DuraSystems’ DuraBarrier is a barrier that will protect people and property from the growing number of transformer failures. 

Electricity is taken for granted and it is only when the lights go out and life comes to a standstill that people suddenly become aware of their dependency on electrical equipment such as transformers.

Transformers are a fundamental component of electrical distribution and transmission networks.  Most people are not aware of the fact that transformers are subject to faults.  Transformers sometimes explode and or catch fire without warning.  When a catastrophic fire or explosion occurs, the damage and costs can be immense.  Equipment replacement, cleanup and repair, and lost revenue can run into the 10’s of millions. 

Insurers and corporate risk managers consider transformers to be the most critical electrical components within facilities today.  This is due to the quantity of oil contained within the transformer, its contact with high voltage elements and the dangers involved with failure.   According to a leading transformer insurance underwriter, the failure rate per year is approximately 1% which will rise to 2% by 2008. 

Two specific transformers statistics that deserve special attention are the current average age of transformers and the increased loads they are expected to supply.  The average age of transformers in North America is 35 years, which means that many, with an optimistic life span of 40-50 years are coming to the end of their usefulness.  There is also a problem with increased loads.  World energy consumption has grown from 1 trillion to 11 trillion kw/hr in the decades following World War II.  Transformers were not designed to handle such heavy loads.

These emerging risk factors have caused many insurance companies to demand protection of the transformers they insure. This is why the DuraBarrier was developed.  DuraSystems has designed and developed a barrier system that FM Global acknowledges meets their most stringent fire protection requirements and can see fire from both sides.   

Both FM Global and DuraSystems recognized the need for transformer protection that could be installed in confined spaces and was quick and easy to erect unlike concrete barriers.  Due to it's relatively low weight, the DuraBarrier requires simpler and smaller foundations than poured concrete or concrete block methods.  This can result in significant cost savings especially with retrofit applications where existing equipment is being upgraded/replaced or existing underground service foundations cannot be disturbed.

The DuraBarrier is a modular pre-engineered barrier system.  DuraBarrier pre-engineered systems are available to meet the following conditions:
  Tested to 6 hours of fire protection
  Interior and exterior installations
  Seismic Resistant
  Galvanized, stainless steel and epoxy finishes
  Noise reduction
  Wind conditions up to and including category 5 (42.1 psf) hurricanes
  Pre-design barrier heights up to 35 feet
  Barriers can be supplied at any height required
  Barrier widths are unlimited
  Available with both 90 degree and T joint connections
  Available for both continuous and pier foundation methods

If requirements for a DuraBarrier are not met by the above conditions, DuraSystems will provide a custom engineered solution to meet your needs.

With the benefit of modular construction, the DuraBarrier offers fast and safe original installations and allows for the future disassembly and reassembly for maintenance or replacement of the equipment protected.  This benefit ensures downtime and interruptions are kept to an absolute minimum.

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