Transformer Deluge Systems

Transformer Deluge Systems

How Do Transformer Fires Ignite?
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
Implications of a Transformer Fire
Implications of a Transformer Fire
Destruction of equipment such as:
Overhead conductors
Buses
Cable trays
Implications of a Transformer Fire
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
Implications of a Transformer Fire
Implications of a Transformer Fire
Plant is taken offline, resulting in
revenue losses
Lives of employees and building
inhabitants are put at risk
Why are Effective Fire Protection
Why are Effective Fire Protection
Systems Important for Transformers?
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
What is a Deluge Water Spray System?
What is a Deluge Water Spray System?
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.
What is a Deluge Water Spray System?
What is a Deluge Water Spray System?
NFPA-15: Standard for Water Spray Fixed
Systems for Fire Protection
Defines a water spray system as:
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.
What is a Deluge Water Spray System?
What is a Deluge Water Spray System?
NFPA-15: Standard for Water Spray Fixed
Systems for Fire Protection
Design of systems can vary considerably
Must consider the nature of the hazard and basic
purpose of protection
There are a wide variety of nozzles with different spray
characteristics
It is essential that the designer understand the limitations
and capabilities of the systems
Design density is typically .25 GPM over the entire
surface area of the transformer
How Does a Deluge System Work?
How Does a Deluge System Work?
The Deluge Valve is an integral part
of a deluge system
Specialty fire protection valve
Holds water supply back behind a
clapper or diaphragm
Water is released via an electric or
pneumatic detection system
Deluge Valve Deluge Valve
Water is released through open nozzles Water is released through open nozzles
How Does a Deluge System Work?
How Does a Deluge System Work?
Where to Begin?
Where to Begin?
What is the available water supply?
Fire pump flow test
Hydrant flow test
Available pressure and flow at the base of the riser
Determine the location of existing transformer deluge
valves and routing of existing feed mains
Where to Begin?
Where to Begin?
Consider existing pipe stand foundations
Will the existing locations suit new
transformer dimensions?
Are they reusable? (Consult with Plant
Structural Engineers)
Are there currently or will there be fire
walls to isolate each fire area?
Where to Begin?
Where to Begin?
What is the ground below the
transformer?
Absorbing pit with stone fill
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
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems
-
-
Nozzles
Nozzles
The layout of nozzles is
based upon spray
characteristics:
Angle of spray and
associated positioning angle
Orifice size (how much
water can be sprayed out of
each nozzle
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems
-
-
Nozzles
Nozzles
Nozzles are positioned to
provide complete water
spray impingement on all
exposed exterior surfaces,
such as:
Radiators
Conservator tank
Electrical cabinets, etc
Water spray should not
envelop energized
bushings or lightning
arrestors by direct
impingement.
Typical Nozzles
Typical Nozzles
Spray Pattern Design
Spray Pattern Design
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems

Pipe Support
Pipe Support
Pipe support options
Can fire walls or other
structural elements be
utilized for support?
Are there existing
foundations for pipe
stands or are new ones
required?
Must locate stands to
avoid interferences with
cabinets, door swings, etc.
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems

Piping Layout
Piping Layout
Piping Layout Considerations
Transformer height dictates how
many ringsare required
Rings are typically located around
the transformer with the possibility
of additional piping between
transformer casing and radiators
Avoid locating piping within
cabinet door swings
Design with consideration for
future maintenance access
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems

Piping Layout
Piping Layout
Piping Layout Considerations
Avoid running piping across the
top of the transformer tank
Determine electrical
clearance requirements and locate
piping the proper distance
Route piping so that it facilitates
automatic draining through open
nozzles
Determining the connection to
mains
Designing for effective drainage
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems
-
-
Bracing
Bracing
Bracing: significant forces are
incurred when a deluge valve trips
Piping must be braced to resist
these forces. Bracing is usually
provided at:
Corners of the main loop
Drops and/or rises more than 4
Bracing consists of pipe clamps
and swivels attached to steel
bracing pipe
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems
-
-
Detection
Detection
Electric Detection
Can an existing releasing panel be
utilized or is a new one required?
Which type of electric detection is to
be utilized?
Spot Type Heat Detectors
Linear Protect-O-Wire
Protectowire Protectowire Linear Linear
Heat Detector Heat Detector
Spot Spot - -Type Type
Electric Electric
Detection Detection
VERTICAL DETECT-A-FIRE UNITS
(Hexagonal Head)
Design of Deluge Systems
Design of Deluge Systems
-
-
Detection
Detection
Pneumatic Detection
Utilize dry pilot sprinkler head
Air supply plant air or local air compressor?
Which type of electric detection is to be utilized?
Implementing Alarm Systems
Manual Release stations to be provided at
hazard area?
New Notification Appliances such as
horn/strobe units to be used?
Dry pilot Dry pilot
sprinkler sprinkler
Design
Design

Drawings and Documentation

Drawings and Documentation
Preparation of material data
sheets for Owners approval
of equipment to be utilized
Development of a
preliminary design
drawing showing nozzle
locations, pipe routing and
support locations along with
initial detailing
Hydraulic calculations are
performed for pipe sizing
Design
Design

Drawings and Documentation

Drawings and Documentation
Electrical drawings showing detection
and alarm devices along with
preliminary wiring diagrams
In some instances a partial design is
submitted for Owner review and
comments
Owner comments would then be
incorporated into the design package
submittal for approval
Design
Design

3D Animation
3D Animation
Pre
Pre
-
-
Construction Planning
Construction Planning
Scheduling
Assist owner in schedule
development to be sure all activities
are captured and correct durations
are utilized
Pre
Pre
-
-
Construction Planning
Construction Planning
Scope
Meet with Project Manager to verify scope and ensure all aspects of
construction are discussed so that everyone is on the same page
Identify and plan for any required pre-outage work
Verify that the Owner is aware of items and services that are expected
to be Owner-provided:
Materials and equipment
Labor and services such as electrical install, painting, excavation
and backfilling, etc.
Construction-related requirements such as aerial lifts, scaffolding,
laydown requirements, job trailers, etc.
Pre
Pre
-
-
Construction Planning
Construction Planning
Safety
Prepare a job safety analysis for
specific work activities
Review installation sequence in
detail with Owners project manager
and field superintendent
Installation
Installation
Coordination with other activities:
Access to work areas
Scaffolding erection
Aerial lift usage
Installation
Installation
Pre-job briefing:
Work activities change
Safety concerns
Weather
J obsite working conditions
change due to the type of
activities being undertaken by
others
Installation
Installation
Typical installation sequencing
Demolition of existing piping
May require partial demolition prior to existing transformers removal
Other piping may need to be removed after the transformer is removed
Installation of pipe stands
Coordinate with the rigger for efficient installation
Install as many as possible before the new transformer is rigged
Installation
Installation
Typical installation sequencing
Installation of main loopsand feed mains
Coordinate with the rigger for efficient installation
One or more sides of loop may be able to be installed prior to the
new transformer being rigged into place
Installation of vertical nozzle piping and swing joints
Some nozzle piping may be made on to loop piping on the ground
to facilitate lifting into place with a crane.
Piping is installed with plugged nozzle outlets to facilitate
hydrostatic testing
Installation
Installation
Typical installation sequencing
Hydrostatic testing of all deluge piping at 200 psi
Remove test plugs and install and orientate nozzles
Install bracing
Install linear heat detection and/or conduit that may be attached to
deluge piping
Detection system terminations are made at releasing control
panel
Installation
Installation
Perform the spray test, also known
as a performance test:
Typically initiated through
detection system
All nozzles are viewed to assure
there are no obstructions
Water spray patterns are verified
to assure that all surfaces are
adequately protected
Pressure reading is observed at
remote nozzle to verify system is
putting out the required pressure
determined from hydraulic
calculations
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Developing a comprehensive inspection, testing and
maintenance program is essential to:
Ensuring systems are optimally functional when they are
needed in a fire
Maintaining compliance with industry, insurance and corporate
standards
Maximizing the life cycle of fire protection systems
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
A deluge systems ITM program should be developed in
accordance with NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing
and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
Detection system ITM should follow the requirements set forth
in NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
Documentation of all ITM work should be meticulously
maintained and readily available for review by the AHJ
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Critical elements of an ITM program include:
Annual tripping of deluge valve at full flow
Observation of water discharge patterns to confirm proper
positioning and absence of obstructions
Verification of water flow alarms
Pressure readings at the remote nozzle and deluge valve to
ensure hydraulic design requirements are met
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Critical elements of an ITM program include:
Annual operation of annual actuation devices
Cleaning of interior of deluge valve during annual testing
Draining of system low points
Internal inspection of strainers every five years at a minimum
Summary
Summary
A transformer fire is not a frequent occurrence but the impact is
tremendous
In a fire the transformer will likely be destroyed immediately but
damage to adjacent equipment/structures can be mitigated
The consequences of an uncontained fire include:
Costly damage to the facility
Loss of revenue due to an unscheduled outage
Compromising the safety of facility inhabitants
Summary
Summary
Fire protection systems can be effective in minimizing damage if:
Design Construction
Operation Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
are properly executed by an experienced professional with
the required experience.
Protecting People, Plant and Production
Protecting People, Plant and Production
www.femoranshs.com
www.femoranshs.com