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Posted By Barry Cooper
Colleagues, a bit of advice required.
we have electrical control rooms and substations, all fitted with gas flooding systems to operate in the event of a fire.
We also have CO2 fire extinguishers mounted at the exit doors.
We have been advised that these extinguishers would be better located outside the doors, so in the event that anyone enters they can access the extinguisher before entering. My fire risk assessment indicates they are OK where they are, in a position where they can be accessed if inside the rooms. I appreciate that we would rely upon the flooding system, but the extinguishers were installed prior to these systems being installed
Your thoughts would be appreciated
Barry
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Posted By GT
Barry,
If it helps.
I am of the opinion that the equipment can be placed in a position which renders it immediately available to assist in saving life or property.
If one has to travel 0 - 30 meters from the access point to get this equipment I wouldn't get too excited.
Many organisations place the equipment of that room at the final exit door which makes sense for those occupying it, however, if it is a normally unoccupied area perhaps it is more helpful to site it elsewhere.
Just my view
Regards
GT
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Posted By Bob Youel
don't forget that life is first & property is a long way down the list of priority so let the automatic systems do their job and look at the need for extinguishers in that location separately
Note that the use of an extinguisher in the hands of anybody who is not competent is more than likely a hindrance to survival not an asset so come at it from this angle
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Posted By Steve Cartwright
Barry
If your electrical control rooms or substations were on fire why would you want to enter them?
If the gas flooding system is Argonite it should put the fire out. No need to enter. I would leave extinguishers in there to assist escape and let gas system do its job.
Steve
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Posted By Julide
Actually,
we both have extingusihers in and outside the MCC rooms.
In case it starts when an electrician is in, he can initially fight it. So these are CO2.
In case it is outside the MCC and for ABC fires, those are dry powders.
We do not have detection or suppresion system.
Regards,
Julide
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Posted By Crim
In my humble opinion both would be correct.
If you have a total flood system with manual over ride I would expect the system to be isolated when operatives are working inside. In this case it is desirable to have extinguishers inside the room so as to tackle a small fire that may develop while the operative is inside.
When the room is not occupied and the flood system is "live" then you need extinguishers outside the room so that, once a fire has occurred and attacked by the total flood system, emergency crews can enter the room taking with them extinguishers from outside the room in case of any fire remaining.
Always, however ensure the room atmosphere is clear of extinguishing gas prior to entering and wear B A whenever possible.
Further, I would expect any entry into the room following a fire to be by external fire brigade personnel.
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Posted By Barry Cooper
Thanks colleagues,
The gas is Inergen, and according to the manufacturers all it does is to lower the O2 level to extinguish the fire, but not low enough to cause breathing problems.
Another question, is I want to install vision panels in the doors, so that after the Inergen has been activated, personnel can look in before entering. Even the Fire and Rescue Service think it a good idea, but our European Risk Manager says that they affect the integrity of the fire resistance of the doors and does not accept the idea.
Your thoughts please
Barry
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Posted By Crim
Although inergen may not cause breathing problems I'm sure the products of combustion will, and these will be contained within the room until extracted. Therefore either wear BA when entering or ensure full extraction prior to opening the door, now how do you ensure the fire does not reignite? Inergen switched off and extraction operated!
Vision panels are an excellent idea but just ensure you maintain the appropriate seals.
By the way have we answered your query regarding siting of extinguishers?
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Posted By Barry Cooper
Yes thanks Crim, sorry about that, I will install some extinguishers outside and leaves the ones inside.
When the Inergen system is activated, we wait for the fire brigade anyhow, as it would have triggered the alarm and sent the signal to call them.
Last time this happened, they didn't know what to do, because no one knew whether the fire was out, or anything, that's what triggered my request for vision panels
Barry
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Posted By Crim
I wonder if, instead of vision panels, you could install some kind of remote thermometer that would transfer the internal temperature to a point outside the room and indicate the fire was extinguished, instead of going to the extra expense of fitting vision panels?
If I don't make proper sense it's 'cos I'm a scouser, its late and I've had a cheese & wine night?
Happy to help - hic!
(the spell check doesn't recognise scouser or hic!)
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Posted By garyh
I cannot see the logic of having extinguishers outside. Who, except for the County Brigade, is going to enter a room which is on fire?
Even they may not enter - probably just break the door down and flood the area with extinguishing material. Entering a burning room or building would surely only be done to preserve life.
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