HELLO!

I am Engr. Ronel R. Baes, I am the current President of PIFPO

and I am here to provide you a Technical Training about Fire
Protection System for Electrical Equipment.

Member: NFPA, SFPE, PSME Makati,

PIFPO, CEM, DILG/BFP CFSP

0917-8514228 / 0922-8553251
[email protected]
 Data Center Fire Protection
A data center is a building, dedicated space within a building, or a group of buildings
used to house computer systems and associated components, such as
telecommunications and storage systems.

Since IT operations are crucial for business continuity, it generally includes redundant or
backup components and infrastructure for power supply, data communication
connections, environmental controls (e.g. air conditioning, fire suppression) and various
security devices.
 Data Center Fire Protection

1. Large server room

2. Electrical switching room
3. Control room
4. Room with security and safety equipment (e.g. extinguishing cylinders, etc.)
5. Emergency power supply (e.g. generator and battery/UPS rooms)
 Data Center Fire Protection
The goals of fire protection are to efficiently protect people,
assets, data and the environment from the dangers and
effects of fire, and to minimize material damages, loss of data,
operational interruptions and the consequent loss of business.

Personal safety is generally regulated by laws and official

requirements, while the protection of material assets is mainly
determined by the guidelines and directives drawn up by
insurance companies.

Effective fire protection is based on the coordination of the

appropriate structural, technical and organizational fire
protection measures.
 Data Center Fire Protection –
Objectives

Typical protection objectives are:

 No business interruptions.
 Keep data safe at all times.
 Personal injury must be prevented.
 Asset damage must be kept to an absolute
minimum.
 Environmental damage, for example due to
extinguishing water must be avoided.
 Data Center Fire Protection
Fires can occur within the digital equipment, wires, cables, HVAC equipment,
raised floors, suspended ceilings, and other combustibles found in data
centers. These fire risks lead data centers to address fire protection at three
different levels – building level, room level, and a rack-level (in-cabinet).
 Data Center Fire Protection

1. Building Level Fire Protection

The first level of fire protection is at the building level. The main
goal is to protect the building and employees from fire. The
type of fire protection most commonly used is fire sprinklers
and handheld extinguishers.

A building can also use passive fire protection, which is the

installation of firewalls and fire-rated floor assemblies that
considerably delay the spread of fire into other areas of the
building.
Data Center Fire Protection
 Data Center Fire Protection

2. Room Level Fire Protection

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the standards for
room level protection. Standards for data center fire protection at the room
level are the:

 NFPA 75 - Standard for the Fire Protection of Information

Technology Equipment and, in some cases,

 NFPA 76 - Standard for the Fire Protection of

Telecommunications Facilities.
 Data Center Fire Protection
2. Room Level Fire Protection

The NFPA 75 fire code is the bare minimum for data

centers to pass the building code requirements and
avoid penalties.

The standard calls for fire sprinkler systems, either

wet pipe sprinklers or pre-action fire sprinklers. A wet
pipe sprinkler system has the water already present in
the piping and can immediately disperse once the
alarm activates.
 Data Center Fire Protection
2. Room Level Fire Protection
The downside to this type of sprinkler system is the pipe can leak
and drip onto equipment in the room. A pre-action system is the
most commonly used room fire protection. It requires at least two
points of fire detection to activate the sprinkler system. Some
systems even break the room down into quadrants, and sprinklers
will only go off in the activated quadrant.

Fire sprinkler systems are the least expensive option for data
center fire protection.

However, water can cause as much damage to servers and hard

drives as a fire would so many data centers prefer gas systems.
Data Center Fire Protection
 Data Center Fire Protection
2. Room Level Fire Protection

The gaseous systems use either inert gas and clean agent
gas. An inert gas system uses a mixture of argon and nitrogen
gases to decrease oxygen levels present in the room which
naturally puts out the fire.

A drawback to inert systems is they have a large footprint due

to the amount of gas cylinders needed to effectively saturate
the given area. Because sounds over 130 decibels destroy
hard drives in a data center, the system requires special
nozzles to muffle the powerful sound given off when the inert
system activates.
 Data Center Fire Protection

2. Room Level Fire Protection

The two common clean agent gas systems are Novec 1230 and FM-200.
They suppress the fire by reducing the heat of the fire through absorption.
These gases have zero ozone depletion, which makes them safe for the
environment and around humans.

The physical footprint is smaller than inert gas systems because they don’t
require as much agent to fill up an entire room. Clean agent gases are
electrically non-conductive, non-corrosive, and leave no residue upon
evaporation. This makes them the ideal fire suppression agents in data
centers. Like fire sprinklers, these systems have a piping system installed
throughout the room.

The system activates through smoke and heat detection, and the clean
agent gas disperses evenly throughout the room through nozzles. These
systems are total flood or engineered systems.
 Data Center Fire Protection
2. Room Level Fire Protection
 Data Center Fire Protection
3. Rack Level Fire Protection

The last level of data center fire protection is at the rack level. This fire
protection is essential to protecting specific equipment and limiting damage.
The mandatory fire sprinklers will protect the building and the room from
fire, but the equipment, valued at 57% of the cost in the room, is not
unprotected.

This creates a need to protect the equipment from a fire at the rack level to
save the investment. Installing a pre-engineered automatic fire suppression
system will protect the equipment by detecting the fire within seconds and
suppress it before the total flood or sprinkler system activates. This
prevents equipment damage causes by a water-based sprinkler and avoids
the discharge of large amounts of agent in a total flood cylinder which is
expensive to refill.
 Data Center Fire Protection
3. Rack Level Fire Protection
Data Center Fire Protection

Electronics and telecommunications

equipment and installation shall be
in accordance with the Philippine
Electronics Code or NFPA 76,
Standard for the Fire Protection of
Telecommunications Facilities.
NFPA 75 - Standard for the Fire Protection of
Information Technology Equipment

This standard covers the

requirements for the
protection of information
technology equipment and
information technology
equipment areas from fire
damage by fire or its
associated effects--smoke,
corrosion, heat, and water.
 NFPA 75 - Standard for the Fire Protection of
Information Technology Equipment

• 8.1 Automatic Fire Protection Systems

• 8.1.1 Information technology equipment rooms and
information technology equipment areas located in a
sprinklered building shall be provided with an automatic
sprinkler system.
• 8.1.1.1 Information technology equipment rooms and
information technology equipment areas located in a
nonsprinklered building shall be provided with an
automatic sprinkler system, a gaseous clean agent
extinguishing system, or both.
 NFPA 75 - Standard for the Fire Protection of
Information Technology Equipment

• 8.1.1.3 Where a gaseous fire extinguishing

system is provided only under a raised floor, the
gaseous system shall be either carbon dioxide
or an inert gas.

• 8.1.1.4 Where a clean agent fire extinghishing

system is provided to protect the space above
the raised floor, the space under the raised floor
shall be simultaneously protected by the clean
agent fire extinguishing system.
 NFPA 75 - Standard for the Fire Protection of
Information Technology Equipment
8.2* Automatic Detection Systems. Automatic detection equipment
shall be installed to provide early warning of fire. The equipment used
shall be a listed smoke detection–type system and shall be installed
and maintained in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and
Signaling Code.

8.2.1* Automatic detection systems shall be installed in the following

locations:

(1) At the ceiling level throughout the information technology

equipment area
(2) (2) Below the raised floor of the information technology equipment
area containing cables
NFPA®76 - Standard for the Fire Protection
of Telecommunications Facilities
This standard provides requirements for fire
protection of telecommunications facilities
providing telephone, data, internet
transmission, wireless, and video services to
the public as well as life safety for the
occupants plus protection of equipment and
service continuity.
 SPRINKLERS IN
ELECTRICAL ROOMS
ACCORDING TO
NFPA 13, 2019
EDITION
A wet pipe sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers
attached to a piping system containing water and connected to
a water supply so that water discharges immediately from
sprinklers opened by heat from a fire.
According to NFPA 13 – 2019 edition, Sprinklers and sprinkler
piping is permitted in and is permitted to pass through an
electrical room as long as the piping is not within the “dedicated
electrical space”.
• Sprinkler systems had been successfully installed in rooms containing
electrical equipment for 100 years, with no documented instances of a
problem, this measure was always controversial, based on the following
concerns for fire fighters:

1. Risk safety for responding firefighters in or near electrical rooms

where sprinklers might be discharging over live equipment.
2. Water would cause additional damage to the electrical equipment.

• Considering above concerns, NFPA has permitted to omit sprinklers of

electrical room in specific cases.
According to NFPA 70 – 2017 edition, a dedicated
electrical space is defined as the space equal to the
width and the depth of the equipment extending
from the floor to a height of 1.8 m above the
equipment or the structural ceiling, whichever is
lower.
• Sprinkler protection is permitted for the
dedicated space if complying with above
mentioned constraints.
• Note that: Leak protection could include
drip pans which may create an obstruction
to sprinkler system discharge. So, it is
always best to avoid locating sprinklers
and sprinkler piping directly above
electrical equipment, additionally, sprinklers
and sprinkler piping are not permitted to be
located directly within the working space
for the equipment as shown in the figures.
Where all of the following conditions are met, sprinklers shall
not be required in electrical rooms:
(1) The room is dedicated to electrical equipment only.
(2) Only dry-type or liquid-type with listed K-class fluid
electrical equipment is used.
(3) Equipment is installed in a 2-hour fire-rated enclosure
including protection for penetrations.
(4) Storage is not permitted in the room.
 NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use of
Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines

• This standard establishes criteria for minimizing the

hazards of fire related to the installation and operation of
stationary combustion engines and stationary gas
turbines that are fueled by liquid or gaseous fuels and
are used as prime movers for emergency generators, fire
pumps, and stand-by and peak power systems.
 NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas
Turbines
• NFPA 37 was a project originated by Fire Underwriters with the main goal
of creating a standard set of installation, operation, and maintenance
criteria to minimize the likelihood of fire caused by fuel-fired engines
inside of or adjacent to structures. While NFPA 37’s requirements are
most often applied to generators, the scope of the standard applies to all
stationary, engine-driven equipment. The scope of NFPA 37 does overlap
with other sections, such as:

• NFPA 1: Fire Code

• NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
• NFPA 54: National Fuel Gas Code
• NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC)
• NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
 NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas
Turbines
NFPA 110 and the NEC (specifically generator-specific Articles 700,
701, 702, and 708) serve to create a baseline for the electrical
integrity, reliability, and operation of emergency systems.

NFPA 37 primarily is concerned with making sure the engine itself

and its associated components (fuel supply, fuel tanks,
environment, etc.) are not installed in a manner that creates a
potential fire hazard.

NFPA 37 is not concerned with the electrical distribution system fed

from a generator or the maintenance protocol to ensure that the
emergency system is available when needed; instead, the standard
ensures that the engine itself does not pose a threat or hazard to
the structures around it.
 NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas
Turbines

The goal of NFPA 37 is to provide a roadmap for safe installation which, if

followed, will function to not only minimize the likelihood of a fire but also
then contain the spread of a fire if required.

•Location, construction, and installation requirements serve to prevent a

fire in the engine from spreading to adjacent spaces or structures.

•Ventilation requirements keep the equipment space from overheating,

compromising wiring or the engine itself, as well as preventing buildup of
combustible fumes, which could otherwise ignite or cause explosion.

•Requirements for fuel piping provide installation, material, and equipment

guidelines that ensure clean, reliable distribution of fuel to the engine.
 NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas
Turbines

•Automatic-shutoff requirements are designed to automatically cut off flow

of fuel to an engine when it is not running or running under abnormal
operating conditions. In addition, requirements for manual, remote
shutoffs allow maintenance staff or first responders to disable the unit
without having to physically approach it or enter a space in which there
may be a dangerous event.

•On-site fuel-storage requirements serve to minimize potential for spills,

overfilling, and leaks from fuel tanks and the engine itself. Tank size limits
in conjunction with location and construction regulations help minimize the
ability of an active fire to spread.

•Other requirements found within the standard include wiring methods,

mandatory controls, and exhaust requirements.
 NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas
Turbines

Locations and installation

NFPA 37 identifies four separate categories for generator

locations:

1. Dedicated rooms within a building

2. Dedicated detached structures adjacent to a building
3. Exposed on the roof of a structure
4. Outdoors.
 NFPA 37 - Standard for the Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas
Turbines

Other notable requirements concern ventilation and storage

in the engine space. Engine rooms and structures are
required to have dedicated ventilation systems sized
adequately to meet combustion requirements of the engine
and prevent buildup of fumes and products of combustion in
the space. Storage of combustible materials other than those
required for day-to-day operation (manuals, filters, etc.) is
strictly prohibited.
 NFPA 37 - Fuel supply

• The fuel-supply requirements of NFPA 37 are broken up into

two categories, gaseous and liquid. For the purposes of this
standard, “gaseous” refers to engines where fuel is delivered
in vapor form (including natural gas, liquid propane vapor,
and biogas) and “liquid” refers to engines where fuel is
delivered in liquid form (including diesel and fuel oil). Liquid
propane, which is stored as a liquid but delivered to the
engine as a vapor, is considered a gaseous fuel.
 NFPA 37 - Fuel supply

• In addition to the gas train, Section 5.4 requires the

installation of a manual-shutoff valve to isolate the fuel
supply. Note that this is different from the equipment-
isolation valve. In the case of multiple engines, each
individual engine would have an equipment-isolation
valve after the last tap in the branch piping serving that
unit, but there would only be one manual-shutoff valve
used to shut off the flow of fuel to all engines
simultaneously.
 NFPA 37 - Fuel supply

• Chapter 6, Fuel Supply—Liquid, is most frequently applied to

diesel engines. This part of the standard includes
requirements for fuel-storage tanks—location guidelines and
size restrictions as well as piping, valve, and fitting rules. Per
Section 6.3.2, fuel tanks located inside buildings shall not be
more than 660 gal when located in a shared space. Fuel
tanks may be larger if they are located in a dedicated room,
but the installation and construction of that room must meet
additional requirements of Section 6.3.5 (for tanks up to 1,320
gal) or 6.3.6 (for tanks larger than 1,320 gal).
 NFPA 37 - Fuel supply

• All fuel tank size restrictions are provided with the exception
that tanks of any size may be installed within engine or
mechanical rooms provided the room is “designed using
recognized engineering practices with suitable fire-
detection, fire suppression, and containment means to
prevent the spread of fire beyond the room of origin.” The
exception is subjective, so any attempt to take credit for the
exception should be discussed with the AHJ early in the
project.
 NFPA 37 - Fuel supply

• The standard also requires all fuel tanks located within a

building or on a building roof to be equipped with a suitable
spill-containment system (wall, curb, or dike capable of
containing a quantity of fuel equal to the capacity of the
largest single tank present). An exception to this would be
the installation of a drainage or overflow system designed to
remove any spilled or leaked fuel to an approved “safe
area” outside of the structure. NFPA 30 contains additional
design requirements governing storage of fuel.
 NFPA 37 - Fuel supply

• In addition to fuel tank size requirements, the standard

also provides guidelines for ventilation of fuel tank
rooms, approved methods of filling tanks, mandatory
tank alarms and safety shutoffs (such as shutting down
tank fill pumps as a result of high-level alarms), and relief
and piping requirements.
 NFPA 37 - Exhaust systems

• The exhaust system guidelines in NFPA 37 are relatively straightforward.

Chapter 8, Exhaust Systems, requires that the exhaust system is designed,
constructed, and installed in such a manner that it doesn’t present a safety or
fire hazard during normal operation. This includes ensuring that all
penetrations through the building structure are appropriate for the
temperatures that they will be exposed to and that all products of combustion
are adequately and deliberately removed from the space without interfering
with other building systems. Where exposed, exhaust systems must be
guarded to prevent potential injury to personnel.

• For the purposes of a typical generator installation, the responsibility for

meeting the requirements of NFPA 37 falls equally on the generator
manufacturer, the design professional, and the installer. Fire is never fully
preventable, but by following the guidelines set forth in this standard, the
likelihood of a catastrophic event and the potential for loss of property or life
are significantly reduced.
NFPA 110 - Standard for Emergency
and Standby Power Systems
NFPA 110 - Standard for Emergency and
Standby Power Systems

• This standard covers performance

requirements for emergency and
standby power systems providing an
alternate source of electrical power in
buildings and facilities in the event that
the normal electrical power source fails.
Systems include power sources,
transfer equipment, controls,
supervisory equipment, and accessory
equipment needed to supply electrical
power to the selected circuits.
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 3

Emergency Power Supply (EPS).

The source of electric power of the required capacity and quality

for an emergency power supply system (EPSS).

Emergency Power Supply System (EPSS).

A complete functioning EPS system coupled to a system of

conductors, disconnecting means and overcurrent protective
devices, transfer switches, and all control, supervisory, and
support devices up to and including the load terminals of the
transfer equipment needed for the system to operate as a safe
and reliable source of electric power.
NFPA 110 - Chapter 4 Classification of Emergency
Power Supply Systems (EPSSs)

4.2* Class. The class defines the minimum time, in hours,

for which the EPSS is designed to operate at its rated load
without being refueled or recharged. [See Table 4.1(a).]

4.3 Type. The type defines the maximum time, in seconds,

that the EPSS will permit the load terminals of the transfer
switch to be without acceptable electrical power. Table
4.1(b) provides the types defined by this standard.
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 4 Classification of Emergency
Power Supply Systems (EPSSs)

The EPSS shall provide a source of electrical power of required capacity,

reliability, and quality to loads for a length of time as specified in Table
4.1(a) and within a specified time following loss or failure of the normal
power supply as specified in Table 4.1(b).
NFPA 110 - Chapter 4 Classification of Emergency
Power Supply Systems (EPSSs)
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 5: Generator Ratings &
Fuel Storage
5.1 Energy Sources. 5.1.1*

The following energy sources shall be permitted to be used for the

emergency power supply (EPS):

1) * Liquid petroleum products at atmospheric

pressure as specified in the appropriate
ASTM standards and as recommended by
the engine manufacturer

2) * Liquefied petroleum gas (liquid or vapor

withdrawal) as specified in the appropriate
ASTM standards and as recommended by
the engine manufacturer

3) * Natural or synthetic gas

 NFPA 110 - Chapter 5: Generator Ratings &
Fuel Storage

This chapter defines sizing power generation systems and supplies design
information on basic generator accessories. Generators can have different ratings
indicating overall operating capacity shown below:

Standby - 60 to 70% of the rating for 24-hour periods up to 500 hours per year
operating time.
Emergency Standby - 60 to 70% of the rating for 24-hour periods up to 200 hours
per year operating time.
Prime - 60 to 70% of the rating for extended periods with 10% overload for one
hour, with unlimited operating hours.
Mission Critical - 85% of the rating for extended periods with up to 500-hour per
year operating time.
Continuous - 100% of the rating for extend periods with unlimited operating hours.
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 5: Generator Ratings &
Fuel Storage

Fuel storage and day tank sizing are defined in this chapter.

An example is the combined fuel storage capability of a day

tank and main storage tank must allow for 96 hours of
operation for Level 1 systems. Batteries, generator monitoring
and alarm systems are also included in this chapter.
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 6: Transfer Switches

Chapter 6 is devoted to the transfer switch.

This switch is required to allow the generator to assume the electrical

load. There are two types of transfer switches.

Manual switches require the operator to physically energize the switch to

allow load to be transferred to the generator.

The most common style of switch in use for emergency generator is the
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS). When utility power is lost the switch
transfers the load to the emergency generator when it's ready to accept
it. Once utility power is returned, the ATS transfers load back to the utility
system. Only component specifications are provided, not manufacturer.
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 7: Generator Installation
Requirements

An installed emergency generator system that fails under load or does not perform
to specifications defeats the purpose of the installation. Chapter 7 defines
installation requirements of both the generator and supporting systems. Design
considerations must be made when building an emergency power system that
operates in extreme weather conditions. Such as, a generator must be located in
an area not subject to flooding.

For generators located indoors, ventilation must be considered, heat from engine
radiator, alternator, and exhaust system must be vented to atmosphere to obtain
proper room temperature. The room in which the generator is loctaed must have a
two-hour fire rating addressed by the ventilation system. These are but a few of the
generator and support system standards in the chapter. When all of the installation
standards are met, Failures due to improper installation reduced greatly.
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 7: Generator Installation
Requirements
Chapter 7.2: Location

The EPS shall be installed in a separate room for Level 1

installation. Furthermore, the EPS room shall be separated from
the rest of the building by 2-hour fire-resistance walls. Although
NFPA 110 allows the EPSS equipment to be installed in the EPS
room, it does not permit any other equipment-except those that
serve this space-to be in the EPS room. NFPA 110, Chapter 7.2.3,
requires Level 1 EPSS equipment is not be installed in the same
room with the normal service equipment where the service
equipment is rated higher than 150 V to ground and equal to or
greater than 1,000 amps. NFPA 110 does not restrict Level 2
EPSS equipment from being located in the same rooms with Level
1 equipment.
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 8: Generator Maintenance
& Testing

Planned maintenance is an imperative part of any emergency

generation system. An emergency generation system is
comprised of many parts. Each of the systems must have
inspections and periodic maintenance performed on them to
ensure they work on demand. Chapter 8 contains requirements
for performing maintenance. Checks are completed on a cycle
calendar in a table format. An example of contents is:
 NFPA 110 - Chapter 8: Generator Maintenance
& Testing

a. Daily - Checks performed every day. Can include day tank

level checks.

b. Weekly - Checks performed once a week. Can include

battery voltage checks and charger checks.

c. Monthly - Performed once a month, these checks often

include mechanical tasks. Often generator start up is
included.

d. Semi-Annual or Annual - More extensive mechanical tasks

and load testing are common tests.
 NFPA 2001, 2018
Edition - Standard on
Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing
Systems, 2018
Edition
 NFPA 2001, 2018 Edition

• Clean agent suppression systems are fundamentally

designed to protect irreplaceable assets & irretrievable
data, and the people around them. Clean agents include
both chemical agents and inert gases, all of which are
ideal for protecting servers, electronics, artwork,
archives and more. They produce none of the collateral
damage often associated with sprinkler systems. Best of
all, they are safe for people and the environment.
 Chapter 1 Administration

Applicability of Agents.
1.4.1.1 The fire extinguishing agents
addressed in this standard shall be
electrically non-conducting and leave
no residue upon evaporation.
1.4.1.2* Agents that meet the criteria
of 1.4.1.1 shall be shown in Table
1.4.1.2.
1.4.1.3 The design, installation,
service, and maintenance of clean
agent systems shall be performed by
those skilled in clean agent fire
extinguishing system technology.
 Chapter 1 Administration

Applicability of Agents.
1.4.1.1 The fire extinguishing agents
addressed in this standard shall be
electrically non-conducting and leave
no residue upon evaporation. FM200 Agent
1.4.1.2* Agents that meet the criteria
of 1.4.1.1 shall be shown in Table
1.4.1.2.
1.4.1.3 The design, installation,
service, and maintenance of clean
agent systems shall be performed by
those skilled in clean agent fire
extinguishing system technology.
 Chapter 1 Administration

Applicability of Agents – (HFC227ea)

Heptafluoropropane or HFC-227 or
FM200 by Dupont, is a colourless,
odourless gaseous halocarbon
commonly used as a gaseous fire
suppression agent.
What system is the best?

Water?

Inert
Gas?
Clean Agent Fire Suppression Agent
Comparison

Inert Gas Synthetic

IG-100 HFC227e

Novec
IG-55
1230

IG-541 HFC 125

Installation Time & Complexity

Installation Works

Inert Gas
CO2
FM200 / Novec

Time and Complexity of Installation

The Question?

Novec
1230
FM200

Inert
Gas

Q : What is the best Fire

Suppression System?
Decision Factor
Decision Factor

Environment Budget

Safety Space
 NFPA 850, 2015 Edition

Recommended Practice for

Fire Protection for Electric
Generating Plants and High
Voltage Direct Current
Converter Stations

This recommended practice outlines fire safety recommendations

for gas, oil, coal, and alternative fuel electric generating plants,
including high voltage direct current converter stations and
combustion turbine units used for electric generation.
 NFPA® 850

Chapter 7
Chapter 4
Chapter 1 Identification of and Annex A Explanatory
Fire Protection Design
Administration Protection Against Material
Process
Hazards

Chapter 8 Identification
and Protection of
Chapter 2 Chapter 5 Annex B Sample Fire
Hazards for Combustion
Referenced Publication General Plant Design Report
Turbines and Internal
Combustion Engines

Chapter 6 General Fire

Annex C
Chapter 3 Definitions Protection Systems and Chapter 9 Alternative Fuel
Fire Tests
Equipment

Chapter 13 Identification Chapter 10 Identification

Chapter 16 and Protection of Hazards and Protection of
Fire Protection for the for Integrated Gasification Hazards for Wind Annex D Loss Experience
Construction Site Combined-Cycle Turbine
Generating Facilities Generating Facilities
Chapter 14 Identification
Chapter 17 and Protection of Chapter 11
Annex E Fire Protection
Fire Risk Control Hazards for Solar Thermal Power Design Basis Document s
Program Hydroelectric Generating Generation.
Plants

Chapter 15
High Voltage Direct Chapter 12 Annex F Informational
Current (HVDC) Geothermal Power Plants References
Converter Stations
 NFPA 850, 2015 Edition
Chapter 14 - Generator Pit and Windings
14.5.3.3 Protection of generator pits containing
auxiliary circuits such as protection current
transformers (CTs), neutral transformers, and
grounding resistors that are associated with generator
protection should be provided by an automatically
actuated gaseous extinguishing system or water spray
system.
14.5.3.4 Gaseous suppression systems should be
actuated by protective relays, fire detection systems,
or both.
14.5.3.5 Operation of water spray rings should be
interlocked so that the unit will trip before the water
spray system activates. Immediately after the
generator has been sprayed with a water-based
system, it should be mechanically run (electrically
isolated and without excitation) for at least 24 hours to
avoid creating stator ground faults on both types of
winding materials.
 NFPA 850, 2015 Edition
Chapter 14 - Cable Concentrations
14.5.4.1 Consideration should be given to the use of fire retardant cable
insulation such as those passing the flame propagation test in IEEE 1202,
Standard for Flame Propagation Testing of Wire and Cable.
14.5.4.3 Sprinkler or water
spray systems should be
designed for a density of
0.30 gpm/ft (12.2 mm/min)
2

over 2500 ft (232 m ). This

2 2

coverage is for area

protection. Individual cable
tray tier coverage could be
required based on the fire
risk evaluation.
 NFPA 850, 2015 Edition
Chapter 14 - Cable Tunnels
14.6.1 Where protection is required by the fire risk evaluation, cable
tunnels should be protected by automatic water spray, automatic wet
pipe sprinkler, or foam-water spray systems. Automatic sprinkler
systems should be designed for a density of 0.30 gpm/ft2 (12.2 mm/min)
over 2500 ft2 (232m2)or the most remote 100 linear ft (30.5m)of cable
tunnel up to 2500 ft2 (232m2).
14.6.2 Portable high-expansion foam
generators can be permitted to be
used to supplement a fixed fire
protection system(s). (See NFPA
1901.)

14.6.3 Ventilation and drainage

should be provided for these areas in
accordance with Chapter 5.
 Emergency Generators
1. Emergency generators located within main plant structures should
be protected by automatic sprinkler, water spray, foam-water
sprinkler, or gaseous-type extinguishing systems.

2. Sprinkler and water spray protection systems should be designed for

a 0.25 gpm/ft2 (10.2 mm/min) density over the fire area.
3. Where gaseous suppression
systems are used on combustion
engines that can be required to
operate during the system
discharges, consideration should
be given to the supply of engine
combustion air and outside air for
equipment cooling.
 Transformers
Fire Protection System
Outdoor Oil-insulated Transformers
. Transformers
Transformer is a static device by which alternating electric power is transformed
from one circuit to another circuit linked by a common magnetic flux without any
change of frequency. It can raise or lower the voltage simply. Transformer consists
two or more inductive coils which have high mutual inductance. It has two parts i.e
one is i) core and second is ii) coils. If one coil of transformer is connected to a
source of alternating voltage, an alternating flux is set up in the laminated core ,
most of the flux is linked with the other coil, according to Faraday’s Laws of
electromagnetic induction (e=MdI/dt) it produces mutually-induced e.m.f. The first
coil in which the a.c supply is applied, is called primary winding and others coil in
which e.m.f produce, is called secondary winding which is shown in the picture
 Transformers
Outdoor oil-insulated transformers should be separated
from adjacent structures and from each other by
firewalls, spatial separation, or other approved means for
the purpose of limiting the damage and potential spread
of fire from a transformer failure.
 Transformers
Determination of the type of physical separation to
be used should be based on consideration of the
following:
(1) Type and quantity of oil in the transformer
(2) Size of a postulated oil spill (surface area and depth)
(3) Type of construction of adjacent structures
(4) Power rating of the transformer
(5) Fire suppression systems provided
(6) Type of electrical protective relaying provided
 Transformers
Determination of the type of physical separation to be
used should be based on consideration of the following:
(8) Availability of replacement transformers
(9) The existence of Fast Depressurization Systems.
 Transformers
Fast Depressurization Systems – Why transformers
explode?
During a transformer short-circuit, the electrical arc vaporizes
oil and creates a Dynamic Pressure Peak which travels at the
speed of 1,200 meters per second (4,000 feet per second). This
phenomenon occurs within a few milliseconds. Because of
reflections in the tank the pressure peak will generate pressure
waves. The integration of all of the waves pressure peaks
creates static pressure. Then, the pressure becomes equal
throughout the entire transformer tank within 50 to 100
milliseconds after the electrical arc, and causes the transformer
tank to rupture.
Transformers
 Transformers
Any oil-insulated transformer containing 500 gal (1890 L) or
more of oil be separated from adjacent non-combustible or
limited combustible structures by a 2-hour–rated firewall or
by spatial separation in accordance with Table 5.2.4.3.
Where a firewall is provided between structures and a
transformer, it should extend vertically and horizontally as
indicated in Figure below.
Transformers
 Transformers
Adjacent oil-insulated transformers containing 500 gal (1890 L)
or more of oil be separated from each other by a 2-hour–rated
firewall or by spatial separation in accordance with Table
5.2.4.3.
 Transformers
Where a firewall is provided between transformers, it should
extend at least 1 ft (0.31 m) above the top of the transformer
casing and oil conservator tank and at least 2 ft (0.61 m)
beyond the width of the transformer and cooling radiators. (See
Figure 5.2.4.4 for an illustration of the recommended
dimensions for a firewall.)
 Transformers – NFPA 850

7.8.6* Transformers. Oil-filled main, station service,

and start-up transformers not meeting separation or
fire barrier recommendations in 5.2.4 or as
determined by the fire risk evaluation should be
protected with automatic water spray or foam-water
spray systems.
 Transformers – NFPA 850
7.8.7* Substations and Switchyards. Substations and switchyards located
at the generating facility and utilizing combustible oil–filled equipment
should be protected by the yard fire hydrant system where practical.
Spatial separation of transformers and other equipment containing over
500 gal (1890 L) of oil should be in accordance with 5.2.4. Consideration
should be given to water spray protection of transformers critical to the
transmission of the generated power.
 Transformers
NFPA 15 Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire
Protection

Oil-filled main, station service, and start-up transformers should be

protected with automatic water spray or foam-water spray systems.
 Transformers

Water Spray System - 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.
Water Spray System for
Transformer
 The water shall be applied at a net
rate not less than 10.2 (L/min)/m2
(0.25 gpm/ft2) of projected area
of rectangular prism envelope
for the transformer and its
appurtenances, and not less
than 6.1 (L/min)/m2 (0.15
gpm/ft2) on the expected
nonabsorbing ground surface
area of exposure.
 Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers

GUIDE FOR SUBSTATION FIRE PROTETCION

3.2 Fixed fire-extinguishing systems

3.2.1 Flxed water extinguishing systems
The most common type of extinguishing agent employed to
protect transformers is water.

Consideration should be given to the automatic tripping of the

transformer and the de-energization of its pumps and fans
upon the activation of the water system.
Transformers - FM Global Property Loss
Prevention Data Sheet 5-4
 Deluge Sprinkler System for Transformer

Water spray application shall be provided for special

configurations, conservator tanks, pumps, and so forth.
 Water Spray System for
Transformer

Where transformer components create

spaces greater than 305 mm (12 in.) in
width, the surfaces shall be individually
protected.

Where there is insufficient clearance to

achieve direct impingement, 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.
 NFPA® 15 - 2012 EDITION
Chapter 6 Installation Requirements
 Water Spray System for Transformer

Nozzles shall be positioned such that the water spray does

not envelop energized bushings or lightning arresters by
direct impingement.
 NFPA® 15 - 2012 EDITION
Chapter 6 Installation Requirements

Electrical Clearances
6.1.2.1 All system components shall be
located so as to maintain minimum electrical
clearances from live parts.
6.1.2.2 The electrical clearances in Table
6.1.2.2 shall apply to altitudes of 1000 m
(3300 ft) or less.
6.1.2.3 At altitudes in excess of 1000 m
(3300 ft), the electrical clearance shall be
increased at the rate of 1 percent for each
100 m (330 ft) increase in altitude above
1000 m (3300 ft).
6.1.3 Where the design BIL is not available
and where nominal voltage is used for the
design criterion, the highest minimum
clearance listed for this group shall be used.
 NFPA® 15 - 2012 EDITION
Chapter 6 Installation Requirements
Electrical Clearances
Note: BIL values are expressed as kilovolts (kV), the number being the crest
value of the full wave impulse test that the electrical equipment is designed to
withstand. For BIL values that are not listed in the table, clearances can be
found by interpolation. *For voltages up to 161 kV, the clearances are taken
from NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. For voltages 230 kV and above, the
clearances are taken from Table 124 of ANSI C2, National Electrical Safety
Code.

A.6.1.2 The minimum clearances listed in Table 6.1.2.2 are for the purpose of
electrical clearance under normal conditions; they are not intended for use as
“safe” distances during fixed water spray system operation.

The clearances are based upon minimum general practices related to design
basic insulation level (BIL) values. To coordinate the required clearance with the
electrical design, the design BIL of the equipment being protected should be
used as a basis, although this is not material at nominal line voltages of 161 kV
or less.
Water Spray System for Transformer
Engr. Ronel R. Baes
PIFPO National President
Tel. No. 0917-8514229 / 0922-8553251
Email Add: [email protected]