RENEWABLE ENERGY
Brian Cashion, director of engineering, Firetrace International
not off er this option, developers should look at pre-installing fi re suppression systems. While retrofi tting is still a valid and important option, pre-installing is often overlooked and can save developers anywhere between £170k and $253k in downtime loss per farm. It also protects developers against losses of up to £8.5 million in the event of a catastrophic fi re.
• Work with local communities from the outset of projects – Working closely with local communities (especially around permit hearings) as soon as the project kicks off is critical to alleviating concerns about fi re safety. This approach will help local citizens, community leaders, and politicians understand the steps that have been taken to minimise risks, such as the presence of high- quality fi re suppression systems.
• Ensure regular maintenance and site testing – Regular maintenance and site testing helps to reduce fi re risks and ensure that safety systems,
Local
and central governments are increasingly scrutinising wind farm projects to ensure they meet strict fi re safety standards
like fi re detection and suppression, are functioning and up to date.
• Understand local fi re regulations and conduct comprehensive fi re risk site assessments – Taking the time and eff ort to understand local
fi re regulations is one of the most important steps developers can take. Some US states have been slow to adopt the latest fi re codes, but developers should make sure they are aware and comply with them from the start. By doing so, they will demonstrate a clear commitment to maintaining the highest standards of fi re safety.
Wind farms are a critically important part of the renewable energy transition. Yet, developers are facing greater scrutiny from local communities and regulators over the safety of projects. Failing to pre-install fi re suppression systems on wind turbines also means wind energy companies (and the wind sector as a whole) face signifi cant reputational risk. Not recognising these fi re safety concerns could signifi cantly hinder growth of the industry and the momentum of the renewable energy transition overall.
For more information visit:
www.fi retrace.com
www.engineerlive.com 43
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