Type of detector in EDG room

[zaza123]

Do the IEC Standards (or fire standards) mention which type of detector should be in the Emergency diesel generator (EDG) room. Should it be Heat or Smoke Detector .There is confusion as earlier we had smoke detectors & it gets activated when EDG starts as some smoke is also generating in the process.Then we replaced it to heat.

regards

 

[alehman]

I'm not sure about IEC, but we normally use heat detectors for the reason you state. Be careful where you put them. I've also seen ultraviolet flame detectors in engine rooms.

 

[EEJaime]

I agree with alehman, we use heat rated detectors with a higher temperature rating, (200 degF,(93 degC)), carefully placed to provide coverage while taking exhaust stacks, silencers, etc..., into account. The UV flame detectors are another good solution. We avoid smoke detectors in most mechanical spaces due to the presence of many different fumes, steam sources and overall contaminants which will cause false alarms and require additional maintenance to replace fouled smoke chambers.
Good luck.

 

[Hoxton]

Depends which part of "IEC" you are in, as this can be a very local issue. Here in UK, a Risk Assesment has to be carried out, remembering tht the fuel and lube oil can fall under other regulations.

The insurance company of the installation may also have a view, especially if the set is in a basement, for example.

Might be a good case to find a consultant with experience of this.

 

[davidbeach]

I don't know IEC requirements so can't comment on that part, but keep in mind that there is not really such a thing as a "smoke" detector. There are "opaque particle in the air" detectors and there are "ionized particle in the air" detectors, but no "smoke" detectors. On the other hand, a heat detector detects heat and a UV flame detector detects a signature that does not generate too much confusion.

Smoke detectors, such as they are, are generally life safety devices to protect personnel against certain hazards and the occasional over alarming is completely acceptable. Heat and flame detectors are generally to protect equipment/process/structure against certain hazards where the life safety personnel protection is unsuitable or inadequate for some reason. If a misoperating smoke detector can create greater hazards, can easily happen around this type of equipment, and the general public is not in the area, accommodations can generally be mad.

If forced into use of a smoke detector where not truly suitable for the conditions, perhaps the authorities would accept alarming from the smoke detector but allowing the heat or flame detector for equipment shut down.

 

[waross]

There are two types of heat detector that often appear identical. They all have a fixed temperature element. Some have also a "Rate of Rise" action. Fixed temperature only are rated to protect a much smaller area than rate of rise detectors.
BUT, rate of rise detectors are not suitable everywhere. They may alarm at temperatures below freezing if installed in a cold storage room and are subjected to a rapid temperature rise if a door is left open. Say from minus 20 degrees to minus 5 degrees.
Some places where rate of rise detectors are NOT USED are;
Cold storage rooms.
Elevator shafts.
Near doorways where they may be subject to rapid temperature changes,
Boiler rooms.
Engine rooms (generator rooms).

Bill
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"Why not the best?"
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