{"id":4281,"date":"2017-02-08T15:42:08","date_gmt":"2017-02-08T15:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/?p=4281"},"modified":"2021-04-15T15:30:04","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T20:30:04","slug":"emergency-generators-powered-by-natural-gas-now-authorized","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/?p=4281&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Emergency generators powered by natural gas now authorized!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"intro\">In summer&nbsp;2016, after discussions, questions and some hard thinking, the R&eacute;gie du b&acirc;timent du Qu&eacute;bec (RBQ) issued its notice concerning natural&nbsp;gas-powered emergency generators:<em> &ldquo;The decision not to provide a fuel reserve onsite and to fuel an emergency generator via a natural gas network is the responsibility of the project&rsquo;s design engineer and specialized contractors. These individuals must consider the risks and advantages of each option based on the project&rsquo;s context and the available solutions.&rdquo;<\/em><\/span><br>\n<span class=\"intro texte-courant\">Put in other terms, it is now possible to choose natural gas, a power source with a high reliability rating, for fuelling standby generators. It should be noted, however, that there is currently no standard for comparing the reliability of different combustible fuel sources for generator motors.<\/span><br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/31_1_2_figure1.png\" data-rel=\"lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4262\" src=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/31_1_2_figure1-300x248.png\" alt=\"31_1_2_figure1\" width=\"300\" height=\"248\"\/><\/a><br>\n<span class=\"titre-sous\">Regulatory framework<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">Back-up electrical power supply for buildings is generally governed by CSA C282-09. The RBQ&rsquo;s notice aims to demystify two articles of the standard and an explanatory note that can be summarized as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">7.3.1.1, which requires a fuel reserve capable of providing two&nbsp;hours of full-load operation to be set up near the generator.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">7.3.2, which permits emergency generators to be fuelled through a public utility network without the need for a two-hour fuel reserve on-site, provided that the reliability of this fuel supply can be demonstrated to the RBQ.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Appendix&nbsp;B.9: the project&rsquo;s design engineer and the public utility service are responsible for demonstrating this, taking into account the public utility&rsquo;s reliability, all aspects related to the building&rsquo;s geographic location and the nature of the project.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"texte-courant\">It should be noted that this RBQ notice does not apply to B2-classified treatment facilities as defined in the Qu&eacute;bec Construction Code. These buildings are also defined as Class A, B or C health care facilities in CSA-C282 and are subject to CSA Z32-09, &laquo;&nbsp;Electrical safety and essential electrical systems in health care facilities.&nbsp;&raquo;<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">In the notice, the RBQ warns that, whatever the fuel source, there is no such thing as zero risk. Nor is reliability just a matter of figures: it is also the many small, concerted actions that, taken together, will optimize&nbsp;the availability of gas and the safety of the beneficiaries in an emergency situation. Furthermore, the RBQ does not want to receive an application for each natural gas emergency generator to be installed. The RBQ&rsquo;s July&nbsp;2016 notice included guidelines to optimize the safety of this approach. In terms of installing natural gas emergency generators, the R&eacute;gie also imposed certain conditions and procedures on Gaz M&eacute;tro, interested customers and their design engineers and contractors.<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"titre-sous\">RBQ requirements<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">This approach is based on the rigorous&nbsp;application of recognized&nbsp;best practices in gas network management, maintenance and implementation by Qu&eacute;bec natural gas distributors. However, the RBQ has imposed additional requirements upon natural gas distributors for installing natural gas emergency generators.<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"intro\">Obligations for natural gas distributors<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">To ensure reliability, Gaz M&eacute;tro must, in addition to respecting &ldquo;network&rdquo; standards:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Ensure the autonomy of its distribution regarding the uncertainties of electrical distribution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Ensure that the natural gas supply for an emergency generator meets the distribution quality criteria.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Maintain an inventory of emergency generators that rely on its network. This inventory could be used as an emergency decision-making tool if required.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Maintain statistics on the reliability of its network overall and by main region. For the record, over the last five&nbsp;years, the Gaz M&eacute;tro network&rsquo;s average reliability rating has been 99.99988%.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Carry out a compatibility check of the network segment and meter\/regulator fixtures with the addition of the emergency generator.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Lastly, for each application accepted, Gaz M&eacute;tro will issue a specific letter informing the applicant of the reliability of its network for the region concerned.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"intro\">Obligations for customers and their design engineers and contractors<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">Customers may ask their design engineer to check the possibility of having a natural gas emergency generator.&nbsp; Here are the steps to follow:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-decimal;\">\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">File an application with Gaz M&eacute;tro by filling out the appropriate form. We suggest that you make the application through a Gaz M&eacute;tro representative.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Ensure that you have received Gaz M&eacute;tro&rsquo;s letter of reliability, signed by an engineer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Check with the municipality&rsquo;s fire department for any additional requirements to be met.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Take the steps needed to ensure that the emergency generator meets the conditions of the following codes:<\/span>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Independent supply line from the outside clearly identified<\/span><br>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4263\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignright\" style=\"width: 300px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/31_1_2_figure2.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4263 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/31_1_2_figure2-300x141.jpg\" alt=\"Signs to be affixed to the natural gas emergency generator and its emergency valve\" width=\"300\" height=\"141\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Signs to be affixed to the natural gas emergency generator and its emergency valve<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Layout near the building connection designed so as to easily identify valves to use to enable other equipment to be stopped<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Protection of the gas line supplying the generator with a two-hour fire resistance rating<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Sensing switches for detecting open valves and that can interrupt the generator&rsquo;s gas supply are provided and connected so as to emit an alarm<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">Clearly indicate the natural gas emergency generator&rsquo;s supply line layout and location of its valve in the emergency measures plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"texte-courant\">The customer or building manager must keep a copy of all letters and correspondence pertaining to this matter on hand for consultation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4283\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 640px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/31_1_2_figure3_EN1.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4283 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/31_1_2_figure3_EN1-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 1: Gas piping requirements for a dedicated fuel supply to a natural gas emergency generator\" width=\"640\" height=\"365\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Figure 1: Gas piping requirements for a dedicated fuel supply to a natural gas emergency generator<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<span class=\"titre-sous\">Natural gas emergency generators: an interesting alternative<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">To conclude, customers not wishing to manage a diesel tank and who would like a single back-up generator able to maintain their operations during a power outage while responding to emergency needs would benefit from having a natural gas generator.<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">Moreover, in Gaz M&eacute;tro&rsquo;s view, the RBQ&rsquo;s conditions are perfectly appropriate since, in an emergency situation, over and above equipment reliability, human safety will depend on the information held by stakeholders.<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-courant\">For any questions, don&rsquo;t hesitate to communicate with your customer&rsquo;s Gaz M&eacute;tro representative.<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-signature\">Charles C&ocirc;t&eacute;, Eng.<br>\nDATECH Advisor &ndash; Technologies, Codes &amp; Standards<\/span><br>\n<span class=\"texte-note\">1 Ref.: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca\/batiment\/les-renseignements-techniques\/alimentation-des-generatrices-de-secours-de-batiments-au-gaz-naturel.html%20\">https:\/\/www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca\/batiment\/les-renseignements-techniques\/alimentation-des-generatrices-de-secours-de-batiments-au-gaz-naturel.html <\/a>(in French)<\/span>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In summer&nbsp;2016, after discussions, questions and some hard thinking, the R&eacute;gie du b&acirc;timent du Qu&eacute;bec (RBQ) issued its notice concerning natural&nbsp;gas-powered emergency generators: &ldquo;The decision not to provide a fuel reserve onsite and to fuel an emergency generator via a &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/?p=4281&amp;lang=en\">Lire la suite<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[405,198],"tags":[446],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/informatech.energir.com\/?p=4281&#038;lang=en\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Emergency generators powered by natural gas now authorized! | Informa-TECH\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In summer&nbsp;2016, after discussions, questions and some hard thinking, the R&eacute;gie du b&acirc;timent du Qu&eacute;bec (RBQ) issued its notice concerning natural&nbsp;gas-powered emergency generators: &ldquo;The decision not to provide a fuel reserve onsite and to fuel an emergency generator via a &hellip; 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