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Energy

Ensuring availability and managing risks

Power plants, substations, production facilities, compressor stations, and solar power plants: energy infrastructure is a vital part of the national grid.

In these critical environments, even the slightest disruption can have major consequences for energy production and distribution. DEF supports energy infrastructure operators and managers in the design, implementation, and maintenance of robust fire safety systems tailored to industrial environments and operational constraints.

systeme securite energie centrale electrique
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A strengthened regulatory framework for energy installations

Energy production and distribution facilities are subject to several regulations designed to prevent industrial hazards, protect workers, and ensure the safety of the installations.

These requirements are based on national regulations, technical guidelines, and international standards applicable to sites involving technological risks.

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    Prevention of fire risks

    Labour Code – Articles R4227-1 to R4227-55
    These provisions require the implementation of preventive and protective measures against fire hazards in industrial and technical installations.

    Labour Code
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    Facilities classified for environmental protection

    Labour Code – Articles R4227-1 to R4227-55
    These provisions require the implementation of preventive and protective measures against fire hazards in industrial and technical installations.

    Labour Code
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    Facilities classified for environmental protection

    Environmental Code – Facilities classified for environmental protection
    Energy installations that pose risks to the environment or public safety may be subject to the regulations governing classified facilities.

    French Environmental Code
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    Industrial sites with major risks

    SEVESO III Directive
    Certain energy facilities are classified as SEVESO sites and must implement enhanced measures for industrial accident prevention and fire protection.

    SEVESO III Directive
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    Fire safety technical standards

    APSAD R2 – R7 – R13 – R17
    These standards define the rules for the design, installation, and maintenance of fire detection, automatic fire suppression, and smoke exhaust systems in industrial environments.

    APSAD
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    Management standards and installation safety

    ISO 45001 and ISO 50001
    These standards provide a framework for managing risks related to worker safety and the energy performance of installations.

    ISO 50001

The main fire hazards in the energy sector

Energy installations pose specific risks related to electrical equipment, flammable fluids, and industrial environments.

Fire caused by an electrical fault

Transformers, wiring, and switchgear are the leading cause of fires at energy facilities. (INRS, 2023)

Presence of flammable fluids 

Oils, fuels, or compressed gases increase the risk of explosion.

Extreme temperatures and remote environments

They make early detection and rapid response more difficult.

Maintenance work and concurrent operations 

Technical or electrical operations may cause arcing or overheating.

Energy storage – Renewable energy  

Energy storage containers using lithium-ion batteries. Risk of thermal runaway, fire, and explosion

locaux electrique
Locaux transformateurs
SALLE GROUPE ELECTROGENE
SALLE PC SECURITE
SALLE ONDULEUR BATTERIES

Electric stations

  • Electric stations
  • Transformer premises
  • Production lines and industrial equipment
  • Control stations and control rooms
  • Renewable energy storage facilities

DEF at a glance

These figures confirm that the sooner a problem is detected, the greater the safety.

  • 3 hours
  • of downtime can result in losses of up to €500,000 at a production facility. (EDF Study, 2024) 
  • 1 fire
  • in 2 in the energy sector have an electrical origin. (BARPI, 2023) 
  • 30 %
  • of incidents occur during maintenance operations. (INRS, 2023) 
  • 90 %
  • of serious incidents are linked to delayed alerts or poor coordination between systems.

Applied solutions

Energy operators must protect their installation without compromising production. The fire safety solutions deployed by DEF help prevent incidents, limit their spread, and ensure business continuity.

protection usine energie

High-sensitivity fire detection

Suction-based detection systems and multi-parameter sensors enable the rapid identification of any thermal or particulate anomalies, even in harsh industrial environments.

centrale electrique protection incendie gaz

Automatic inert gas fire suppression system

Inert gas fire suppression systems (IG-541, nitrogen, argon) protect electrical and electronic equipment without leaving any residue. They enable a rapid resumption of operations following an incident.

Low-pressure water mist

Water mist is a solution that is particularly well-suited for transformers and areas containing dielectric oils. It helps quickly lower the temperature and limit the spread of the fire.

feu infrastructure energetique

Monitoring and operation of fire protection systems

Monitoring platforms such as Fire360 make it possible to centralise fire safety system data and streamline the management of alarms and equipment at various sites.

In addition, Mon SSI Facile is a digital service that helps facility operators manage their fire safety systems more easily on a day-to-day basis. In particular, it provides easy access to essential fire safety system information and facilitates regulatory compliance for installations.

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Case Studies

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DEF teams specialising in critical infrastructure

With a nationwide presence, DEF teams work at energy production and distribution sites, including power plants, substations, industrial platforms, and renewable energy facilities.

Secure your energy infrastructure

Contact the DEF experts to have your facilities assessed and identify the solutions best suited to your site.
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