Firefighting Robot now protecting Austria's Transformers

How do you extinguish burning transformers? Austrian Power Grid AG (APG) operates the substation in Obersielach (District of Carinthia – Austria) and has developed an innovative extinguishing concept. Our Aircore TAF35 firefighting robot is an important part of this.

Since a new 380/220 kV transformer was recently purchased at the Obersielach substation, APG has developed a sophisticated safety concept together with FF Völkermarkt. The large transformer is filled with about 70 tons of oil and must be cooled quickly and, above all, efficiently in the event of a fire. The heart of the extinguishing concept is the Aircore TAF35. Since you cannot work with large amounts of water in the case of transformers, we have been looking for an innovative solution with water mist and found one in our extinguishing robot.

The commander of FF Völkermarkt Rahman Ikanovic explains: “In a major fire in a substation, we face physical and psychological challenges. Remote control of the unloading robot does not require anyone to enter the danger zone. This allows us to extinguish safely within the system without APG support “.

The turbine of the fire-fighting robot atomizes the water into extremely fine water mist and shoots it by means of propellers at great distances (over 60 meters in the atomized state, 75 meters in full jet). Water mist is very effective in combating fires, as it removes heat from the fire faster than conventional methods while consuming less water.

In order to be prepared in case of emergency, regular exercises are held. The extinguishing robot will also be used by the FF Völkermarkt for other operations such as tunnel fires or fires in industrial and commercial areas, says Ikanovic.

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• More information about preventing fires in substations

Video of the Firefighting Robot in Obersielach

Source picture and video: Austrian Power Grid (APG)