Transformer Deluge Systems

How Do Transformer Fires Ignite?

Common causes of transformer failure:
Weather-related events such as lightning
Short circuits in electrical equipment
The most common cause is breakdowns
in the insulation system

Implications of a Transformer Fire

Destruction of equipment such as:

Overhead conductors
Buses
Cable trays

Implications of a Transformer Fire

Transformers can rupture during a failure, releasing oil into the area
Risk is amplified substantially
Fire can spread to other areas of the facility
Oil can overflow from the collection basins if discharge is not calculated
correctly or containment pits are not the appropriate size

Implications of a Transformer Fire

Plant is taken offline, resulting in

revenue losses
Lives of employees and building
inhabitants are put at risk

Why are Effective Fire Protection

Systems Important for Transformers?
Implementing and maintaining an effective fire protection
system for transformers should be a priority for power
generating facilities for many reasons:
Loss prevention controlling transformer fires can prevent the loss of
millions of dollars that is associated with the destruction of adjacent
equipment and unplanned outages
Life safety fire protection systems can
help protect on-site employees from the
hazards of potentially violent and
explosive transformer fires
Industry requirements NFPA, insurance
and even environmental authorities in some
instances require facilities to take specific
measures to meet fire protection standards
for transformers

What is a Deluge Water Spray System?

NFPA-850: Recommended Practice for Fire
Protection for Electric Generating Plants
and High Voltage Direct Current Converter
Stations
Identification of and Protection Against Hazards - Transformers
Oil filled main, station service and start-up transformers not meeting
the separation or fire barrier recommendations or as determined by
the Fire Protection Design Basis should be protected with automatic
waterspray or foam-water spray systems.

What is a Deluge Water Spray System?

NFPA-15: Standard for Water Spray Fixed

Systems for Fire Protection

Defines a water spray system as:

an automatic or manually actuated fixed pipe system
connected to a water supply and equipped with water
spray nozzles designed to provide a specific water
discharge and distribution over the protected surfaces or area.

What is a Deluge Water Spray System?

NFPA-15: Standard for Water Spray Fixed

Systems for Fire Protection
Design of systems can vary considerably
Must consider the nature of the hazard and basic
purpose of protection
There are a wide variety of nozzles with different spray
characteristics
It is essential that the designer understand the limitations
and capabilities of the systems
Design density is typically .25 GPM over the entire
surface area of the transformer

How Does a Deluge System Work?

Water is released through open nozzles

The Deluge Valve is an integral part

of a deluge system
Specialty fire protection valve
Holds water supply back behind a
clapper or diaphragm
Water is released via an electric or
pneumatic detection system
Deluge Valve

How Does a Deluge System Work?

Where to Begin?
What is the available water supply?
Fire pump flow test
Hydrant flow test
Available pressure and flow at the base of the riser
Determine the location of existing transformer deluge
valves and routing of existing feed mains

Where to Begin?

Consider existing pipe stand foundations

Will the existing locations suit new
transformer dimensions?
Are they reusable? (Consult with Plant
Structural Engineers)
Are there currently or will there be fire
walls to isolate each fire area?

Where to Begin?
What is the ground below the
transformer?
Absorbing pit with stone fill
or
Non-absorbing with exposed
concrete containment
Obtain any specific electrical
clearance requirements based
on Basic Impulse Level (BIL)
as specified in NFPA-15 or
other specific requirements
defined by Owner

Design of Deluge Systems - Nozzles

The layout of nozzles is

based upon spray
characteristics:
Angle of spray and
associated positioning angle
Orifice size (how much
water can be sprayed out of
each nozzle

Design of Deluge Systems - Nozzles

Nozzles are positioned to
provide complete water
spray impingement on all
exposed exterior surfaces,
such as:
Radiators
Conservator tank
Electrical cabinets, etc

Water spray should not

envelop energized
bushings or lightning
arrestors by direct
impingement.

Typical Nozzles

Spray Pattern Design

Design of Deluge Systems Pipe Support

Pipe support options
Can fire walls or other
structural elements be
utilized for support?
Are there existing
foundations for pipe
stands or are new ones
required?
Must locate stands to
avoid interferences with
cabinets, door swings, etc.

Design of Deluge Systems Piping Layout

Piping Layout Considerations
Transformer height dictates how
many rings are required
Rings are typically located around
the transformer with the possibility
of additional piping between
transformer casing and radiators
Avoid locating piping within
cabinet door swings
Design with consideration for
future maintenance access

Design of Deluge Systems Piping Layout

Piping Layout Considerations
Avoid running piping across the
top of the transformer tank
Determine electrical
clearance requirements and locate
piping the proper distance
Route piping so that it facilitates
automatic draining through open
nozzles
Determining the connection to
mains
Designing for effective drainage

Design of Deluge Systems - Bracing

Bracing: significant forces are
incurred when a deluge valve trips
Piping must be braced to resist
these forces. Bracing is usually
provided at:
Corners of the main loop
Drops and/or rises more than 4
Bracing consists of pipe clamps
and swivels attached to steel
bracing pipe

Design of Deluge Systems - Detection

Electric Detection
Can an existing releasing panel be
utilized or is a new one required?
Which type of electric detection is to
be utilized?
Spot Type Heat Detectors
Linear Protect-O-Wire
VERTICAL DETECT-A-FIRE UNITS
(Hexagonal Head)

Spot-Type
Electric
Detection

Protectowire Linear
Heat Detector

Design of Deluge Systems - Detection

Pneumatic Detection
Utilize dry pilot sprinkler head
Air supply plant air or local air compressor?
Which type of electric detection is to be utilized?
Implementing Alarm Systems
Manual Release stations to be provided at
hazard area?
New Notification Appliances such as
horn/strobe units to be used?

Dry pilot
sprinkler

Design Drawings and Documentation

Preparation of material data
sheets for Owners approval
of equipment to be utilized
Development of a
preliminary design
drawing showing nozzle
locations, pipe routing and
support locations along with
initial detailing
Hydraulic calculations are
performed for pipe sizing

Design Drawings and Documentation

Electrical drawings showing detection
and alarm devices along with
preliminary wiring diagrams
In some instances a partial design is
submitted for Owner review and
comments
Owner comments would then be
incorporated into the design package
submittal for approval

Design 3D Animation

Pre-Construction Planning

Scheduling
Assist owner in schedule
development to be sure all activities
are captured and correct durations
are utilized

Pre-Construction Planning
Scope
Meet with Project Manager to verify scope and ensure all aspects of
construction are discussed so that everyone is on the same page
Identify and plan for any required pre-outage work
Verify that the Owner is aware of items and services that are expected
to be Owner-provided:
Materials and equipment
Labor and services such as electrical install, painting, excavation
and backfilling, etc.
Construction-related requirements such as aerial lifts, scaffolding,
laydown requirements, job trailers, etc.

Pre-Construction Planning

Safety
Prepare a job safety analysis for
specific work activities
Review installation sequence in
detail with Owners project manager
and field superintendent

Installation
Coordination with other activities:
Access to work areas
Scaffolding erection
Aerial lift usage

Installation
Pre-job briefing:
Work activities change
Safety concerns
Weather
Jobsite working conditions
change due to the type of
activities being undertaken by
others

Installation
Typical installation sequencing
Demolition of existing piping
May require partial demolition prior to existing transformers removal
Other piping may need to be removed after the transformer is removed
Installation of pipe stands
Coordinate with the rigger for efficient installation
Install as many as possible before the new transformer is rigged

Installation
Typical installation sequencing
Installation of main loops and feed mains
Coordinate with the rigger for efficient installation
One or more sides of loop may be able to be installed prior to the
new transformer being rigged into place
Installation of vertical nozzle piping and swing joints
Some nozzle piping may be made on to loop piping on the ground
to facilitate lifting into place with a crane.
Piping is installed with plugged nozzle outlets to facilitate
hydrostatic testing

Installation
Typical installation sequencing
Hydrostatic testing of all deluge piping at 200 psi
Remove test plugs and install and orientate nozzles
Install bracing
Install linear heat detection and/or conduit that may be attached to
deluge piping
Detection system terminations are made at releasing control
panel

Installation
Perform the spray test, also known
as a performance test:
Typically initiated through
detection system
All nozzles are viewed to assure
there are no obstructions
Water spray patterns are verified
to assure that all surfaces are
adequately protected
Pressure reading is observed at
remote nozzle to verify system is
putting out the required pressure
determined from hydraulic
calculations

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Developing a comprehensive inspection, testing and

maintenance program is essential to:
Ensuring systems are optimally functional when they are
needed in a fire
Maintaining compliance with industry, insurance and corporate
standards
Maximizing the life cycle of fire protection systems

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

A deluge systems ITM program should be developed in

accordance with NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing
and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
Detection system ITM should follow the requirements set forth
in NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
Documentation of all ITM work should be meticulously
maintained and readily available for review by the AHJ

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Critical elements of an ITM program include:

Annual tripping of deluge valve at full flow
Observation of water discharge patterns to confirm proper
positioning and absence of obstructions
Verification of water flow alarms
Pressure readings at the remote nozzle and deluge valve to
ensure hydraulic design requirements are met

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Critical elements of an ITM program include:

Annual operation of annual actuation devices
Cleaning of interior of deluge valve during annual testing
Draining of system low points
Internal inspection of strainers every five years at a minimum

Summary

A transformer fire is not a frequent occurrence but the impact is

tremendous
In a fire the transformer will likely be destroyed immediately but
damage to adjacent equipment/structures can be mitigated
The consequences of an uncontained fire include:
Costly damage to the facility
Loss of revenue due to an unscheduled outage
Compromising the safety of facility inhabitants

Summary

Fire protection systems can be effective in minimizing damage if:

Design

Construction

Operation

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

are properly executed by an experienced professional with

the required experience.

Protecting People, Plant and Production

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