Rules of Installing Rooftop Generators

When it comes to generators, there are some important steps to consider. First is choosing the right generator. Next comes deciding whether you want to buy, rent or consider different types of generator financing options. Third, after getting the generator, you need to fix the questions regarding the generator installation.

One of the installation options for modern autonomous power supply systems is the possibility of mounting the generator on the flat roofs of buildings. This option is used in case of a shortage of free space and the impossibility of allocating a specially prepared interior space. However, in this case we are not talking about the installation of a power generator in an open design.

For installation on flat roof sections, it is necessary to reliably protect the generator from adverse weather conditions, as well as provide sufficient sound insulation, for which a container version of the generator or the installation of power generating equipment in a special casing is used.

Advantages of rooftop generators

The main advantages of rooftop generators are:

• Space savings;
• All issues related to air supply are solved simply and cheaply by eliminating the need to build an expensive air duct system;
• No need for a long exhaust system;
• With sufficient noise insulation, there is no problem of acoustic impact on nearby people.

The main disadvantages of placing the power generators on the roof are:

• The roof structure must support the weight of the installed equipment and the fuel tank;
• Difficulties with lifting the power generator to the required height;
• It is necessary to obtain the approval of the relevant services;
• The impossibility of installing a large number of fuel storage tanks.

In particular, ceilings must be especially carefully examined and calculated so that they can withstand the weight of the installed power generator and the main fuel tank. In the event that the existing ceilings do not show sufficient strength, the generator set can be installed on platforms made of structural steel with their obligatory support on the load-bearing walls of the building.

Ways to reduce the vibration load on the building

To reduce vibration from a running generator, several methods have been developed and are actively used:

• For power generators up to 1 MW, it’s often enough to use built-in vibration protection devices that reduce its level by 75-80%, as well as use additional solutions, such as installing additional vibration isolators between the base (chassis) of the power generator and the roof, which will reduce vibration to 98% of entry level;
• For power generators with a capacity of more than 1 MW, built-in vibration damping may not be enough. In this case, the generator is installed on a specially prepared concrete base, which, in turn, is elastically attached to the roof, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the level of vibration exposure from the operation of power generating equipment.

It should be noted that these methods of reducing vibration noise are actively used, showing very good indicators of protecting buildings and structures from emerging vibration loads.

Ways to reduce the noise level

In addition to protecting the structure of buildings from vibration caused by a running generator set, the problem of reducing the level of noise load to regulated limits is important when placing a power generator on the roof. As a primary measure to reduce noise, special containers or noise protection casings are used, in which the generator set itself is mounted directly. These solutions make it possible to reduce the noise level by 20-30 dB.

In general, noise standards for a running generator set, designed for placement of equipment near places of people’s permanent residence or work, are as follows: the noise level of a running generator is considered to be within 75 dB at a distance of 1 m from the power generator.