Site Selection and Preparation
12 Installation Guidelines for 50 Hz PowerPact™
Clearance at 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 clearance
above the generator.
• Install the unit where rain gutter downspouts, roof
run-off, landscape irrigation, water sprinklers or
sump pump discharge do 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 obstructed, including concealed, underground or
covered services such as electrical, fuel, phone, air
conditioning or irrigation. This could affect
Warranty 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
supply to reduce the length of piping. REMEMBER
THAT LAWS OR CODES MAY REGULATE THE
DISTANCE AND LOCATION. In the absence of
local codes 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.
The generator must be level within 0.5 in (13 mm)
all around.
• The generator is typically placed on pea gravel,
crushed stone or a concrete pad. Check local
codes to see what type is required. If a concrete
pad is required, all applicable codes should be
followed.
Installation Guidelines for Stationary Air-Cooled
Generators
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 (Figure 3-1).
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
resistance rating of at least 1 hour.
2. The weatherproof enclosure is constructed of
noncombustible materials and it has been
demonstrated 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
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