Fire separation distance in substation rooms
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Outdoor substations refer to those in power systems where the voltage ranges from 35 to 500 kV and the capacity of each transformer is over 10 MVA, as well as outdoor step-down substations in industrial enterprises where the total oil volume of the transformers exceeds 5 tons. The projects I have been involved in so far generally use electricity supplied from the substations in the town; especially, the distribution rooms in some small factories are far from being able to supply the amounts of electricity mentioned above. There is now a substation equipped with 1 30kVA transformer, operating at a voltage level of 6kV. However, the factory’s fire hazard category is classified as Class A. Additionally, it was stated on another website (Huai’an Fire Protection Network) that for substations or power distribution stations used in factories classified as Category A or B regarding fire risk, they can be built adjacent to the factory as long as a firewall is used to separate them. So, how should the fire separation distances be determined between this Class A workshop, Class A warehouse, Class A storage tanks, and the substation?
According to GB 20016-2006 Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings, 3.4 Fire separation distances for factories, 3.5 Fire separation distances for warehouses
Thank you for the reply from the friend above. The problem is that the substation in my factory does not meet any of the above criteria; its oil storage capacity is less than 5 tons. Moreover, in Table 3.4.1, for Class A factories, a distance of 25 meters is specified only for oil storage capacities between 10 and 50 tons. Does this mean that for Class A factories, regardless of the actual oil storage capacity, the 25-meter requirement must always be followed?
4# xmd119: Could you please provide more details? Thank you
Code for Building Design 3.3.14: Substations and distribution stations shall not be located within or adjacent to Class A or Class B factories, nor shall they be placed in areas prone to explosive gases or dusts. For 10 kV and below substations dedicated to Class A and Class B factories, if they are separated by firewalls without doors or windows, they may be constructed adjacent to each other, and must comply with the relevant provisions of current standards such as the \"Code for Design of Electrical Installations in Explosive and Flammable Environments\" GB50058.
It’s all included in the standards; is it that the text can’t be found?
If it is the plant’s main power distribution room, it cannot be built adjacent to Class A or Class B factories
Get official drawings from a design institute and construct according to those drawings; do not determine distances on your own. Regulatory standards and guidelines are meant only as a reference for us. The proper fire safety approval process must still be followed, otherwise the structure might have to be demolished and rebuilt! Of course, if LZ works in a design institute, this issue is handled in the same way: drawings are prepared, submitted to the fire department for review. If approved, construction is carried out according to those drawings; if not, adjustments are made based on the feedback from the fire department, and this process continues until the fire department gives its approval! As for the specifications, they are available on both the internet and in print!
There are regulations for outdoor areas; in indoor substations, the distance between them should be 15 meters, and these substations must be located outside areas prone to explosions