1. Fire Protection Solutions for Transformers „TrafoProtect“ by Minimax
Fire Sprinkler International 2014
Name: Andreas Teckenburg
London, 20. May 2014
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2. Agenda Initial Situation Goal setting Trials
Fire Extinguishing Concept TrafoProtect
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3. 1) Initial Situation „The risk“ Protective goals:
Avoid damage to persons
Reduce damage to environment
Reduce business interruptions
Protect material asset
Avoid loss of image
Obtain jobs
Malfunction mechanisms of transformers:
Mechanical load by forces of electrical shortage in windings
Electrical load by transient excess voltage
Mechanical defects of the load level switch
Defect of a conduct
Thermical or electrical aging of the isolators
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4. 1) Initial Situation Different Guidelines/ Rules US Approach:
NFPA 15
Water Spray fixed systems for fire Protection
NFPA 11
Low-, medium- and high Expansion foam system
FM 4-1N
Fixed water spray systems for fire protection
FM 5-04 Transformers
European Approach:
VdS 2109
VdS-Richtlinien für Sprühwasser-Löschanlagen, Planung und Einbau
TS 14816
European technical Specification, Fixed fire fighting systems - Water spray systems - Design, installation and maintenance
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5. 1) Initial Situation Different design parameters
national / international
VdS 2109 (12.4):
Water application: mm/min
Operating time: 5 min (Step-in-time of the fire department)
NFPA 15 (7.4.4):
Water application transformer and accessories: 10,2 mm/min
„Endangered terrain surface“: 6,1 mm/min
Operating time: „As long as the exposition stops.“
NFPA 11 Schaumlöschanlagen:
Protection of tansformers with medium foam. No designing.
FM DS 5-04:
In rooms ( ) with sprinkler at 15 mm/min or FM-approved „Machine protective system“.
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6. Agenda Initial Situation Goal Setting Trials
Fire Extinguishing Concept TrafoProtect
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7. 2) Goal Setting „The Scope“
„Creation of a protection concept valid and certified internationally which enables the „economically priced“ fire protection of free-standing transforderms with preferably small design parameter.“
Protection of transformers; also for „decentral“ substations (municipial utilities, etc.)
 Influence of wind ?
If no sufficient water supply (amount, pressure) is existing (existence, new building)
Protection of transformers with less extinguishing water. Mostly the transformer is the „water determining“ component in the whole project.
Reducing of „contaminated“ extinguishing water.
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8. 2) Goal setting
Inspection and Certification of the Installation Engineering
Course of the procedure:
Collocation of information and requirements of the testing centers, but also the operators and insurer (e.g. HDI Gerling)
Preparation of a test concept by DMT
Set-up DMT / UL
Execution of the tests at DMT
Creation of the planning and installation instructions
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9. Agenda Initial Situation Goal Setting Trials
Fire Extinguishing Concept TrafoProtect
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10. 3) Trials Experimental assembly in the fire tunnel at DMT, Dortmund
Lateral view
Topview
T1 und T3 T2 T4
T1 und 3 T2 T4 F3 F2 F1
Size of the „Mock-up“:
2,8 x 2,2 x 2,5 m (W x D x H)
Wind direction

11. 3) Trials
Experimental assembly in the fire tunnel at DMT, Dortmund

12. 3) Trials Fire tests and results (generic example)
Trial goal: Fire suppression
Puddle, Stream and spray fire under different conditions
Nozzles installed on one side only in the trial; safety factor
Nozzle pressure and water quantity were lower in the trials than in the specific design rule

13. 3) Trials
Impressions of the fire tests

14. Agenda Initial Situation Goal Setting Trials
Fire Extinguishing Concept TrafoProtect
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15. 4) Fire Extinguishing Concept TrafoProtect
The Minimax Protection Concept
Transformer is regarded as „lost“ in case of fire
Fire suppression / Fire control; no extinguishing necessary
No „special“ components; e.g. high- pressure water fog = stainless steel, filter, „special fittings“
Certificates without size restriction, testing under „influence of wind“ !! International: UL Verification Deutschland: DMT Eignungsbestätigung
Water application with safety factor is lower than according to the guideline

16. 4) Fire Extinguishing Concept TrafoProtect
Approval and Certification
Components are all UL listed
Trial results accepted by UL and DMT
Specific planning and installation instructions checked an accepted by UL und DMT

17. Thank you for your attention! Andreas Teckenburg Division Energy