FireNet Community
FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Ken Taylor on October 21, 2006, 09:51:34 PM
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The cover picture in the Autumn edition of 'Fire Safety Professional' shows a high-level fire in a wind turbine and includes an article by Tyco's Marketing Director on the use of water mist systems which offers this as a solution to wind turbine fires.
Does anyone here know of any incidents or the frequency of fire in wind tubines?
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I must admit i've never heard of a wind turbine fire.
Am led to believe that the turbine, motor or gearbox could potentially overheat and burn out but that this would be extremely rare.
HAWT's (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines) are the most commonly used in the UK and in theory any fire would be isolated at the top of the wind turbine tower because that is where all the electrical and mechanical gubbins are located.
This presents problems for fire crew access of course, but should mean that the fire wouldn't spread!.
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I have seen a picture recently of a wind turbine fire in Germany. There are systems to extinguish this type of fire, 2 that come to mind are 'Microdrop' & 'Fogtec'. Both use fine water mist to do the job. Whilst the fire may not spread, the replacement and down time costs are huge i. e several millions.
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Somebody needs to do the sums - risk of fire occuring * cost of repairs less cost of fire protection for all the squillions of turbines .
If I were a firefighter I wouldnt get to close though, these rotor blades are big things and I wouldnt want one falling on me.
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I must admit to not having heard of a fire in one either. My first inclination is that the brigade in attendance would simply leave it to burn out - but then I think of the windy location of these things and the nearby other turbines spinning around together with the likely presence of acres of vegetation beneath - and wonder whether falling and windborne material could start the next extensive land fire. So is there a potential risk here? The Government are pushing for more alternative energy, a number of wind turbines have been installed in the UK already and there is a proposal to site some in farmland here on the Isle of Wight now. Should they come with fire risk assessments?
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As you said the local fire brigade would probably let the damn thing burn out.
I think it would be unlikely that you would have a situation where substantial parts of the turbine, mast or blades would ever fall to bits during a fire , and I should imagine that in general the fire would be contained and would burn out pretty quickly.
There might be a slight risk of lighter components on fire getting airbourne but... think it would be very rare.
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There was a fire in one in Dec last year. It was supplying power to the Nissan car factory near Sunderland. The generator and blades were destroyed in the fire.
See link
http://www.sunderlandtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1107&ArticleID=1295769
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The 60-metre high turbine at Nissan's Washington factory in Sunderland, burst into flames on December 23rd 05.
http://archive.westerntelegraph.co.uk/2006/1/4/8920.html
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The 60-metre high turbine at Nissan's Washington factory in Sunderland, burst into flames on December 23rd 05.
http://archive.westerntelegraph.co.uk/2006/1/4/8920.html
Blimey looks like I spoke too soon - am very suprised !
Never considered the materials used in the blades! Presumed that they were made of some type of metallic material.
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Thanks, Davey and Mr P. We could all be on a learner on this one.
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I'm sure that if this had happended within the SE of England we would have all been aware of it. :)
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I suspect the blades may have been carbon-fibre ones? And I cannot see water-mist being of much use once the fire is outside the 'machinery room' at the top of the tower.
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I believe this issue was considered when the offshore site (30 turbines) at Great Yarmouth was built - the issue is complicated as it would be 'firefighting at sea'.
I believe the view taken was to allow the unit to burn out and repair after.
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I wonder what decisions have been taken with regard to terrestrial installations where there is no surrounding natural extinguishant.
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John,
I have since spoken to one of the manufacturers, Fogtec. They have explained the concept of there system in this application. The system comprises a water cylinder and a N2 cylinder. The N2 cylinder pressurises the water cylinder only and leaves the pipe work at the end of the discharge. The system has been tested by a wind turbine manufacturer and works. It is an extinguishing system rather than a suppression system, so if the fire has burnt through the cabin/housing and is effecting the blades then it has not done its job. You are spot on about water mist being ineffectual outside as it is blown everywhere except where you want it, but in an enclosed space it works very well. This is especially so if the fire is very hot as the water mist droplets turn to steam very quickly!
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Yes, thanks for that, Ashley. I thought it was most likely only for the internal 'machinery space' at the top of the turbine. There is little one can do once it gets outside that, I fear.
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Do we know if water mist is now being specified for wind turbines - in the light of the Nissan incident and the manufacturer's test referred to above?
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Ken, I can't say if water mist is the specified system or not, it is probably one of the solutions. I think it depends on the manufacturer of the turbine equipment.
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Fortunately the Council rejected the proposal for a wind farm with giant turbines in an area of outstanding natural beauty here last evening - but it could go to appeal. This was considered by many to be an unwelcome 'quick-fix' solution for an island surrounded by vast amounts of moving water and higher than average sunshine.
However, the issue remains that these turbines have obviously been installed at inland sites without dedicated provision for the event of fire - the consequences of which could include the evacuation of nearby villages and crop, etc fires - and so we need to consider the need for something more than a 'let it burn out' philosophy - based, of course, on risk assessment.