FABER MEDI-SERVE SDN BHD

PRIVATISATION OF
HOSPITAL SUPPORT SERVICES
MINISTRY OF HEALTH, MALAYSIA

PROPOSAL FOR CARBON DIOXIDE TOTAL

FLOODING SYSTEM FOR THE GENERATOR
AND MAIN SWITCHBOARD ROOM

TAMBUNAN HOSPITAL

CONDITION APPRAISAL – PJC/SB/895/M/99023

Prepared By: Willy Sikui

Regional Mechanical Engineer (Sabah)
Prepared Date: September 29th 1999

Report Number: PJC/SB/895/M/99023

CO2 Total Flooding System For Generator Room – Tambunan Hospital PROPEL-Johnson Controls

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Condition Appraisal Details

2. SYSTEM OVERVIEW AND CONDITION APPRAISAL

2.1 Scope of the condition appraisal
2.2 System Overview
2.3 Condition Appraisal
2.4 Risk Assessment & Exemption

3. RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

3.1 Recommendation
3.2 Conclusion

Report Number: PJC/SB/895/M/99023

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The installation of carbon dioxide total flooding system in certain installation and
buildings is a regulatory requirement under the Uniform Building Bylaws 1984.
Based on the regulatory requirement, the Ministry of Health has also issued
standard guidelines for fire protection in hospitals, which was issued in 1993
through its Engineering Services Division.

1.2. Condition Appraisal Details

Hospital : Tambunan Hospital

Building No./ : No. 23 – Generator Room

Location Code : 23-GF-001

System/ Asset : Emergency Generator & Main Switchboard

Asset Number : 895001296 & 895001295
Location: Generator Room

Date : 29th September 1999

2. SYSTEM OVERVIEW AND CONDITION APPRAISAL

2.1 Scope of the condition appraisal

This condition appraisal is based on physical inspection and observation on the

present condition of the LV distribution room. This report highlights the non-
compliance of the present condition to the Uniform Building Bylaws as well as
the standard guidelines issued by the Engineering Division of the Ministry of
Health.

2.2 System Overview

The generator room is a building by itself. It houses a 250KVA generator and

the main switchboard. There are also two 400-litre diesel fuel tanks inside the
room. Presently, there is only one 2.5Kg portable CO2 fire extinguisher for the
room.

2.3 Condition Appraisal

Presently, only one portable fire extinguisher is available in this room. It does
not comply with the requirement of the uniform building Bylaws. Item 5(b) in
section VI of Bylaws 225(1) and 237(1) states that that plant room, substation or
transformer room must have a fixed type extinguishing system, manual
electrical fire alarm system and emergency illumination in the form of signal
point units. The present condition also does not comply with the Ministry of
Health guidelines. The guidelines state that the flammable goods store,
computer main frame room, battery room and main power supply rooms shall
have a CO2 total flooding system which shall be activated by two circuits of
combined thermal/smoke detectors in each room.

The presence of the two fuel tanks inside the generator room increases the risk
of fire outbreaks in the generator room. Furthermore, these fuel tanks are
supplying fuel to the generator through gravity force. There is no automatic shut
off valve available.

2.4 Risk assessment & Exemption:

1. The present condition of the generator room does not comply with statutory
requirement. The absence of a fixed extinguishing system in the room has
put the entire hospital in a very risky situation in the event of any fire
outbreak in the room. Without the required fire protection system for the
room, any fire outbreak might not be realized until it is too late. It could lead
to major incidences, such as major property loss.
 2. As the two gravity flowing fuel tanks are also inside the room, the risk of fire
outbreak also increases. As these fuel tanks are not partition off and are not
fire proof, there is a great risk of small fire leading to major fire outbreak.
The absence of any detection and alarm system, even a small fire could
lead to major fire outbreak with the fuel source located right inside the room.

Due to the absence of the required fire protection system for the generator
room, and the presence of the diesel fuel tanks inside the generator and main
switchboard room, the Concession Company seeks to be exempted from any
liabilities which might result from the described situation.

3. RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

3.1 Recommendation:

It is highly and urgently recommended that MOH comply with the Uniform
Building Bylaws by installing the required fire protection system in the generator
room. The diesel fuel tanks must be either relocated outside the room or
concrete partition walls must be built to separate it from the generator and the
main switchboard. However, consideration must be given to the accessibility of
the fuel tanks and its pumping system for the purpose of servicing and
maintenance job. Installing a pumping system complete with an automatic shut
off valve for the fuel system must be considered. A carbon dioxide total flooding
system for the room will not work if the diesel fuel tanks remain inside the room
without any partition.

The installation of a complete approved fire protection system as described is

estimated at RM 100, 000.00. The cost of relocating or partitioning of the fuel
tank complete with the pumping facility is estimated at RM 70, 000.00.

3.2 Conclusion

The installation of a carbon dioxide total flooding system for the generator room
is vital for the protection of the generator as well as the main switchboard. It is
also a statutory requirement by the Uniform Building Bylaws 1984 besides
being a standard requirement by the Ministry of Health. Thus, it is vital that the
system is installed soon to prevent any untoward incident. It is also vital to
relocate the diesel fuel tanks outside the room, or building a concrete partition
wall to separate the fuel tanks from the generator room. This is to ensure that
the installation of a carbon dioxide total flooding system will serve its objective
well.