Ensuring business continuity with a risk-based design approach for fire detection

Power plants, such as hydroelectric, nuclear or gas-fired power plants, transformer stations within the power distribution grid, as well as utilities, such as water treatment facilities, urban service tunnels and recycling plants, are considered to be critical infrastructure of cities, states and countries. As fires are a root cause for service interruptions in such facilities, operators cannot risk compromising their service level through an undetected fire. In fact, an Early Warning Fire Detection System, supporting multiple alarm thresholds, ensures operators that fires are detected as early as possible and reacted upon in an adequate and timely manner in order to ensure business continuity and minimal damage to infrastructure.

Causes of fires in power plants and utility facilities

• Defects in electrical systems in electrical switch rooms, substations and other areas
• Static discharge and arcing
• Hot works and heating equipment
• Frictional heating of moving mechanical parts
• Ignition and self-ignition of waste and recycling material used as fuel

Challenges for Early Warning Fire Detection in power plants and utility facilities

• Harsh environment (humid, dusty, corrosive or otherwise contaminated)
• Large open space
• Diluted smoke and stratification
• Complex ceiling structures
• Obstructed or difficult access

Key benefits of an Early Warning Fire Detection System in MRT stations

• Business interruption, economic damage and damage to reputation are minimised
• Five warning levels allow for a staged response according fire development
• Split-second, highly sensitive reaction to incipient fires
• Simple handling due to detectors being mounted in easily accessible areas
• Low maintenance requirements, low maintenance frequency and long service life
• Developed in Switzerland, made in Germany