There is not a lot you need of knowledge in Norwegian to be able to place Hydro on Rjukan on the map. Hydro in Rjukan is an important part of the Norwegian history and part of the Norwegian cultural heritage. The stories are many and heroic, but not least - Hydro is also an innovative organization. Perhaps not surprisingly, they have managed to survive since 1907.
With that as a backdrop, we must be able to say that we felt honored when we were contacted by Svelgfoss Kraftverk, which had a challenge they wanted help to solve.
Challenge
Svelgfoss and Moflåt Kraftverk had painted stripes on the floor that were to lead and show the way to emergency exits. However, due to heavy traffic, these were quickly worn out, and it became costly and time consuming to maintain.
So - we were challenged on a solution that could solve the need for marking emergency exits in an effective way.
With safety in focus
Hydro Energi is following the Norwegian "Arbeidsplassforskriften §2-21" about escape routes and emergency exits. The regulations state, among other things, that:
"Buildings and workplaces shall be designed with sufficient escape routes and emergency exits, which shall at all times be open to free movement and can easily be opened from the inside without special aids. For underground mining, there must be easily accessible exits to the surface. Escape routes and doors located in escape routes must be adequately marked."
Solution
With this in mind, we were invited to an inspection of the facility, and understood that we could suggest a marking of emergency exits with LED emergency guide lights.
Together with Svelgfoss Kraftverk, we discussed various possibilities, and came up with a solution consisting of a flexible rope that could be used both as a guide light in tunnels and construction corridors, and also as a handrail.
Svelgfoss Kraftverk also had a specific need for the light to switch on automatically if there was a power outage and the solution had to be able to light for a minimum of 4 hours after a power failure.
We therefore made a control cabinet adapted to exactly their specific need. When the power is on, the batteries charge so that they are ready to deliver 4 hours of capacity should the power fail.
Result
The rope with emergency guide lights was mounted 10-15 centimeters high in the tunnel passages at the power plant and around handrails.
The installation is simple and flexible, and Hydro in Rjukan does not have to spend time and money on maintenance now that ropes with LED emergency guide lights have replaced the previous safety solution.
Facts about Hydro Energi Telemark in Norway
The power plants in Telemark are Hydro's oldest. Svelgfoss was first launched in 1907, and was then Europe's largest and the world's second largest power plant. Hydro Energi's power plants in Telemark consist of Frøystul, Vemork, Såheim, Moflåt, Mæl and Svelgfoss.
Although all the plants have been extensively modernized, Hydro's hydropower plants are located in the same six locations to this day.
Vemork power plant was when it opened the world's largest of its kind, and is today partly converted into the Norwegian Industrial Workers' Museum. Vemork is nevertheless still active, and is the third largest power plant. The energy from the power plants at Rjukan was produced for the factories that at one time produced fertilizer.
Today, renewable hydropower is used to produce renewable aluminum. Såheim power station is also protected by decision from the National Heritage Board, with the exception of the turbines which are still in use and are maintained and upgraded accordingly.
The power plants Frøystul, Vemork, Såheim, Moflåt, Mæl and Svelgfoss provide approximately 1/3 of Hydro's power production in Norway.
Source: Hydro Energi Telemark in Norway
