FOR INTERNAL USE

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Electrical Distribution
Fire Detection
& Suppression

N
O
SI
Revision 00 [Month], [Year]

VI
RE
IN
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NFPA CODE

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.
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NFPA CODE

NFPA-15: Standard for Water Spray

Fixed Systems for Fire Protection

According to NFPA 15:

7.4.4.1* Transformer protection shall provide complete water spray
impingement on all exposed exterior surfaces.
7.4.4.2 *Where there is insufficient space to install water spray nozzles
underneath transformers such that the water spray cannot
directly impinge upon the bottom surfaces, it shall be
permitted to protect the surfaces underneath the transformer
by horizontal projection or by nozzles directed to cool the
area below the transformer projections.
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Fire Detection & Protection Requirement

Area Fire Detection/ Mitigation Fire Fighting

Secondary Primary
Indoor Heat Detector 90 deg C FE Foam Trolley @ 30 kg (for Gas Suppression system
(cross zone c/w signages )
more than 2 transformers ) Inert Gas
Transformer Break Glass
Fire Extinguisher Foam @ 5 kg
(red for bell , yellow for Gas
activation)
110% Containment
Absorbing ground Fire Extinguisher CO2 @ 5 kg
2 hour fire rated Partition
or Fire Extinguisher Fe 36
Fire Stop Cable sealing
(install in electrical room) DuPont @ 5 kg
Outdoor Break Glass FE Foam Trolley @ 30 kg Water Spray & Deluge
(red for bell & solenoid)
110% Containment
system with hydraulic
Transformer
Absorbing ground activation
2 hour fire rated Partition
E & I ROOM Smoke Detector Fire Extinguisher CO2 @ 5 kg Gas Suppression system
Manual call Point
(red for bell , yellow for Gas
or Fire Extinguisher Fe 36 Inert gas
activation) DuPont @ 5 kg
Fire Stop Cable sealing
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Fire Detection & Protection Requirement

Area Fire Detection/ Mitigation Fire Fighting

Secondary Primary
Liquid Fuel Heat Detector 90 deg C FE Foam Trolley @ 30 kg Gas Suppression system
Generator Inert Gas
Manual Call Point Fire Extinguisher Foam @ 5 kg Water Spray & Deluge
2 hour fire rated Partition system with hydraulic
activation
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SDS OF TYPICAL TRANSFOMER OIL

Belong to Class IIIB - Combustible Liquids

Transformer top oil temperature will be at
average 95C in a 24 hour period and can reach
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Cause of Transformer Failure

Insulation Failures Insulation failures Cause Of Failure Numb Total Paid

were the leading cause of failure in this er
study. This category excludes those failures Insulation Failure 24 $ 149,967,277
where there was evidence of a lightning or a Design/material/ 22 $ 64,696,051
Workmanship
line surge. There are actually four factors
Unknown 15 $ 29,776,245
that are responsible for insulation
Oil Contamination 4 $ 11,836,367
deterioration: pyrolosis (heat), oxidation,
Overloading 5 $ 8,045,771
acidity and moisture. But moisture is
Fire / Explosion 3 $ 8,045,771
reported separately. The average age of the
Line Surge 4 $ 4,959,691
transformers that failed due to insulation
Improper Maintenance / 5 $ 3,518,783
was 18 years. Operation
Flood 2 $ 2,240,198
Design /Manufacturing Errors This Loose Connection 6 $ 2,186,725
category includes conditions such as: loose lightning 3 $ 657,935
or unsupported leads; loose blocking; poor Moisture 1 $ 175,000
brazing; inadequate core insulation; inferior Total 94 $ 286,628,811
short circuit strength; and foreign objects
left in the tank. In this study, this is the
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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
Lack of Preventive maintenance
(PM) on Transformer, like check /
test all safeties, tightening, run oil
analysis, weekly visual check &
6 -Monthly IR- Checks.
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How Do Transformer Fires Ignite ?

Destruction of equipment such as:

Overhead conductors
Buses
Cable trays
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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
Plant is taken offline, resulting in
revenue losses
Lives of employees and building
inhabitants are put at risk
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Why are Effective Fire Protection
ONLY
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:
Industry requirements NFPA, insurance and even environmental
authorities in some instances require facilities to take specific
measures to meet fire protection standards for transformers
Life safety fire protection systems can help protect on-site
employees from the hazards of potentially violent and explosive
transformer fires
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
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Transformer Without Fire
Protection
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INDOOR TRANSFORMER
ARRANGEMENT
5.1.5.1 Dry-type transformers are preferred for indoor installations.

5.1.5.2* Oil-insulated transformers of greater than 100 gal (379

L) oil capacity installed indoors should be separated from
adjacent areas by fire barriers of 3-hour fire resistance rating.

5.1.5.3 Transformers having a rating greater than 35 kV, insulated

with a less flammable liquid or nonflammable fluid, and installed
indoors should be separated from adjacent areas by fire barriers of
3-hour fire resistance rating.

5.1.5.4 Where transformers are protected by an automatic fire

suppression system, the fire barrier fire resistance rating is
permitted to be reduced to 1 hour.
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OUTDOOR TRANSFORMER
ARRANGEMENT

The factors in recommended that any oil-insulated transformer

containing 500 gal (1890 L) or more of oil be separated from
adjacent structures by a 2-hourrated firewall or by spatial
separation in accordance with Table 5.1.4.3. Where a firewall is
provided between structures and a transformer, it should extend
vertically and horizontally as indicated in Figure A.1
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TRANSFORMER ARRANGEMENT

Figure A.1 Illustration of Oil-Insulated Transformer Separation Recommendations.

Figure A.2 Outdoor Oil-Insulated Transformer Separation Criteria.

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CONTAINMENT & PARTITION

What is other Requirement ?

Per FM, all indoor transformers should be installed at
least 3 ft (1 meter)from building walls, and
containment systems should be provided for the
transformer liquid in case of tank rupture. The
containment area should be capable of containing the
liquid from the largest transformer located within the
space.
FM requires that the transformer be installed in a room
with a 3-hr construction or a room with 1-hr protection
and automatic sprinkler protection.
fire barrier should be provided to protect the building
from exposure to the fire. Fabricated barriers should be
constructed of concrete block or reinforced concrete
construction with a 2-hr fire rating. This barrier should
extend beyond the transformer by the horizontal or
vertical distances
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CONTAINMENT & PARTITION

What is the ground below the

transformer?
Absorbing pit with sand layer, Follow by
Stone fill on top, 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
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CONTAINMENT AND DRAINAGE.

5.5.1 Provisions should be made in all fire areas of the plant for
removal of liquids directly to safe areas or for containment in the
fire area without flooding of equipment and without endangering
other areas. Drainage and prevention of equipment flooding should
be accomplished by one or more of the following:
(1) Floor drains
(2) Floor trenches
(3) Open doorways or other wall openings
(4) Curbs for containing or directing drainage
(5) Equipment pedestals
(6) Pits, sumps, and sump pumps
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CONTAINMENT AND DRAINAGE.

5.5.6 Drainage facilities should be provided for outdoor oil-

insulated transformers, or the ground should be sloped such that oil
spills will flow away from buildings, structures, and adjacent
transformers. Unless drainage from oil spills is accommodated by
sloping the ground around transformers away from structures or
adjacent equipment, consideration should be given to providing
curbed areas or pits around transformers.
Drainage should be check daily and make sure containment pit is
dry and clear from any obstacles to allow smooth drainage and
containment of spilled, while providing water draining facilities at
the same time.
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CONTAINMENT AND DRAINAGE.

If a layer of uniformly graded stone is provided in the bottom of the

curbed area or pit as a means of minimizing ground fires, the
following should be addressed:
(1) Sizing of the pit should allow for the volume of the stone,
keeping the highest level of oil below the top of the.
(2) The design should address the possible accumulation of
sediment or fines in the stone.
(3) Overflow of the containment pit and/or curbing should be
considered in reviewing drainage pathways away from critical
structures. Common containment pits for multiple transformers
should be avoided.
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STONE & SAND

The importance of using the correct stone cannot be understated.

Stone & Sand must be CLEANED, WASHED, and free of dirt and fines.
Dirty stone Will compromise the flow rate of the Oil Filtration Panels.
Stone with a lot of fines WILL reduce the percentage of void space and
compromise the containment capacity.
Pea Gravel is medium sand with size 0.25 mm 0.50 mm (70 - 40
mesh ).
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LINER

Liner using an adhesive (HH-66). Seam can be sealed using an

adhesive (HH-66) or with a heat gun. Both methods require a
minimum of a 2 overlap and the vinyl must be dry and clean, free
from dust and dirt. Aerosol cleaner is provided for proper seam
preparation. Thoroughly clean and dry both edges of the vinyl to be
joined, prior to beginning seaming
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Installation Procedure

Install COMPOSOLITE walls / concrete wall around

the transformer containment area. Each containment
system is shipped as a kit, which includes the
following materials:

Lay the Geo membrane Liner overlap and attach to

the walls via aluminum flat bars (similar to how the
polyvinyl liners are attached to concrete pads or
piers)

The entire bund must be sealed ensuring a bond is

made to all plinths, sumps and ducts.
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Installation Procedure

Install a drain in the liner floor at the lowest point of

elevation within the containment area. Install a pipe to
drain water outflow to a concrete vault positioned 3 to
4 feet outside of the transformer containment area,
through an outlet in the wall. The pipe needs to allow
for one foot of head pressure.

Install a vault in the ground approximately 3 to 4 feet

outside of the transformer containment area.

Install a stop valve within the vault at an elevation

lower than the drain (preferably by at least 1 foot) to
provide head pressure necessary for steady flow
rates.
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Installation Procedure

Once the membrane is laid and all overlaps/penetrations

sealed, 50mm sand overlaps/penetrations sealed,
50mm sand identification layer is placed.
A minimum 200mm layer of washed stone is placed into
the bund.
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EMERGENCY LIGHTING

5.6.1 Emergency lighting should be provided for means of egress.

(See NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.)
Emergency lighting should be provided for critical plant
operations areas.
Section 7.9.2.1 of the 2009 edition of the Life Safety Code (NFPA-
101) states that emergency illumination is to be provided for not
less than 1 hour in the event of failure of the normal lighting
system. Emergency lighting facilities are to be arranged to provide
initial illumination of not less than an average of 10.8 lux (1 ft-
candles) along the path of egress at the floor level
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FIRE DETECTION
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FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

The design principles and criteria for Fire Detection and Alarm
System are described in the Fire & Gas System Specification

All Fire detection system should be of semi addresable type.

All Cable should be of FRC ( Fire Resistance Cable )

All cable should be properly installed according to Wilmars E&I

standard.

All instruments/ equipments used shall be Listed

To be centralized alarming system for ease of monitoring and

for future integration
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SMOKE DETECTOR

Type of Detector
Optical type smoke detectors suitable for mounting on ceiling/false ceiling.
Detector shall be designed for continuous detection of smoke. Vendor shall
offer universal detectors for all types of smoke ranging from smoldering to
open fire smoke as well as for solid and liquid combustibles, with visible and
invisible smoke particulars. Detection shall be fast and reliable. Preference
shall be given to speed of response over precision.
The detection principle shall be photoelectric detection of scattered infra-red
light in presence of smoke. The sensor shall be a photodiode.
Each detector shall be supplied with mounting/installation bases and
accessories.
Detector shall be provided for the Electrical panel.
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SMOKE DETECTOR

When mounted on a flat ceiling, smoke detection devices have an

individual coverage of 7.5m radius. However these radii must overlap to
ensure there are no blind spots. Therefore individual coverage can be
represented by a square measuring 10.6 x 10.6m giving an actual
coverage area of 112m2 per device.
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HEAT DETECTOR

When mounted on a flat ceiling, smoke detection devices have an

individual coverage of 5.3m radius. However these radii must overlap to
ensure there are no blind spots. Therefore individual coverage can be
represented by a square measuring 7.5 x 7.5m giving an actual coverage
area of 56.3m2 per device
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ADDRESABLE MANUAL CALL
POINTS

Manual alarm call points shall be lift

flap break glass type fire alarm units
with membrane cover design, with lift
flap, double action and auto release
type.
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Horn & Strobe

The device shall be capable of

generating enough sound in order to
alert the people inside the factory
during the time of emergency when
electrically actuated.
The sound level shall be 120 dBA at 1
meter distance (adjustable).
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IP RATING

All our equipment, instruments,

motors, control panels, lighting
etc. that is installed inside our
process area should be IP55 and
outdoor should be IP56 rated.

All our control panels/cabinets

installed inside
electrical/operator rooms should
be rated for IP31 or
higher.
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FIRE PROTECTION
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COMPARISON OF VARIOUS
FIRE SUPRESSION SYSTEM
Option of Protection TOTAL SCORING
C02 19
Inert Gas 24
25 Water Spray & Deluge 19
system
20 Sprinkler & Alarm Valve 20

15

10

0
2 as m lv
e
C0 t G
ste Va
er sy
In m
e ar
lug A l
e &
D r
& kle
r ay rin
Sp Sp
ter
a
W
Cost Electrical Friendly Enviromental Friendly Human
Maintenance Fault discharge Enclosed Space Open Space
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The Working Principle of Water Spray
System
Fire Triangle

heat fuel

oxygen

Cooling Removal of heat & oxygen from the burning

material/ fire area
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Water Spray with Deluge Systems

When the detectors

detect heat/flame
signals, panel will
activates deluge valve.

The extinguishing water

will sprayed by all
nozzles in extinguishing
zone.

If the TraFo Protect is

triggered early, the
transformer is cooled from
the outside to prevent
further overheating
1. Deluge valve set
2. Alarm buzzer with strobe light
3. Fire detection control panel
4. TraFo Protect nozzles
5. Fire detectors
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Water Spray Test

1 2

6 MW spray fire at
top
4X2 MW fire under
4 3

Water consumption 258 l/min.

Fire extinguished after 33 seconds. After 10 seconds
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Fire Extinguishing Concept of
using Chemical derivatives

Fire Triangle

heat fuel

oxygen

Halon and Chemical Agents

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Fire Extinguishing Concept of
using Natural Gasses
Fire Triangle

heat fuel

oxygen
Natural Gases - Reduced Oxygen
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Oxygen Levels

22 %
20
18
16
O2 level 15% (Fires out)
14
12
10 O2 level 10% (lower limit)
8
6%
6
4
2
0
O2 O2
Normal Atmosphere Air/Inert gas
Atmosphere Mount Everest
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TYPICAL GAS SUPRESSION SYSTEM
SETUP

1. Detectors
2. Control panel
3. Pressure reducer
4. Discharge nozzle
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Extinguishing Capability

Suitable for NOT Suitable

occupied for occupied
spaces spaces
* not effective on ...
class A deep seated fires
chemicals containing A,A,
B,B,CC(E)(E)
A, B, C (E)
How? - OXYGEN
their own supply of DANGEROUS
DANGEROUS
How?
/Toxic
/Toxic
- HEAT Removal
Reduction
How? - OXYGEN
oxygen (cellulose FM200
12% (7.9%
- 14%- 8.5%)
Reduction
Novec123 (5.3% - 5.6%)
nitrate) C02 50-%
Inergen/IG55
chemicals capable of
auto-thermal
decomposition
Suitable for
occupied
spaces
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Human Safety

Design NOAEL LOAEL %

Concentration*

Novec1230 4,2% - 5,9% 10% >10%

FM-200 6,4% - 9,0% 9% 10,5%

Inergen 34,2% - 41,2% 43% 52%

IG-55 40,3% - 47,5% 43% 52%

CO2 35% - 65% 5% n.a.

o NOAEL - No observable adverse effect level

o LOAEL - lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level
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Distribution Pipe

Pipe length and complexity of the pipe run

Very
Good Good
FM-200
Novec 1230 Fair Poor

CO2
Inergen
and IG55

Pipe length

The length of the bar does not give absolute ratios, it is a general indication only.
The width of the bar refers to the possible complexity of the pipe run (indication only).
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Working Pressure

FM-200
Navec1230
CO2
Inergen Constant Flow
200/300 Bar **
IG55*
Constant Flow
Pipe pressure
(bar)
20 40 80 100 120
25 60
The installer must ensure the correct pressure rating for pipes and fittings acc. to the flow
calculation result.
* Pipe pressure downstream the pressure reducing unit.
** The final peak pressure in the pipe will result from the hydraulic flow calculation.
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Set Up Prices

FM-200
Navec1230
CO2
Inergen
IG55*
USD

10 K 20 K 30 K 40 K 50 K
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Cylinder Foot Print

Comparison for a 200 m class A hazard

FM-200: 7,9% CONC = 0,63 kg/m 126 kg - 1 x 147 ltr.

Novec1230: 5,3% CONC = 0,78 kg/m 156 kg - 1 x 180 ltr.

Inergen: 39,9% CONC = 0,51 m/m 102 m - 5 x 80 ltr. (300 bar)

CO2: 50% CONC = 1,30 kg/m 260 kg - 6 x 50 kg

IG55/Inergen: 39,9% = 0,51 m/m 102 m - 7 x 80 ltr. (200 bar)

102 m - 5 x 80 ltr. (300 bar)
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Refilling Gas prices

FM-200
Navec1230
CO2
Inergen
**
IG55*
USD/ kg

10 20 30 90 110

The installer must ensure the correct pressure rating for pipes and fittings acc. to the flow
calculation result.
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Installation Time & Complexity
Pipe Work

Inergen,
IG55
Co2

FM200/Novec12
30

Time of Installation and Complexity of installation

FM200 and Novec1230 demand less space and less pipe work. Inert Gas cylinders can often be
more complicated with larger foot prints and more pipe work
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Decision Factors

Which fire class?

Which system
approval is required?
Single hazard or
multiple hazards
Available space for
Cylinders
Total
Flooding
What type Special
of requirements
application from insurance

Local Health and

application safety
THANK
YOU