Site Selection and Preparation
12 Installation Guidelines for 60 Hz EcoGen™ Generator
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 cleara
nce
a
bove the generator.
• Install the unit where rain gutter downspouts, roof
r
un–off, landscape irrigation, water sprinkle
rs or
sum
p 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
o
bstructed, including concealed, underground or
covered services such as electrical, fuel, phone, air
conditioning or irrigation. This could affect Warran
ty
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
su
pply to reduce the length of piping.
REMEMBER
THA
T LAWS OR CODES MAY REGULATE TH
E
DIST
ANCE AND LOCATION. In the absence of lo
cal
cod
es 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.
Th
e generator must be level within a 0.5 in (13 mm
)
all ar
ound.
• The generator is typically placed on pea gravel,
cru
shed stone or a concrete pad. Check local code
s
to see what
type is required. If a concrete pa
d is
r
equired, all applicable codes should be followed.
Installation Guidelines for Stationary Air–Cooled
Generators
See Figure 3-1. 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.
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:
1. The adjacent wall of the structure has a fire resis-
tance rating of at least one hour.
2. The weatherproof enclosure is constr
ucted of
n
oncombustible materials and it has be
en
demons
trated 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
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
The Southwest Research Institute Decal is 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
back side of the generator to a stationary wall or building.
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