Fire-protection guidelines
for handling and storing PRB coal

By Edward B. Douberly. As seen in POWER Magazine, October 2009. Click here to download this article as a pdf file (616k).

Most plants that burn PRB coal were not designed to deal with the fuel’s propensity to ignite in bunkers, silos, and hoppers. Recognizing this, the PRB Coal Users’ Group has come up with a set of recommended practices for safely preventing, detecting, and extinguishing coal fires at power plants.

The PRB Coal Users’ Group has developed recommended fire-prevention practices and guidelines for plants that burn PRB coal by itself or in blends. The guidelines are not equipment-specific because the physical layouts of coal-handling facilities vary significantly and because all fires are unique. The guidelines also are not comprehensive; their purpose is to recommend general practices that must be adapted for the specific needs of your plant.

The guidelines provide information about three areas: fire prevention and detection, firefighting equipment and training, and firefighting. [... continues ...]

Download this full article as a pdf file (616k).