Generators for ‘life safe’ applications
Power support company, shentongroup, has launched a range of standby diesel generators and associated control systems that meets the life safety requirements of BS EN8519: 2010.
Called PhoenixPower, the generators are available in sizes from 20kVA to 800kVA and have been specifically developed to provide secondary power for ‘life safety’ and fire-fighting systems.
As buildings have become taller, larger and ever more complex, it has been necessary to develop new fire-engineered solutions in case of fire and other life-threatening events. These solutions are required to provide a high level of performance to protect life in the event of fire, especially the emergency services, which are at even greater risk if such systems fail. BS EN8519 provides guidance and recommendations on the selection and installation of fire resistant power and control cable systems for life safety events.
shentongroup’s PhoenixPower range differs from standby power solutions by being specifically designed to meet BS EN8519. Switching the supply from the mains power to the generator or secondary mains supply is carried out automatically by the PhoenixControl changeover panel, which is designed for dual mains sources and meets the new standard.
The changeover panel detects a ‘life safety’ event and automatically switches the power source from the normal mains power to the PhoenixPower generator or the secondary mains supply to ensure continuity of supply to fire fighting lifts and other essential equipment. Electrically and mechanically interlocked to ensure the isolation of the two supplies, the PhoenixControl has indicators to show the supply and switching status to the generator as well as a key switch to facilitate testing.
The use of PhoenixPower enables contractors and fire engineers to ensure best practice in meeting BS EN8519 sections 6, 7 and 9. Automatic transfer panels, used in conjunction with standby generators, transfer mains electricity supplies from a utility source to an emergency generator source in a safe and fast manner when the utility source becomes unavailable. These panels are manufactured in-house to shentongroup's own designs and complete the vital integration stage of a comprehensive automatic standby power solution.
These are designed to monitor the incoming AC mains supply, activate the standby generator in the event of mains failure and control the changeover of the building's electrical load from the mains to the generating set. When the mains supply returns, the ATS panel will control a return to the mains supply and shut down the generator after a suitable cooling run. High tech electronic control systems enable a range of activities including full mains synchronisation where a no-break changeover is required. LED indication lamps provide 'at a glance' information for supply availability and load switching status throughout, making the system truly independent.
In applications where dual mains (or auxiliary) supplies are required for a critical piece of machinery or plant such as life safety/smoke and fire control systems, the Phoenix range of ATS panels can be used. These dual mains automatic changeover panels have been specifically designed to meet building regulations B5 and section 20 of the London building (Act) Amendment Act 1939 and BS5585-5 section 4, relating to fire precautions in the design, construction and the use of buildings.
The panel changeover device provides electrical and mechanical interlocking and meets requirements of BSEN60947-6-1.
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