Energy sector

For the fire protection of steam and gas turbines, the best solution is an extinguishing system based on carbon dioxide. At the moment it begins to take effect, not only is oxygen forced out of the atmosphere, making it impossible for the process of combustion to continue, but the affected area is also cooled. A condition for the application of such a solution is the air-tight nature of the turbine body.

An alternative for carbon dioxide based extinguishing systems is an FOGTEC water mist system. This is worth using when another water based fire suppression system is installed at the site whose elements may be used for the needs of the water mist installation. It is also effective when the body of the turbine does not meet the air-tightness requirement necessary for the effective operation of a CO2 based system.

For the fire protection of oil tunnels, the best solution is a sprinkler or deluge system with the addition of a foaming agent. The optimal system for the detection of fire in steam and gas turbines is temperature sensors. When the temperature rises above an established threshold, the sensors send a signal to the automated central control of the extinguishing system or to a fire signalling systems in the building.

Effective fire protection for oil transformers located indoors is provided by sprinkler systems. These extinguish fire by means of the even distribution of water over the affected area, additionally allowing for the cooling of the protected surfaces. An essential element of every sprinkler system is the detection and control system which is responsible for discovering danger and initiating the extinguishing process.

For the extinguishing of fires in oil transformers located in closed spaces (transformer chambers), the best fire protection solution is a carbon dioxide based system. The release of a large amount of CO₂ not only cause the displacement of oxygen from the atmosphere, which makes the continuation of the combustion process impossible, but also has a cooling effect on the area affected. Smoke aspirating sensors located outside of the chamber are responsible for the detection of fire.

In the case of dry transformers located in transformer chambers, it is reasonable to make use of a detection and fire alarm system which notifies the appropriate emergency services of the fire.

The effective fire protection of cable tunnels which are not especially high and which contain a moderate number of cables can be provided by an FOGTEC water mist system. For detection of fire in tunnels, optical or smoke detectors are used, or – in the case of the presence of significant amounts of dust in the tunnel – linear temperature sensors.

For the fire protection of cable tunnels with a large number of tunnels, in which a fire may be caused by the high level of thermal energy, sprinkler systems are recommended, or in the case of tunnels with an incline, deluge systems.

For the fire protection of warehouses storing alternative fuels, the best solution is a water-based extinguishing system. Depending on the accepted design standards and the demands of the insurer, sprinkler or deluge systems may be used. In order to reduce the surface tension of the water and ensure better penetration into the fuel, the addition of a foaming agent is recommended.

Due to the fact that fires involving alternative fuels are most commonly smouldering fires without open flame, they require the use of non-standard detection methods. The selection of the detection method is dependent on the method used for storing the alternative fuel. For the detection of fuels stored in piles in storage halls, the best solution is the use of smoke detectors and thermal vision cameras (infrared scanners). In the case of fuel stored in silos, early stage smoulder detectors in conjunction with temperature sensors are recommended.

The best solution for RDF drying facilities are sprinkler systems which extinguish fires by evenly distributing water over the protected area. An alternative solution is the installation of a water mist system characterised by significantly lower water usage parameters.

In low volume drying facilities in which the RDF may be stored for some time, fire detection takes place with the use of early stage smoulder detection sensors and temperature sensors. In the case of high volume drying facilities or those in which the dried fuel is immediately transported to the furnace, temperature sensors are recommended.

Flat conveyor belts or those with a slight incline can be effectively protected with deluge systems. In the case of conveyors with a significant incline, including vertical conveyors, sprinkler systems are recommended. An alternative to sprinkler systems is the use of an water mist fire suppression system, characterised by significantly lower water usage.

Belt conveyors used for the transport of coal are characterised by a high level of dust. Coal dust creates an explosive atmosphere, which is why it is crucial to provide a detection system with a high degree of sensitivity. For this reason, early stage smoulder detection systems are recommended as well as linear temperature sensors. These sensors are also used to detect fires in belt conveyors transporting biomass.

An alternative solution is the use of linear heat sensors with sensory cables. The flat and flexible sensory cable fitted with individually location specific sensors is placed along the entire length of the belt conveyor, along the upper and lower edges. The use of these cables makes it possible to precisely identify the area in which the alarm originates, and thanks to the high sensitivity of the sensors, the detection of fire in its earliest stages is ensured.

For the extinguishing of fires in server rooms, the best solution is SAFEMATIC^TM gas fire suppression systems. Depending on the cubic volume of the area protected, we recommend systems such as:

• Safematic^TM LP – for spaces up to ~100m³ (FE-36^TM or FK-5-1-12 gas)
• Safematic^TM MP – from ~100 up to ~400m³ (FM-200^® or FK-5-1-12 gas)
• Safematic^TM HP Arnitro – from ~400 up to ~1.000m³ (inert gases)

The so-called clean extinguishing agents used in these systems means that they do not conduct electricity, and after application evaporate, leaving a clean and dry surface. Gas-based extinguishing agents are the only solution which is completely safe for sensitive electronic equipment. All sources of fire are discovered at the earliest stages by point smoke detectors or aspirating smoke detectors, which are an element of the detection system and fire suppression management systems.   

No systems based on wet fire suppression, including water mist systems, are recommended for fire protection in data centres or server rooms. Aerosol particle systems also may be harmful to electronic equipment. The particles can penetrate even the smallest crevices and if not removed within 48 hours may form a corrosive environment.    

One preventive system which does not allow fire to appear is inerting. This involves the controlled reduction of oxygen concentration via substitution with an inert gas, thanks to which an non-flammable atmosphere is created. Inerting can be applied in server rooms where people are only sporadically present. 

For the protection of individual cabinets with a capacity of up to 3m³, it is worthwhile to use an FRS-RACK^®2 Extinguishing Panel. This is intended for the detection of fire, its extinguishing and management of the extinguishing process in 19“ rack cabinets. The fire suppression process involves filling the entire protected space with an extinguishing agent.   

For fire suppression in spaces with sensitive electronic equipment, with strategic significance for production continuity, the best systems are Safematic^TM gas fire suppression systems. Depending on the cubic volume of the space to be protected, we recommend:

• Safematic^TM LP – for spaces up to ~100m³ (FE-36^TM or FK-5-1-12 gas)
• Safematic^TM MP – from ~100 up to ~400m³ (FM-200^® or FK-5-1-12 gas)
• Safematic^TM HP Arnitro – from ~400 up to ~1.000m³ (inert gases)

The so-called clean extinguishing agents used in these systems means that they do not conduct electricity, and after application evaporate, leaving a clean and dry surface. Gas-based extinguishing agents are the only solution which is completely safe for sensitive electronic equipment. All sources of fire are discovered at the earliest stages by point smoke detectors or aspirating smoke detectors, which are an element of the detection system and fire suppression management systems.   

No systems based on wet fire suppression, including water mist systems, are recommended for fire protection in data centres or server rooms. Aerosol particle systems also may be harmful to electronic equipment. The particles can penetrate even the smallest crevices and if not removed within 48 hours may form a corrosive environment.    

One preventive system which does not allow fire to appear is inerting. This involves the controlled reduction of oxygen concentration via substitution with an inert gas, thanks to which an non-flammable atmosphere is created. Inerting can be applied in server rooms where people are only sporadically present. 

For the protection of individual cabinets with a capacity of up to 3m³, it is worthwhile to use an FRS-RACK^®2 Extinguishing Panel. This is intended for the detection of fire, its extinguishing and management of the extinguishing process in 19“ rack cabinets. The fire suppression process involves filling the entire protected space with an extinguishing agent.   

For the fire protection of office spaces, the best solution is the use of the water mist fire suppression system. These are characterised by much lower use of water in comparison to sprinkler and spray systems. Apart from water savings, this also allows the space necessary for mounting of the reservoir to be minimised. Thanks to this, the affected room is quickly dried and returned to productive operation. Additionally, also allows the space necessary for mounting of the reservoir to be minimised.

In the case of high-ceilinged spaces (>3.5m), it may be necessary to make use of a sprinkler installation.