Sunlight

Supply, installation and commissioning of Fire Detection, Explosive Gas Detection and Suppression Systems, for all the areas of the reconstructed production plant of Sunlight, in Neo Olvio, Xanthi, northern Greece.

SUNLIGHT is in its fourth decade of dynamic growth in the Greek and international markets. It has a global presence in the field of integrated energy solutions and specializes in the development, production and supply of batteries and energy storage systems for industrial and consumer applications, as well as advanced technology applications. It has the battery plant in Europe in terms of industrial batteries production and a strong worldwide presence through subsidiaries in Italy, Romania and the USA, exporting 90+% of its production to more than 100 countries.
Following the extensive damages incurred to the buildings of the plant in Xanthi (due to an unfortunate fire outbreak), Sunlight desired the installation of modern fire suppression – fire detection systems, having as their main feature the full coverage of all high-risk areas.

After the complete reconstruction of the basic production unit with improved infrastructure and new machinery, the installation work for the systems has been implemented within strict timelines, always respecting the employees’ safety and hygiene rules.

ZARIFOPOULOS was selected for the implementation of the Fire Safety design prepared by IONIKI LC for the protection of the plant’s substations, by undertaking the supply of the entire equipment, the installation of wiring and devices, and the commissioning of the systems.

Fire-suppression: For the protection of the substation areas (Transformers, Medium Voltage Areas, Low Voltage Areas, and other weak current areas), twenty (20) fire detection and automatic extinguishing systems were installed, using UnimarSafe Aerosol extinguishing gas. These systems were designed and installed to meet the specifications of international standards and regulations.

In order to protect the areas of the Charger panels (7 areas within the Plant) and the Server Rooms of the Central Building, fire detection and automatic fire extinguishing systems using NOVEC1230 extinguishing gas were installed, in accordance with the European standards EN-ISO 14520.

The fire suppression systems are fully monitore and upon their activation, they feed information back to the central fire detection system, so that there is full situational awareness at the Control Centre.

Fire detection: The Central Fire Detection System consists of a total of five (5) addressable fire detection panels and more than 1000 peripheral detection devices manufactured by Inim, installed throughout the buildings (offices, warehouses, machine shop, changing rooms, production area and hazardous areas).

In addition, detection is performed in areas with special environmental conditions, employing Class C fixed temperature detectors, a special fixed temperature thermo cable with protection against acidic environments, and also beam detectors in storage areas and in the supply chain and transportation management centre.

The integration of fire detection panels and their operation in a closed network (via fiber optic cables and special fiber cable converters to RS-485) is in progress, with the aim of depicting the events in their entirety in a graphic software of the manufacturer on a PC inside the Gatehouse, so that there can be immediate notification – mobilization of the Plant Head Officers at any time a fire -related event happens.

Explosive Gas Detection System: The system of the German firm Ados was selected. Ados panels are compliant with the European standards EN50271:2011, EN50545:2012 and EN50270:2010. The manufacturing quality certification shall be minimum level SIL1.

A total of more than one hundred and fifty (150) explosive gas detectors and nine (9) central panels of analogue addressable detectors with LON communication protocol were installed. The explosive gases detected are O2, H2 and LPG.

THE RESULT

The installation of the above-mentioned systems shall enable the immediate notification of the responsible officers for the leakage of hazardous gases and smoke, as well as the automatic operation of the fire suppression systems in the event of an incident occurring within protected areas, thus achieving the optimal fulfilment of the managements and employees’ needs for safeguarding their lives and the property.