Safety

The document provides seismic design recommendations for substations, including qualification of each equipment type. Design recommendations consist of seismic criteria, qualification methods and levels, structural capacities, performance requirements for equipment operation, installation methods, and documentation.

The original guide (1994) was developed to identify substation fire protection practices that generally have been accepted by industry. The new edition includes changes in industry practices for substation fire protection. New clauses on fire hazard assessment and pre-fire planning have been added. The purpose of the original guide (1994) was to give design guidance, fire hazard assessment, and pre-fire planning in the area of fire protection to substation engineers.

The document discusses VLA, VRLA, and Nickel Cadmium stationary battery installations and is intended to serve as a bridge between the electrical designer and the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) designer. Ventilation of stationary battery installations is critical to maximize battery life while minimizing the hazards associated with hydrogen production. This guide describes battery operating modes and the hazards associated with each. It provides the HVAC designer with the information to provide a cost-effective ventilation solution.

This Code covers basic provisions for safeguarding of persons from hazards arising from the installation, operation, or maintenance of conductors and equipment in electric supply stations and overhead and underground electric supply and communication lines. It also includes work rules for the construction, maintenance, and operation of electric supply and communication lines and equipment. The standard is applicable to the systems and equipment operated by utilities, or similar systems and equipment, of an industrial establishment or complex under the control of qualified persons.

The standard helps ensure effective fire control, extinguishment, prevention, or exposure protection through requirements for the design, installation, and system acceptance testing of water spray fixed systems for fire protection. It also contains requirements for the periodic testing and maintenance of ultra high-speed water spray fixed systems.

NFPA 70E requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel by reducing exposure to major electrical hazards. Originally developed at Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s request, NFPA 70E helps companies and employees avoid workplace injuries and fatalities due to shock, electrocution, arc flash and arc blast, and assists in complying with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.

NFPA 400 consolidates fundamental safeguards for the storage, use, and handling of hazardous materials in all occupancies and facilities. The Code does not apply to storage or use of hazardous materials for individual use on the premises of one- and two-family dwellings.

The guide describes the structure, application and limitations of the Fire Safety Concepts Tree, which provides an overall structure with which to analyze the potential impact of fire safety strategies. NFPA 550 examines the interrelation of fire safety features and their effect on achieving specific fire safety goals and objectives.

The standard provides criteria for assessing the health, flammability instability and related hazards presented by short-term, acute exposure to a material under conditions of fire, spill or similar emergencies. A number rating system of 0-4 is provided to rate each of the four hazards on a placard and provides emergency responders with information to determine immediate actions in an emergency. Tables in the standard provide criteria for the ratings and placard specifications such as letter size and arrangement of numbers and colors.

Installed electrical equipment that has not been previously certified, listed, recognized, or classified undergo a “field evaluation” to ensure compliance. The standard provides qualifications and competencies for third parties performing field evaluations and specifies how they are to be completed.