NFPA 851

Abstract

This document provides recommendations (not requirements) for fire prevention and fire protection for hydroelectric generating plants. The term "hydroelectric generating plant" also can be referred to as "station," "project," "unit(s)," "facility," or "site." <br><strong>Purpose.</strong> <br>This document provides guidance for those charged with the design, construction, and operation of hydroelectric generating plants. <br>This document provides fire hazard control recommendations for the safety of construction and operating personnel, the physical integrity of plant components, and the continuity of plant operations. Specific concerns are generalized and categorized in 1.2.2.1 through 1.2.2.4. <br><strong>Protection of Plant Personnel.</strong> Risk of injury and loss of life should be controlled in the event of fire. Specific criteria should be established for means of egress. When for plant safety and emergency response reasons personnel are not able to evacuate immediately, specific criteria for assuring their safety until they can evacuate and safe passage to egress routes should be established. <br><strong>Assets Protection.</strong> The large capital costs of the structures, systems, and components for the facilities addressed in this recommended practice create financial risks for the owners, investors, and financiers. Specific criteria should be established for the mitigation of the risks from fires exposing these assets. <br><strong>Business Interruption.</strong> The ability of these facilities to generate and transmit electricity is important not only to the owners of the facilities but also to the consumers of that energy, including the public. Specific criteria for managing the effects of fire on the ability to generate and transmit its power should be developed, based on economic and societal considerations. <br><strong>Environmental Protection.</strong> Fires in these facilities have the potential of creating environmental impact, by damaging pollution control systems and components and by creating unwanted releases to the environment from the fire and fire-fighting activities. Specific criteria should be established to control the impact of fire and fire-fighting activities on the environment.