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Active & Passive Protection System
Active & Passive Protection System
ISSUE
Ausgrid staff: for issue to all staff involved with the design of substations.
Where this standard is issued as a controlled document replacing an earlier edition, remove and destroy
the superseded document.
Accredited Service Providers: document issued on an uncontrolled basis. Users are responsible for
ensuring that the document they are using is current and includes any amendments issued since the date
on the document. Ausgrid will not accept any liability for work carried out to a superseded standard.
Ausgrid may not accept work carried out which is not in accordance with current standard requirements.
Ausgrid maintains a copy of this and other Network Standards together with updates and amendments on
www.ausgrid.com.au.
Ausgrid also offers a subscription service which provides for updates and amendments to standards on
payment of an annual fee.
DISCLAIMER
As Ausgrids standards are subject to ongoing review, the information contained in this document may be
amended by Ausgrid at any time.
It is possible that conflict may exist between standard documents. In this event, the most recent Standard
is to prevail.
This document has been developed using information available from field and other sources and is
suitable for most situations encountered in Ausgrid. Particular conditions, projects or localities may
require special or different practices. It is the responsibility of the local manager, supervisor, assured
quality contractor and the individuals involved to ensure that a safe system of work is employed and that
statutory requirements are met.
Ausgrid disclaims any and all liability to any person or persons for any procedure, process or any other
thing done or not done, as a result of this Network Standard.
This document is not intended to address issues that include, but are not limited to:
Environmental and planning requirements
Construction, inspection and maintenance safe work practices
Inspection and maintenance requirements
Emergency preparedness and response
Earthing and substation layout design
Note: All steelwork in a substation has unique earthing requirements. All designs involving steelwork are
to be reviewed by Ausgrid.
INTERPRETATION
In the event that any user of this Standard considers that any of its provisions is uncertain, ambiguous or
otherwise in need of interpretation, the user should request Ausgrid to clarify the provision. Ausgrids
interpretation shall then apply as though it was included in the Standard, and is final and binding. No
correspondence will be entered into with any person disputing the meaning of the provision published in
the Standard or the accuracy of Ausgrids interpretation.
Network Standard
NS187
Passive Fire Mitigation Design of Substations
February 2008
CONTENTS
1 SCOPE.........................................................................................................................1
2 ASBESTOS ..................................................................................................................2
3 DEFINITIONS...............................................................................................................3
4 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................7
5 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................8
5.1 Assumptions .................................................................................................... 8
12 BUSHFIRE .................................................................................................................19
12.1 General .......................................................................................................... 19
12.2 Approach to Bushfire Protection .................................................................... 19
12.3 Buildings ........................................................................................................ 19
12.3.1 Doors...................................................................................................... 19
12.4 Yard Equipment ............................................................................................. 19
12.5 House keeping ............................................................................................... 21
13 DOCUMENTATION....................................................................................................22
APPENDIX A PASSIVE FIRE MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS ........................................23
APPENDIX B TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS (INFORMATIVE)..25
1 February 2008
1 SCOPE
The objective of this Network Standard is to provide details of the design of passive fire
mitigation requirements for substations and for safe egress from substation buildings
and switchyards in the event of a fire.
This standard covers sub-transmission, zone and chamber substations.
This standard does not include provisions for pole top equipment such as transformers,
capacitors and reclosers.
2 ASBESTOS
All materials and equipment used for construction of Ausgrids assets are to be free
from Asbestos and or Asbestos related products. Suppliers are expected to comply with
the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) together with the Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (NSW) and confirm in writing that all products
supplied to Ausgrid contain no Asbestos related materials.
3 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions provided below apply.
transformer substations.
Switchgear Equipment for controlling the distribution of electrical
energy or for controlling or protecting circuits,
machines, transformers, or other equipment.
Temporary Relates to the substation type and has a design life of
20 years. Refer to NS185 for a further explanation of
the various types of substations.
Transformer A static item of apparatus with one or more windings
which, by electromagnetic induction, transforms a
system of alternating voltage and current into another
system of voltage and current usually of different
values but with the same frequency, for the purpose of
transmitting electrical power.
Uncontrolled arc An electric arc under abnormal conditions that is
neither deliberate nor contained and is exposed to fuel
and/or air.
4 REFERENCES
All work covered in this document shall conform to all relevant Legislation, Standards,
Codes of Practice and Network Standards including but not limited to:
Any Relevant WorkCover documentation.
AS 1530.1 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and
structures Combustibility test for materials.
AS 1530.4 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and
structures - Fire-Resistance Tests of Elements of Building Construction.
AS 1530.8.1 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and
structures - Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated
bushfire attack - Radiant heat and small flaming sources.
AS 1530.8.2 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and
structures - Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated
bushfire attack - Large flaming sources.
AS 1940 The storage & handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
AS 2067 Substations and High Voltage Installations exceeding 1kV A.C.
AS 2484.1 Fire Glossary of terms Fire tests.
AS 3000 Electrical Wiring Rules.
AS 3600 Concrete Structures.
AS 3700 Masonry Structures.
AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas.
AS 4072.1 Components for the Protection of Openings in Fire-Resistant
Separating Elements Service penetrations and control points.
AS 4100 Steel Structures.
Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Ausgrids Electrical Safety Rules.
Ausgrid Network Management Plan.
ENA NENS 01-2006 National Electricity Network Safety Code.
NEG-SM07 Active Fire Systems for Substations.
NS171 Firestopping in Substations.
NS185 Major Substations Building Design Standard.
NS188 Design for Substation Overpressure.
NSW Rural Fire Services Guide, Planning for Bushfire Protection
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and Regulation 2001.
Current Network Standards are also available on Ausgrids internet site at
www.ausgrid.com.au.
5 INTRODUCTION
This Network Standard details Ausgrids minimum levels of passive fire protection
systems needed to provide a cost and performance effective solution for the protection
of Ausgrids substations.
The requirements in this Standard in some instances are over and above the minimum
requirements of relevant statutory regulations given the unique risks of substations. The
primary aim is to provide a greater level of awareness and direction regarding passive
fire protection of substations and surrounding properties.
5.1 Assumptions
The requirements in this document have been developed by assessing unique risks
and past experiences relating to fuel loading, reduced reliability of active systems,
isolation and de-energising times and fire fighting response times.
6 THE APPROACH
Fire protection shall be provided against fire initiated or propagated by any part or
element of high voltage installations.
The minimum requirements that shall apply for the protection of buildings against fire
are those contained in the Building Code of Australia.
Fire protection can be broken down into two specific areas: Passive fire protection
systems and Active fire protection systems.
The intention of this document is to provide design guidance on passive fire systems
generally as the first line of defence and preferred means of fire spread prevention in
substations.
Refer to NEG-SM07 for details on active fire systems details.
If any part of the fire risk zone extends to include other buildings, parts of the same
building that house the high voltage installation, fire escape routes, or other fire
sensitive locations and facilities, then a potential fire hazard exists.
Where a fire hazard exists, high voltage installation enclosures within or adjacent to
buildings shall be designed with suitable fire protection to meet the requirements of AS
2067 and this Network Standard.
Passive fire mitigation design involves the application of a fire rating to fire barrier/fire
separation walls, the provision of adequate separation distances or a combination
thereof.
Passive fire mitigation design shall consider the substation category (substation
criticality), building re-useability, fuel loading, response times following a fire and public
and personnel safety. These aspects shall be reviewed and determined by Ausgrid and
may include consultation with the designer as required.
8.1 General
Where a fire hazard exists, suitable fire protection shall be provided to address the
potential fire risk.
The two ways of achieving passive fire protection in substations are by physical
separation distance to prevent ignition and the provision of fire compartments.
Dependent on space availability, physical separation is the preferred method of passive
fire segregation.
The requirements of Section 10 Special Detailed Design Requirements also apply.
8.2.2 Compartmentalisation
Compartmentalisation and other requirements of substations shall limit the extent of
damage and reduce restoration times to the building and equipment. Therefore the
Ausgrid design requirements to reduce fire spread in substations are more onerous
than the BCA.
8.2.2.1 Compartment Fire Rating Level
To achieve effective Compartmentalisation, a fire rating must be applied to all walls,
floor, ceiling and openings to the compartment. Refer to Appendix A for fire rating
requirements.
Where a fire barrier is required to prevent ignition, the table in Appendix A provides the
minimum fire rating.
8.2.2.2 Linear Compartmentalisation in Substation Buildings
Linear Compartmentalisation is normally achieved by Compartmentalisation.
Consideration must be given to balancing the need for Linear Compartmentalisation
and the introduction of obstructions in congested areas such as basements. In cable
basements, cable coating may be adopted as part of the overall linear
compartmentation system.
Separation distances between transformers and adjacent fuel source features shall
ensure damage to the transformer is reduced or eliminated. Consideration shall be
given to any vulnerable components of a transformer when determining separation
distances.
8.3.1.1 Wind Factors
Determination of separation distances shall include a factor of safety of 1.5 to the
distance calculated to allow for prevailing wind effects. Alternatively, the fire plume can
be modelled having a flame tilt of 45 to the vertical.
8.3.1.2 Radiant Heat Factors
In determining separation distances, consideration shall be given to any bunding,
maximum conceivable size of a fire, ultimate transformer size and fuel source. The
radiant heat exposure limits applicable to various fire sensitive elements within a
substation are indicated in Table 8.1 below.
Table 8.1 Radiant Heat Exposure Limits
Maximum allowable
radiant heat flux
Item (kW/m2) Comment
Radiant heat levels shall be based on the entire bunded area being engulfed in flames.
This Network Standard is not intended to cover protection of yard structures however
Table 8.1 above can be applied where protection is required. Refer to Ausgrid for
project-specific scopes in relation to yard structures and equipment including sealing
ends, circuit breakers, AC or DC boards.
The radiant heat exposure limits in Table 8.1 are not applicable to bushfire events
which are typically of much shorter duration than major oil fires. Refer to Section 12.
Alternatively, where there is a self-supporting ceiling, the roof structure does not need
to be fire rated provided the self supporting ceiling can support the collapsed roof
structure.
9 EGRESS PROVISIONS
This section outlines the special Ausgrid requirements for passive fire mitigation of
substations.
10.1.1 Doors
Where a door is located in a fire barrier, it shall be fire-rated to the FRL of the wall.
Doors are not to impact on bund integrity.
In addition, doors shall be located such the radiant heat damage of vulnerable
equipment or components in adjoining compartments is minimised. Refer to Clause
10.1.2 below.
10.1.2 Minimum Clearance Between Electrical Equipment and Fire Doors and Fire
Dampers Radiated Heat
Ausgrid shall provide direction on the need to apply this section to a particular
substation based on the risks to the network.
To ensure the operation of a neighbouring compartments equipment, following a fire,
minimum equipment set backs from the fire doors may be required. The minimum clear
distance shall ensure radiant heat levels emitted from the fire door do not cause greater
temperatures than the equipment safe operational temperatures as specified in the
table below, for the duration of the event. No factor of safety on separation distances to
allow for wind effects is required for interior or sheltered environments.
The table assumes a radiant heat emitted from the door opening of 10kW/m2 with the
door shut.
Vents in fire barrier walls facing other fire compartments should be avoided where
possible. Where this is not possible, electrical equipment may need to be located a
sufficient distance away from any vent fire damper. This is to ensure that, for the
duration of an event, the equipment is not damaged by heat radiated through or from
any vent fire dampers due to a fully developed fire in the adjoining compartment.
All vents shall be fitted with fail safe automatically controlled fire dampers having a fire
rating not less than the required fire rating of the fire barrier wall.
10.2 Firestopping
In general where penetrations exist through fire compartments it is essential
penetrations are sealed to prevent the passage of fire or smoke to other areas within
the substation.
Firestopping properties and installation procedures are detailed in NS171 Fire Stopping
in Substations.
11.1 General
The requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) in terms of building element
fire ratings, set backs, services, egresses etc. shall be met as an absolute minimum.
Where an alternative solution approach is used to satisfy the deemed-to-satisfy
provisions, these alternative solutions shall meet the intent and or performance
provisions of the BCA and Ausgrids Network Standards.
12 BUSHFIRE
12.1 General
The purpose of this section is to provide guidance for the protection of the substation
against bushfires.
This Network Standard does not cover the requirements for protecting the bush against
fire from equipment failure. However, as a minimum, segregation distances to
combustibles (using 12.5 kW/m2 where flame impingement is possible) shall be
adopted at the boundary, or the yard fence depending on the land use within the
boundary.
Substations deemed to be in bushfire-prone areas shall satisfy all the requirements of
AS 3959 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas and the NSW Rural Fire
Services guide, Planning for Bushfire Protection (PBP).
This section does not consider the use of fire separation walls to protect external
equipment from a bushfire as enough land to achieve adequate separation distances is
generally available in bushfire prone areas. Where adequate space is not available,
seek advice from Ausgrids ET&T.
The criticality of Ausgrid substations and the level of service required during (and after)
a bushfire event will vary with location within the network. This aspect will impact upon
the type and extent of bushfire protection provided at a given site.
Where bushfire protection is required, the radiant heat exposure limits provided in Table
12.1 should be applied to the critical substation elements only. Assessment of criticality
should consider substation importance, reliability of supply, repair / replacement
options, potential bushfire exposure and other aspects.
12.3 Buildings
Notwithstanding the requirements of AS 3959, and where loss of facility or supply is
considered unacceptable, consideration shall be given to the prevention of fire entering
through openings, roof systems, or any other means. The building shall also be
designed for the required fire resistance level. Refer to Appendix A.
12.3.1 Doors
All external doors must match the fire performance FRL of the building and be fitted
with fire resistant smoke seals at the base of the door to prevent embers entering under
the door.
to be provided. Other causes of fire spread are embers to combustibles in the yard.
Therefore consideration shall be given to the protection of combustible yard equipment
against ember damage.
Bushfire events can provide significant radiant heat flux levels but the peak exposure
level is typically of very short duration when compared to other fuel source features
within a substation. As a result, the allowable radiant heat exposure limits are
correspondingly higher for most substation elements based on the short term exposure.
A typical radiant heat / temperature duration curve applicable to bushfires would be as
follows:
Peak values are reached after 1 minute;
Values remain at peak for up to 4 minutes;
Values recede to ambient linearly over a further 5 minutes.
Refer to Table 12.1 for limiting radiant heat flux levels for determining minimum safe
separation distances. For bushfires the RFS PBP is the key reference document in
establishing the maximum bush fire intensity at a given location. A flame front length
equal to the flame front approach boundary is to be assumed and a flame height based
on the PBP shall be used in calculations.
Table 12.1 Radiant Heat Exposure Limits for Bushfires
Maximum allowable
radiant heat flux
Item (kW/m2) Comment
Note 2. Detailed information on radiant heat exposure limits is not available. However
in-service applications exposed to bushfire indicate a high radiant heat limit
and a low risk of damage or failure.
The radiant heat limits provided in Table 12.1 are applicable to identified critical
substation structures and HV components. Critical elements are those deemed to be
essential for return to service following a bushfire event.
The location of critical substation elements, their sensitivity to radiant heat and their
ease of replacement will all impact upon the potential Asset Protection Zone (APZ)
required at a given substation.
APZ widths may potentially reduce where critical exposed elements nearest the
boundary are able to be locally protected and/or rapidly replaced following a bushfire
event.
Substation design should aim for a high level of bushfire protection for critical assets
and a rapid return to service following a bushfire event.
13 DOCUMENTATION
Design Report
A Design Report shall be prepared by an appropriately qualified engineer practicing in
the specific discipline of fire engineering. The report shall provide details of the
schematic designs developed and demonstrate by calculation how the objectives of
passive fire mitigation performance requirements stipulated in the Network Standard
are satisfied.
The Design Report shall be prepared prior to the detailed design of the substation and
submitted to Ausgrids ET&T at the completion of the schematic design stage for
approval.
Methods and calculations for determining all separation distances will be required as
part of the Design Report prior to detailed design.
Refer to Ausgrid for scope on extent of segregation. This table provides performance
requirements when segregation is required.
This table does not include provisions for pole top equipment such as transformers and
capacitors.
Notes: 1. Higher fire resistant periods may be required under the BCA particularly
where multi-classifications exist when a substation is incorporated within
another building.
2. AS 2067 may have additional requirements for fire protection where a fire
hazard exists.
3. Spatial separation shall only be applied in outdoor applications.
4. Ausgrid may require a higher fire resistant period than those nominated for
specific sites where loss of supply and/or safety issues dictate.
5. Refer to NS171 for additional measures such as cable coating of power
cables.
6. Refer to NS185 for the Alternative Solution developed under the BCA for
battery enclosures.
The table below provides information on the typical properties and characteristics of
combustible liquids commonly associated with Ausgrid substations.
Property Characteristic
Boiling Minimum Fire Ignition Smoke Heat
Material / Liquid Fire Class
Point Point Time Production Release
Flash
o IEC 61100
C Point oC o
C
1. Transformers
Mineral Oil 140 170 O Short High High
Natural Ester - FR3 >300 >340 K2 Long Medium Medium
Synthetic Ester 275 322 K3 Long Low Medium
MIDEL 7131
Polyol Ester VG32 269 Long Low Medium
Silicone Liquid >310 >370 K Long Low Low
KF96-50CS
2. Capacitors
Jarylec C101 144 154 Short
Faradol - 810 270 138 Short
The fire class K Classification used above is based on IEC 61100 Classification of
insulating fluids according to fire-point and net calorific Value as indicated below;
Revision History
Document Control
Authorised By: Terry Lampard Date: 14 February 2008
Manager - Standards & Communications