Genset failure due to a lack of proper maintenance poses a significant business risk.
Backup power maintenance
Backup power supply such as gensets becomes critical during
load-shedding. It is important that such important equipment is
maintained properly and serviced regularly to be able to cope with
extended electricity outages.
Genset failure due to a lack of proper maintenance poses a
significant business risk. “What is your business risk if a genset
goes down? Here you are not only looking at protecting the
value of your assets, but what does this genset actually support
and protect? If it is a hospital or a financial services provider,
the implications speak for themselves,” said ASP Fire CEO,
Michael van Niekerk.
The first issue to consider in terms of genset upkeep is the fuel
supply. This can range from an integral tank at the base of the
genset to a 2 200 litre Bulk To Farm Tank (BTF), or merely a
210 litre drum. “Hence we have the presence of flammable liquids,
especially in terms of refuelling and the possibility of any spillages,”
Van Niekerk mentioned.
Another issue is to control the growth of vegetation around
a genset, especially if it is located outside. “Very often we will
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have vegetation encroaching on a genset, which is tucked away
somewhere as an afterthought. We have even seen corporate
customers piling office equipment onto, and around, a genset.”
The genset itself is a potential source of fire ignition due to the
high temperatures of the manifold itself. If the genset is located
internally, these temperatures can be considerable, especially in the
absence of adequate ventilation.
Another important issue is the necessity of proper maintenance.
If an oil filter has not been screwed on tightly enough, for example,
it can result in an oil leak. “If oil sprays onto a hot manifold as a
result of this, a fire will erupt,” Van Niekerk said. Thereafter, the
temperature will build quickly to a point where entrance into such
a room is well-nigh impossible.
Companies and individuals often lack the correct firefighting
equipment to deal with genset fires. For example, a dry-chemical
fire extinguisher will douse the flames, but not cool down any hot
surfaces. A carbon-dioxide fire extinguisher, on the other hand,
might cool down the overheated genset itself, but this can result in
major damage to the equipment due to thermal shock. b
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