NXX 5 Fire Protection en

NORDEX Fire Protection Concept
Fire Protection Concept

valid for all NORDEX wind turbine generator systems
Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8.1
Preliminary remarks...................................................................................................................... 1
Structural fire protection ............................................................................................................... 1
Fire prevention.............................................................................................................................. 2
Fire detection and fire alarms ....................................................................................................... 2
Escape routes............................................................................................................................... 2
Fire-fighting................................................................................................................................... 2
Safety zone................................................................................................................................... 2
Extinguishers ................................................................................................................................ 2
Locations of the fire extinguishers................................................................................................. 3
1 Preliminary remarks
Wind turbine generator systems (WTGS) comprise predominantly non-flammable materials.
The systems are ascended at regular intervals (half-yearly) for maintenance and inspection
purposes. Additional repair visits may also be made. All work is performed only by trained
personnel, who are aware of the safety notes contained in the manuals and are acquainted with
the necessary equipment.
In respect of its construction and purpose, the WTGS is not designed for the permanent or longtime presence of personnel. Access is not possible for unauthorised persons.
Access to the machine house must only be possible if the system has been shut down. A switch
on the hatch of the machine house provides the necessary interlock (WTGS of N.. only).
2 Structural fire protection

Most components of the wind turbine generator system are predominantly metal. This applies, for
example, to the tower, the machine supports, shaft, gear unit, hydraulic unit, brake, generator, clutch,
drives, etc. The foundation of the system is reinforced concrete. The transformer station is a separate
building erected in reinforced concrete. It stands several metres from the tower.
Inflammable components are above all:
-
The rotor blades and the panelling of the machine house, which are made from glass-fibrereinforced plastic
Electric cables and electrical components
Gearbox, transformer and hydraulic oils
Hoses and other plastic components
The potential sources of fire are determined by the locations of the above-mentioned components. It is
practically impossible for a fire to spread from the transformer station to the WTGS, or vice versa,
firstly on account of the physical distance between the two, and secondly due to the fact that the
cabling is laid directly in the ground and through the foundation.
NXX-5-fire-protection-en.doc
2005-08-23
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3 Fire prevention
The service personnel are required to take all appropriate precautionary measures to prevent fires.
Extensive instructions regarding this subject are given in the corresponding manuals.
The lightning and overvoltage protection for the overall system follows the concept of lightning
protection zones and is based on the following standards: IEC 61024/1, DIN VDE 0185 (DIN 57185),
ENV 61024, IEC 61312-1, DIN VDE 0185-103 and DIN VDE 0100-534. All lightning strikes are thus
conducted safely into the ground. A lightning strike as a cause of fire can be practically excluded.
4 Fire detection and fire alarms

A temperature sensor is installed in the machine house and measures the temperature inside the
machine house. If a certain limit value is exceeded, a warning message is sent automatically to the
remote monitoring office and the system is automatically shut down.
The failure of individual components or of the overall system is reported automatically to the remote
monitoring office.
5 Escape routes
Escape routes from the machine house are the ladders (with safety rails) or alternatively the possibility
to descend from the machine house by rope. As the tower is generally only entered by trained and
authorised persons, special signing of the ladders is unnecessary. The fixing points for descender
equipment are marked in a distinct colour.
In case of a fire in the machine house, a rope descent is naturally out of the question. In the case of a
fire at the foot of the tower, a rope descent is the preferred escape.
When work is performed in the machine house, the cover is generally open to permit use of the load
crane. A separate smoke outlet system is thus not necessary. If the cover is closed, two exit
hatches/windows can be opened by hand.
Lighting is also guaranteed in case of a fire. In case of power failure, the emergency lighting is
activated automatically.
6 Fire-fighting
Meaningful fire-fighting measures are to be seen above all in the immediate use of a hand fire
extinguisher should a fire break out. An access route to the WTGS is open for fire-fighting vehicles.
Fires can thus be tackled in the transformer station or in the foot of the tower.
The permissible medium for fire-fighting in the machine house is a powder fire extinguisher.
7 Safety zone
If a fire has already become more serious, the fire brigade will concentrate its efforts on cordoning off
the site of the fire. A radius of 500 metres is to be observed in such a case.
8 Extinguishers
Two or three portable fire extinguishers are supplied with the WTGS. These fire extinguishers are
intended for the immediate fighting of a fire in its early stages.
Optional automatic extinguisher systems are also available. The extinguishing agent used is either
CO2 or foam, depending on the fire hazard zone.
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8.1
Locations of the fire extinguishers
The fire extinguishers (compliant with DIN EN 3) are to be found:

-
next to the door or the ladder at the foot of the tower
in the vicinity of the control cabinet in the machine house
Refer also to the following drawings:
Fire extinguishers at the tower foot (tubular towers)
Ladder
ABC Powder extinguisher
6 kg
Door
At lattice towers the control cabinets are usually in the walkable transformer station on the ground,
otherwise in a cylindrical tower section (the transition piece between the lattice tower and the machine
house). In any case, the fire extinguisher for electronic components is mounted near the control
cabinets.
Fire extinguishers in the machine house

N60
S70
S77
N80
N90
N90/2500
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What safety measures are in place for the wind turbine?

What safety measures are in place for the wind turbine?

What should be done in case of a fire?

What should be done in case of a fire?

NORDEX Fire Protection Concept

Fire Protection Concept

Wind turbine generator systems (WTGS) comprise predominantly non-flammable materials.

2 Structural fire protection

Electric cables and electrical components

Gearbox, transformer and hydraulic oils

Hoses and other plastic components

All rights reserved.

NORDEX Fire Protection Concept

4 Fire detection and fire alarms

All rights reserved.

NORDEX Fire Protection Concept

Locations of the fire extinguishers

The fire extinguishers (compliant with DIN EN 3) are to be found:

next to the door or the ladder at the foot of the tower

in the vicinity of the control cabinet in the machine house

Refer also to the following drawings:

Fire extinguishers at the tower foot (tubular towers)

Fire extinguishers in the machine house

All rights reserved.

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