Facility Fire Research Articles

The application of PTR-MS and non-targeted analysis to characterize VOCs emitted from a plastic recycling facility fire.

On April 11th, 2023, the My Way Trading (MWT) recycling facility in Richmond, Indiana caught fire, mandating the evacuation of local residents and necessitating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct air monitoring. The EPA detected elevated levels of plastic combustion-related air pollutants, including hydrogen cyanide and benzene. We aimed to identify these and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present as well as to identify the potential hazard of each compound for various human health effects. To identify the VOCs, we conducted air monitoring at sites within and bordering the evacuation zone using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and non-targeted analysis (NTA). To facilitate risk assessment of the emitted VOCs, we used the EPA Hazard Comparison Dashboard. We identified 46 VOCs, within and outside the evacuation zone, with average detection levels above local background levels measured in Middletown, OH. Levels of hydrogen cyanide and 4 other VOCs were at least 1.8-fold higher near the incidence site in comparison to background levels and displayed unique temporal and spatial patterns. The 46 VOCs identified had the highest hazardous potential for eye and skin irritation, with approximately 45% and 39%, respectively, of the VOCs classified as high and very high hazards for these endpoints. Notably, all detected VOC levels were below the hazard thresholds set for single VOC exposures; however, hazard thresholds for exposure to VOC mixtures are currently unclear. This study serves as a proof-of-concept that PTR-MS coupled with NTA can facilitate rapid identification and hazard assessment of VOCs emitted following anthropogenic disasters. Furthermore, it demonstrates that this approach may augment future disaster responses to quantify additional VOCs present in complex combustion mixtures.

Notes from the Field: Deployment of an Electronic Self-Administered Survey to Assess Human Health Effects of an Industrial Chemical Facility Fire - Winnebago County, Illinois, June-July 2021.

Notes from the Field: Deployment of an Electronic Self-Administered Survey to Assess Human Health Effects of an Industrial Chemical Facility Fire - Winnebago County, Illinois, June-July 2021.

Assessment of Air Pollution Impacts and Monitoring Data Limitations of a Spring 2019 Chemical Facility Fire

Fires, explosions, and spills at petrochemical industry facilities create air pollution exposure risks for surrounding residences, which are disproportionately communities of color and low-income c...

Operation Bone Rescue—A Case Study of Remediating Flood Damage to Mammal Specimens

Abstract Water damage to natural history collections can result from both natural and human-caused environmental disasters. Floods can result in irreparable damage to scientific specimens, depending on the scale of the disaster, types of specimens affected, and availability of remediation resources. In April 2021, the mammal skeletal collection in the Biodiversity Research Collections (BRC) of the University of Connecticut (UConn) experienced a ceiling flood that affected 612 specimens. In this paper we detail all steps of our specimen rescue process and all materials and equipment we used to complete this remediation in an endeavor we termed “Operation Bone Rescue.” Because we were able to immediately respond to this emergency and implement a complete remediation plan, facilitated by funding from our university, we not only rescued all water-affected specimens, but also improved specimen storage and metadata. We highlight the holistic nature of this successful operation and the key roles played by personnel in the BRC, UConn Facilities Operations, Fire Department, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Office. A deep appreciation of the value of natural history collections is shared widely on our campus and resulted in the favorable outcomes of this complex, coordinated specimen rescue effort.

Emergency plan methodology for mine fire simulations in Chuquicamata underground mine

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study is to use fire risk analysis (FRA) as input to fire simulations to support development of a fire emergency plan strategy (EPS) at the Chuquicamata underground mine in Chile. This paper also describes how to classify zones that will be affected by fumes and gas propagation from the exact location of a fire event. The fire simulation study helps to determine the impact of a fire on a ventilation system, with the main purpose of providing relevant information to complement emergency plans and established control techniques in ventilation design and operation. Most fire simulation studies only concentrate on simulation techniques themselves, but this work moves beyond to ask: “What is the next step in developing an emergency plan? How can we evaluate, classify, and treat risky areas?” This study is primarily focused on the phases before and after a fire simulation process corresponding to a good FRA and how output data can be utilized for an EPS. Under construction since 2013, the Chuquicamata underground mine is one of the main projects for the Chilean government copper company, Codelco. It presents a solution to the lower production levels associated with open-pit mining and prolongs the life of the mine for the next 40 years, until 2060. Currently, approximately 2,000 workers operate in the Chuquicamata mine daily. Dozens of trucks and heavy machines drive through all main routes and accesses in the mine. Since the mine is still under construction, not all infrastructure necessary to operate safely in the mine has been completed. Risk of a truck or fixed facility fire is always a challenge. One important aspect of fire simulation relies on what we can do to prevent a fire and what can be done with the existing infrastructure to control a declared fire and initiate evacuation plans. This study presents a feasible emergency plan to implement in a mine under construction where limited resources are available. Several fire scenarios support the emergency plan strategy and a detailed step-by-step procedure indicates the elements of the fire emergency plan and risk analysis.

НОРМАТИВНО-ТЕХНІЧНІ АСПЕКТИ ЗАХИСНОЇ ДІЇ ФІЛЬТРІВ-ПОГЛИНАЧІВ, ЩО ЗАСТОСОВУЮТЬСЯ ДЛЯ КОЛЕКТИВНОГО ЗАХИСТУ

Проаналізовано нормативні документи щодо фільтрів-поглиначів, що застосовуються для колективного захисту. Вивчено вимоги до захисної дії та методи її визначення. Означено нормативні документи, які дають комплексну оцінку захисній дії фільтра-поглинача на основі проведення випробувань з визначення поглинальної здатності (адсорбції), фізичних та хімічних характеристик імпрегнованого активованого вугілля. Порівняльний аналіз нормативних документів виявив низку розбіжностей між чинним нормативним документом України та документами інших країн. Показана необхідність розроблення нормативного документу щодо захисної дії фільтрів-поглиначів з врахуванням аспектів міжнародних документів у цьому питанні.

СИСТЕМАТИЗАЦІЯ ПРОЦЕСУ УПРАВЛІННЯ ПОЖЕЖНОЮ БЕЗПЕКОЮ ОБ’ЄКТА ЗАХИСТУ

Наведені результати досліджень щодо обґрунтування загальних положень системи управління пожежною безпекою об’єкта захисту. Вперше встановлено низку термінів та визначень понять, які характеризують та конкретизують окремі елементи системи управління пожежною безпекою об’єкта. Показано недосконалість існуючих підходів щодо наявних організаційних заходів забезпечення пожежної безпеки на об’єкті захисту. Наведено вітчизняний та зарубіжний досвід щодо ефективної реалізації управлінського впливу за допомогою управлінських рішень суб’єктів управління об’єкта захисту, що дозволяє реалізовувати на об’єктах різного функціонального призначення організаційні вимоги та технічні вимоги до системи запобігання пожежі та комплексу протипожежного захисту. В результаті проведених досліджень розроблено організаційну структуру системи управління пожежною безпекою об’єкта та встановлені вимоги щодо її функціонування та алгоритму управління.

Great Lakes Water Authority Rises From the Ashes of a Facility Fire

Great Lakes Water Authority Rises From the Ashes of a Facility Fire

Risk-based automated system for prediction of fire safety in railway facilities

Aim.The development of the Russian railway industry is associated with the growing number of operated buildings, rolling stock, more complex business processes of infrastructure maintenance and client service. In this context, JSC Russian Railways (JSC RZD) needs to manage the fire safety of more than ten thousand units of traction rolling stock and hundreds of buildings, where potential fires may cause harm to passengers or interruption of service. Fire safety management of both fixed and mobile railway facilities is performed at all lifecycle stages from design to disposal. Implementing the processes of fire safety diagnostics and prediction requires the development of a man-machine system whose core would be an automated fire risk control system (ACS) that allows – basedon the fire risk prediction – makingdecisions regarding the requirement for the repairs, replacement or maintenance of railway facilities and fire safety systems. Methods.The methods of the automatic control theory, expert assessment were used. The study aimed to develop an algorithm of automated auditing of railway facilities fire safety. Results.It is established that the majority fire safety control systems use gas concentration sensors to detect symptoms of hazard before flame development. This approach is hardly effective in terms of fire safety of railway facilities. For railway facilities whose actual state has an effect on the probability of fire a fire audit algorithm was developed that is based on the existing service and repair system, as well as statistical data on the states of railway facilities that precede fire. In order to enable systematic risk management measures in a large number of railway facilities, the paper proposes the structure of an automated fire risks management system that includes a fire safety management center and a mobile hardware and software system for fire safety auditing. Conclusions. It shows the importance of developing a proactive fire safety management system based on fire risk assessment. It was identified that information on the states preceding fires in railway facilities can be obtained from both the existing automated failure reporting and risk assessment systems and the diagnostic results of the actual state of objects as part of scheduled preventive maintenance. A method of automated assessment of fire hazard is proposed for systematic management of fire risks in many railway facilities.

Importance of properly designing dust explosion protection systems: Case study – 2014 plywood manufacturing facility fire and explosion

When designing handling and conveying equipment for combustible dusts, it is crucial to properly implement protective measures (e.g., deflagration venting, suppression, and isolation) capable of mitigating the potential consequences in the event the dust is ignited. Generally speaking, dust processing, storage, and collection equipment, such as cyclones, mills, baghouses, dryers, and silos are typically connected via pipes, pneumatic conveyors, and dust extraction or aspiration lines. If a fire or dust explosion occurs in one vessel, or the interconnecting piping, the flame front or pressure can quickly propagate through these conduits to other parts of the plant and potentially escalate to even worse consequences than the original event. Improper design of isolation devices can be costly, as illustrated by this case study on the fire and explosion in a baghouse that occurred on April 26, 2014 at a plywood manufacturing facility in Texas. More specifically, numerous deficiencies in the system design were identified, which included (1) required air stream flow rates; (2) proper isolation designs; (3) exclusion zones in the anticipated path of a vented deflagration; and (4) impeding deflagration vents. The root cause analysis identified that had a dust hazard analysis been properly performed, these deficiencies would have been identified and the explosion in the baghouse could have been avoided. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog: e12036 2019

Study on the Status of Fire Safety Management in Elderly Welfare Facilities

노인복지시설은 입소자들의 신체적, 정신적 능력이 쇠퇴하여 화재 등의 재난시 많은 인명피해가 발생한다. 본 연구에서는 현재 운영되고 있는 노인복지시설의 건축물 구조적 문제, 소방시설의 설치 및 관리에 관한 문제, 소방안전관리자 업무에 관한 문제점 등 소방안전관리실태에 대해 조사, 분석하였다. 최근 대형화재사고 발생 후 관련법령의 개정에 따른 소방시설의 소급적용 등으로 다소 보완되었으나 전반적으로 소방안전관리실태는 아직도 미비한 상태이다. 따라서 관련법령의 추가적인 정비를 통해 건축물 및 소방시설의 안전성과 소방안전관리실태를 개선해나가야 한다.Elderly welfare facilities are extremely susceptible to mass casualties in disastrous situations, such as fire, due to the limited physical and mental abilities of their residents. This study examined the status of fire safety management, including the structural problems of elderly welfare facilities, problems of the installation and management of firefighting systems, and problems regarding of fire safety managers. After the Sejong Medical Welfare Facility fire, these problems have been complemented by retrofitting firefighting systems in accordance with the revision of the relevant laws and regulations. On the other hand, the overall status of fire safety management is still insufficient. Therefore, it is important to improve the stability of buildings and firefighting systems as well as fire safety management through additional revision of the relevant laws and regulations.

From Ashes to Achievement: GLWA’s Story of Rapid Risk Response Following a Facility Fire

From Ashes to Achievement: GLWA’s Story of Rapid Risk Response Following a Facility Fire

A Study of Evacuation in Elderly Care Facilities Fire

과학기술의 발달로 인류의 평균 수명이 늘어나고 그에 따라 노인 인구의 수가 크게 증가하게 되었다. 이러한 노인 인구들은 현대 사회의 핵가족화, 노령화, 서구문명의 영향에 따른 경로 효친 사상의 약화 등에 따라 가족과의 동거가 아닌 노인전문 시설에서 요양하게 되는 경우가 크게 증가하였으며, 이에 맞추어 노인요양...

CMS Updates Health Care Facility Fire Safety Regulations

CMS Updates Health Care Facility Fire Safety Regulations

Code Red in the OR—Implementing an OR Fire Drill

KNOWLEDGE OF FIRE PREVENTION and fire safety is essential for every OR staff member. In the event of a surgical fire, the quick and knowledgeable response of surgical team members will affect their own safety and that of their patients. A NEW FIRE SAFETY PLAN was developed at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury Md. To update staff members' knowledge of the facility's fire plan and special instructions for the OR, a comprehensive educational program on fire safety was presented, and an OR fire drill was conducted. THIS ARTICLE describes the facility's quest to improve knowledge of fire safety by providing multiple educational opportunities.

Healthcare Facility Fire Safety

Healthcare Facility Fire Safety