×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Power Transformer Fire

Power Transformer Fire

Power Transformer Fire

(OP)
a building is located with the fire zone of big power transformer (15 m) . The recommendation of fire rated design is achieved however the architect would like to put some windows into the subject walls. NFPA 850 recommends using automated louvers for such windows but no one will be happy with extra cost.

The transformer is protected by water spray system as an active FF. Does the introduction of such active FF system help reducing the required 15 m passive distance?

RE: Power Transformer Fire

Wired reinforced glass , while may crack under intense heat, will not shatter into pieces. Radiant heat on the other hand will transfer thru the reinforced glass.

RE: Power Transformer Fire

(OP)
Thank Chicopee, would this be the case with a battery room?

RE: Power Transformer Fire

Check with the insurance carrier they may/will have additional requirements.

RE: Power Transformer Fire

A battery room is a completely different scenario. The fuel load is much less and they don't contain a combustible heat transfer oil.

As to the use of a water spray system in lieu of separation distance, it's not possible to respond to the questions because the volume of oil isn't stipulated. From my cursory glance at NFPA 850, one can apply engineering judgement for transformers < 500 gallons of heat transfer oil for smaller installations and you may be able to justify the water spray system as a credible reduction variable. Installations = or > 500 gallons should follow the prescriptive spatial separation distances unless they transformer is separated from the exposure by a two-hour fire barrier designed in accordance with NFPA 850, Section 5.1.1.4.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources