Transformer fire damages switchyard at Georgia Power's Plant Bowen

What happened

Emergency services responded to a fire on the grounds of Plant Bowen, a power plant in Bartow County, Georgia, on a Thursday afternoon. The fire call was logged at 2:42 p.m. A transformer caught fire within the plant's switchyard. Georgia Power confirmed that the fire was contained to the switchyard and that there was no fire inside the plant structure itself. The flames were nearly extinguished by about 5:20 p.m. The sheriff's office reported no injuries and no evacuations. The source describes damage to the transformer but does not give its extent, the repair time, or any effect on generation at the plant.

Contributing factors

The source does not state the cause of the transformer fire.

Lessons learned

1. Transformers in switchyards need fire detection, oil containment and clear separation from other plant equipment so that a fault stays contained.
2. Operators should agree in advance how they will communicate with emergency services and the public, including confirming the extent of a fire and that the main plant is unaffected.
3. Emergency response plans for substations and switchyards should include the time needed to extinguish transformer fires and the steps for isolating the affected equipment.

More lessons on detection and monitoring, emergency response and public communication, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.

Source

ajc.com