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BESCOM sanctioned load and Fire pumps
Written By amy - 24 November, 2010
Bangalore BESCOM Power Power Supply Need Help
Multi-storied apartments in Bangalore are starting to have issues with BESCOM sanctioned load and fire pumps. Though what follows pertains to the apartment where I stay (Brigade Millennium Mayflower in JP Nagar 7th Phase), it would be applicable to several apartments all over Bangalore.
The common area of the building (that includes lighting, water pumps, lifts) is is powered by BESCOM power supply (sanctioned load 100KW) with standby generators. The system is configured such that when BESCOM power goes off, the standby generator comes on automatically. The fire hydrant pumps are also connected to the same supply.
In Aug 2010, our association received a notice from BESCOM informing us that as per the inspection report, our connected load is in excess of the sanctioned load. If we look at our equipment - the load arising out of the lifts amounts to about 50KW; the lights, water pumps and other equipment about 35KW. This makes about 85KW. The fire hydrant pumps, which hitherto were not included in the connected load, have a load 90KW, and as a result, with their inclusion in the connected load, we exceed the 100W sanctioned load by about 75KW. BESCOM imposed about Rs 30K as back billing penalty for ‘unauthorized load’ and is currently imposing penalty charges until the unauthorized load is removed or extra sanctioned load is obtained. 15 days time was given for filing objections.
We wrote to BESCOM before the deadline, filing our objections to the inclusion of fire pumps in the sanctioned load. The logic given by the builder to us was that the fire safety equipment is kept on standby only and is not a part of the day-to-day regular power requirements of the building. Also, the fire system configuration and fire fighting protocol is such that lifts and other electrical equipment are switched off in the event of a fire and the BESCOM power is also isolated. Hence the issue of exceeding the issue of unauthorized load does not arise. We also met with the BESCOM AEE but we were told that the explanation was not valid and that we would be intimated in writing.
It is past three months and BESCOM has not replied to our letter. Further, they continue to impose penalty charges every month which we are forced to pay for fear of power being cut off.
We now have the option of either applying for extra load (which simple logic shows will remain idle unless there is a fire emergency) or disconnecting the fire pumps from BESCOM (which is said to be permissible according to the Kerala Electricity Board Terms and Conditions.
KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUPPLY, 2005
‘Connected Load’ means the sum of rated capacities in terms of kW or kVA of all connected energy consuming devices in the consumer’s installation. For the purpose of levy of any charges or tariffs or determining connected load, 5 amps / 15 amps plugs with no appliance connected, shall be treated as 60W / 500 W respectively. If any equipment is connected to a plug point, equipment’s load alone shall be considered. Load of fire protection equipment shall not be considered for assessing the connected load if the same is connected to standby generator. In case of HT and EHT connections, the contract demand shall be treated as the connected load.'
We could not find anything mentioned in the Karnataka Electricity Board documents. We have also approached the Fire authorities to verify this.
The building contains the same equipment as it had at the time of completion – nothing added or removed. It received the Fire NOC, Electrical Inspectorate approvals, BESCOM sanction, among other approvals with the same equipment.
What do residential associations do in such situations?
Manivannan Sir - can you help or guide us.
COMMENTS
sanjayv - 24 November, 2010 - 16:38
We got a similar notice from BESCOM along with following an inspection. I was here during the inspection coincidentally. The guy told us that if a load is connected to the grid, even if it was on standby, you need to have load sanctioned for that.
The fire infrastructure was making slow progress from the builder's side, but post Carlton, it was finished up in a Jiffy and pumps were added. So now we are well above the sanctioned load.
Our meter reading also records every time we exceed the sanctioned load in the month and slaps a penalty for that. During regular operation, we rarely exceed the sanctioned load, and if we do, it is by a small fraction.
That is one thing about these rules I don't fully understand. Every customer has to have a sanctioned load that is the sum of all the loads connected in the facility (regularly used or not). So even for your home, when you go to get the name changed in the electricity bill from the builder to yours, the BESCOM engineer is supposed to inventory all your load. Do the math and you will realize fairly quickly that most apartments which have between 3-5kW sanctioned are under capacity. Also, what happens if I add an AC or another water heater after the sanction?
In short, a lot of confusion for me at this point.
express917 - 30 November, 2010 - 05:15
Adding fire pumps load to the calculation of total load does not sound logical. During any fire accident all the power utilities needs to be shut down as a measure of safety.In fact we always see display boards stating that do not use lift in case of fire.Therfore the usage of fire pumps will not exceed the total load in case of a fire accident.
Also adding the fire pumps load to the total load for sanction will create a total higher power reqirement of the building.With so many high rise buildings coming up in bangalore we would be projecting a higher power requirement than what is actually required.
With the acute power shortage we would be adding to the problem by projecting an unnecessary higher demand.
However as along as the fire system is connected to an auto mode standby D.G.Set there should not be any fire safety concern.
O.P.RAMASWAMY
How is this calculation to be done currently
sanjayv - 30 November, 2010 - 07:35
This has to be clearly defined somewhere. Does anyone know of a location / reference where this is clearly described? Will be interesting to benchmark these practices to International norms / methods.
express917 - 6 December, 2010 - 03:12
Got further information regarding sanctioned load from bescom and maharashtra electrictity board
BESCOM definition of connected load
2.17 ‘Connected Load’ means the sum total of the installed (connected) capacities in Kilowatts (KW) of all the energy consuming devices on the Consumer’s premises, which can be used simultaneously. This shall be expressed in KW or KVA. If the ratings are in KVA, the same may be converted to KW by multiplying the KVA by 0.85. If the same or any apparatus is rated by the manufacturer in HP, the HP rating shall be converted into KW by multiplying it by 0.746.
on this link...
see the following link regarding maharashtra electricity board
http://www.mercindia.org.in/pdf/LT_Booklet.pdf
I found the foll definition in the Maharashtra Electricity Board Tariff Booklet
“Connected Load” means the sum of the rated capacity of all the energy consuming devices duly wired and connected to the power supply system including portable apparatus in the consumer's premises. Further, Connected Load, shall be calculated after allowing a tolerance of 5%. The Connected Load shall not include load of spare plug sockets, standby or spare energy consuming apparatus installed authorizedly, through change over switches, which cannot be operated simultaneously & load exclusively meant for fire fighting purposes. The equipment under installation & not connected electrically, equipment stored in ware house / show rooms either as spare or for sale is not to be considered as Connected Load.
O.P.RAMASWAMY
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Fire equipment excluded from connected load - it's official
amy - 13 January, 2011 - 03:27
To keep you all posted, the matter in discussion has been resolved.
Subsequent to bringing this issue to the notice of Mr Manivannan (who took swift action), the matter was also brought to the notice of the KERC by us.
A few days ago, we received a copy of BESCOMs official notification in which fire equipment is to be excluded from calculation of connected load. Back billing for unauthorised load and penalties are not to be charged and refunded if already charged.
This will benefit all MS buildings in Bangalore by giving clarity to the issue of connected load and the treatment of fire equipment.
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