1.

0 PLANT ROOM

1.1 PLANT ROOM DEFINITION

A plant room is a room or space in a building dedicated to the mechanical equipment and its
associated electrical equipment, as opposed to rooms intended for human occupancy or

storage. A plant room, or mechanical room or boiler room, does not have leafy inhabitants. It
does have mechanical equipment and related electrical equipment and is the nerve centre of a
building, as it houses essential equipment needed to supply ventilation, electrical distribution,
water and other building services. It is, thus, critical to have precise MEP services, or M&E
design services, to support near-flawless design and construction.

The size and type of building decides how big the plant room will be. Some large buildings
have multiple plant rooms. Certain plant rooms occupy an entire floor or more, and various
plant rooms may have different functions, for example battery, transformer or boiler room.
Functionality, not aesthetics, is emphasised for plant rooms. The functioning of a mechanical
system must be thoroughly understood before designing plant rooms.

Plant rooms manage exhaust gases. The required volumetric flow rates of ambient air are
drawn in from outside air for combustion and ventilation. An exhaust system moves the
combustion products away from the building’s ventilation system, so that it does not re-
circulate in the building. At times, the exhaust duct outlets can extend to the roof, with duct
material that is compatible, insulated and provides vibration isolation.

1.2 GENSET ROOM

At its simplest, a generator set or “genset” is a piece of portable equipment, consisting of an

engine and an alternator/electric generator, used to provide energy. They can serve as the
main source of energy or as a supplementary power source, perhaps during peak usage
hours.  The best way to soundproof and to reduce any noise from a generator is to set up a
room for them and can also put all their equipment in the room. In UiTM Puncak Alam, they
have 3 set of genset room in 3 spots. Its been use for emergency when there is no electricity

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and function for emergency lamp and lift. A genset is a combination of a prime mover,
(typically an engine), and an alternator.  An engine converts the chemical energy of a fuel to
mechanical energy.  That mechanical energy is used to spin the alternator rotor, converting
mechanical energy to electrical energy.  An alternator is made of two main parts: a rotor and
stator.  Spinning the alternator rotor through the magnetic field between the rotor and stator
creates a voltage on the alternator stator, through the phenomenon of electromagnetic
induction.   When the voltage on the stator is connected to a load, electrical current flows, and
the generator produces power.

Figure : Shows the layout of the genset room

1.3 GENSET ROOM LAYOUT

Plant layout is a mechanism which involves knowledge of the space requirements for the
facilities and involves their proper arrangement so that continuous and steady movement of
the production cycle takes place. Plant layout can have a large impact on plant economics.
Additional space tends to increase safety, but is expensive in terms of land, additional piping,

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and operating costs. Space needs to be provided where it is necessary for safety but not
wasted. Plant layout is the most effective physical arrangement, either existing or in plans of
industrial facilities such as arrangement of machines, processing equipment and service
departments to achieve greatest co-ordination and efficiency of men, materials, machines and
methods in a plant.

Figure: Shows the plant layout substation 3

2.0 EQUIPMENT IN GENSET ROOM

Equipment Function
1. Discharge silencer Discharge silencers or Steam Vent Silencers
(DAS type) are used to attenuate noise
produced by the expansion of air, steam or gas
at elevated pressure to atmospheric pressure,
the level of acoustic power being up to
LW=160dBA.

2. Generator control panel

Most of the engine/generator controllers
used today are digital and are designed to

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 provide control of the generator. The
controller system monitors the operation of
the engine and generator functions.

3. Generator set  to provide power and backup electricity.

Gensets are also used to keep refrigerated
loads cold during road transport when shore
or vessel power is not available. Reasons for
needing the gensets depend on the
operations and location of a business.

4. Genset battery charger Chargers for generator batteries are crucial

for keeping expensive generators working
as specified. This functionality will ensure
that the generator is always ready for use. It
takes away any concern that the generator
might not start and helps protect expensive
equipment and keep businesses operating.

3.0 MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE

Maintenance key performance indicators (KPIs) are metrics that evaluate factors critical to an
organization’s success. A wide array of businesses tracks KPIs. However, in the maintenance
world, these metrics monitor performance against goals tied to things like machine failures,
repair times, maintenance backlogs, and costs.

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3.1 GENSET BATTERY CHARGER TEST PROCEDURE

Batteries are an integral part of a generator set. The main role of emergency generator
batteries is to provide power to the generator engine starter when a facility power outage
occurs. Many generator service providers report the most common reason for generator
failure is an expired battery.

• Stage 1 (Bulk) – If the batteries are at a lower state-of-charge, usually less than 80% full,
this is the first stage. When in the Bulk stage mains will put as much Amperes into the
batteries as possible. This is the high-speed charging stage, the higher the Amperes the faster
the charge.

• Stage 2 (Absorb) – when the batteries reach the “Absorb Voltage” (this number differs
depending on program settings but generally around 14.5 Volts for lead-acid batteries), the
charger goes into the Absorb stage. In this stage, the batteries are kept at the voltage set by
the program. The Amperes going into the batteries is lower in this stage and the batteries
charge slower.

• Stage 3 (Float) – when the Absorb stage ends, the charge controller will drop the voltage to
a program defi ned value and start the Float stage. This stage will kick in when the battery
reaches 100% charge.

• Stage 4 (Equalization) – this stage will actually overcharge the battery, but it is only turned
on periodically to override the Float stage. This is optimal for lead-acid batteries and will
extend the life and performance of the battery.

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The procedure of testing genset battery charger are given below

1. Firstly, we will disconnect all controller of generator set from turning on.
2. Open the lid of generator battery charger and put the lid on the side.

3. Turn on the switch of digital multimeter. Measuring instruments that can measure
quantities such as voltage, current, and resistance. Measured values are shown on a
digital display, allowing them to be read easily and directly.

4. Connect the test lead to the circuit. First, connect the black and second connect the
red. The result will appear on digital multi meter screen.

5. Close the lid to avoid damaged to battery.

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4.0 MANPOWER
Manpower is defined as the total of number of individuals who are employed in a company or
available for a particular project assignment or work. In an organization the manpower
needed for a particular work and in future is estimated and planned through different
techniques available

4.1 MANPOWER QUALIFICATION

To do works in a low voltage room that involves a high amount of electricity, the manpower on
duty must have certain qualifications that allow a person to do work in the genset room. In
BMES maintenance services Sdn.Bhd having only one qualified person for enter high voltage
spaces such as plant room, high voltage room, transformer room and substation. Below are the
details of the qualified person to carry out planned preventive maintenance at respective room.

(i) Chargeman BO-11(11kv)

4.2 MANPOWER SCHEDULING

Planned preventive maintenance for generator room are carry out once a week by chargeman
or any respective person. The purpose to genset is in standby mode with good condition and
able to support kampus alam bina incase no power supply by Tenaga Nasional Berhad
(TNB).

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 Figure: Shows the planned preventive maintenance (PPM) of plant room

5.0 SAFETY REQUIREMENT

The safety requirements are those requirements that are defined for the purpose of risk
reduction. Like any other requirements, they may at first be specified at a high level, for
example, simply as the need for the reduction of a given risk. Then they must be refined so
that their full details are provided to designers. The totality of the safety requirements for all
risks forms the safety requirements specification

Safety Requirement Description

1) Fire Extinguisher
 Fire extinguishers apply an agent that
will cool burning heat, smother fuel or
remove oxygen so the fire cannot
continue to burn. A portable fire
extinguisher can quickly control a
small fire if applied by an individual
properly trained.

2) Pest Control Tablet

  To reduce the presence of insects such
as cockroaches, rat or lizard or any
other insect that able enter the high

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 voltage electric room.

3) Sistem Pengawasan Kebakaran Automatik

(SPKA)

 Using this system able to give message/

notification to person in charge of each
building if there is presence of
heat/smoke.

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5.1 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment Description

(PPE)

1) Safety Helmet
 protect the user's head against impact from
objects falling from above, by resisting and
deflecting blows to the head. hitting fixed
dangerous objects at the workplace, lateral
forces - depending on the type of hard hat
selected.

2) Earmuff
 They work to block out noise by completely
covering the outer ear. Muffs can be “low
profile” with small ear cups or large to hold
extra materials for use in extreme noise.
3) Electric Insulator Glove
 Insulating gloves (also referred to as electrical
gloves) offer personal hand protection for
workers against electrical shocks when working
near or on live wires, cables and electrical
equipment including substation switchgear and

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 transformers 
4) Workshop Jacket
 . To provide It is comfortable, functional and
always looks good.

5) Safety Vest
 Vests are typically made from high-visibility
materials that can help to deflect or absorb
impact in the event of an accident.

6) Safety Boot
 protection from punctures, cuts, burns and
impact and more! Safety boots also offer grip
when walking on slippery or uneven surfaces,
helping to prevent slips and falls which can lead
to more serious problems such as broken bones
and head injuries

5.2 REGULATION OF GENSET ROOM

1) Know the location of the safety requirement

2) Do not eat or drink in the plant room

3) Do not inspect the equipment solo.

5.3 SAFETY SIGNAGE

Safety Signage Description

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 1) No Admittance Signage

Only authorized person is allowed to

enter high voltage/ high risk places.

2) Do Not Touch Signage

Touching prevent from electric

shock, electric injury or death causes
electric.

3) No Smoking

Smoking leads to flam in electric

room.

4) Heat Detector

To detect any substantial increase in

temperature which may indicate a
fire is about to break out.

5.3 APPLICATION OF REGISTRATION DETAILS

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 5.4 INSPECTION AND TEST OF INSTALLATION

The inspection of battery installation is carried out by Mr. IR Mazlan. This Battery are
installed by hyper Energy whom Vendor of BMES maintenance SDN BHD. The purpose of
installation inspection is to find out the real reason of the genset does not cranking genset and
verify the reason to take further action by BMES.

5.4.1 RESULT OF INSPECTION

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(I) Inspection Result by MR.IR.Hamzah Bin Jailani

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(ii) Inspection Result by Work Based Learning (WBL) students using Multimeter with
Chargemen

BO11 MR.Suriman

6.0 RECOMMENDATION

A life Span of HP4 battery maximum two year. Based on the details of the registration details
regarding battery types ,model of battery that are using, series number, input and output of a
battery voltage The installation date are 09/11/2021 , but as stated by Hyperenergy in contract
agreement details they mention a battery with regular usage should be capable to support for two
years. However, the genset fixed at substation three at Campus Alam Bina, UiTM Puncak Alam
contribution to backup power are more than the usage can causes the battery unable to function
well as usual. As inspect by Electrical Engineer Mr.IR.Hamzah, Chargeman BO11 MR.Suriman, and
work based learning students Nivasini and Nur Shakirah Farhana the battery power. Mr.IR Hamzah
are recommend to change a new battery with same amount of input power 28.8 V and 40AH
capacity.

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7.0 CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, generator plays a big role in being a support system as a backup power to produce
electric supply to students hostel Kolej Baiduri 1,Kolej BaiduriI 2, Kolej Zamrud and warden home.
So It’s very crucial to change the battery as soon as possible to make sure genset able to support
those buildings electric during emergency situations.

8.0 REFERENCE

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-plant-room-design-critical-wayne-kite

https://genset.com.my/genset-knowledge/generator-room-in-malaysia-room-for-genset-
requirements/

https://www.dolphin-charger.com/news/did-you-know-that-battery-failure-is-one-of-the-most-
common-reasons-emergency-generator-sets-fail-to-start

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