The Art of Fire Protection and Measures in Air-Insulated Substations

How Power Utilities Implement It

Electric utility companies evaluate their performance based on the reliability of their infrastructure. An unplanned interruption can have devastating effects on a utility’s finances and reputation. The majority of customers lack the time and understanding to comprehend the complexities involved in maintaining a consistent power supply.

Fire Protection Measures and Strategies in Air-Insulated Substations

The philosophy of the utility determines the fire prevention methods employed in air-insulated substations. The primary approach to reducing the risk of fire-related damage to structures and equipment is to ensure sufficient clearance between the plant’s equipment.

Summarizing a global philosophy is challenging due to variations between countries and power utilities, each with its own approach.

Nevertheless, there are some general concepts we can discuss. The objective of any fire protection system should be to minimize the damage caused by a fire and safeguard adjacent equipment. Other objectives include protecting the environment, minimizing the risk of injury to operators and the public, and ensuring environmental preservation.

When selecting a fire protection system, designers must consider the likelihood of an actual fire, the system’s cost, and its reliability. Keeping these three factors in mind is crucial.

The necessary level of protection depends on the criticality of the installation or any nearby facility.

The vast majority of utilities employ fire prevention systems for both outdoor and interior installations. These systems protect power transformers, surrounding equipment, buildings, and the substations themselves from fires. Additionally, considerations such as air pollution and environmental protection (e.g., trees) play a significant role. Employee safety remains a top concern.

This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at https://beckersmcusa.com/. For nearly a half a century, Becker Mining has been at the forefront of mine substations. Becker/SMC is the industry’s leader in increasingly more sophisticated electrical control systems. Most of the major innovations, design features and specialized electrical components have been developed by Becker/SMC.