Installation Guidelines For Stationary Air-Cooled Generators; Annex A - Explanatory Material - Generac Power Systems 0064390 Installation Manuallines

Section 3: Site Selection and Preparation
Clearance at the top should be a minimum of 5 ft
(1.52 m) from any structure, overhang or
projections from the wall.
• DO NOT install under wooden decks or structures
unless there is at least 5 ft (1.52 m) of clearance
above the generator.
•
Install the unit where rain gutter down spouts, roof
run-off, landscape irrigation, water sprinklers or
sump pump discharge does not flood the unit or
spray the enclosure, including any air inlet or outlet
openings.
• Install the unit where services will not be affected
or obstructed, including concealed, underground or
covered services such as electrical, fuel, phone, air
conditioning or
Warranty Coverage.
• Where strong prevailing winds blow from one
direction, face the generator air inlet openings to
the prevailing winds.
• Install the generator as close as possible to the fuel
supply to reduce the length of piping. REMEMBER
THAT LAWS OR CODES MAY REGULATE THE
DISTANCE AND LOCATION. In the absence of
local codes regarding placement or clearance, we
recommend following these guidelines.
• Install the generator as close as possible to the
transfer switch. REMEMBER THAT LAWS OR
CODES MAY REGULATE THE DISTANCE AND
LOCATION.
• The generator must be installed on a level surface.
The generator must be level within a 0.5 in (13
mm) all around.
• The generator is typically placed on pea gravel,
crushed stone or a concrete pad. Check local
codes to see what type is required. If a concrete
pad is required, all applicable codes should be
followed.
Installation Guidelines for Stationary Air-Cooled
Generators
The National Fire Protection Association has a standard
for the installation and use of stationary combustion
engines. That standard is NFPA 37, its requirements limit
the spacing of an enclosed generator set from a structure
or wall (Figure 3-1).
NFPA 37, Section 4.1.4, Engines Located Outdoors:
Engines, and their weatherproof housings if provided,
that are installed outdoors shall be located at least 5 ft
(1.52 m) from openings in walls and at least 5 ft (1.52 m)
from structures having combustible walls. A minimum
separation shall not be required where the following
conditions exist:
The adjacent wall of the structure has a fire resis-
1.
tance rating of at least 1 hour.
12
irrigation. This could
The weatherproof enclosure is constructed of non-
2.
combustible materials and it has been demon-
strated that a fire within the enclosure will not ignite
combustible materials outside the enclosure.
Annex A — Explanatory Material
A4.1.4 (2) Means of demonstrating compliance are by
means of full scale fire test or by calculation procedures.
Because of the limited spaces that are frequently
available for installation, it has become apparent that
exception (2) would be beneficial for many residential
and commercial installations. With that in mind, the
manufacturer contracted with an independent testing
laboratory to run full scale fire tests to assure that the
enclosure will not ignite combustible materials outside
affect
the enclosure.
NOTE: Southwest Research Institute testing approves
18 in (457 mm) installation minimum from structure.
Southwest Research is a nationally recognized third
party testing and listing agency.
The criteria was to determine the worst case fire scenario
within the generator and to determine the ignitability of
items outside the engine enclosure at various distances.
The enclosure is constructed of non-combustible
materials, and the results and conclusions from the
independent testing lab indicated that any fire within the
generator enclosure would not pose any ignition risk to
nearby combustibles or structures, with or without fire
service personnel response.
Figure 3-2. Southwest Research Institute Decal
Southwest Research Institute Decal (located inside the
generator, next to the generator's data decal)
http://www.swri.org/4org/d01/fire/listlab/listprod/director.htm
Based on this testing and the requirements of NFPA 37,
Sec 4.1.4, the guidelines for installation of the generators
listed above are changed to 18 in (457 mm) from the
Installation Guidelines For 60 Hz Air-cooled Generators
000609