What are the means of fire extinguishing protection of the switchboard of a residential building. Gas fire extinguishing in electrical rooms. Fire extinguishing of electrical equipment: a faithful assistant aerosol

What are the means of fire extinguishing protection of the switchboard of a residential building.  Gas fire extinguishing in electrical rooms.  Fire extinguishing of electrical equipment: a faithful assistant aerosol
What are the means of fire extinguishing protection of the switchboard of a residential building. Gas fire extinguishing in electrical rooms. Fire extinguishing of electrical equipment: a faithful assistant aerosol

The electric switchboard is the most important room for an electrician, in which the main electrical panels are located. I have long wanted to collect all the regulatory requirements in one article. The topic is not complicated, but it is very important for electrical designers.

But, today's article is not ordinary. I decided to diversify the blog a little and stir up the audience, i.e. you. I will write this article with your help, and the most active will receive a gift. Which one? A secret, but trust me, it's worth it.

And to make it easier to find answers, I offer a list of questions that need to be answered.

1 Where is it not allowed to locate electrical control rooms?

15.3 Electrical switchboards, as well as VU, ASU and MSB, are not allowed to be located directly under living rooms, as well as under latrines, bathrooms, showers, kitchens (except for apartment kitchens), washing, steam rooms and other rooms associated with wet technological processes. It should be excluded the possibility of penetration of noise from the equipment of switchboards located next to rooms in which the noise level is limited by sanitary standards.

8.3.9 Electrical switchboard rooms, as well as VU, ASU, MSB, are not allowed to be located under bathrooms, bathrooms, showers, kitchens (except for apartment kitchens), sinks, washing and steam rooms of baths and other rooms associated with wet technological processes.

It is allowed to place electrical switchboards in dry basements, provided that these rooms are separated by fire partitions with a fire resistance limit of at least 0.75 hours.

In areas prone to flooding, ASU and MSB should be installed above the possible level of flooding.

13.2 Switchboards, as well as ASUs and main switchboards, are not allowed to be located directly under the latrines, bathrooms, showers, kitchens of catering facilities, washing and other rooms associated with wet technological processes, except when special measures have been taken for reliable waterproofing to prevent moisture from entering the premises where distribution devices are installed. It should be excluded the possibility of penetration of noise from the equipment of switchboards located next to rooms in which the noise level is limited by sanitary standards.

7.1.29. Switchboard rooms, as well as VU, ASU, MSB, are not allowed to be located under sanitary facilities, bathrooms, showers, kitchens (except for apartment kitchens), sinks, washing and steam rooms of baths and other premises associated with wet technological processes, except when special measures have been taken for reliable waterproofing, preventing moisture from entering the premises where switchgears are installed.

3.11. Above the living rooms, under them, and also adjacent to them, it is not allowed to place the engine room and elevator shafts, the garbage collection chamber, the trunk of the garbage chute and the device for cleaning and washing it, the electrical panel room.

2 Overall dimensions of the switchboard.

Overall dimensions of the switchboard in accordance with the equipment to be placed.

6.1.6.1 In electrical rooms, service passages located on the front or rear side of the switchboard must comply with the following requirements:

1) the clear passage width must be at least 0.8 m, the clear passage height - at least 1.9 m. The width of the passage must ensure convenient maintenance of the installation and movement of equipment.

In some places, the passages may be constrained by protruding building structures, however, the width of the passage in these places must be at least 0.6 m;

- 1.0 m - at a voltage below 660 V with a shield length of up to 7 and 1.2 m with a shield length of more than 7 m;

- 1.5 m - at a voltage of 660 V and above.

− 1.5 m − at voltage below 660 V;

- 2.0 m - at a voltage of 660 V and above.

4) non-insulated current-carrying parts located at distances smaller than those given in 2) and 3) must be protected.

In this case, the width of the passage, taking into account the fences, must be at least specified in 6.1.6.1 1);

7) passages for servicing shields, with a shield length of more than 7 m, must have two exits. Exits from the passage from the mounting side of the switchboard can be made both to the switchboard room and to rooms for other purposes. With a service passage width of more than 3 m and the absence of oil-filled devices, a second exit is optional. Doors from switchgear rooms should open towards other rooms (with the exception of switchgear above 1 kV AC and above 1.5 kV DC) or outward and have self-locking locks unlocked without a key from the inside of the room. Door width must be at least 0.75 m, height - at least 1.9 m.

4.1.23. In electrical rooms (see 1.1.5.), service passages located on the front or rear side of the switchboard must comply with the following requirements:

1) the clear passage width must be at least 0.8 m, the clear passage height must be at least 1.9 m. The passage width must ensure convenient maintenance of the installation and movement of equipment. In some places, the passages may be constrained by protruding building structures, however, the width of the passage in these places must be at least 0.6 m;

2) the distances from the most protruding unenclosed uninsulated current-carrying parts (for example, disconnected knife switches), when they are located on one side at a height of less than 2.2 m, to the opposite wall, fence or equipment that does not have unenclosed uninsulated current-carrying parts, must be at least:

1.0 m - at a voltage below 660 V with a shield length of up to 7 and 1.2 m with a shield length of more than 7 m;

1.5 m - at a voltage of 660 V and above.

The length of the shield in this case is the length of the passage between two rows of a solid front of panels (cabinets) or between one row and the wall;

3) the distances between unshielded non-insulated current-carrying parts and located at a height of less than 2.2 m, with their two-sided arrangement, must be at least:

1.5 m - at a voltage below 660 V;

2.0 m - at a voltage of 660 V and above;

4) non-insulated current-carrying parts located at distances smaller than those given in paragraphs. 2 and 3 must be guarded. In this case, the width of the passage, taking into account the fences, must be at least specified in clause 1;

5) unprotected non-insulated current-carrying parts located above the passages must be located at a height of at least 2.2 m;

6) fences placed horizontally above the walkways must be located at a height of at least 1.9 m;

4 Placement of electrical equipment in the switchboard.

See item 2 Overall dimensions of the switchboard.

6 Requirements for electrical room doors.

6.1.6.1... Doors from the switchgear rooms shall open towards other rooms (with the exception of the switchgear above 1 kV AC and above 1.5 kV DC) or outward and have self-locking locks unlocked without a key from the inside of the room. Door width must be at least 0.75 m, height - at least 1.9 m.

8.3.9 ... The doors of electrical rooms must open outwards.

5.7.3 The operation of the premises of the switchboard and input-distribution devices must be carried out in compliance with the following requirements:

There must be metal bars on the windows of the switchboard room, the door must be in good order, made of metal structures and locked, the key to which must be issued to the maintenance personnel against receipt;

The premises must be equipped with natural ventilation and electric lighting;

The temperature in the premises must be maintained at least +5 °C.

13.1 ASU and MSB, as a rule, should be located in specially allocated lockable rooms (electrical switchboards). Doors from these rooms should open outwards.

4.1.23 …

7) passages for servicing shields with a shield length of more than 7 m must have two exits. Exits from the passage from the mounting side of the switchboard can be made both to the switchboard room and to rooms for other purposes. With a service passage width of more than 3 m and the absence of oil-filled devices, a second exit is optional. Doors from switchgear rooms should open towards other rooms (with the exception of switchgear above 1 kV AC and above 1.5 kV DC) or outward and have self-locking locks unlocked without a key from the inside of the room. Doors must be at least 0.75 m wide and 1.9 m high.

8.13 Premises of HS, shopping center, ZTP should have entrances directly from the street; the electrical room (including for communication equipment, automatic control systems, dispatching and television) must have an entrance directly from the street or from a floor-by-floor non-apartment corridor (hall); the approach to the installation site of the SHRT should also be from the indicated corridor.

7.1.29 …

Electrical room doors must open outwards.

6.8.19 Doors of pantries for storing combustible materials, workshops for processing combustible materials, switchboards, ventilation chambers and other fire hazardous technical rooms, as well as pantries for storing linen and ironing in preschool institutions must have a fire resistance rating of at least EI 30.

7 Requirements for the walls of the switchboard.

8.3.8 …

VU, ASU, MSB can be located in the premises of dry basements intended for operation, provided that these premises are accessible to service personnel and are separated from other premises by partitions with a fire resistance of at least 0.75 hours.

5.3.14 The premises must be isolated from the street and other premises. Walls, floor and ceiling must be painted with dustproof paint. Cleaning of premises should be carried out by wet or vacuum method.

8 Requirements for the floors of the switchboard.

5.3.13 The floor covering in ZRU, KRU and KRUN should be such that there is no formation of cement dust.

9 Requirements for electrical panel ceilings.

see 5.3.14

10 Requirements for electrical panel windows.

11 Requirements for the temperature regime of the switchboard.

12 Electrical room ventilation.

15.5 Switch rooms should be equipped with natural ventilation and electric lighting. They must be kept at a temperature of at least 5°C.

8.3.10 The premises where ASU, MSB are installed must have natural ventilation and electric lighting. The temperature in the premises should not be below plus 5 °C.

13.4 Switch rooms should be equipped with natural ventilation and electric lighting. They must be kept at a temperature of at least 5°C.

7.1.30. Premises in which ASU, MSB are installed must have natural ventilation and electric lighting. The room temperature should not be lower than +5 o С.

13 Grounding equipment in the electrical room.

Regulatory documents for the design of switchboards:

1.1 TCP 45-4.04-149-2009 (Power supply systems for residential and public buildings).

1.2 TCP 45-2.04-153-2009 (Natural and artificial lighting).

1.3 TCP 45-4.04-296-2014 (Power and lighting electrical equipment of industrial enterprises).

1.4 TKP 339-2011 (Electrical installations for voltage up to 750 kV. Overhead power lines and current conductors, distribution devices and transformer substations, electric power and battery installations, electrical installations of residential and public buildings. Rules for the installation and protective measures of electrical safety. Electricity metering. Norms of acceptance and delivery tests).

1.7 TCP 45-1.04-14-2005 (Technical operation of residential and public buildings and structures).

1.8 TKP 181-2009 (Rules for the technical operation of consumer electrical installations).

2.1 SP 31-110-2003 (Design and installation of electrical installations of residential and public buildings).

2.2 SP 52.13330.2011 (Natural and artificial lighting).

2.4 Sanitary and epidemiological rules and regulations SanPiN 2.1.2.2645-10.

2.5 SP 54.13330.2011 (Residential multi-apartment buildings).

2.6 RD 34.03.350-98 (List of premises and buildings of power facilities of RAO "UES of Russia" with indication of explosion and fire hazard categories).

2.7 SP 2.13130.2009 (Fire protection systems. Ensuring fire resistance of protected objects).

Write in the comments answers to questions with links to regulatory documents.

To protect the switchboard, transformer booths, we recommend using an innovative product that can detect and automatically eliminate the source at the moment of ignition in seconds.

How many fire extinguishers do you need in an electrical room?

These standards establish a methodology for determining the categories of premises and buildings in terms of explosion and fire hazard, depending on the quantity and fire and explosion hazardous properties of the substances and materials located (circulating) in them, taking into account the characteristics of the technological processes of the production facilities located in them, as well as the methodology for determining the categories of outdoor installations of production and storage fire hazard assignment.

According to the explosion and fire hazard, the premises are divided into categories A, B, C1 - C4, D and D, and buildings - into categories A, B, C, D and D.

SP 9.13130.2009

Chapter 4 reads:

4. Requirements for the operation of fire extinguishers

4.1. Choice of fire extinguishers

4.1.1. The number, type and rank of fire extinguishers necessary to protect a particular object are established based on the category of the protected premises, the magnitude of the fire load, the physicochemical and fire hazardous properties of the circulating combustible materials, the nature of their possible interaction with fire extinguishing agents, the size of the protected object, etc.

4.1.2. Depending on the charge, powder fire extinguishers are used to extinguish fires of classes ABCE, BCE or class D.

4.1.3. Powder fire extinguishers are prohibited (without preliminary tests in accordance with GOST R 51057 or GOST R 51017) to extinguish electrical equipment energized above 1000 V.

4.1.4. To extinguish class D fires, fire extinguishers must be charged with a special powder that is recommended for extinguishing this combustible substance, and equipped with a special dampener to reduce the speed and kinetic energy of the powder jet. The parameters and number of fire extinguishers are determined based on the specifics of the circulating fire hazardous materials, their dispersion and the possible fire area.

4.1.5. When extinguishing a fire with powder fire extinguishers, additional measures must be taken to cool the heated elements of equipment or building structures.

4.1.6. Powder fire extinguishers should not be used to protect equipment that could be damaged by powder (certain types of electronic equipment, collector-type electrical machines, etc.).

4.1.7. Due to the high dust content during their operation and, as a result, the sharply deteriorating visibility of the fire and escape routes, as well as the irritating effect of the powder on the respiratory system, it is not recommended to use powder fire extinguishers in small rooms (less than 40 m3).

4.1.9. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers must not be used to extinguish fires in electrical equipment energized above 10 kV.

4.1.10. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers with a water vapor content in carbon dioxide of more than 0.006% wt. and with an OTV jet length of less than 3 m, it is forbidden to use it to extinguish electrical equipment that is energized above 1000 V.

4.1.11. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher fitted with a metal bell must not be used to extinguish fires in live electrical equipment.

4.1.12. Powder and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers with nozzles or sockets made of dielectric materials, due to the possible formation of static electricity discharges, are not allowed to be used at non-sparking or weak electrification facilities (GOST 12.2.037, GOST 12.1.018).

4.1.13. At objects with an increased explosion hazard and a degree of electrostatic spark hazard of class E1 or E2, the use of powder and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers with nozzles or sockets made of dielectric materials is not allowed due to the possibility of accumulating static electricity charges on them.

4.1.14. Freon fire extinguishers should be used in cases where effective fire extinguishing requires fire extinguishing compositions that do not damage protected equipment and objects (computer centers, electronic equipment, museum exhibits, archives, etc.).

4.1.15. Air-foam extinguishers are used to extinguish class A fires (usually with a barrel of low expansion foam) and class B fires.

4.1.16. Air-foam fire extinguishers should not be used to extinguish fires in electrically energized equipment, to extinguish highly heated or molten substances, as well as substances that enter into a chemical reaction with water, which is accompanied by intense heat generation and fuel spray.

4.1.17. Water extinguishers should be used on Class A fires and, if the charge contains a fluorosurfactant, Class B fires.

4.1.18. Air emulsion fire extinguishers are recommended for class A and B fires.

4.1.19. It is forbidden to use fire extinguishers with a water-based charge to extinguish fires in electrically energized equipment, to extinguish highly heated or molten substances, as well as substances that enter into a chemical reaction with water, which is accompanied by intense heat generation and splashing of fuel.

It is possible to use for extinguishing fires of electrical equipment under voltage up to 1000 V water or air-emulsion fire extinguishers with a fine spray of OTV, which have passed electrical safety tests in accordance with the requirements of GOST R 51057 or GOST R 51017 in an accredited laboratory.

4.1.20. If a significant fire source is possible at the protected object (the supposed spillage of flammable liquid may occur on an area of ​​more than 1 m2), mobile fire extinguishers must be used.

4.1.21. It is allowed to provide premises equipped with automatic fire extinguishing installations with fire extinguishers by 50% based on their estimated number.

4.1.22. If combined fires are possible at the facility, then preference when choosing a fire extinguisher should be given to a fire extinguisher that is more versatile in terms of application (out of those recommended for protecting this facility) and has a higher rank.

4.1.23. Public and industrial buildings and structures must have at least two portable fire extinguishers on each floor.

4.1.24. Two or more fire extinguishers with a lower rank cannot replace a fire extinguisher with a higher rank, but only supplement it (an exception can be made only for air-foam and air-emulsion fire extinguishers).

4.1.25. When choosing fire extinguishers, one should take into account the compliance of their temperature range of use and climatic design with the operating conditions at the protected object.

4.1.26. It is allowed to use fire extinguishers certified in accordance with the established procedure at the protected object.

4.1.27. Fire extinguishers must be put into operation in a fully charged and operable condition, with a sealed control unit for the starting (for fire extinguishers with a source of displacing gas) or shut-off and starting (for pump-in fire extinguishers) device. They must be in their assigned places during the entire period of operation.

4.1.28. The calculation of the required number of fire extinguishers should be carried out for each room and object separately.

4.1.29. If there are several small rooms of the same category of fire hazard nearby, the number of necessary fire extinguishers is determined taking into account the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthese rooms.

4.1.30. The process equipment is completed with fire extinguishers in accordance with the requirements of the technical documentation for this equipment or the relevant fire safety rules.

4.1.31. The acquisition of imported equipment with fire extinguishers is carried out in accordance with the terms of the contract for its supply, which should not contradict the requirements of Russian ND.

4.1.32. A person responsible for the acquisition, maintenance and control of the condition of fire extinguishers must be identified at the facility.

4.1.33. Each fire extinguisher installed at the facility must have a serial number and a special passport. Accounting for checking the availability and condition of fire extinguishers should be kept in a log in the recommended form (Appendix D).

4.1.34. For the period of repair or recharging, fire extinguishers are replaced with the same type in the same quantity.

4.1.36. The determination of the required number of fire extinguishers to protect a particular object is carried out according to Appendix N 3 of the rules.

4.1.38. When choosing fire extinguishing agents depending on the classes of fires, it is recommended to be guided by Appendix B.

4.1.39. When choosing and placing fire extinguishers on vehicles, one should be guided by the recommendations of Appendix B.

4.1.40. Use of fire extinguishers for other purposes is not allowed.

Estimated cost of the electrical part: 75.000 rubles.

The cost of the technological part is specified according to the project.

Implementation period: 4 working days installation and commissioning + 30 calendar days manufacturing of fire extinguishing modules.

For extinguishing indoor fires switchboards and main switchboards the use of powder or water as a fire extinguishing agent is not recommended. Therefore, especially for switchboard use gas fire extinguishing- absolutely harmless to equipment and most effective against fire.

Gas fire extinguishing- This is a type of fire extinguishing, in which gas fire extinguishing compositions are used to extinguish fires and fires. Automatic gas fire extinguishing installation usually consists of cylinders or containers for storing a gas fire extinguishing composition (GOS), gas stored in these cylinders (tanks), control units, pipelines and nozzles that ensure the delivery and release of gas into the protected room, a control panel and fire detectors.

In the presented typical solution gas fire extinguishing system in main switchboard made in accordance with fire safety standards and building codes and regulations. It should be noted that the solution complies with the updated requirements of SP 5.13130-2009 in the field of using non-flammable cable for communication lines, as well as monitoring the integrity of communication lines for supplying light displays "Exit" and sound annunciators.

Key advantages of this solution:

  1. Full compliance with all fire safety standards. The design solution meets all the requirements of the Ministry of Emergency Situations for St. Petersburg.
  2. High fire extinguishing ability of gas.
  3. Instantaneous detonation and rapid fire extinguishing.
  4. Extinguishing gas is absolutely harmless to active network equipment.
  5. Reliability. manufacturer.

Briefly on the composition of the gas fire extinguishing installation in the main switchboard(the calculation was made for a room with an electrical panel area of ​​​​25 m2):

  1. Fire extinguishing control device S2000-ASPT - 1 pc.
  2. Smoke fire detector IP 212-87 - 4 pcs.
  3. Manual start button UDP-513-10 - 1 pc.
  4. Sound siren "Mayak-24KPM" - 1 pc.
  5. Security magnetic contact sensor IO-102-20 - 1 pc.
  6. Light board KOP-25 "Exit" - 1 pc.
  7. Light panel KOP-25 "Automatics disabled" - 2 pcs.
  8. Light board KOP-25 "Gas, go away!" - 1 PC.
  9. Light panel KOP-25 "Gas, do not enter!" - 1 PC.

To build a fire alarm and warning system, you need to use only flame retardant cable, for example, KPSEng (A) -FRLS 1x2x0.75 or similar in terms of characteristics.

It is recommended to power the unit from a separate 5A circuit breaker. All wiring must be carried out only in a closed way in strobes, cable channels, corrugated pipe or behind a false ceiling. It is not recommended to lay the cable in the floor screed, since further maintenance or replacement of the cable will be practically impossible.

The principle of operation of the gas fire extinguishing installation in the main switchboard.

The main control of the system is carried out using the S2000-ASPT device.

Control panel and control device for automatic fire extinguishers and alarms S2000-ASPT designed for autonomous or centralized (as part of the Orion system) fire protection of industrial and civil facilities in one zone of powder, aerosol or gas fire extinguishing.

The device allows you to:

Monitoring the status of three fire alarm loops, the door status sensor circuit, the manual start sensor circuit, the fire extinguishing agent (OTV) output control circuit, the fire extinguishing installation equipment serviceability circuit;
Monitoring the health of the launch circuits for open and short circuits;
Adjustable time delay before starting fire extinguishing agents, separately for each mode, for automatic start, for remote (manual) start;
Transfer of service and alarm messages to the network controller (console "S2000", "S2000M", "S2000-KS", workstation "Orion");
Remote launch of fire extinguishing equipment on command from the network controller;
Manual start of fire extinguishing means from manual start sensors;
Manual (from the panel of the device) or remote (by a command from the network controller) reset of the fire alarm and the mode of starting fire extinguishing means;
Automatic launch of fire extinguishing equipment when two fire detectors are triggered in one or two alarm loops;
Turning on the sound and light fire warning (siren, light panels);
Monitoring the health of the annunciator circuits for open and short circuits in the off and on state;
Management of technological equipment according to any of 22 internal control programs (valve ventilation system in the room, etc.);
Blocking of automatic start when opening doors to the protected premises;
Enabling (disabling) the automatic start mode using Dallas Touch Memory electronic keys;
Management of control and launch units "S2000-KPB" (up to 16 pcs.);
Restriction of access to manual controls on the front panel of the device (IV level of access);
Mechanical lock on the top cover of the device;
Control of opening of the case of the device;
Backup power supply from the built-in rechargeable battery;
Control of mains and backup power supply, shutdown of backup power when the battery is discharged;
Possibility of testing and advanced diagnostics of device operability with displaying the status of device nodes on 27 indicators;
The ability to individually disable zones or outputs of the device at the request of the user.

In addition, S2000-ASPT fully complies with the requirements of the European standard EN54-2.

Starting circuit on gas fire extinguishing cylinder connected to the main output relay S2000-ASPT.

As detectors for detecting signs of fire are used smoke detectors IP 212-87.

Typical characteristics of gas fire extinguishing modules:

Degree of protection in accordance with GOST 14255 - 69: standard version - IP42.

Response pressure during pneumatic start-up, not less than, MPa (kgf/cm2) – 1.57(16).

The ambient temperature during the operation of modules with freon is from minus 30 to plus 50.

Current strength when checking the integrity of the electromagnetic drive circuit, no more than, A - 0.1.

The average service life of a module before overhaul, at least, is 25 years.

The number of operations within 25 years, at least, times - 10.

The gas fire extinguishing installation works as follows:

In the event of a fire in the protected room, fire detectors are triggered, which transmit a signal via the alarm loop to the ASPT control unit and then to the operator to open the locking and starting device and supply fire extinguishing gas through the pipeline to the switchgear and from there to the sprayers of the distribution pipeline. After the release of the calculated mass of fire extinguishing gas from the isothermal tank, the control unit closes the shut-off and starting device and the unit goes into standby mode.

Estimated price electrical part gas fire extinguishing installations in the main switchboard(the calculation was made for a room with an electrical panel area of ​​​​25 m2) on the Bolid equipment, including equipment, as well as all installation and commissioning, will be 75.000 RUB. The term of the project, subject to the provision of a full scope of work - 4 working days.

We are also ready to carry out a project for you gas fire extinguishing in the main switchboard. Price working documentation will approximately be 20.000 rub. When ordering a project + installation, execution of as-built documentation is free of charge!

At present, the problem of fire safety of electrical installations in Russia is becoming increasingly important. This is due to a frightening increase in the number of fires according to statistics from different regions. The share of fires that occur due to electrical reasons has increased by an average of 17% over the past five years.

The main causes of fires in electrical installations are:

  • Short circuits of electrical networks and equipment.
  • Overloading electrical wiring and equipment.
  • Exceeding the permissible indicators of transient resistance at the wiring junctions.
  • Ignition of combustible substances and materials in the vicinity of electrical equipment connected to the network when it is left unattended for a long time.
  • Contact with flammable materials of the filament elements when the flasks of electric lamps break.

Short circuits make up about 70% of common use cases. Short circuits cause current to leak through the insulation of electrical wiring. At the same time, electrical wiring is the most dangerous type of electrical products - due to their short circuit and subsequent ignition, about half of all fires occur.
Unsatisfactory level of fire safety of electrical equipment most often due to a number of factors: complete or partial non-compliance of electrical appliances with quality standards, poor technical condition of electrical networks in operation, as well as neglect of fire safety rules and the use of ineffective means of protection against emergency modes.

Fire extinguishing of electrical equipment: a faithful assistant aerosol

The optimal means of volumetric extinguishing fires in electrical installations are . The high efficiency of the aerosol in extinguishing fires in electrical installations is explained by the small size of aerosol particles and their ability to stay in the air in a suspended state for a long time. This 100% eliminates the possibility of re-ignition.

Modern universal devices, equipped with a thermal start and an air cooling system, allow in a short time (from 5 to 10 seconds) to localize and completely extinguish fire in electrical installation.

The term "electric cabinet" is used in two senses. In everyday life, this is what electric ovens are called, and in industries and in technical premises - installations for switching and high-voltage equipment that perform a protective role: from dust, ingress of foreign objects, and penetration of persons with the aim of harming the activities of the enterprise.

In the article on fire protection of electrical cabinets, we will, of course, talk about technical electrical cabinets and the features of their protection against flame. What systems are best used for fire protection, and how to minimize these costs.

What are they
  • Electrical cabinets (electric cabinets) can be mass-produced industrially, this also includes numerous electrical panels. This is equipment that has average performance characteristics, the quality varies depending on the price.
  • Electrical cabinets on special orders, they usually meet the higher requirements of any equipment safety, but, nevertheless, they also have their weak points.
Control cabinet functions
    1. Protecting the equipment it contains from dust, moisture,
    2. Localization of electrical equipment
    3. Fire/high temperature protection.

As you can see, fire protection is one of the functions of the electrical cabinet. However, this requirement is met very relatively. Firstly, the thickness of the metal in serial electrical cabinets does not always comply with the requirements of Russian construction legislation and is at the mercy of the owner of the equipment, and secondly, very often their design contains glass windows for monitoring and measuring equipment performance, which also, in turn, reduces fire resistance rating. And thirdly, electrical cabinets are often covered with paints and coatings that protect them from corrosion, but reduce the level of fire resistance. In this regard, the issue of fire protection of electrical cabinets must be given special attention. And this is in the interests of the business owner, because the risks that the absence of specialized systems in the technical premises carries are very significant. They are directly related to the objective conditions formed there:

    1. The equipment is heated, high heat dissipation increases the risk of fires
    2. Switching units are not always made according to the proper electrical insulation requirements.
    3. Unsuitability of technical premises for the maintenance of high-voltage equipment.

The business owner has two ways to ensure the fire safety of the equipment used.
1. Provide enhanced measures to protect the entire area of ​​technical premises from fire. This is a costly way to solve the problem and is not always effective, because many areas of the premises are difficult to access due to the installation of a large amount of equipment.

2. Installation of local systems operating directly in the protected volume. Their action is aimed at a specific zone of space, which allows, firstly, to reduce the cost of fire protection, and secondly, to maximize it in the very volume in which the equipment is located. From our point of view, this is the optimal solution for electrical cabinets. To protect electrical cabinets, switchboards and safes, we suggest using fire extinguishing microsystems that are installed directly inside the structure. For example, . In order to choose the optimal module size for a particular electrical cabinet, they are available in three standard sizes - for 30, 60 and 100 m3 of protected volume.

Advantages that distinguish Impulse Micro systems for fire protection of electrical cabinets
    1. Gas extinguishing agent - freon 125. Systems can work with connected equipment. Do not harm any equipment.
    2. Does not need power supply - absolute autonomy.
    3. The compactness of the system.
    4. Does not require specialized design and installation

This local fire extinguishing system is a metal flask with a gas content, from which, when the specified temperature level in the protected volume (57 °C) is exceeded, GFFS exits. This is the simplest system, which, due to its quality, does not malfunction and is suitable for installation in scarce and hard-to-reach volumes for extinguishing class A2, B and C fires, as well as electrical equipment under voltage up to 19 kW.

In addition to microsystems, the system is highly effective for fire extinguishing electrical cabinets and shields. Depending on the budget, it is equipped with Freon 125, 225 and Fluoroketone 5-1-12 gases, designed for a protected volume of 1.48 -7.43 m3. What distinguishes Impulse BS from analogues is that this system inhibits ignition in volumes with a leak rate up to 0.044 m-¹.

Advantages of Impulse BS system
    1. Fire extinguishing of leaky objects.
    2. Multiple use.
    3. Possibilities of connecting additional equipment for protection (fire alarm, climate systems, etc.)

We urge owners and managing directors of industries that use any electrical equipment not to neglect fire alarm and fire extinguishing systems. We offer systems that do not require significant material and technical costs, and the benefits from them, expressed in money, are enormous.