Safety Flash
Overheated transformer activated fire alarm
Overheated transformer activated fire alarm
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 19/21
- Electrical SafetyHot Work and FireInspection and MaintenanceMachinery and Equipment
- Electrical safetyFire
- Electrical workInspection and maintenance
- Emergency responseEvacuation, escape and rescue
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel’s replacement boiler installation used an incorrectly rated transformer, which overheated, tripped the breaker and triggered the fire alarm. The flash describes evacuation and investigation, calculation errors, and combustible storage near electrical equipment. It recommends current checks during initial energisation, transformer-rating reviews and electrical-cabinet inspections.
Classifications: Electrical safety; electrical hazards.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Electrical work; electrical maintenance.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
An under-rated transformer was installed, causing overheating and thermal degradation of the transformer which subsequently tripped the breaker and activated the vessel’s fire alarm
IMCA SF 19/21. Themes: electrical safety, hot work and fire, inspection and maintenance, machinery and equipment.