| Modernisation


While halon was effective at suppressing fires, exposure was known to cause negative health effects, and because of its harmful environmental impact, production of halon was banned by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1998. For these reasons, many facilities have replaced halon systems with CO2 advantages of CO2


fire suppression systems. The systems are the way it suppresses


a fire by reducing the oxygen concentration level in the protected area to a point that inhibits combustion and the minimal cleanup and downtime required after a discharge. Unfortunately, however, CO2


systems


can be lethal for humans caught in the protected area during a false discharge or an active fire event.


Stepping beyond standard designs An advanced hybrid fire extinguishing system


can eliminate safety hazards without sacrificing effectiveness. The Victaulic Vortex™ system uses water droplets smaller than white blood cells and nitrogen, a naturally occurring gas, discharged from a single emitter to absorb heat and reduce oxygen to a volumetric-calculated target to extinguish a fire. The system consists of releasing panels, stored


nitrogen, a captive water supply, low-pressure distribution piping and emitters in the hazard area. It is fully compatible with hazard detection systems like heat, smoke, and air sampling, and most importantly, the design can be integrated easily in older facilities using existing SCADA and fire control panels.


Near miss drives change Following a recent CO2


discharge that could have


exposed workers to dangerous conditions, a hydropower facility owner began evaluating non- lethal fire suppression systems that could be installed in several plants. In addition to being innocuous for people, the system would need to be effective for various hazards, safe in areas with energized generators, easy to install, and simple to maintain. Testing and validation proved that Victaulic’s hybrid fire extinguishing system checked all the boxes. It is scalable, creates no damaging conditions for equipment, can be installed in existing facilities without the need for significant reconstruction, and is easy to service. The successful installation of the hybrid system proved its efficacy and led to the owner’s decision to use it in additional hydropower facilities.


Installing the system Dedicated in 1967, Boundary Dam, on the Pend Oreille


River in northeastern Washington, is the second tallest arch dam in Washington State, and its underground powerhouse is one of the largest in the country. The unique design of the dam places the powerhouse and offices inside the mountain. Workers enter and exit through a 500ft tunnel, a design element that posed challenges for the CO2


fire suppression system,


which required workers to evacuate before it could be deployed. Delaying activation of the fire suppression system presented life safety issues for workers along with the possibility of significant damage to the facility if fire spread unchecked while workers were removed from harm’s way.


Seattle City Light, the plant owner, decided to install a hybrid fire extinguishing system based on its safety


www.waterpowermagazine.com | January 2022 | 19


advantages, minimal water usage, and easy cleanup Fire Protection Specialists, LLC (FirePro) of Spokane,


Washington, was awarded the contract to integrate the hybrid fire extinguishing system into the generator housing. Workers removed the existing CO2


system


and began reviewing the as-built drawings, visiting the site to get an understanding of the current pipe pathways before designing the control system layout for the new installation. According to FirePro Senior Project Manager Chris Burnett, there are challenges in placing a system inside a generator because of the unit’s shape. “Generator rooms typically are round, which means there are a lot of angles and tight spaces. Being able to use the same pathways is critical because it simplifies installation,” he said. Retrofit projects require a high level of coordination between the customer and the integrator. “Every action we take in a facility is determined cooperatively with the customer,” Burnett said. “We use a very detailed schematic that is integrated into the plant blueprint so as-built drawings are consistent because we need to know where every single wire lands, what it does, and where the pathway is.” Seattle City Light informed FirePro of where it was possible to run lines, where pathways were less ideal because of threats or concerns, and where running a line was prohibited for safety reasons, for example, in high-voltage areas. With the schematic plans ready, the next step was


to figure out where new equipment could be placed in a powerhouse with limited real estate so it could be accessed and serviced easily. Once this was determined, FirePro needed to familiarize its crew with the facility’s requirements for installing the system inside the generator, where loose components could result in serious damage. “Every facility has its own f


Below: Technicians install the Victaulic Vortex™ hybrid fire extinguishing system using a detailed schematic integrated into the plant blueprint so as-built drawings can be incorporated. The system is simple enough to enable installation in older facilities and is ready for activation as installed (Photo courtesy of FirePro)


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