IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Fire Protection
The design, selection, and installation of fire protection systems is beyond the scope of this manual because of the wide range of factors to consider. In general, every possible measure should be taken to prevent fire hazards and to protect property and people. Consider the following:
■A protection system must comply with the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. This could include the building inspector, fire marshal, or insurance carrier.
■In general, the generator room will be required to have a one hour fire resistance rating. If the generator set will be in a Level 1 (life safety) application, as defined by NFPA 110, the generator room construction will have a two hour resistance rating.
■The generator room should not be used for storage purposes.
■Generator rooms should be classified as hazardous locations (as defined by the NEC) solely by reason of the engine fuel.
■The authority having jurisdiction will usually classify the engine as a low heat appliance when use is only brief, infrequent periods.
■The authority having jurisdiction may specify the quantity, type, and sizes of approved portable fire extinguishers required for the generator room.
■Install the appropriate fire extinguishers in convenient locations. Consult the local fire department for the correct type of extinguisher to use. DO NOT use foam on electrical fires. Use extinguishers that are rated ABC by the NFPA.
■Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers on battery fires.
■A manual EMERGENCY STOP station outside the generator room or remote from a generator set in an outside enclosure is recommended for shutting down the generator set in the event of a fire or other type of emergency.
■The authority having jurisdiction may have more stringent restrictions on the amount of fuel that can be stored inside the building than published in national standards.
■Fuel tanks located inside buildings and above the lowest story or basement should be diked in accordance with NFPA standards.
■The genset should be exercised periodically under at least 30% load until it reaches stable operating temperatures and run under nearly full load at least once a year to prevent fuel from accumulating in the exhaust system.
■Properly store fuel, batteries, and other fire hazardous material.
■The genset should be inspected regularly for fire hazards.
■When open bottom generator is used, it is recommended the assembly be installed over noncombustible materials and located in such a manner such that it prevents a combustible materials from accumulating under the generator set.
■Installation should provide a safe easy method to clean up spilled engine fluids.
■Post NO SMOKING signs near generator set, battery storage, and fuel storage areas.
PAGE 12 — INDUSTRIAL GENERATOR SETS — APPLICATION & INSTALLATION MANUAL — REV. #4 (09/07/07)
