Fire detection and extinguishing solutions in the Lithuanian Power Plant’s combined cycle block

  • Client Lietuvos energija
  • Implementation period 2010 - 2012
  • Project location Elektrėnai, Lithuania
  • Project partners IBERDROLA Ingenieria y Construccion S.A.U.
  • Project task Installing an integrated fire fighting solution in the newly-built combined cycle block at the Lithuanian power plant.
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Solutions in this project

  • Fire detection systems
  • Gas leak detection systems
  • Gas-based fire suppression system
  • Foam-based fire suppression system
  • Water-based fire suppression system
  • Fire sealing

FIMA specialists, who were responsible for overall fire safety in the block, installed all the necessary systems including fire alarms, gas leak detection and extinguishing systems.

During the construction of the Lithuanian power plant’s 455 MW combined cycle block, FIMA specialists were responsible for overall fire safety, installing all of the necessary solutions including fire alarms, gas leak detection and extinguishing systems.

To protect against what could be different fire sources, FIMA installed several extinguishing systems in the block. In areas where there could be a build-up of gas, automatic gas detection and CO2 gas extinguishing systems were installed along with a foam-based fire suppression system in areas that house oil filtering systems. Should fires break out in transformers, a diesel generator, a turbine bearing system or cable housings then water would be used to extinguish them while a fire in cabling would be put out using FM200 gas.

Gas leaks or the build-up of hazardous amounts of gas are detected by gas composition analysers. Depending on the concentration of dangerous gas detected in an area, the system is able to send out different types of alert: warning of a leak, a hazardous build-up of gas warning and a danger alarm.

Outdoor fire detectors ensure that staff is able to take rapid action should a fire break out in high-voltage transformers. There are also smoke and temperature sensors in indoor areas. In many parts of the block, the extinguishing systems are triggered automatically by fire alarms when more than one detector detects a fire.

Where erroneous self-activation could incur substantial costs, the systems are duplicated.

FACTS

  •  FIMA installed six different types of extinguishing system in the block:
        - CO2 gas-based suppression
        - FM200 gas-based suppression
        - Foam-based suppression
        - Sprinkler
        - Drench
        - Fire hydrants
  • Extinguishing systems cover 11 different areas and premises
  • More than 15 km of cabling was used for the fire detection and gas leak alarm systems
  • More than 1,200 square metres of fire sealing were installed
  • All of the systems were activated and tested for reliability

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Testimonials

  • FIMA is known as a company that is able to adjust to frequent changes, which are inevitable in projects of such a scale, and react to unpredicted situations. In my opinion, in some of these situations the solutions offered by Fima specialists were particularly important, as they allowed us to complete the project on time and to implement all client’s quality requirements.

    Víctor Cervantes, Mechanical Engineering Manager at Iberdrola Ingenieria y Construccion S.A.U.