[Summary]The design of fire evacuation lighting in acid regeneration plants was studied. Taking a specific acid regeneration plant as an example, and combining with national regulatory requirements, the design focuses on the structural and equipment characteristics of acid regeneration plants. It elaborates in detail on the key points and precautions for the design of fire evacuation lighting, including the division of evacuation units, system composition, power distribution design, lighting fixture selection, and layout. This design ensures the correct and reasonable placement of fire evacuation lighting within the plant, enabling rapid and effective evacuation of personnel during emergencies.
【Keywords】Acid Regeneration Plant; Evacuation System Components; Power Distribution Design; Emergency Lighting Selection
0. Introduction
Emergency lighting and evacuation guidance systems can activate fire sign lights and emergency lighting based on pre-set logic in emergency lighting controllers or distribution boxes, promptly and accurately indicating evacuation routes to guide personnel to choose escape routes, ensuring the safety of people's lives.
Due to the complex environmental structure of the acid regeneration factory, with numerous turns and passages and some locations having longer evacuation distances, the importance of emergency lighting in fire situations is further highlighted. This article discusses the design principles and methods for such factories, covering aspects such as the division of evacuation units, system composition, power distribution design, and the selection and arrangement of lighting fixtures.
The facility, for example, features a building height of 30.38 meters and a floor area of 4,752.69 square meters, spanning five floors. It primarily includes areas such as the acid storage, iron powder packaging room, acid regeneration section, laboratory, electrical control room, and operation room.
Evacuation Unit Division
Based on the building's structure, usage functions, and variations in evacuation routes and directions, the evacuation areas are divided into horizontal and vertical evacuation zones.
According to GB 50016-2014 "Code for Fire Prevention in Building Design," buildings are divided into different evacuation units based on their structural functions and characteristics, with horizontal evacuation areas categorized accordingly.
In this project, the acid regeneration plant has 5 levels, excluding the acid storage area, with each level defined as a horizontal evacuation unit. The acid storage area is defined as a separate horizontal evacuation unit. Each level of the acid regeneration plant is equipped with 2 enclosed staircases with B-grade fire doors, and a separate power distribution circuit is set up. The power room, laboratory, and control room are occupied during normal operations and do not require staff on duty during a fire, so no separate circuit is needed.
2. System Composition
Based on the control methods of fire emergency lighting, they can be categorized into centralized control systems and non-centralized control systems.
Due to the presence of fire pumps and fire联动 systems at the production site of Acid Regeneration, in accordance with Article 3.4.1 of GB 50116-2013 "Code for Design of Fire Alarm Systems," a fire control room is established within the plant area. To ensure timely and effective evacuation of personnel and unified maintenance management, the Acid Regeneration factory utilizes a centralized control system. The emergency lighting controller communicates with the fire alarm controller via CAN bus within the fire control room, achieving unified control and coordination.
The centralized control system consists of three components: 1. Emergency lighting controller; 2. Power supply and distribution equipment; 3. Fire emergency lighting fixtures. The emergency lighting control system is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Emergency Lighting Control System
To ensure the reliable operation of the emergency lighting controller's main unit during a fire, the fire power supply is used as the main power source for the unit, and the stable operating time of the main unit's battery should comply with Article 3.4.7 of GB 51309-2018 "Technical Code for Fire Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Guidance System" (hereinafter referred to as "the Code").
3. System Power Distribution Design
The power composition of the emergency lighting and evacuation indicator system lamps is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Power Composition of Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Signage System Lamps
The difference between centralized power and decentralized power lies in: centralized power converts the main power and battery power within the power supply, which is then supplied to the lamps via a single distribution circuit; whereas decentralized power supplies the main power to the lamps directly from the emergency lighting distribution box. When the main power is cut off, the internal battery of the lamps is activated to illuminate them.
Considering the scattered locations and large number of emergency egress lighting fixtures required in the acid regeneration workshop, using self-contained battery-powered supply would be very inconvenient for later maintenance and不利于 unified management. Therefore, a centralized power supply with decentralized settings has been chosen.
The buildings in the acid regeneration factory comply with the "Other Buildings" as specified in Article 3.2.4, Paragraph 3 of "Technical Regulations," thus the continuous operating time for the centralized power battery should be 1.0 hour.
In the centralized control system, the centralized power supply, which is distributedly set, is provided by a fire protection power distribution box within the same fire partition. The power distribution box supplying power to the centralized power supply must be equipped with an automatic transfer device according to Article 10.1.8 of GB 50016-2014 "Code for Fire Prevention Design" and its explanatory notes. For the centralized power supply, the final I-level power distribution box is the fire protection power distribution box. Therefore, this project is equipped with a fire protection power distribution box with dual-cutter functionality, where the incoming power is supplied by two independent busbars, and the outgoing power is responsible for supplying power to various centralized power supplies within the same fire partition. The centralized power supply system for fire emergency lighting is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Fire Emergency Lighting Partial Central Power Supply System
For centralized control systems, controllers need to control the illumination of lights and the power conversion of the battery based on the progression of the fire according to pre-set logic. In the event of a fire, the power supply and communication lines for such lights should have the ability to continue operating, hence all are chosen to be fire-resistant cables.
Lighting and Lamps
Emergency lighting is composed of emergency lighting fixtures and emergency lighting directional signs. Emergency lighting fixtures provide the necessary illumination for personnel evacuation routes, to be used when normal lighting fails or is interrupted; emergency lighting directional signs offer evacuation directions, floor information, and exit locations. Both types of fixtures work together to ensure that people can quickly and accurately find their way to the exits.
Emergency lighting is categorized into Type A and Type B based on power voltage levels. It is also classified into continuous emergency lighting and non-continuous emergency lighting based on operating modes.
The rated working voltage for Type A lighting power supply does not exceed DC 36V; the rated working voltage for Type B lighting power supply is greater than DC 36V or AC 36V. (The aforementioned power supply refers to the general term for the main power supply and battery power supply.) Continuous fire emergency lighting remains illuminated both during normal operation and when the battery power supply is active after power failure, commonly used as fire emergency signage lights, aiding personnel in familiarizing with evacuation routes; whereas non-continuous fire emergency lighting is only illuminated when the battery power supply is active, typically used for lighting fixtures exclusively for emergency illumination.
The acid regeneration workshop is divided into six horizontal evacuation units, including the storage area and levels 1 to 5 of the acid regeneration area. The storage area has a clear height of 14.65 meters and is regularly patrolled by personnel; the maintenance walkway is +8.60 meters above ground level. Evacuation sign lights are installed 0.5 meters above the floor level of the respective level (maintenance walkway for the storage area), and fire emergency lights are installed 3.0 meters above the floor level of the respective level (maintenance walkway for the storage area). In addition to the storage area, the lighting in the other horizontal evacuation units is all below 8 meters in height. For ease of management and unified maintenance in the future, the acid regeneration workshop has chosen Type A lighting fixtures. The local fire emergency lighting layout of the storage area is shown in Figure 4. The local fire emergency lighting layout of the first floor of the acid regeneration area is shown in Figure 5. The local fire emergency lighting layout of the second floor of the acid regeneration area is shown in Figure 6.
Figure 4: Partial Fire Emergency Lighting Plan of the Storage Area
Figure 5: Partial Floor Plan of Fire Emergency Lighting in the Acid Regeneration Zone, 1st Floor
Figure 6: Partial Fire Emergency Lighting Plan of the Second Floor in the Acid Regeneration Area
The operation room and power distribution room within the acid regeneration workshop do not require staff presence, thus no emergency lighting is needed in the horizontal evacuation units. Unidirectional sign lights are installed along the side wall or columns of the workshop, with efforts made to avoid bidirectional sign lights to prevent evacuees from losing time due to direction confusion. The installation distance of the directional sign lights complies with Regulation 3.2.9 of "Technical." Exit sign lights are placed above the doors leading directly to the outdoor area on the first floor, and evacuation exit sign lights are installed above the doors leading to the evacuation stairwells.
The acid regeneration workshop can be divided into two areas: 1# stairwell and 2# stairwell, based on vertical evacuation zones. Taking the 1# stairwell as an example, all stairwells are enclosed, so both the 1# and 2# stairwells are powered by separate circuits. The stairwell heights are all below 8 meters, and A-type lighting fixtures are chosen. According to the requirements of Table 3.2.5 and 3.2.10 in "Technology," wall-mounted emergency lighting, floor sign lights, and directional sign lights are installed on each floor of the enclosed stairwells. Exit sign lights are placed above the emergency exits leading directly to the outdoors, and the horizontal illuminance on the ground is set at 5.0 lx.
Figure 7 illustrates the partial fire emergency lighting plan for the stairwell. Figure 8 shows the cross-sectional view of the fire emergency lighting in the stairwell. In summary, the horizontal evacuation units in the acid regeneration workshop require 6 electrical distribution circuits, while the vertical evacuation areas need 2. Each centralized power supply can have 1-8 output circuits. Considering that a certain number of backup circuits are needed for the centralized power supply, centralized power supplies are set up in the second-floor distribution room and the third-floor control room. These power supplies supply fire emergency lighting to the storage area and the acid regeneration areas from the first to third floors, as well as to 2 stairwells and the acid regeneration areas from the fourth to fifth floors.
Figure 7: Partial Floor Plan of Emergency Lighting in Stairwell; Figure 8: Partial Section View of Emergency Lighting in Stairwell
5. Cautionary Notes
It's worth noting that the layout of the acid regeneration workshop equipment is rather complex. While setting up疏散routes reasonably, attention should be given to whether the directional sign lights are obstructed by various equipment within the workshop, to prevent any impairment of their intended function.
A flammable gas (natural gas) release source is located near the burners in the three-story acid regeneration area, classified as a Level 2 release source according to Article 3.2.3 of GB 50058-2014 "Design Code for Electrical Installations in Explosive Hazardous Environments." The danger zone division elevation diagram is shown in Figure 9. Based on the division of the explosive gas environment danger zones, Floors 2 to 4 of the acid regeneration area are all within the danger zone 2 area (as shown in the shaded part of Figure 9). Therefore, except for the enclosed staircase, operation rooms, and electrical control rooms, all fire emergency lighting and other equipment in Floors 2 to 4 of the acid regeneration area are explosion-proof products, with the explosion-proof grade being Exd ⅡAT1 Gb, and all pipelines are laid openly.
Figure 9: Explosion-Proof Gas Environment Hazardous Area Division Elevation Plan
6. AnkoRui Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Guidance System Selection Solution
6.1 System Overview
The fire emergency lighting and evacuation guidance system is primarily composed of emergency lighting controllers, fire emergency lighting centralized power supplies or emergency lighting distribution boxes, and fire emergency lighting fixtures. This system is entirely independently developed by Acrel, in compliance with the current national industry standards, and is capable of data exchange and sharing with the AcrelEMS corporate microgrid management cloud platform or fire automatic alarm systems.
When used in conjunction with a fire alarm controller, this system provides real-time monitoring and control of the equipment within the system, facilitating daily management and maintenance, and ensuring stable system operation. Based on this, it guarantees accurate redirection of fire emergency sign lighting and the illumination of emergency lighting during a fire, assisting building occupants in choosing evacuation routes and guiding them towards safe escape directions, thereby safeguarding personal safety and alleviating concerns about potential safety issues for various users.
6.2 Application Locations
Fire emergency lighting and evacuation signage systems suitable for various industries including residential, hotels, office buildings, shopping complexes, hospitals, tunnel galleries, rail transit, basements, warehouses, and factories.
6.3 System Structure
6.4 System Hardware Configuration
In summary, the emergency lighting and evacuation signage system for the acid regeneration plant has been selected as a centralized power supply and centralized control type. The controller host is located in the fire control room, while the centralized power supply is situated in the second-floor electrical room and the third-floor operations room. Emergency lighting fixtures include wall-mounted luminaries and signage lights. The second to fourth floors of the acid regeneration area are classified as Hazardous Area 2, necessitating the use of explosion-proof emergency lighting fixtures. The corresponding product selections are as shown in the following chart.
6.4.1 Selection of Controller Host and Central Power Supply:
7. Closing Remarks
Emergency lighting and evacuation signage systems are a crucial component of emergency lighting systems, and their importance is increasingly recognized. Proper and rational installation of these systems can guide people to quickly and effectively evacuate to open areas during emergencies, reducing the危害 caused by fires and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Reference
[1] Building Design Fire Protection Code: GB 50016—2014 (2018 Edition) [S]. Beijing: China Planning Press, 2018.
[2] Fire Alarm System Design Code: GB 50116—2013 [S]. Beijing: China Planning Press, 2013.
[3] Technical Specification for Fire Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Guidance System: GB 51309—2018 [S] Beijing: China Planning Press, 2018.
[4] Design Code for Electrical Equipment in Explosive Hazardous Environments: GB 50058—2014 [S]. Beijing: China Planning Press, 2014.
[5] Duan Wenjia. Design of Fire Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Guidance System in Acid Regeneration Factory. Modern Architectural Electrical Engineering, 2023.
Ankorri Electrical Co., Ltd. Product Selection Manual. 2018.01
