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17.1 General.

17.1.1
This chapter provides recommended criteria for the development of a fire risk control program that contains administrative procedures
and controls necessary for the execution of the fire prevention and fire protection activities and practices for electric generating plants
and high voltage direct current converter stations.

17.1.2
The fire risk control program recommended in this chapter should be reviewed and updated periodically.

17.1.3
The intent of this chapter can be met by incorporating the features of this chapter in the plant's operating procedures or otherwise as
determined by plant management.

17.2 Management Policy and Direction.

17.2.1
Corporate management should establish a policy and institute a comprehensive fire risk control program to promote the conservation
of property, continuity of operations, and protection of safety to life by adequate fire prevention and fire protection measures at each
facility.

17.2.2
Proper preventive maintenance of operating equipment and adequate operator training are critical aspects of an effective fire
prevention program. See Annex D for examples of operator errors causing significant property loss.

17.3 Fire Risk Control Program.

A written plant fire prevention program should be established and at a minimum should include the following:

(1) Fire safety information for all employees and contractors. This information should include, at a minimum, familiarization with
fire prevention procedures, plant emergency alarms and procedures, and how to report a fire. This should be included in
employee/contractor orientation.
(2) Documented, regularly scheduled plant inspections including provisions for handling remedial actions to correct conditions
that increase fire hazards.
(3) A description of general housekeeping practices and the control of transient combustibles. Fire experience has shown that
transient combustibles can be a significant factor during a fire situation, especially during outages.
(4) Control of flammable and combustible liquids and gases in accordance with appropriate NFPA standards.
(5) Combustible dust, as applicable, in accordance with NFPA 654.
(6) Control of ignition sources including smoking, grinding, welding, and cutting. (See NFPA 51B.)
(7) Fire prevention surveillance. (See NFPA 601.)
(8) A fire report, including an investigation and a statement on the corrective action to be taken (see Annex B).
(9) Fire hazards of materials located in the plant or storage areas identified in accordance with NFPA 704 and applicable material
safety data sheets (MSDS).

17.4 Fire Protection Program.

17.4.1 Testing, Inspection, and Maintenance.

17.4.1.1
Upon installation, all fire protection systems should be preoperationally inspected and tested in accordance with applicable NFPA
standards. Where appropriate standards do not exist, inspection and test procedures outlined in the purchase and design
specifications should be followed.

17.4.1.2 *
All fire protection systems and equipment should be periodically inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with applicable
National Fire Codes. (See Table 17.4.1.2 for guidance.)

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Table 17.4.1.2 Reference Guide for Fire Equipment

Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
NFPA
Item Document No.
Supervisory and fire alarm circuits 72
Fire detectors 72
Manual fire alarms 72
Sprinkler water flow alarms 25/72
Sprinkler and water spray systems 25/72
Foam systems 11/16/25
Halogenated agent, chemical and CO2 systems 12/12A/17/2001
Fire pumps and booster pumps 25/72
Water tanks and alarms 25/72
P.I.V.s and O.S. & Y. valves 25/72
Fire hydrants and associated valves 13/24
Fire hose and standpipes and hose nozzles 1962/25
Portable fire extinguishers 10
Fire brigade equipment 1971
Fire doors and dampers 80/90A
Smoke vents 204
Emergency lighting 110
Radio communication equipment 1221
Audible and visual signals 72
Water mist fire protection systems 750

17.4.1.3
Testing, inspection, and maintenance should be documented with written procedures, results, and followup corrective actions
recorded and tracked for closure.

17.4.2 Impairments.

17.4.2.1
A written procedure should be established to address impairments to fire protection systems and other plant systems that impact the
level of fire hazard (e.g., dust collection systems, HVAC systems). As a minimum this procedure should address the following:

(1) Identify equipment not available for service

(2) Identify personnel to be notified (e.g., plant fire brigade leader, public fire department, plant fire protection coordinator, control
room operator)
(3) Increase fire surveillance as needed [see 17.3(6)]
(4) Provide additional protected measures as necessary (e.g., temporary water supplies, additional hose)

17.4.2.2
Impairment to fire protection systems should be as short in duration as practical. If the impairment is planned, all necessary parts and
manpower should be assembled prior to removing the protection system(s) from service. When an impairment is not planned, or
when a system has discharged, the repair work or system restoration should be expedited.

17.4.2.3
Proper reinstallation after maintenance or repair should be performed to ensure proper systems operation. Once repairs are
complete, tests that will ensure proper operation and restoration of full fire protection equipment capabilities should be made.
Following restoration to service, the parties previously notified of the impairment should be advised. The latest revision of the design

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documents reflecting as­built conditions should be available to ensure that the system is properly reinstalled (e.g., drawings showing
angles of nozzles).

17.4.3 Management of Change.

A system should be implemented that would ensure that the appropriate individual(s) with fire protection responsibility are made
aware of new constructions, modifications to existing structures, changes to operating conditions, or other action that could impact the
fire protection of the plant. The Fire Protection Design Basis Document Document and the appropriate procedures and programs
discussed in this chapter might need to be revised to reflect the impact of this action.

17.4.4 * Fire Emergency Plan.

A written fire emergency plan should be developed, and, as a minimum, this plan should include the following:

(1) Response to fire alarms and fire systems supervisory alarms

(2) Notification of personnel identified in the plan
(3) Evacuation of employees not directly involved in fire­fighting activities from the fire area
(4) Coordination with security forces or other designated personnel to admit public fire department and control traffic and
personnel
(5) Fire preplanning that defines fire extinguishment activities
(6) Periodic drills to verify viability of the plan
(7) Control room operator(s) and auxiliary operator(s) activities during fire emergencies

17.4.5 Emergency Response Personnel.

17.4.5.1
The size of the plant and its staff, the complexity of fire fighting problems, and the availability of a public fire department should
determine the requirements for emergency response personnel or fire brigade.

17.4.5.2
An emergency response team can be provided to facilitate response to emergencies such as fire. Activities can include incident
command, incipient fire­fighting, escorting fire department personnel, first aid, HazMat First Responder duties, et cetera. The
organization and responsibilities should be clearly identified.

17.4.5.3 *
If a fire brigade is provided, its organization and training should be identified in written procedures. NFPA 600 and OSHA standard
29 CFR 1910.156, “Fire Brigades,” should be consulted for determining operation limitations.

17.4.6 Special Fire­Fighting Conditions.

Electric generating plants present unique fire­fighting challenges. This information might be useful in fire preplanning. It could also be
utilized in the education and training of both on­site and off­site fire­fighting personnel who would respond in the event of a fire
emergency.

17.4.6.1 Turbine Lubricating Oil Fires.

A critical aspect of responding to turbine lubricating oil fires is minimizing the size and duration of the oil spill. The need for lubrication
to protect the turbine­generator bearings and shaft should be balanced against the fire damage from allowing the oil leak to continue.
The following steps can be useful in minimizing fire damage and should be considered during preplanning and training for
emergency conditions:

(1) Tripping the turbine

(2) Breaking condenser vacuum
(3) Emergency purging of the generator
(4) Shut down main and backup oil pumps

Shutting down oil pumps can cause additional mechanical damage to the turbine depending on rotating speed. However, it can be
effective in mitigating the overall damage due to fire. (See Annex D.) When ac oil pumps are shut down, dc or backup pumps will start
on low pressure. The dc or backup oil pumps will also have to be secured, which usually requires more than operating a switch.

17.4.6.2 Regenerative Air Heaters.

Since laboratory tests and reported incidents indicated a rapid increase in temperature to the 2800°F–3000°F (1537°C–1648°C)
range in an air preheater fire, great care should be given to manual fire fighting. Large amounts of water will be needed to cool and
extinguish a preheater fire. Fire preplanning should be accomplished to ensure use of an adequate number of access doors and safe
access to the doors.

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17.4.6.3 Electrostatic Precipitators.

Once a fire is detected, the unit should go into emergency shutdown immediately. It should be recognized that during operation the
atmosphere in the precipitator is oxygen­deficient and opening doors or running system fans following a fuel trip could cause
conditions to worsen (increased potential for backdraft explosion). Once the flow of air and fuel to the fire has been stopped and the
electrostatic precipitator has been shut down and de­energized, the precipitator doors can be permitted to be opened and water
hoses employed if necessary.

17.4.6.4 Cable Trays.

Cable tray fires should be handled like any fire involving energized electrical equipment. It might not be practical or desirable to de­
energize the cables involved in the fire. Water is the most effective extinguishing agent for cable insulation fires but should be applied
with an electrically safe nozzle. Some cables [polyvinyl chloride (PVC), neoprene, or Hypalon] can produce dense smoke in a very
short time. In addition, PVC liberates hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas. Self­contained breathing apparatus should be used by personnel
attempting to extinguish cable tray fires.

17.4.6.5 Hydrogen System.

Hydrogen has a relatively large flammability range (4 to 75 percent by volume) in air. The explosive range (for deflagrations and
detonations) is narrower than the flammability range, but hydrogen explosions can occur inside turbine halls in the event of
accidental release and delayed ignition. Under most conditions, it is safer to allow a hydrogen fire to burn in a controlled manner until
such time as the gas source can be shut off. Extinguishing the fire while gas is still escaping could allow an explosive mixture to be
generated. The Fire Protection Design Basis Document should include provisions so that hydrogen supplies can be shut off from a
readily accessible location outside the fire area if called for in an emergency situation.

17.4.6.6 Coal Storage and Handling.

17.4.6.6.1
Once the location and extent of a fire in a coal storage pile have been determined, the coal should be dug out and the heated coal
removed. Since moisture accelerates oxidation, water used for fire fighting can aggravate the situation if the seat of the fire is not
reached. Water additives should be considered, to break the water tension and improve penetration.

17.4.6.6.2
Clearly marked access panels in equipment should be provided for manual fire fighting. Coal dust presents both a fire and explosion
hazard. Combustible, finely divided material is easily ignited. However, there is a possibility that a deep­seated hard­to­extinguish fire
can occur. Application of an extinguishing agent that disturbs coal dust deposits could result in a dust explosion.

17.4.6.7 Coal Pulverizers.

(See 9.5.4 of NFPA 85.) Additional information can be obtained from published manufacturer’s instructions.

17.5 Identification of Fire Hazards of Materials.

Materials located in the plant or storage areas should be identified in accordance with NFPA 704 and the applicable MSDS.

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