Engine test cells other than aircraft

[acb324]

I'm interested to know everyone's thoughts on the method of protection for an engine test cell that is not for aircraft engines, but rather for car or truck engines, using either gasoline or diesel fuel. At bare minimum I'm inclined to put some local protection as described in NFPA 37 since this area has a relatively high ceiling.

Chicago code does not speak to engine test cells nor reference the NFPA standards, so as far as everyone on the project is concerned they just need to provide 0.3 gpm over 2500 sqft (actually less since the room is smaller) and call it a day. I am not prepared to dismiss this issue so quickly.

 

[Sdpaddler50]

It has been awhile, but the test cells I last saw (gas turbine enclosures) had Co2 and sprinklers, along with a full host of ventilation, electrical, etc. Co2 in the enclosed, occupied space was used because they had pre-alarm and other safeguards to make sure the operators can get out prior to discharge. Keep in mind many of the guys that staff these are engineers and/or techs and trained by Uncle Sam - previous military. Smart, highly trained, and they know how to egress a space when a buzzer or other incident is occurring.

 

[acb324]

This is at a community college. Its a facility where they train truck drivers and mechanics and the like. I would prefer to have some kind of special hazard protection in place, but I am certain that would quickly be "value engineered" out of the project due to the lack of code requirement for it.

 

[cdafd]

So an auto shop???

Not like ford running engines 24 hours a day???

 

[acb324]

in the better portion of the space, yes, much like an auto shop. but there is a room that does contain a test cell. it is unclear how long they will run tests for.

 

[cdafd]

Regular sprinklers should do, maybe add some type of detection that will shut the engine off, and maybe cut the fuel supply

What would you do with a diesel generator room????

 

[acb324]

That is always a mess in the city. Chicago code calls for no sprinklers in generator rooms, with no distinguishing diesel out separately. Usually fuel storage room is separate. It almost always becomes an issue because more often than not FM is the insurance carrier and wants a laundry list of other requirements per the FM Global data sheets. I've seen the owner go along with the city, and I have seen them compromise on a preaction system (not the delay I would want in my building under those circumstances). I always make an argument and cite the flammable liquids chapter...

The FP code is less than 30 pages and they don't formally adopt any version of NFPA... but you can usually get pretty far by citing NFPA requirements. Everything is learned from experience and case-by-case basis.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Don't take this wrong acb324 but I somewhat think you're making this more complicated than it actually is. Earlier in my career I regulated turbine engine test cells and test cells for blending of organic peroxides. Part of the reason for a turbine test cell and a NFPA standard for it is two fold: they are really expensive and a catastrophic failure, while rare, has many parts that can break other expensive things.

Your test cell, which has a cool name, poses little risk. If you catastrophically destroy and engine it smokes a lot and mechanically welds itself together until metal breaks. An internal combustion engine can operate at 4-8K RPM -turbines, much higher.

CDA called it correctly. This is a case for sprinkler protection. I don't believe fuel controls are required because the Maximum Allowable Quantity for Class IB liquids is 120 gallons in a non-sprinklered building. I sincerely doubt this much fuel will be required at a community college.

 

[acb324]

No offense taken. I am only providing a basic wet system with a 0.3 gpm density per Chicago code (use of flammable liquids dictates so), I just wondered what people do elsewhere in the country. Searches will yield case studies of all types of special hazard systems and the cool stuff they install at places like cdafd was referring to: General Motors, etc. I don't think this is a particularly complicated setup, this was more conversational topic as opposed to the usual cry for input. As for my tirade about the building code, while off topic - I stand by that. I cannot understand how a city which has been host to so many disastrous fires has such poorly written and brief fire code.

 

[Sdpaddler50]

I think Stookey is giving sound advice for your particular situation. When you initially said "test cells", i was also picturing a gas turbine, or other high value, high speed piece of equipment. In these units, they will often bring in blended mixtures of fuels supplies, even hydrogen, so that is why they will have rated electrical, ventillation, as well as CO2, plus the sprinklers.

 

[Sdpaddler50]

And, i noticed you did say car or truck engines in your initial post, so that was my bad in assuming these were a different animal. Good luck with your project.

 

[chicopee]

Instead of sprinkler protection, you could evaluate a dry chemical or carbon dioxide automatic extinguishing system or even a halon system, the latter, being is used in data processing rooms. Such protection should also be extended to the hood and duct of the exhaust system.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Chic

Good luck with the search for Halon. The original poster is in Chicago, and the US EPA will not allow it for new systems.

 

[chicopee]

Stookey, I was not aware that the EPA banned Halon 1301 in new installation but will allow its use in exixting installations.

 

[acb324]

Well this thing resurfaced yesterday. One of the consultants was suggesting the need for an Inergen system or something akin to that because they had seen it in many previous installations. I explained that it was not code required (including confirmation from the AHJ), but rather an add on typically to protect valuable equipment or engines. I do not see a need for it in this application. This is not a top notch racing team's facility or a General Motors who can't afford the downtime. If the owner decides they want it I will add it (they won't), otherwise I am glad to put this thing to bed.