction of a substation project be performed in an environmentally
responsible manner in accordance with the following key commitments of BCTC’s
Environmental Responsibility Principles and the Environmental Management System (EMS):
• Avoid and mitigate environmental impacts
• Meet or exceed environmental regulatory requirements
BCTC expects that if environmental incidents occur they will be mitigated in a duly diligent
fashion. The BCTC project manager is to be informed as soon as possible when an incident
occurs.

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All projects require an environmental assessment. An Environmental Management Plan, which

has been agreed with the appropriate regulatory agencies, is required before construction
begins.

4.1 Equipment Replacements

When replacing equipment in an existing substation, the Contractor shall ensure the soil within
a 3 m radius of the equipment is free of contaminates after the project is finished by completing
the following:
1. Detect soil contamination and take timely action before it can spread and contaminate
surface or ground water,
2. Treat or dispose of contaminated soil promptly in accordance with environmental
regulations,
3. Record contaminated areas and corrective actions taken, and
4. Any removed equipment must be tested for contaminates (e.g., PCB in oil filled
equipment or SF6) and ensure proper disposal of any contaminates found.

4.2 Work Planning and Management

While planning and executing substation construction activities, the Contractor is required to
reduce the potential for environmental incidents by assuring that the following are completed.
• Applicable environmental aspects (risks) are considered and communicated
through pre job meetings, tailboard meetings and contract documents, as
applicable.
• Crews are aware of and trained in managing environmental aspects of their work
• Applicable work procedures are adhered to by crews.
• Environmental spot-checks are included in inspections and field checks.

4.3 Incident Response and Reporting

BCTC expects its Contractors to be competent in incident preparedness and response. Should
an environmental incident occur, the Contractor shall:
• Direct the response, as appropriate; and
• Ensure that the environmental incident is reported to the regulator.
The BCTC standard for environmental incident reporting given in Appendix A.
Legal obligations to report certain spills to regulatory agencies are specified in Best
Management Practices (BMPs) General References – Reportable Spill Quantities given in
Appendix B.

4.4 Spill Contingency and Environmental Plans

The Contractor shall provide or update the spill contingency and environmental plans for a
substation. Refer to BC’s Ministry of Environment website that provides general requirements
for these documents.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/resources/guidelines/bc.htm

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5 PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK

BCTC will provide a Scope of Work for each project definition. In the process of completing the
project, the Contractor shall use the Substation Design Guide together with experience,
knowledge and Good Utility Practice to deliver the project.
Good Utility Practice means any of the practices, methods and acts engaged
in or approved by a significant portion of the electric utility industry during the
relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods and acts which, in the
exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the time the
decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result
at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety,
and expedition. Good Utility Practice is not intended to be limited to the
optimum practice, method or act to the exclusion of all others, but rather to be
acceptable practices, methods or acts generally accepted in North America.

5.1 User Requirements

User requirements are obtained from BCTC as well as operations and maintenance trade and
management staff. A site visit is mandatory at the start of a project to learn about site
conditions, historic issues and other user requirements. BCTC may approve elimination of the
site visit provided the project complexity is low and the Contractor has obtained the user
requirements through alternate methods.

5.2 Review points

A typical project would have several client and user review points as defined by the BCTC
Project Manager. Typical review points follow.
1. Site visit
Site visits shall be carried out to confirm the existing conditions and consult field staff
on existing issues.
2. Preliminary Design Review
A preliminary design review shall be carried out with the client and users to confirm
the scope requirements are being met.
3. Final Design Review
A final design review shall be carried out.
4. Field Reviews
The Contractor shall conduct sufficient field reviews to confirm that the project or parts
of the project substantially complies to engineer’s drawings.
5. Lessons Learned
BCTC, stake holders and the Contractor shall participate in a meeting to review
lessons from the project. The intent is to build a body of knowledge for future projects.
6. Close out
A final review of the project shall be carried out with BCTC after completion.

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5.3 BC Hydro Engineering Standards

BCTC will provide BC Hydro Engineering Standards and other relevant information used in the
substation design and construction. BC Hydro Engineering Standards are available from the
BC Hydro through the information Coordinator.
BC Hydro Engineering Standards change from time to time. It is the Contractor’s responsibility
to obtain the latest standards. It should be noted that BC Hydro standards may not be current
and it is the Contractor’s responsibility to use appropriate industry or national standards for
design and construction in such cases. The applicable BC Hydro Engineering Standards for
substations are list below.

Standard Series Description

ES 10 Technical Documentation
ES 21 Station Civil
ES 31 Station Mechanical
ES 44 Station Electrical
ES 45 P & C Engineering Design
ES 46 Telecommunication

The following disclaimer applies to BC Hydro Engineering Standards. See ES00-Disclaimer.

BC Hydro holds all title and rights, including the copyright, in or to these
Engineering Standards.
These Standards have been prepared for or by BC Hydro to meet specific purposes
of BC Hydro. Any person receiving these Standards shall not use, copy, rely upon
or disclose them, in whole or in part, except:
(a) for the purpose of providing services to BC Hydro,
(b) with the prior written consent of BC Hydro, or
(c) as required by law.
BC Hydro, its servants or agents, regardless of fault or cause shall not be liable to
any person for injury, loss or damage arising out of the use of or reliance upon
these Standards, in whole or in part, except for those situations where the person
uses the Standards to provide services to BC Hydro.
Any person using these Standards thereby agrees to indemnify BC Hydro, its
servants or agents, regardless of fault or cause from any injury, loss, damage or
claim arising or alleged to be arising from use of or reliance upon the Standards, in
whole or in part, except for those situations where the person directly uses the
Standards to provide services to BC Hydro.

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5.4 BCTC Maintenance Standards

BCTC will provide its Maintenance Standards used for substation maintenance. These
standards change from time to time and it is the Contractor’s responsibility to obtain the latest
standards. The applicable Maintenance Standard Classes for substations are listed below.

Class Description
20 Tele-control
21 Tone Equipment and Test Panels
22 Microwave
23 Control and Telemetry
24 Data Collection Platforms
25 Power Line Carriers
29 Power Supplies
30 Security
32 Emergency Plans
33 Fiber Optics
34 Wire line /Wireless Equipment
40 General P&C
41 P&C Test Equipment
42 P&C Relays
43 Protection
47 Control systems
48 Recorders
49 Meters
n.a. Electrical, Mechanical and Civil

5.5 Other Standards

BCTC encourages Contractors to follow the Canadian Electrical Code when possible. Other
applicable standards should be use as applicable.

5.6 Special Tools

Any special tools or equipment required for the operation and maintenance of the substation
shall be provided by the Contractor and assigned to BCTC.

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5.7 Materials and Auxiliary Equipment

5.7.1 Material Management Business Unit (MMBU)

Common materials are available from BC Hydro’s Material Management Business Unit
(MMBU). A current list of material is available from the BCTC Project Manager. These
materials meet the necessary specifications, standards and quality assurance
requirements and should be used when possible. The Engineer of Record is still
responsible for ensuring that the materials used are suitable for the intended use.
Material ordered from MMBU shall be ordered a minimum of 90 days prior to the date
needed or for those items with delivery times longer than 90 days, ordered ahead by at
least the item’s minimum order time.
Materials and equipment not available from MMBU shall be provided by the Contractor
and be new, of current manufacture and meet all applicable codes, standards and
requirements. All electrical material and equipment shall be certified by CSA/CUL,
except for high voltage equipment not covered by these standards.

5.7.2 Noise Immunity

New, permanently installed auxiliary equipment, particularly electronic equipment, shall
be designed and tested to have electrical noise immunity. Examples include fire
detection, protection & control, and dc power systems. The equipment shall be in the
normal powered-up state during the tests. Tests will be considered successful when no
erroneous output is present, no component failure occurs, and there is no change in
calibration exceeding normal tolerance. An erroneous output is one that presents false
information, such as target lights or trip pulses.

1. Surge Withstand Capability (SWC) and Fast Transient Tests

The equipment shall be tested for Surge Withstand Capability (SWC) in accordance
with IEEE Standard 472 (ANSI C37.90.1). All external connections including power
supply connections, but excluding communication links and 4-20 mA analog
signals, shall withstand the test signal applied both in the transverse and common
modes.

2. Radiated Radio Frequency Wave Test

The equipment shall be tested to determine the sensitivity of the equipment to
radiated high-frequency wave interference coupled from nearby radio transmitters.

The equipment shall be subjected to transmission from each of the following output
frequencies:
.1 15 W in the 47-48 MHz band
.2 10 W in the 158-173 MHz band
.3 5 W in the 450-470 MHz band
.4 0.6 W, 832 MHz (cellular phone region)

For the test, the equipment enclosure (chassis) that acts to shield the solid state
portions of the equipment shall be in the normal in-service (closed) condition and
also in the open condition.

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When the cabinet door is open, the radio antenna shall be brought to within
300 mm of the exposed operating circuits. The radio transmitter shall be operated
both continuously and interrupted once per second. Each test shall be performed
with the radio antenna oriented in each of the X, Y, and Z planes with respect to the
exposed operating circuits.

5.8 Spare Parts

BCTC’s strategy is to minimize spare parts. The Contractor shall provide a list of recommended
spare parts to BCTC. BCTC will review the list and recommend changes.
Once the spare parts list is accepted by BCTC, the Contractor shall purchase the spare parts
as part of the project. Spare parts are delivered to BCH MMBU where they will be stored and
inventoried. The address for BCH MMBU follows.
BC Hydro
Attention, Store Keeper
Surrey System Spares
12345 88th Avenue
Surrey, BC, Canada, V3W 5Z9

6 DOCUMENTATION
6.1 General
The Contractor shall provide complete project documentation. Documentation includes all
details pertaining to the project undertaken and all information required to allow BCTC to
maintain complete and accurate records of the power system.
The following procedures detail the exchange of information and drawings between BCTC and
the Contractor.
• Information Management Process for BCTC Consultants
• Drawing Management Process for BCTC Consultants
The documentation required to be submitted for a project is detailed below.

6.2 Substation Design Basis

A project is described in a Substation Design Basis. Appendix C contains the outline of a
Substation Design Basis that will be used by the Contractor. It is sufficient to document most
subjects within the body of the Substation Design Basis. For those topics that are more
complex or lengthy, details may be given in Appendices of the Substation Design Basis or
referenced reports and studies. It is acceptable for each discipline to have its own design basis.
The Contractor shall provide documentation of the hazards associated with the project and how
the hazards are eliminated or mitigated as outlined in Appendix E.
An important part of the design basis is how the Contractor has dealt with operating and
maintenance requirements. The Contractor shall document how the operating and
maintenance requirement have been met. An example would be that Column 3 limits of
approach are maintained for all maintenance operations.

6.3 System Information and Studies

Information required to update system databases, models and files is required for each project.
This shall be provided by the Contractor for all projects. Typical items required follow. For

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further details refer to the “Information Coordination for BCTC Contractors” available from
BCTC.
(a) Protective Relay settings,
(b) CT Saturation Curves,
(c) Equipment Tender/Equipment Contracts,
(d) Equipment Test Reports,
(e) Equipment Commissioning Reports,
(f) P&C Software Code and Device Configurations (e.g. PLC, HMI),
(g) Aspen Bases Case model,
(h) PSS/E Case model,
(i) Harmonic Study,
(j) Short Circuit Study,
(k) Transient Recovery Voltage Study,
(l) Insulation Coordination Study,
(m) Geotechnical reports,
(n) Environmental Assessments,
(o) Environmental Management Plans,
(p) Contract Specifications,
(q) Protection and Control Application,
(r) Telecommunication Application,
(s) RTU setting files,
(t) Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF) study,
(u) Spare parts and special tools,
(v) Hazardous material identification,
(w) Noise level study,
(x) Security study, and
(y) Spill contingency plan (including spill contingency drawing)

6.4 Drawings
Drawings will completely detail the design of the project and Issued As-Built are required to
reflect the final as-constructed state. Typical subjects for drawing types are listed below. (Refer
to BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 10-A0020 for subject descriptions.)
(a) Civil and structural (typically subject 05)
(b) Electrical (typically subjects 05, 06, 16 and 60)
(c) Environmental (typically subjects 50 & 51)
(d) Mechanical (typically subjects 05 & 28)
(e) Planning (typically subject 06)
(f) Protection and Control drawings (typically subjects 05, 06, 16 and 27)
(g) Telecommunication (typically subjects 05 and 16).
All substation drawings are to be updated for a project. The objective is to have a concise,
accurate and easy to understand drawing set. When a project involves work that is covered by
existing drawings, the existing drawings must be updated to show the new work. The new work
should not be shown on new drawings unless drawing constraints prevent this. In this case,
consideration should be made to revising the drawing(s) in some way (e.g., change scale to
allow more to be shown, make into more than one drawing with approximately equal parts
shown on each drawing) to improve the presentation.

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Drawings are continually revised to show new work. An exception is station planning drawings
(i.e., P06), which only show the work for a single project. Planning drawings a revised for
changes for that project only.
To allow for ongoing substation operation, the contractor shall leave a complete set of As-Built
drawings at the substation once a construction project is complete. It is understood that Issued
As-Built drawings will not be available immediately, so this set of these drawings may be hand
marked to show the as-built changes. The expectation is that Issued as-built drawings will
follow in a reasonable time.

6.5 Manuals
The following manuals are to be provided for all projects.
• Major Equipment
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
• Fire detection and protection.
• General substation operation and maintenance
The original copy of all manuals is to be numbered like a drawing and stored in the BC Hydro
drawing vault.

7 INTERFACING
Substations interface with areas such as roadways, area drainage, communications systems,
and electric power lines. Sufficient lead time has to be allowed to coordinate activities with
public agencies for roadway access and with communications agencies for communications
facilities.
When locating a new substation, coordinate the location, design and construction with other
utilities operating in the vicinity. Other utilities include but are not limited to:
(a) Telecommunications,
(b) Cable television,
(c) Water,
(d) Sewer,
(e) Natural gas, and
(f) Radio and television stations.

7.1 Distribution Interface

The distribution feeders connect to the substation bus by either insulated power cable or
overhead lines. All facilities within the substation shall be provided as part of the substation
project.

7.1.1 Underground connections

Manholes and duct banks within the substation shall be provided to bring feeders to
each feeder position. Substation duct banks shall be built to a point 1 m outside the
perimeter fence in a location coordinated with the Distribution system designer.
Substation duct banks will typically have 125 mm (5 in) diameter ducts. Manholes are
required for longer duct runs and should allow for easy access to both the inside of the
manhole and for above ground equipment. Manholes should have sufficient pulling
eyes.

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Above ground cable supports, bus connection points and isolating links are also to be
provided. The isolating link shall have bolted type connections with ground studs at
each that allow the link to be removed with safety grounds attached to the ground
studs.
BC Hydro Field Operations is responsible for installing and terminating feeder cables in
the substation.

7.1.2 Overhead Connections

Terminal structures shall be provided for overhead distribution lines. The connection
between the line and the substation shall be part of the substation including line
connectors. The tension and incoming angles of the overhead line shall be obtained
from the Distribution designer. Line and bus phasing shall be coordinated between the
two groups.
BC Hydro Field Operations is responsible for installing the overhead conductor and
dead end insulator. The substation contractor shall install the connection between the
overhead conductor and the substation bus.

7.2 Transmission Interface

The most common transmission interface will be on overhead lines. Underground transmission
lines are uncommon and would require detailed coordination with the Transmission Contractor.
The substation shall provide a terminal structure for transmission lines. The tension and
incoming angles of the overhead line shall be obtained from the Transmission Contractor. The
substation Contractor shall install the connection between the overhead conductor and the
substation bus including line connectors. Line and bus phasing shall be coordinated between
the two groups.

7.3 Telephone Interface

Telephone circuits into the substation must be coordinated with the local telephone company.
Based on the substation GPR, isolation between the substation and the telephone may be
required for metallic connections. This would typically be provided through optical isolators or
avoided with the use of fibre optic connections. See Section 16.1 for more details.

8 PROPERTIES
8.1 Acquisition
All substation property matters are handled through BC Hydro Properties. Contact the BCTC
project manager for more information.

8.2 Permits
It is the Contractor’s responsibility to obtain all permits required to complete a project. In
general, BC Hydro and BCTC are exempt from electrical permits when the design is signed by
a Professional Engineer.

9 SUBSTATION PLANNING
Substation planning will consider the location, size, voltage, sources, loads, short term function
and ultimate function of a substation. If adequate planning is not done, a substation may
require unnecessary and costly modification in the future.

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The planning basis will follow N-1 scenarios. That is, the substation will continue to operate and
fully serve its design function when one component fails. If auxiliary systems are used for
equipment operation, then these systems shall also have the same redundancy. For example,
an indoor substation with glycol cooling for its transformers shall have independent systems
and controls so that a common failure does not result an N-2 or worse scenario.
The planning will allow for the installation, operation, maintenance and removal of all
equipment without interruption of service to other nearby equipment. An example of this would
the addition of isolating disconnect switches on either side of a circuit breaker.
Planning should be based on an ultimate configuration or plan. Work shall not be done on a
substation project that jeopardizes the ultimate configuration without BCTC approval.
Circuit breakers used to switch 500 kV transmission lines and reactive equipment at 230 kV
and higher will use point on wave controllers.
All equipment shall have a full load rating suitable for the full overload rating of the transformer.
For winter peaking stations, the transformer overload rating is normally 133% of the fully forced
rating.
Station transformers used to supply 12 kV distribution systems shall have dual voltage (re-
connectable) secondary windings rated for both 12 kV and 25 kV operation. The 25 kV
provision will eliminate the need to replace the transformer if voltage conversion occurs in the
future.
BCTC’s transformer spares strategy requires that all substation transformers have a spare
available to establish N-1 within 3 weeks after the failure of a transformer. Restoration to N-1
can be established by offloading or transfer of all load to another source. The restoration to N-1
can also be established by permanent installation of a spare. The purchase of a spare shall be
part of a capital upgrade project and will occur when this requirement is not met through normal
station operation or load transfer capability.

10 COMMON SUBSTATION REQUIREMENTS

The following items are to be provided as part of a substation project.
• Oil spill kit(s).
• Eye wash stations.
• Fire extinguisher(s).
• Acid spill kit(s)

11 EQUIPMENT
Substation projects will use equipment that is accepted by BCTC when available. The BCTC
accepted equipment list is given in Appendix D. This list may change and it is the Contractor’s
responsibility to obtain the latest BCTC accepted equipment list. All equipment purchases on
the BCTC accepted list must be processed through BCTC Procurement.
Equipment with Catalogue Ids (Cat Id) are to only used for emergency purposes except with
the permission of BCTC.

11.1 General
All equipment specifications are to be reviewed and accepted by BCTC.
Oil filled equipment shall have containment in accordance with Section 12.5.

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All hazardous areas of the equipment must have manufacturer supplied barriers to prevent
safety incidents during normal operation. For example, electrical energized parts must be
suitably insulated or isolated and moving parts must have a barrier to prevent injury.
Equipment manuals shall be filed in accordance with Section 6.5.
When non-standard equipment is used, BCTC shall be consulted to determine if spare
equipment should be procured for the project.

11.2 Transformers
Transformers of various MVA ratings with primary voltages of 230, 130 and 64 kV are a part of
BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts. Transformers rated 500 kV are not a part of BCTC
Major Equipment Blanket Contracts and, therefore must be tendered. Specifications for this
equipment must be in accordance with the latest revision of BCTC Standard Technical
Specification E-844.

11.3 Shunt Reactors (Oil Filled)

Oil filled shunt reactors are not a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts and,
therefore must be tendered. Specifications for oil filled shunt reactors rated 360 kV and below
must be in accordance with the latest revision of BCTC Standard Technical Specification
E-832. Specifications for oil filled shunt reactors rated 500 kV must be in accordance with the
latest revision of BCTC Standard Technical Specification E-865.

11.4 VTs, CTs and CVTs, CCs and WTs

VTs, CVTs and CCs are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts. CTs rated 500,
230 and 145 kV are stock items and are procured by MMBU using blanket purchase orders.
Passport catalogue id numbers and descriptions for the CTs are as follows:
Cat Id Description
356-1731 145 kV class, 650 kV BIL, TPY, 2000/1500/1200/400-5/5/5/5 A
356-1718 230 kV class, 1050 kV BIL, TPY, 3000/2500/2200/1000-5/5/5/5 A
9600-6570 500 kV class, 1550 kV BIL, TPY, 3000/2500/2200/1000-5/5/5/5 A
9600-6571 500 kV class, 1550 kV BIL, TPY, 4000/3000/2000/1500-5/5/5/5 A
356-1719 500 kV class, 1800 kV BIL, TPY, 3000/2500/2200/1000-5/5/5/5 A
WTs are not a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts and, therefore must be
tendered. Specifications for wave traps rated 360 kV and below must be in accordance with the
latest revision of BCTC Standard Technical Specification E-839. Specifications for wave traps
rated 500 kV must be in accordance with the latest revision of BCTC Standard Technical
Specification E-866. For system voltages of 230 kV or higher, wave traps qualified for High
Seismic Qualification Level are preferred to be supported by composite insulators.

11.5 Series and Neutral Air-Core Reactors

Series and neutral air-core reactors are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts.

11.6 Shunt Capacitor Banks

Shunt capacitor banks are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts. When required,
reactors to control the transient recovery voltage are to be placed in the neutral of the shunt
capacitor bank.

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11.7 TRV Capacitor Units

Transient Recovery Voltage (TRV) capacitor units are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket
Contracts.

11.8 Station Service Transformers

Station service transformers are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts.

11.9 Station Service Batteries and DC Power Supplies

Station service batteries and dc power supplies are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket
Contracts.

11.10 Voltage Regulators

Single and three phase voltage regulators are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket
Contracts.

11.11 Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS)

GIS is not a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts and therefore must be tendered.
Detailed project specific specifications are written by the Contractor for these types of
equipment.

11.12 Static and Series Compensation Equipment

Static (Statcoms) and series (SVC) compensators are not a part of BCTC Major Equipment
Blanket Contracts and therefore must be tendered. Detailed project specific specifications are
written by the Contractor for these types of equipment.

11.13 Switching Equipment

Specifications for switching equipment, disconnect switches, circuit switchers and circuit
breakers, must be accepted by BCTC. Switching equipment may be a part of BCTC Major
Equipment Blanket Contracts.

11.14 Disconnect Switch

Disconnect switches should be designed and manufactured according to BCTC Equipment
Standard E-827 up to 360 kV and E-869 for 500 kV.

11.15 Surge Arresters

Surge arresters are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts. Types not available
from the blanket contracts shall be designed and manufactured according to BCTC Equipment
Standard E-784 for those rated 360 kV and below or E-862 for those rated 500 kV.

11.16 Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breakers should be designed and manufactured according to the following
corresponding BCTC Equipment Standards:
72.5 kV and 145 kV Circuit Breakers E-800
230 and 300 kV Circuit Breakers E-729
360kV Circuit Breakers E-892
500kV Circuit Breakers E-868
Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers E-846

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High Voltage Circuit Breakers E-893

Dead tank circuit breakers are preferred over the live tank type for seismic withstand reasons.

12 CIVIL DESIGN
12.1 Site Selection
All sites should be fully investigated and selected to meet the goals of supplying and
maintaining a safe, efficient, and reliable electric system. All government and municipal
regulations shall be complied with and public safety and other concerns shall be considered
through public consultation. Site shall be selected based on safety, environmental, electrical,
topography, soil conditions, and socio-economical criteria. See BC Hydro Engineering
Standards ES 21 Section B for guidance.

12.2 Site Preparation

Substation site preparation is of critical importance to the long term stability of the substation.
The Contractor shall consider the location of the substation as well as the expected equipment
in the substation and the surrounding environment when determining the site preparation
requirements. Sufficient geotechnical investigation of the site must be undertaken to ensure
that the appropriate engineered sub grade conditions are constructed. Site clearing and
preparation shall be completed in accordance with all federal, provincial and municipal
regulations. BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 21 Section B – Site Development and
Drainage and also ES 44 Section C (Outdoor High Voltage Low Profile Substation) provide
some guidelines for consideration and should be read in conjunction with all applicable
regulations.
The station surfacing material shall be appropriately chosen based on requirements for:
(a) Safety (public and employees)
(b) Vehicular access
(c) Vegetation management
(d) Erosion control
(e) Snow clearing
(f) Appearance
(g) Minimum maintenance
(h) Any special requirement

Boundaries around substations must be cleared to meet station protection and public safety
requirements taking into consideration
(a) Danger trees
(b) lie of land
(c) allowance for access roads
(d) allowance for ground grid
(e) need to conceal station
(f) environmental concerns
(g) other site specific requirements

12.3 Seismic
Stations must be designed and constructed such that they meet the performance requirements
of BCTC Performance Criteria. In general all substation structures and engineered sub-grades

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shall be designed to resist the appropriate site specific seismic forces such that the substation
can meet the Level 1 Facility, 72 hour return to service standard after the Design Earthquake
BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 44 Section E – Seismic Design Practices and ES 21
Section S – Seismic Hazard Abatement Details provide additional information on specific
requirements. It should be noted that BC Hydro standards may not be current and it is the
Contractor’s responsibility to use appropriate industry or national standards for design and
construction such as IEEE Std. 693 - Recommended Practices for Design of Substations or the
National Building Code of Canada 2005.
The designer of equipment layout for new stations shall call in the Seismic Specialist as
needed for equipment and rigid bus proximity to avoid secondary damage from debris falling
onto adjacent equipment.

12.4 Flood Protection

All energized substation equipment must be above the level of the 1 in 200 year flood event.
The substation grades shall be designed such that flood waters from the 1 in 200 year flood
event shall be greater than 300 mm below the substation finished grade. Where it is not
practical or economical to have the substation grade 300 mm above the 1 in 200 year flood
level the Contractor shall plan the substation layout to make provision to safely and
conveniently install flood protection measures around critical equipment and control buildings.
Buildings shall be designed such that they can be easily sealed against ingress of water from
the design flood level.

12.5 Insulating Oil Spill Containment for Outdoor Equipment

New substations or any addition of oil filled equipment to an existing substation shall be
designed catch and retain any accidental discharge of oil and to prevent the release of oil into
the environment outside the substation. General industry guidelines are identified in the IEEE
Std. 980, “Guide for Containment and Control of Oil Spills in Substations”. BC Hydro specific
guidelines are provided in BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 21 Section B – Site
Development and Drainage.
Considerations should be given to placement of oil containment curbing as it may restrict
movement and placement of aerial man-lift close to the equipment for maintenance. It may also
pose as a tripping hazard for workers.

12.6 Cable Trenches, Manholes, and Pull boxes and Duct

Power and control cables within the switchyard must be routed and installed such that the
cables are protected from damage during normal operations. Acceptable methods of protection
include direct burial with visual markers and mechanical protection, surface cable trenches and
pull-boxes with secured covers or concrete duct-banks and manholes with secured covers. BC
Hydro Engineering Standards ES 21 Section F – Cable Trenches, Manholes, Pull-boxes and
Duct provides guidance on the design requirements of the various cable installations.
Wooden Trench covers shall be fabricated from western red cedar, rough lumber of full sawn
dimensions, #2 structural grade or better conforming to the current N.L.C.A. Standard grading
rules. Planks shall be 50 mm x 150 mm or wider, butted tightly and nailed 50mm x 100 mm
stringers with 6-115 mm common galvanized nails per plank. Projecting nails shall be clinched.
Consideration should be given to the use of alternate types of trench covers in high theft areas
and around oil insulated equipment (where there is an increased fire risk).

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12.7 Fence
All stations must be secured against access by unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall
design a Substation Perimeter Barrier (Fence) that reduces the risk of unauthorized entry and
does not invite attempts to penetrate the security.
All new sites shall be assessed to achieve secure fence protection. Consideration shall be
given to the following factors:
(a) site topography
(b) annual precipitation (snow)
(c) geographic location – proximity to residential areas, schools and playgrounds
(d) potential for vandalism to cause widespread system impact
(e) manned or unmanned sites
(f) frequency of site visits by maintenance personnel
(g) local conditions

BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 21 Section B - Site Development, Drainage provides

guidance on the minimum acceptable standard for substation perimeter fencing as a security
barrier.
In areas where snow accumulation is common, a personnel gate will be installed in the main
gate with bottom of the gate 600 mm above grade to allow for access to the station prior to
snow removal. A second personnel gate should be provided for emergency exit in the event of
equipment failure or fire.
When a station access gate is off a public roadway, a parking spot shall be provided so
vehicles entering the station can park off the road while the gate is being opened or closed.
The parking spot shall accommodate the vehicles that typical access the station (e.g., a line
truck).
A second entrance gate should be considered to provide access when fire or other barrier
blocks the normal access gate.

12.8 Footings
Footings must be designed and constructed to carry the applied design loads from the
equipment they support to the foundation level such that the support does not fail (i.e. slide or
overturn). Footings shall be designed to meet the general requirements of the Canadian
Foundation Engineering Manual. BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 21 provides guidelines
on standard footing designs for use in BCTC substations. The following sections of ES 21
detail footing designs that may be used to support equipment after site specific conditions are
checked:
(a) Section H – Footings, General Notes and Design Criteria,
(b) Section K – 25 kV Footings,
(c) Section L – 69 kV Footings,
(d) Section M – 138 kV Footings,
(e) Section N – 230 kV Footings, and
(f) Section Q – 500 kV Footings (in progress).
For substation switchyards with poor or fine grained soils, consideration shall be given to the
use of augered concrete foundations or spread footings with frost protection and adequate sub-
base drainage.

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12.9 Support Structures

Substation switchyard support structures must be designed and constructed to support the
equipment under the appropriate climatic and design loads (wind, ice, seismic etc.). Support
structures shall be designed to industry best practices or failing that shall meet the minimum
loading conditions as outlined in the provisions of the National Building Code of Canada 2005.
Structure interior spaces must be designed to allow the drainage of water that may enter them.
Typical steel support structures for standard equipment are shown in BC Hydro Engineering
Standards ES 21 Section R – Outdoor Structures (Civil) and ES 44, Section H – Outdoor
Structures (Electrical).

12.10 Access Roads

All Stations require access suitable for construction and long term operation and maintenance
access. Consideration shall be given to the expected maximum vehicle size that will be
regularly required to access the site. Typically this will be a line truck however at times larger
vehicles such as Tractor Trailer Units such as the RTAC Standard WB-19TAC or ATD design
vehicle may need to be accommodated. The Contractor shall review the substation design and
the equipment requirements and, using rational engineering judgement, select an appropriate
design vehicle, lane widths and travelled speeds for the access road design. Consideration
shall also be given to minimum clearance between vehicle and all high voltage components,
access security and long term maintenance in the final design.
Consideration should be given to snow ploughing, snow piles and snow removal both inside
and outside the station. The first thing that would be done when accessing a snowed in station
is to plough to gate. There should be a location outside the fence were snow from the access
road be ploughed to and the gate should open out from the station. Inside the station,
ploughing access to the control building would be most common. The access road to the
control building should have an area (or areas if it’s not a straight line access) beyond the
control building to plough the snow to.

13 ELECTRICAL DESIGN
13.1 Clearances
The layout must consider the electrical and physical clearances required to ensure personnel
safety, proper system operation and adequate equipment and vehicle access for construction,
operation and maintenance. Minimum electrical clearances shall follow BC Hydro Engineering
Standard ES 44-C0051 (outdoor) and ES 44-C0052 (indoor). Stations shall be designed to
allow for the operation and maintenance with Column 4 Limits of Approach as defined in
BC Hydro Safety Practice Regulations, Table 401.

13.2 Switchyard
Criteria for outdoor substations are found in BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-C0020.
Equipment and bus work must be arranged to satisfy the equipment and transmission and
distribution connections defined by the station one line diagram.
Station design and construction must incorporate design features that reduce animal induced
outages. To achieve effective animal deterrent, substations may incorporate increased
clearances between electrical components, increased insulation using insulating covers, use
barriers to deny animal access to energized parts and install perching and climbing deterrent
devices at susceptible locations, Animal and bird protection for a station shall be in accordance

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with BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 44-C0070 and C0075. Consideration should be

given to providing colour differentiation between the protective material and the bus.
All hollow buses must be designed to allow the free drainage of water. If aluminum bus is used,
preferred sizes are 2 ½”, 4” and 6” NPS. Aluminum bus will be designed with allowance for
thermal expansion and contraction as required by the site climate and the substation operating
parameters.
The buswork design must provide adequate electrical clearances. The buswork must be
designed to withstand forces imposed by radial ice, wind, short circuit currents, gravity and
seismic activity. In addition, Aeolian vibration, thermal expansion, load limitations on equipment
terminals, aesthetics and bus bending radius limits must be considered. See ES 44-C0541 for
details.
Bus connectors and fastenings shall be Radio Interference Voltage (RIV) free for the rated
voltage.
Consideration shall be made for accessibility to substation, equipment and moving
maintenance vehicles. In general, it is expected the design of the substation and access roads
will accommodate mobility of large trucks based on location of entrances and gates. It is also
expected that a service vehicle can get within reasonable proximity to any piece of outdoor
equipment. A typical service vehicle would be an oversized panel van. Transformers require
road access for a large low bed or other transformer delivery vehicle. Space must be left to
accommodate the means of moving the transformer to/from the footing and oil processing
equipment. Service vehicles and security are expected to be able to easily navigate inside the
fence perimeter. More details are provided BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-C0065.
Devices shall be located in a logical and sequential order.

13.3 Major Equipment Control Cabinets

Control cabinets on major equipment are to be grounded in accordance with BC Hydro
Engineering Standard ES 45-U0094.
Disconnect switch handles and motor operators should be placed in a location and height
where they can be easily accessed and operated by workers.

13.4 Arc Flash

Substations shall meet the intent of CSA WESWG-01-2009, “CEA Guide on Electrical Utility
Workplace Electrical Safety for Generation, Transmission & Distribution”.

13.5 Lightning Shielding

The switchyard shall have lighting shielding with 100% coverage using the electro-geometrical
method described in IEEE Std. 998. Shield wires are most economical, but spires may be used
as well.

13.6 Lighting
All lighting levels shall comply with WorksafeBC regulations as a minimum requirement.
Switchyard lighting shall provide illumination levels described in BC Hydro Engineering
Standard ES 44-N0016. Outdoor switchyard lighting will normally be turned off and are
manually switched on to provide general lighting only when required at night. Outdoor lighting
controls will be interlocked with both daylight photocells and the unoccupied status of the
control room.

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Indoor lighting shall be supplied by a minimum of two circuits to ensure some lighting is
available if one circuit trips. Indoor lighting should have an acceptable level of redundancy so
that if a single bulb burns out workers will still have sufficient light to replace the bulb.

13.7 Substation Markings

Station markings consist of signs warning the general public of danger and prohibiting entry,
and signs providing information to the public and to Field Resources personnel.
Safety, trespasser and identification signage shall be fastened to the fence along its perimeter
as described in the notes of BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-P0005. The station safety
signs must be visible both day and night. The station identification sign provides the station
name, address (if one exists) and the 1-888-POWERON telephone number for reporting by the
public of emergencies related to the station.
Illuminated safety signs provide an effective final line of warning, visible day and night, around
the perimeter of the high voltage structures, shall be located inside the fence perimeter, such
that they are visible to the public at any location along the fence. See BC Hydro Engineering
Standard ES 44-P0006 for guidance.
Bus phase and bus signage shall be on or near the bus. Phase markings and nameplates
follow BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-P0005, including BC Hydro standard colour
marking for phases (A=Red, B=Yellow, C=Blue) for 600 V and above.
Equipment markings identify equipment as to function and phasing at a station. This enables
the quick and accurate location of equipment that requires checking, manual operation or
grounding. BCTC uses a tag out system for the operation and maintenance of the power
system. This is because a lockout system is impractical for a large power system. Equipment
markings are therefore critical to safety and must be correct on the equipment as well as the
documentation (e.g., drawings) and operating information (control centre).
A plastic weatherproof box will be located by the main gate for safety information to be used by
the fire department.
The text height to viewing distance ratio should exceed 0.007 for all station markings. Critical
markings should exceed 0.014.
All labels and markings should contrast with their background.

13.8 AC Station Service

A low-voltage ac system will be provided for lighting; convenience outlets, heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment; pumps; motors and miscellaneous control functions.
Two ac station service sources are required to provide security of supply. In addition, an
essential ac source may be required to supply essential ac loads upon loss of both normal ac
sources. Essential sources would be used for system critical stations (e.g., 500 kV) or stations
which rely on auxiliary loads to remain in-service (e.g., transformer cooling pumps). The
Contractor shall make recommendations to BCTC when to use an essential source. Essential
ac loads are typically supplied from either a diesel generator (see ES 31-L0020) or, for small
loads, from the station 125 V dc distribution system through an inverter. 600 V ac systems may
be used for large systems. In this case provisions must be made to allow work on the system
when it’s de-energized. BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-V0010 provides a guideline for
ac station service.
A three phase, 120/208 V ac station service with two sources and an automatic transfer switch
is most common. Standard transformers sizes are 75 kVA, 150 kVA and 300 kVA.

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Panels should be supplied with main circuit breakers for protection and isolation purposes. All
circuit positions shall be filled in new panels with a range of circuit breakers expected to be
used in the future.
Near transformers (or other large oil filled equipment), a station service power connection
suitable for running oil processing plant shall be provided. For power transformers less than or
equal to 75 MVA, a 60 A, 208/120 V ac, 4 wire plug shall be provided. For power transformers
greater than 100 MVA, a 100 A, 208/120 V ac, 4 wire supply will be terminated on junction bars
in a cabinet not far from a suitable location for the treatment equipment.
Plugs should not be located where they may be confused with other equipment in the dark.
(e.g., keyholes)

13.9 DC Station Service

The dc station service system shall be designed to operate with a battery and power supply in
parallel. The power supply will supply normal station load and charge the battery. The battery
supplies instantaneous loads in excess of the power supply’s capacity and all load during ac
power outages.
Battery and power supply sizing will follow IEEE Std. 487. BC Hydro Engineering Standard
ES 45-M0521 recommends main bus schemes for 125 V dc battery systems. BC Hydro
Engineering Standard ES 45-M0522 recommends main bus schemes for 125 V dc distribution
schemes. Ventilation and heating recommendations are made in BC Hydro Engineering
Standards ES 44-N0710 and V0603.
Panels should be supplied with main circuit breakers for protection and isolation purposes. All
circuit positions shall be filled in new panels with a range of circuit breakers expected to be
used in the future.

13.10 Control Cables

Control cables are to be sized appropriately for ampacity and voltage drop.
Colour codes for low voltage cables and wires are found in BC Hydro Engineering Standard
ES 45-U0041. Refer to BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 45-X0005, Section 5.2 for colour
assignments for specific applications. When cables are not available with the required colour
codes, alternate colours may be considered.
Cables shall be identified at both ends with fibre tags in accordance with ES 45-X0005.
Refer to BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 45-X0005, Section 5.1.8 for Protection and
Control panel wire type and colour codes.
Direct buried cables will be located at an adequate depth to withstand vehicle loading. Cable
routing is preferred along sensible grid lines.
Current transformer connections will use double screw or spring capture with additional
clamping screw.
Control cable leading outside of buildings are to be shielding against EMC. Cable routing will
minimize EMF through a combination of cable shielding, parallel grounding and metallic
conduit, duct or tray. Spare conductors shall be grounded at both ends. Methods for shield
grounding are found in BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 45-U0096.

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Above grade cables are to be adequately protected from damage, vandalism and sunlight.
Conduit and cableways emerging from the grade should be designed to be immune to frost
heave.
Control panels are to be clearly labelled. Test blocks should be labelled both on the front and
on the back of the panel. Control cables are labelled with engraved and stamped tags available
from MMBU that provides visible contrast between lettering and rest of the tag. In addition, tags
should be attached to control cables securely to prevent slippage along the cables.
The installation of cables should allow for future re-terminations by providing extra length at
both ends. For the field end, this should be provided in the cable trench or near the equipment
for direct buried cables. For the building end, this should be provided through a longer, by tidy,
routing below the floor.

13.11 Grounding

13.11.1 General
A substation is grounded with a ground mat and ground rods to meet the requirements of
IEEE Std. 80.
All metal surfaces, if can be contact by personnel are bonded to ground. Some structures
that cannot be contacted are still a path for fault current (example: insulation supports in
ceiling). These are also bonded to ground.
Use of copper above grade is minimized to reduce attraction of theft. Copper weld
conductor is used for rises above grade and steel cable is used for fence grounding. See
BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 44-G0211 and G0230 for typical details.
Fence gates shall not swing outwards unless the ground grid is extended beyond the
extent of the swinging gate.
See BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-G0205 for details of typical outdoor ground
details.

13.11.2 Ground Potential Rise

The GPR shall be 5,000 volts or less to meet the requirements of the Canadian Electrical
Code C22.1, Section 36. Exceptions may be allowed with the approval of the BCTC
Project Manager and if the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code C22.1 are met.

13.11.3 Step and Touch Voltages

The maximum step and touch voltages shall be below the tolerable voltages. Tolerable
voltages are determined from the Canadian Electrical Code C22.1 or more generally
IEEE Std. 80. Only a limited number of conditions are given in C22.1. If a substation has
different conditions, then IEEE Std. 80 may used to determine the tolerable voltages.
Maximum step and touch voltages are determined through calculations and confirmed
through measurements.

13.11.4 Grounding Materials

13.11.4.1 Main Grid Electrode

The grounding system’s buried electrode shall be sized to carry 60% of the ultimate
ground fault current with a minimum size of 4/0 AWG copper. Ampacity is calculated

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using formulas in IEEE Std. 80 for a maximum conductor temperature of 450°C for
compression or exothermic connections.

13.11.4.2 Equipment Risers

Risers to high voltage equipment or structures are sized to carry 100% of the
ultimate ground fault current with a minimum size of 4/0 AWG. Copper-weld
conductors shall be used to reduce theft.
Except for safety ground attachment points, paint all above ground conductors with
zinc paint, (MMBU catalogue id 221-0766). Spray all painted conductors with
DataDots (MMBU catalogue id 9600-4624). Hold can 100 mm from conductor and
spray a 25 mm band every 600 mm along the conductor. Application is best done in
good weather, refer to the manufacturer’s direction for application conditions.
Ampacity is calculated using formulas in IEEE Std. 80 for a maximum conductor
temperature of 250°C when bolted connections typically used for these connections.

13.11.4.3 Personnel Safety Ground Mats

Personnel safety ground mats provide an equal-potential zone and are required in all
areas where manually operated switching takes place. Motor operated disconnect
switches require personnel safety ground mats since they have emergency
operators.
Typically, a copper-weld conductor grid is placed on the rough grade surface, below
the crushed rock, or a metal grating is embedded in the crushed rock, connected
directly to the operating mechanism of the disconnect switch. The operating
mechanism is separately connected to the ground grid providing a direct bypass to
ground for the ground fault current. This connection is sized for the ultimate fault
current and duration.

13.11.4.4 Surface Layer

All substations typically have a 0.15 m layer of crushed rock over its surface that
extends 1.5 m beyond the perimeter fence. The surface layer is an important part of
the grounding system. The crushed rock meets the requirements of BC Hydro
Engineering Standard ES 21-B0021. The resistivity of the crushed rock should be
measured to confirm it meets the design criteria. Typically a minimum wet resistivity
of 3,000 ohm-m is used but higher values may be selected if it can be confirmed that
suitable crushed rock is available.
Other types of surface layers, such as asphalt, may be used when required.

13.11.5 CT Circuit Grounding

Current transformer secondary circuits shall have a single-point ground connection
during normal operation in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standard
ES 45-U0342.

13.11.6 Power Transformer Neutral Grounding

Power transformer neutrals are to be connected to the substation ground grid in a
single location. Transformer neutrals will be grounded and protected from vandalism
in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 44-G0435 and G0427-01.

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13.11.7 Safety Grounds

Grounding points will be provided to attach safety grounds to equipment and bus.
Consideration should be given to the type of grounding points to reduce (or not
increase) the number of different varieties of safety ground clamps required to
operate and maintain the substation. At ground level, a ground attachment point to
the ground grid is required to allow for common point grounding. The attachment
point shall be sized for the number of clamped working grounds (typically three or
six).
Bus and equipment grounding points shall be located to be easily accessible with hot
sticks. Preference shall be given to ground attachment points that are accessible
from directly below. The best locations will provide sufficient clearance so inadvertent
movement will not result in limits of approach violations on adjacent energized
buses.

14 CONTROL BUILDINGS
14.1 General
Adequate space shall be provided in the control room for the following:
• one desk (minimum surface 2.5 m x 1.0 m),
• one office (roller) chair,
• one-four drawer filing cabinet,
• one phone,
• fire extinguishers as required,
• wall space (1.0 m x 0.6 m) for a full size single line diagram to be posted,
• wall space for storage of safety grounds as required for maintenance, and
• storage space for spare parts recommended to be kept at site.
Control room illumination shall be adequate for office work, with consideration to have
illumination of both sides of panels. Careful attention shall be given to provide non-obstructive
light for work on the back of protection and control panels. Refer to BC Hydro Engineering
Standards ES 44-N0020 and N0021.
The control building shall have at least one large door that will accommodate the largest panels
without disassembly. The main entrance door shall have a luminaire mounted above the door
on the outside. The luminaire shall have a motion and light sensor.
Stairs and access to the control building will accommodate the test equipment to be carried into
the room. The main entrance of the control building will have space for service vehicle parking
and consideration for transport of test equipment into the building.
When possible, the main entrance door shall open inwards (so it can be opened in snowy
conditions). Entrances shall have provision to shield personnel from falling snow or ice from the
roof. Inside the building, a key switch will be located to enable or disable the security system.
Operation of the door switch will indicate the OCCUPIED / UNOCCUPIED status of the control
room. That status will be reported to the control centre as an alarm and also turn on the
building lighting and heating and enable the outdoor switchyard lighting. When staff are
leaving, the alarm system is enabled, which will also turn off all control room lights except for a
small light inside the building and above the doorway, and reduce the building temperature to
the value of the setback thermostat, nominally 5 ºC.
A raised floor system and bottom entry of cables into protection and control panels is preferred.

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Panels, lights and auxiliary equipment are secured as per IEEEE Std. 693 to withstand BCTC
seismic criteria.
Working space for protection and control panels shall be provided in accordance with Section
15.2. Working space for other panels shall be in accordance with the CEC.
Doors are sealed against draft and moisture. In high snow areas, entrances shall be designed
to protect personnel from falling snow or ice from the roof or other nearby structure (e.g.,
communication tower). This may be accomplished by door location, roof slope, overhang or
covered entrance way.
A minimum of two separate circuits shall be allowed for wall and outdoor receptacles. Refer to
BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-N0020, Section 14 for details.
Emergency lighting shall be provided in the control building. Refer to BC Hydro Engineering
Standard ES 44-N0021, Section 4 for details.
Consult BCTC Project Manager for washroom requirements.

14.2 Battery Rooms

Batteries shall be located in a substantially clean indoor environment with no exposure to
substantial vibration or shock. A separate room is preferable, but a specially allocated, open
area of the control room, isolated from normal work zones maybe accepted. Rooms with
batteries require ventilation in accordance with the CEC. The expected ambient temperature
range shall be between 5°C and 40°C. There shall be no restricted circulation of air. . The
battery room will have a room heater set at 18º C and will not be controlled by the building
setback thermostat. Eyewash facilities will be provided in accordance with WorkSafeBC
requirements. Refer to BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 44-V0603 for battery layout and
facility recommendations.
Battery rooms shall be clean, cool, dry and well ventilated and located away from the heat
sources i.e. not directly exposed to water tank, heater, sunlight, hot/ warm pipe etc. (Refer to
Appendix II, Section 5.1, IEEE Standard 484.)
Floors should be designed to drain and contain spills. Facility to neutralize acid spills prior to
removal must be available. Alternatively, a spill containment kit must be available when
moving cells.
The battery room door is recommended to have a minimum 1.5-hr fire rating. A sign shall be
posted on the entrance door indicating "Authorized Personnel Only" and the type of hazards.
The following personal protective equipment shall be available to personnel performing battery
maintenance: goggle and face shields, chemical resistant gloves, protective aprons, and
protective overshoes.

15 PROTECTION AND CONTROL DESIGN

15.1 General
Protection and Control requirements for all substation equipment must be coordinated and
accepted by BC Hydro. Protection and Control requirements must be in accordance with
BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 45 Series.
Protection and control equipment are a part of BCTC Major Equipment Blanket Contracts.
Contact BCTC for the latest list of equipment. All protective and control relays must be BCTC
accepted Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories type and IEC 61850 compatible.

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Protection and control circuit supplies must provide sufficient independence so the loss of one
supply does not impact the station’s ability to serve load. Example, control and power circuits
for transformer cooling pumps must all be independent to allow any of them to be out of service
without affecting other uints. Also see Section 9.

15.2 Protection and Control Switchboard Panels

Protection and control panels shall be designed and assembled in accordance with the
guidelines and requirements described in ES 45-X0005. Working space in the front and rear of
free standing protection and control panels shall be 1.4 m preferred and 1.2 m minimum.
Spacing at front of duplex protection and control panels shall be 1.4 m preferred and 1.2 m
minimum (spacing between duplex panels is fixed at 0.8 m per ES 45-U0702).

15.3 Panel Isolation and Test Facilities

Protection and control panels are to have isolation and test facilities in accordance with
BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 45-X0011 and X0011.

15.4 Circuit Supervision

Supervision will be applied to protection and control circuits in accordance with BC Hydro
Engineering Standards ES 45-X0071. Supervision will be applied to current and voltage circuits
in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 45-X0073.
To enhance reliability of overall system, make provision for remote supervision of the alarm
system that is independent of the 125 V dc system.

15.5 Station Metering, Control and Alarms

Station metering, control and alarms requirements and substation automation systems are a
part of the Protection and Control requirements. Station metering, control and alarms
requirements and associated equipment must be coordinated and accepted by BC Hydro. The
requirements must be in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 45 Section Q –
Station Metering, Control and Alarms.

15.6 SCADA and RTUs

All SCADA and RTU equipment must be IEC 61850 compatible within the substation but must
also support the DNP3 protocol for SCADA communication with BCTC’s Control Centre.
General Electric D20 and D25 type RTUs are BCTC accepted RTUs. Design must be in
accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 45 Section P – SCADA, RTUs.

15.7 Remote Access Security

Remote access security must be provided for protection and control equipment. Dial-up
connections for SEL relays must be equipped with firewall protection in accordance with BCTC
requirements. Additional information is available from the BCTC Project Manager.

16 TELECOMMUNICATION DESIGN
Telecommunication requirements will be in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standards
ES 46 Series.

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16.1 High Voltage (HV) Entrance Protection

HV Entrance Protection is a part of Telecommunication requirements. Stations will be provided
with HV Entrance Protection in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standard ES 46-
H0051.

16.2 Fibre Optic

Fibre optic may be required for the current as well as for the future applications (e.g. IEC 61850
compatible). BCTC must be consulted for the Fibre Optic requirements. Fibre optic must be
installed in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 46 Section M - Fibre Optic
Cable Specification.

17 MECHANICAL DESIGN
17.1 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 44 Section C states the general criteria for ambient air
temperature in substations.
A HVAC system is installed in control and other substation buildings to ensure the equipment
inside operates within its design parameters.
Substation buildings will be designed to have temperature set points for OCCUPIED and
UNOCCUPIED conditions. The control of the set points is dependent on the status of the
building security system. Design of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for
unmanned or manned substation control buildings, feeder buildings, and compressor buildings
should consider the following design factors:
(a) Building location, elevation and construction
(b) Building manned or unmanned
(c) Electrical equipment and lighting heat gains
(d) Battery location, type, capacities and maximum charge rate
(e) Building fabric insulation
(f) In the case of Compressor Buildings the type and number of compressors; heat
dissipation rate and anticipated hours of operation.
(g) Any other site specific requirements such as site boundary noise levels or atmospheric
pollution.
Refer to BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 31 Section C for details.
The battery rooms will have independent temperature control to ensure a constant temperature
for maximum battery life. Ventilation will be provided in battery rooms as required to prevent
the accumulation of gases. Refer to Sections14 and 13.9 for more details.
Ventilation equipment will be shut off when the fire detection system is activated.

17.2 Battery Rooms

Battery room shall be adequately ventilated with a slight negative pressure. The locations of
inlet and outlet of airflow should be designed so as to avoid pockets of hydrogen. Exhaust air
shall be discharged outside the building.
An airflow sensor shall be installed to initiate an alarm if exhaust fan becomes inoperative. Fan
failure alarm shall be provided at the entrance door of the battery room by means of a flashing
light. Another fan failure remote alarm shall be provided in the station Central Control Room.

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The power supply to a battery room exhaust fan should be supplied by the station essential
services bus which is backed by emergency generator. This is to ensure exhaust fan
continuously operative.
The battery room exhaust fan may be a variable frequency drive (VFD) type or a 2-speed
control for energy conservation, such as low speed (50%) on floating charge and high speed
(100%) only for equalization charge.
Ambient temperatures should be maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations for optimal performance and life. For Lead-Calcium batteries, the normal
range is 20 °C to 25 °C and for sealed type batteries it is 18 °C to 20 °C.

17.3 Fire Protection

Fire protection is for the prevention of fire and explosions and the mitigation of the effects of fire
and explosions on building occupants, building structures, and building contents. The purpose
of fire protection is threefold:
(a) To protect people (i.e., workers and the public) from injury or death.
(b) To protect the company from financial losses due to property damage or lost
revenues.
(c) To protect customers from loss of service.
The purpose is achieved by:
(a) minimising the likelihood of fires,
(b) allowing for safe evacuation of building occupants in the event of a fire,
(c) ensuring life safety for building occupants and fire fighters, and
(d) minimising the extent of property damage and business interruption by limiting the
spread of fire and smoke within or between buildings.
The primary technique for fire prevention shall be the reduction and isolation of sources of fuel
and ignition. Fire protection system for substations with indoor or outdoor switchgear and
reactive equipment shall be in accordance with BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 31
Section F – Fire Protection.
In the event of conflict between standards, standards higher on the list shall have precedence
over standards lower on the list.
• Part 3 of the BC Building Code except Section 3.7 (which is for health requirements)
• IEEE Std 979, "Guide for Substation Fire Protection”
If a conflict within or among standards arises and cannot be resolved through the precedence
specified above, the Contractor’s Engineer of Record shall resolve the conflict through
consultation with the BC Hydro Fire Marshal, designers, and operating personnel.

17.4 Standby Generators

Standby generators must be provided for critical stations that do not have dual internal station
service supplies or require high reliability. Standby generators are diesel powered and must be
air-cooled unless approved by BCTC. In most cases they are housed in portable, weatherproof
enclosures. This type of packaged generator does not contribute significantly to the station fire
hazard, however, a study should be carried out to confirm this for each site. Since most
substations are unoccupied most of the time, the standby generators are required to operate
unattended with appropriate remote monitoring and controls.
Refer to BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 31, Section L for details.

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17.5 Auxiliary Mechanical Equipment

17.5.1 Compressed Air

The use of new equipment that requires compressed air is not recommended. However,
legacy equipment is still being operated on the system that requires high pressure
compressed air.
When existing equipment that uses compressed air suitable design shall be made to
done to ensure continued operation of the air system for remaining equipment.

17.6 Plumbing (Include Washrooms)

Refer to BC Plumbing Code and BC Hydro Engineering Standards ES 31, Section D for
guidance.

17.7 Audible Noise and Abatement

The audible noise limits at station property lines and within the station environment are detailed
in ES 44-Y0010.

18 CONSTRUCTION
18.1 Coordination
All construction work shall be planned and coordinated with BCTC System Operations and
BC Hydro Field Operations.

18.2 Site Security

Equipment and materials must be securely stored and not visible to the public after
construction hours to deter theft; otherwise, on-site security is required.

18.3 Project Acceptance for Energization

BCTC requires the processes detailed in BCTC System Operating Orders IT-35, IT-35A, and
IT-36 to be followed. During the course of design and construction, should questions arise,
BCTC encourages the Contractor to contact BCTC at an early stage to discuss and clarify
requirements of the operating orders in order minimize confusion and misunderstanding.
Copies of the operating orders can be found at the following link.
http://www.bctc.com/transmission_system/system_operating_orders/#policy
The Contractor shall provide the Field Coordinator documentation of residual safety hazards
and those that require PPE for inclusion in the station’s LOO. Refer to Section 3.2 for further
details.

19 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

19.1 Considerations
Consideration shall be made to provide adequate distance between equipment being serviced
and adjacent energized equipment. For each piece of equipment on the single line, isolation
points and distance from the isolation zone to the nearest energized equipment shall be
evaluated.

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Operators for manual and motor operated disconnect switches shall be placed above grade to
minimize ergonomic strain on workers. All outside cabinets shall be lockable, accepting a
padlock with a 10 mm (3/8 in) hoop.
Ramps or platforms are to be provided when equipment cabinets cannot be accessed from
ground level.

19.2 Training
The Contractor shall provide training to BCTC and its operating and maintenance staff. The
Contractor shall propose the outline of the training but consider the following topics.
(a) location and identification of major equipment components,
(b) demonstration of equipment maintenance techniques,
(c) demonstration of equipment operation, both locally and remotely,
(d) overview of the indicating instruments in panels,
(e) overview of the protective relay system,
(f) review of the equipment operation and manuals, and
(g) review of the substation operation and maintenance manuals.

19.3 Operation and Maintenance Manual

An operation and maintenance manual shall be provided for the substation.

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Appendix A – ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT REPORTING

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1.0 PURPOSE
This Standard describes the BCTC procedure and system for recording and posting
Environmental Incidents as they occur. This procedure ensures timely communication and
reporting to senior management and to appropriate technical individuals that may be impacted
by the incident.
Incident reporting benefits all Business Groups within BCTC by:
• alerting managers so they can manage contacts and pressures (e.g. from
employees, agencies, communities or media) with timely and accurate information;
• meeting specific obligations and legal standards of care;
• providing a source of data that can be used to identify trends and to provide
justification for actions to correct the underlying problem and prevent future
incidents.
This Standard applies to all work, including work performed by contractors, and all events
which affect BCTC.
2.0 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
All environmental incidents are required to be reported in the Environmental Incident Reporting
System.
This Standard specifies BCTC Environmental Incident Reporting requirements only. Additional
legal obligations to report certain spills to regulatory agencies are specified in Best
Management Practices (BMPs) General References – Reportable Spill Quantities
Releases of gases that are sudden and uncontrolled are considered spills and must be
reported internally. Controlled release of gases or release of gases through maintenance are
not considered incidents and are thus not reportable in the EIR system.
In the event of an emergency (e.g. flood, forest fire, extreme storm, earthquake or dam breach,
etc.) the reporting responsibilities governed by Emergency Preparedness Plans take
precedence.
3.0 DEFINITION
An Environmental Incident is one that has caused, or has the potential for causing, one or more
of the following:
• Adverse impact on the quality of air, land or water, wildlife, aquatic species or
species at risk;
• Exceedence of permit or external reporting requirement;
• Notification of external agencies due to emergency/beyond normal circumstances;
• Adverse publicity with respect to environment;
• Legal or regulatory action with respect to violation of statutes or environmental
damage; or
• Alteration of, or damage to, heritage or archaeological resources.
At the request of the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Board, criteria were
established for defining environmental incidents as severe.

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Examples of Environmental Incidents include, but are not limited to:

• Spills of oil, fuel, PCB or chemicals;
• Visible damage to equipment where the public may believe there is an
environmental effect;
• Sudden and uncontrolled emission or discharge of air pollutants (e.g. NOx) or
sudden and uncontrolled gaseous releases (e.g. SF6, H2, propane, compressed
CO2, natural gas)
• Discharge of deleterious substances into fish-bearing water;
• Landslides, erosion, or floods as they affect environmental quality;
• Dust storms in drawn-down reservoirs;
• High or low flows, or flow changes, that adversely affect fish or fish habitat, wildlife
or recreation;
• Adverse effects on a plant or animal that can be confirmed to be a member of any of
the following groups:
• Species at Risk (Schedule 1 under Federal Species at Risk Act)
• Red and Blue Species (Provincial Conservation Data Centre)
• Identified Wildlife Species (Provincial Forest and Range Practices Act)
• Raptors (eagles, osprey, hawks, falcons, and owls)
• Herons
• Waterfowl
• Woodpeckers. or
• Medium-sized and large mammals

• Adverse impacts on notable fish or wildlife species (e.g. sturgeon, eagles);

• Forest fires caused by BCTC;
• any ground disturbance (i.e. setting a new pole) where an archaeological site is
encountered;
• removal of culturally modified tree (CMT);
• Work and/or removal of vegetation in or near water bodies without regulatory
approval.
• Violation of pesticide use, storage or application regulations and approvals;
• Violation of other environmental regulations, permits or approvals;
It is recognized that it is not possible to precisely define which incidents require
communication within BCTC. Discretion should be exercised and consultation
undertaken with environment staff when in doubt, to ensure that all appropriate
incidents are reported. This will ensure timely reporting and updating of incidents to
senior management when required.
4.0 LEGAL ASPECTS
Most environmental legislation, both Federal and Provincial, establishes strict liability for
offenses. If the authorities can establish the incident occurred, the responsible party can be

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fined unless they can prove they were duly diligent in trying to prevent the incident. The
associated penalties are significant, and may apply not only to corporations but also to their
directors, officers, managers and persons directly involved with or causing environmental
damage. The Environmental Incident Reporting procedure assists in demonstrating due
diligence where strict liability laws apply. Some examples of applicable legislation include:
FEDERAL
• Fisheries Act
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• Species at Risk Act
• Migratory Birds Convention Act

PROVINCIAL
• Pesticide Control Act
• Waste Management Act
• Water Act
• Wildlife Act
• Heritage Act
Other acts also apply, and statutes are revised and new statutes are added from time to time.
For summary information on the environmental acts most relevant to BCTC, visit or print the
Legislation section of the Sustainability Intranet.
5.0 PROCEDURE
NEW ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT REPORTS
• Environmental Incident Reports (EIR) are to be prepared as soon as possible. The
target timeline for reporting is within 24 hours of the occurrence. Some incidents
may have a higher degree of sensitivity, severity, or critical circumstances. In those
cases, senior management must be notified immediately.
• The Environmental Incident Report is to be prepared on a form available from BCTC
and filed as per instructions on the form.
• The responsible supervisor or manager at the site of the incident (with input from
any subsequent operations or environmental staff that become involved) shall
prepare the EIR and notify the appropriate personnel based on the severity of the
incident. A preset list of people including vice-presidents, managers, environmental
specialists, Legal, and Corporate communications and environmental staff is
available within the EIR system.
CRITICAL NOTIFICATION
• On certain occasions, an incident may be elevated in stature by site specific
circumstances, the severity of its environmental impact, the public, the media, or
government representatives. When this happens, immediate notification of senior
management must be initiated.

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• The target for this type of notification is within one hour of the incident, or its
escalation to severe status.
• Notification may be made via Telephone, Fax or email, but preference is for
personal contact.
EIR UPDATES
• The responsible supervisor or manager at the site of the incident (with input from
any subsequent operations or environmental staff that become involved) shall
maintain a record of incident updates. This person is also responsible for exercising
discretion and forwarding the significant updates on the incident to appropriate
personnel. A preset list of people including vice-presidents, managers,
environmental specialists, Legal, Corporate communications and environmental
staff is available within the EIR system
EIR CLOSURE
• All EIRs will require closure. The closure fields of the EIR reports must be
completed by the responsible manager. Before closure, the Regional
Environmental Coordinator (REC), Environmental & Social Issues Manager (ESIM),
or other applicable environmental specialist must verify that the environmental
response is appropriate and complete (i.e. to review cleanup, waste disposal,
lessons learned, accuracy of report).
• An EIR should be closed only after completing all of the following actions:
1. verification that physical aspects of the incident have been remediated,
2. verification that any associated wastes have been disposed of legally,
3. lessons learned (if any) have been captured and transmitted,
4. root cause analysis and corrective action plan (if applicable) have been
identified and initiated, and
5. report has been reviewed for consistency and completeness (e.g. lab results,
regulators notified)
• The closed EIR must be forwarded to the preset list (including Environmental
Managers, Environmental Specialists and Legal) within the EIR and the applicable
Area Manager and environmental coordinator (i.e. REC or ESIM). Pending the
nature of the incident and the involvement of other staff during its resolution; the
notification of closure should also be communicated to other applicable staff. The
latter is left to the discretion of the originator and subsequently Area Manager and /
or environmental coordinator.

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EIR SYSTEM FLOWCHART

ACTION RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL

Responsible Supervisor or
NEW EIR Manager at site of incident

Responsible Supervisor or
EIR UPDATE(S) Manager at site of incident

Regional Environmental Coordinator (REC)

EIR VERIFICATION
or
(for completeness and
Environmental & Social Issues Manager (ESIM)
accuracy)
of the area/region of incident

EIR Responsible Manager as per

CLOSURE Business Groups’ EMS

EIR REPORTS EIR Business Groups’ Monitors

and EIR Administrator

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Appendix B – REPORTABLE SPILL QUANTITIES

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GENERAL REFERENCES
Reportable Spill Quantities

The table shows the quantities of spilled substances that are reportable under the BC Spill
Reporting Regulation, the federal Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations and the
federal PCB Regulations. The quantities vary according to the type of substance and in some
cases whether the spill occurs during transport or not.

Note:

• Spills of any quantity are reportable internally.

• Spills of any quantity to water are reportable externally.
• Spills less than reportable quantity to land where there is potential for the spill to reach
water—contact the group Environmental Specialist for advice on further notification.

Reportable Quantity*
Substance TDG
Examples
Spilled Class Spill NOT During Spill During Transport§
Transport†
Substances Classified under TDG Regulations
Explosive Class 1 Any dangerous release, Any dangerous release, or
or 50 kg 50 kg,
or, for Class 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
or 1.5, as specified in the
Table in section 8.1 of the
TDG Regulations
Natural gas Class 2.1 10 kg when the release is Any dangerous release, or
uncontrolled and sudden any release for more than
as a result of a failure of 10 min, or
a pipeline or fitting 10 kg when the release is
operated above 100 psi uncontrolled and sudden
as a result of a failure of a
pipeline or fitting
operated above 100 psi
Hydrogen Class 2.1 10 kg when the release is Any dangerous release,
uncontrolled and sudden or
any release for more
Flammable gas, Class 2.1 Propane 10 kg than 10 min, or
other than any release more than
hydrogen or 10 kg
natural gas
Compressed air, Class 2.2 Reporting not required
nitrogen
CO2 Class 2.2 10 kg when the release is

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Reportable Quantity*
Substance TDG
Examples
Spilled Class Spill NOT During Spill During Transport§
Transport†
uncontrolled and sudden
SF6 Class 2.2 10 kg when the release is
uncontrolled and sudden;
detailed annual report for
other losses
Non-flammable, Class 2.2 Halon 1301, 10 kg
non-toxic gas other refrigerant gases
than compressed other than R140
air, nitrogen, CO2, (same as
or SF6 trichloroethane)
Toxic or corrosive Class 2.3 Chlorine 5 kg Any dangerous release,
gas or
any release for more
than 10 min, or
any release more than
5 kg
Flammable liquid Class 3 Varsol, diesel, 100 L 100 L
gasoline
Solid that is Class 4 Waste sorbent 25 kg 25 kg
flammable or containing oils or
spontaneously fuels
combustible, or
that emits
flammable gases
on contact with
water
Oxidizer Class 5.1 Hydrogen peroxide, 50 kg or 50 L 50 kg or 50 L
many nitrates
Organic peroxide Class 5.2 Some fiberglass 1 kg or 1 L 1 kg or 1 L
catalysts
Toxic liquid or solid Class 6.1 Tetrachloromethane 1 kg 1 kg
(same as carbon
tetrachloride)
Tetrachloroethylene 5 kg or 5 L 5 kg or 5 L
(same as
perchloroethylene
or perc),
trichloroethane

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Reportable Quantity*
Substance TDG
Examples
Spilled Class Spill NOT During Spill During Transport§
Transport†
(same as R140)
Infectious Class 6.2 Any dangerous release, All
substance or 1 kg, or 1 L
Radioactive Class 7 Any dangerous release Any dangerous release
substance (an emission level (an emission level
greater than specified in greater than specified in
section 20 of the section 20 of the
Packaging and Transport Packaging and Transport
of Nuclear Substances of Nuclear Substances
Regulations) Regulations)
Corrosive liquid or Class 8 Battery fluid, 5 kg or 5 L 5 kg or 5 L
solid mercury
Friable asbestos Class 9 Asbestos that 50 kg 25 kg or 25 L
releases fibres or
crumbles easily
Other Class 9 25 kg or 25 L 25 kg or 25 L
miscellaneous
dangerous goods
Materials Containing PCBs
Solids containing Class 9 Any quantity Any quantity
50 ppm or more
PCBs
Oil or liquids, Any quantity if released Any quantity
containing 2 ppm from equipment not in
or more PCBs use or from stored
containers

1 g of pure PCBs if
released from equipment
in-use.
Click for table
Other Substances and Wastes
Oil (non PCB) and — Class 1 or 2 and 100 L 100 L
waste oil waste insulating oil
less than 2 ppm
PCBs, new and
waste hydraulic and

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Reportable Quantity*
Substance TDG
Examples
Spilled Class Spill NOT During Spill During Transport§
Transport†
lube oil
Waste containing — Wastes containing Any dangerous release, Any dangerous release,
dioxin more than 100 ppb or 1 kg, or 1 L or 1 kg, or 1 L
dioxin toxicity
equivalents (TEQ)
Leachable toxic — Waste abrasive 25 kg or 25 L 25 kg or 25 L
waste blasting material,
antifreeze or
coolant
Waste containing — Creosote or coal tar 5 kg or 5 L 5 kg or 5 L
polycyclic aromatic contaminated soil
hydrocarbons containing more
(PAH) than 100 ppm PAH
TEQ
Waste containing a — Unrinsed empty 5 kg or 5 L 5 kg or 5 L
pest control containers for pest
product control products,
soil or sorbent
contaminated with
pest control
products
Waste containing — Wastes containing 50 kg or 50 L 50 kg or 50 L
tetrachloroethylene more than 500 ppm
tetrachloroethylene
(same as
perchloroethylene
or perc)
Biomedical waste — Any dangerous release, Any dangerous release,
or 1 kg, or 1 L or 1 kg, or 1 L
Hazardous waste — 25 kg or 25 L 25 kg or 25 L
not covered
elsewhere
Other substance — Wash water 200 kg or 200 L 200 kg or 200 L
not covered
elsewhere that can
cause pollution

* Where the quantity is shown as kilograms or litres, the quantity in kilograms applies for solids
and the quantity in litres applies for liquids.

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† Reportable quantity from the Spill Reporting Regulation except for:

• release of specified gases as per agreement between Ministry of Environment and

BCTC, or
• release of oil containing 2 ppm or more PCBs as per the PCB Regulations

§ The least of quantities under the TDG Regulations, PCB Regulations or Spill Reporting
Regulation.

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Appendix C – Substation Design Basis Template

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Appendix D – Equipment List

(Sample list. Contact BCTC for most recent list.)

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Appendix E – Safety Review

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Good design will minimize safety hazards, and provide barriers to hazards that cannot be
designed out. This increases safety for the public and employees, and the quality of work
delivered.
Types of safety hazards include: gravity, electricity, mechanical, kinetic, chemical, pressure, and
human factors (e.g., ergonomics). The treatment of safety hazards in order of preference
include: elimination, minimizing to safe levels, physical barriers, protective equipment, barriers,
procedures and training.
All projects require a Safety Review which involves the systematic identification of hazards and
failure modes and elimination or reduction of safety risks to workers and the public. Design
alternatives are selected based on regulatory requirements and safety criteria, and
consideration of safety is embedded into the design of the asset over its full life cycle. The
Consultant must consider not only the intended purpose of the asset being designed, but also
how that asset will be constructed or installed, how testing and commissioning will be
performed, how operation and maintenance will be performed, and how the asset will be dealt
with at end-of-life.

Key elements include:

• Good design provides the greatest opportunity to reduce worker and public safety risks.
• Knowledge and experience result in safe designs.
• Safe designs will also be more reliable and efficient.
• Identification of hazards at an early stage of design provides the greatest opportunity for
eliminating or reducing safety risks with the least impact on other design aspects.
• Designers should consult with both the operations and maintenance trades and
management staff who, in the course of their work, are exposed to the hazards and can
provide essential help in identifying them.
• It is not necessary to adopt the most sophisticated hazard identification and assessment
technique to get good results.
• Over-analysis of minor hazards wastes time and resources.
• The degree of hazard assessment and treatment requires professional judgment with
respect to the techniques used and the degree of application on a particular project.
This is an iterative process done at each stage of a project, from project Definition through to
Final Design and Implementation.
The hazards to which people may be exposed are identified, and treatments proposed, at each
stage of the design, with hazards becoming better defined and the appropriate treatment
methods refined as the design evolves. Acceptable hazard treatment may require the
Consultant to go beyond standard design practices. Significant cost/benefit tradeoffs for design
options will be decided by BCTC, based on a business analysis process taking into
consideration the residual risk and the risk tolerance criteria.
Safety Review Procedure
Safety hazards are to be evaluated for all phases of a project including construction, operation
and maintenance. The treatment of safety hazards for all projects follows the same general
process. Specific requirements differ for Substation Distribution Asset (SDA) projects and

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Transmission Asset (TA) projects. These differences will be outlined throughout the procedure
laid out in this Appendix. For projects that involve both SDA and TA work, the Safety Review
shall be carried out independently for each portion of the project.
1. Identify Hazards
The Contractor considers and documents all hazards, as well as their source, using
scenarios (a combination of events and/or conditions that could occur). The Contractor
consults with as appropriate, construction, operating and maintenance personnel (including
trades’ staff) who know the facility or activity best, to assess the operation of the facility or
activity and its proposed modifications or additions.
The Contractor may use both proactive and reactive hazard identification techniques:
Fundamental methods • Structured brainstorming (eg using the Delphi technique)
• What If Analysis
• Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)
• Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA),
• Modeling
• SWOT
• process mapping.
Comparative methods • Checklists
• hazard indices
• reviews of historical or incident data
• physical audits and inspections
Deductive or inductive • Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
reasoning techniques • Event Tree Analysis (ETA)
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

In defining a particular hazard, the Contractor states the cause and effect using
words/phrases like “causes”, “leads to”, “prevents”, hinders”, etc.
2. Analyze Hazards
The Contractor analyzes hazards starting at an early stage in the design of the project to
avoid precluding them from further analysis and leaving personnel exposed. Revising the
design to address a hazard during the construction or operational phase of the project will
incur additional cost. When designing additions or extensions to existing facilities as many
hazards as possible should be identified, regardless of whether they are currently being
treated or controlled, because it is important to understand why certain hazard treatments
are in place, and whether they are effective.
3. Evaluate Hazards
a. For SDA
Risk levels are determined based on BC Hydro’s Corporate Risk Matrix (copy provided in
Hazard Log template). The Contractor groups or ranks hazards identified in the identification
and analysis phases in consideration of BCTC’s policy and tolerance to them:
Unacceptable (Zero tolerance)
• Solution obvious and easily implemented – do it.
• Solution not obvious and requires engineering analysis – eliminated through design.

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Acceptable
• With treatment (design, safety devices, signs, controls, personal protective
equipment (PPE), etc.).
Inconsequential
• Not worth treating (but may be monitored).
b. For TA
Risks levels are determined based on a subjective evaluation.
4. Treat Hazards
After evaluating the identified hazards, the Contractor considers the treatment options,
bearing in mind their strengths and limitations.
Eliminating hazards in the design stage of a project is the most effective way to improve
worker safety, rather than reducing hazards or providing protective equipment. Hazard
treatment with a high initial cost (e.g. an engineering solution) can be more cost effective in
the long term than one with a low initial cost that needs high levels of effort or ongoing
maintenance (e.g. the development of procedures with associated training, supervision and
enforcement).
If the hazard cannot be eliminated, the Contractor reduces it to a level as low as reasonably
practical (ALARP). The hierarchy of hazard treatment follows.

Elimination Design techniques to eliminate the hazard

Reduction Design techniques to reduce the likelihood or
consequence of the hazard
Isolation Use of barriers to separate workers from the
hazard
Safety Devices Physical machine guards, ventilation, etc
Administration Training, signage or work procedures
Personal Protective Equipment Special clothing, equipment or personal alarms

5. Documentation and Communication

a. For SDA
Hazard identification, assessment and treatment information shall be documented and
maintained in a Hazard Log. A Hazard Log template is provided and is to be used
unchanged.
The information in the Hazard Log provides a basis and support for decisions made,
provides a means of communicating similar hazards to other projects and a communication
tool to senior management, the client and stakeholders. The register is a living document
and shall be updated to capture those hazards and risks that are identified and treated in the
operation of the plant or facility.

The Contractor’s Project Manager ensures that the project’s Communication Plan
addresses how stakeholders will provide input to hazard identification and assessment and

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how they will be addressed. It must also provide a mechanism for communicating senior
management’s tolerance for acceptance of certain hazards to the Contractor.
b. For TA
Hazard identification, assessment and treatment information shall be documented and
maintained in a Safety Treatment Plan. A Safety Treatment Plan template is provided and is
to be used unchanged.

Hazard Examples
Table E.1 provides a sample of common safety hazards in a substation and possible
treatments. This table is not complete and it’s the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure all
hazards are dealt with appropriately.

Table E.1 – Typical Substation Hazards

Hazard Type Description Example Treatments in Order of
Preference
Electrical Working in close proximity to exposed • Eliminate
or energized systems • Increase spacing
• Engineered barriers
• Temporary barriers
• Specific PPE
Electrical Electrical contact by non-energized • Provide fail-safe device for
equipment parts due to mechanical situation (e.g., add a simple
failure (e.g., disconnect switch bracket to prevent operator
operating pipe breaks out of holder pipe from moving closer than
and contacts adjacent energized minimum clearance)
conductor)
Electrical Working on energized systems • Eliminate (provide isolation
points and grounding)
• Insulated tools
• Specific PPE
Electrical Arc Flash • Arc resistance equipment
• Appropriate spacing
• Control fault level and/or fault
duration
• Specific PPE
Gravity Fall on or accessing Elevated • Eliminate
platforms • Provide guard rails/ toe kick
• Stair access
Chemical Confined space • Eliminate
• Signage
• Specific PPE
• Training

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Hazard Type Description Example Treatments in Order of

Preference
Environmental Noise • Eliminate
• Signage
• Specific PPE
Kinetic Rotating/moving equipment or • Permanent guards
machinery • Temporary guards
• Flashing light to warn when
machine is operating
• Signage
Mechanical Slips & trips • Non-skid surfaces
• Elimination of step-overs and
uneven walking surfaces
• Appropriate lighting
• Signage
Mechanical Compressed spring in circuit breaker • Barrier
(even though the high voltage has • Signage
been isolated, the spring still has • Training
hazardous energy)
Chemical Hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, • Removal when it poses a
PCB, chemicals, toxic gases) hazard to humans or the
environment
• Signage
• PPE
• Inventory
Pressure High pressure equipment • Permanent guards or barriers
• Temporary guards or barriers
• Signage
Chemical Battery acid • Spill containment
• Signage
• PPE
• Eye wash station
Chemical Hydrogen gas from battery charging • Ventilation with air flow sensor
to alarm when non-operable
• Signage
Human Factors Disconnect switch handle location • Locate at a height to minimize
strain while operating
• No limits of approach violation
for the operator
• Minimize impact of equipment
failure on operator

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Hazard Type Description Example Treatments in Order of

Preference
Human Factors Conductor safety ground connection • Locate at the lowest level on
location conductor for best access (e.g.,
for multi-level bus, locate on
lower level)
• Clear space below for access
with consideration of hot-stick
approach angle and
comfortable head angle
Human Factors Cabinet location • Placed at a location and height
where they can be easily
accessed and worked on
without a ladder or limits of
approach violation
• Provide platform with stairway
for those frequently accessed
(e.g., circuit breaker)
Human Factors Mistake one piece of equipment for • Provide major equipment with
another labels in accordance with
standards
• Provide labels for all cabinets
with suitable lettering height
and contract.
Human Factors Inadvertent contact with wrong • Provide clear labels
equipment (e.g., Terminal) • Provide adequate lighting
suitable for reading labels.

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