Fire is recognised as a potential threat to the safe op­eration of the power station and to plant operators. For this reason, the design and layout of the main plant have been established with particular emphasis on the segregation of plant by fireproof barriers or by distance, the elimination of combustible material and ignition sources wherever practicable, and the provi­sion of extensive fire detection and suppression sys­tems. The latter include fixed water and halon gas systems, supplemented by portable fire extinguishers. The fixed water system comprises three direct diesel — driven pumps and two external hydrant pumps, with distribution pipework to sprinklers and fire hose hy­drants respectively. The pumps draw from towns water reservoirs and the former set of pumps are auto­matically started on receipt of appropriate fire detec­tion signals.