In energy facilities, the cost of fire is interruption rather than equipment. Cable gallery, transformer and turbine areas require very different detection; the common point is that there is no time to wait for smoke.
Fire risks in this environment
- Fire progression along the cable gallery line
- Fast and high-energy fire from transformer oil
- Response restriction due to high voltage
- Network/generation interruption cost
- Open field conditions (rain, sun, dust)
Regulations and standards
Fire detection is required within the scope of relevant technical standards for BYKHY and energy facilities. In open field and Ex areas, protection class for equipment (IP) and ATEX requirements are decisive.
Recommended technologies
Energy & Substation Fire Safety — the right solution combination and the reasons behind it.
Linear Heat Detection (LHD)
Detects heat increase by location along cable gallery and cable duct.
Related products →Flame Detector (IR3)
Detects oil fire in transformer and turbine area within seconds; high false alarm immunity.
Related products →Gas Extinguishing
Suppression in control and panel rooms without equipment damage.
Related products →Typical system architecture
LHD along cable galleries; IR3 flame detector in transformer areas (viewing angle and range calculated); ASD and gas suppression configured in panel/control rooms. All connected to addressable panel with modules and reported to SCADA.
Common field mistakes
- Waiting for smoke detector in transformer area
- Positioning flame detector in sunlight exposure
- Relying on point detector in cable gallery
- Not selecting appropriate IP class in open field
Frequently Asked Questions
Which detector in transformer area?
Triple IR (IR3) flame detector is preferred; detects oil fire within seconds and has high immunity to false alarms from sun/hot surface sources.
What is used in cable gallery?
Linear heat detection cable (LHD). Provides heat increase and location along the line; point detectors are not practical along the gallery.
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