Room Location Often a separate building located on the site away from the main building is the most simple and cost effective. Major considerations when housing the genset in a separate building are:
SMaintain the building at a satisfactory temperature year round (to meet applicable codes).
SAssure the genset is not located so far from the emergency loads that reliability is compromised.
SThe floor's load carrying capacity must be checked and must exceed the weight of the genset and its associated equipment.
SEngine Cooling System
A genset with an engine mounted radiator is the least costly to install; however, the room must be located in a place where sufficient radiator cooling air can be brought into and exhausted from the room.
SExhaust System
The exhaust system must minimize exhaust restriction. Exhaust restriction must be limited to 3 in. Hg (76 mm Hg) maximum, to ensure proper engine operation. The exhaust system should be as short and have as few bends as possible.
SRoom Air
If the genset is cooled with an engine mounted radiator, and sufficient air is brought into and exhausted from the room to satisfy the radiator cooling requirements and the combustion air requirements, the room will not overheat when the genset is running.
If a remote mounted radiator or a heat exchanger is used, and adequate air is circulated through the room to keep it at a reasonable temperature, there will be adequate air for combustion.
SFuel Tanks (Diesel Only)
Locate the fuel storage tank as near the genset as possible. This will minimize the cost of fuel system installation and will maximize fuel system reliability.
SControls and Transfer Switch
Locate the control switch gear as close to the emergency loads and the genset as practical. This will minimize the chances that a failure of the power line to the emergency load will go undetected. In locating the switchgear, accessibility for service and maintenance must be considered.
SGenset Noise
Internal combustion engines produce noise, so the room should be located away from occupied buildings. In addition the genset room can be treated to reduce noise transmission. In locating the genset room, both engine, fan and exhaust noise must be considered.
If noise within the genset room, or noise transmitted to the surrounding parts of the building are a concern, then the room must be made large enough to allow for installation of noise attenuating walls and noise absorbing walls.
Light weight concrete blocks filled with sand or special “sound block” concrete blocks are commonly used. Noise attenuating, tight fitting windows and doors also help reduce noise transmission to the rest of the building.
A
SCode Requirements
Building and safety codes deal with engine location. These requirements are concerned with fire rated walls, a location that minimizes the possibility of damage to the genset and interruption of the emergency system due to storms, foods, fire, vandalism, etc.
Codes often deal with the need to maintain certain temperatures in the genset room and with fuel system location. The most important codes in the USA are the National Fire Protection Association Code Numbers 99 and 110, but local codes must also be observed.
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