Common Sense Safety Precautions for Operating Generator Sets

Posted by rlnenergyservices on September 22nd, 2017

Ventilation Requirements

Many operators of generator sets do not factor in the location and environment it is located in. With regard to Edmonton power generators, many are located in the petroleum sector as well. There are two issues that arise from poor ventilation of an area a generator set is located in: creation of an explosive environment, and suffocation hazard. With this safety concern, you’ve got the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. If you ventilate the environment the generator set is in to API RP 500 standards, you no longer have the risk of an explosive environment and a suffocation hazard. It is important to note that generators

Fire/Explosion Risks

Even with proper ventilation it is still recommended to prevent an ignition source in the event a Lower Explosive Limit [LEL] is reached. Without an ignition source, combustion cannot occur. It is also wise to have an LEL detector for your installation. Ensure that your fuel piping is not leaking any gas. An easy way to do this is scan the piping with a FLIR camera. Explosive gasses are not the only concern. For example, it wouldn’t be wise to have a combustible liquid anywhere near a generator. Having some method of fighting incipient stage fires is ideal. A fire extinguisher rated for hydrocarbons and electrical fires is paramount to you safety plan. It is a terrible idea to implement a fire extinguisher with carbon tetrachloride as the active component as it is a known carcinogen. The fire extinguisher should be located within the immediate vicinity of the generator set.

Lock Out/ Tag Out

It should go without saying that all equipment should be de energized and locked out prior to any service being performed on it. Not only is it the law, it is the best practice to ensure your technicians go home in the same condition they arrived to work at. Be sure to check that any battery cables are removed to isolate any potential energy sources. Rotating equipment and generators also become quite hot. Allow yourself ample time for the unit to cool down.

Electrical Safety

Outside of the obvious, ensure that any electrical components used in your system meet or exceed the recommended capacity as specified by the applicable codes. Components that are rated below capacity will overheat and cause a failure in your system. All electrical connections should be insulated, and work is not to be performed if any water is present. Any unit that is in operation should have proper grounding that is not to be disconnected at any point.

Final Words

Following the OEM’s best practices, white papers and other recommendations is a good idea. Typically, the warranty for your equipment stipulates that your technicians followed OEM recommendations. It is also unwise for a technician to work on a piece of equipment when fatigued or if distractions are present. A lapse in attention can lead to an avoidable accident.

About the Author:
RLN Energy Services is an Edmonton, Alberta based company that specializes in the sale and resale of heavy power equipment. It is a privately held corporation with a team of highly experienced & skilled technicians in mechanical and electrical industries. RLN Energy Services provides sales of various power system equipment that includes natural gas equipment, portable power plants, diesel generator sets, turbine powered equipment & more. Along with the sale of power equipment, they also focus on training specific services for the maintenance, safety, switching operations & associated tools in the industry.

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rlnenergyservices
Joined: August 22nd, 2014
Articles Posted: 18

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