Fire Outbreaks Research Articles

Appraising the potentials of reusing plastic bottles as building blocks for housing construction at Paipe village Abuja Nigeria

Plastic bottles package a multitude of commodities consumed worldwide. Upon consumption of the commodity, the disposed plastic bottles accumulate as waste, having impacts on both the aquatic and terrestrial environment. In a bid to convert such waste to wealth, plastic bottles are creatively reused for different applications, such as pedestrian bridge boats and street furniture, amongst others. Another application of reusing plastic bottles is their serving as building blocks for housing construction. Reports and research in Nigeria confirm the proliferation of plastic bottles littering the environment, which if reused in housing construction has the potential to contribute to achieving both UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11 (making human settlements sustainable) and 12 (ensuring sustainable consumption and production). Although Nigeria is traced to being the first country in Africa to reuse plastic bottles in housing construction, not much research output exists from practitioners’ experience on the potentials of reusing plastic bottles as a sustainable construction material as practiced in countries like Vietnam, India, and the Philippines, among others. As such, this study investigates the potential factors driving the practice of reusing plastic bottles in Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the satisfaction derived from the practice for sustainable housing construction. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 41 respondents identified as having experience in using plastic bottles in construction (5 staffs of Awonto Konsult as well as 36 staffs of Brains and Hammers Construction). Data was analysed descriptively using both IBM SPSS Statistics 23 as well as MS Excel to compute the Mean Score as well as the Relative Satisfaction Index (RSI). Only 30 questionnaires were successfully retrieved and fully answered. Amongst the 10 potential factors studied driving reusing plastic bottles, results show that almost all respondents tend to be ‘satisfied’ with both ‘strength and stability’ (having a Mean Value of 4.70 and RSI of 0.94) as well as ‘durability’ (having a Mean Value of 4.50; RSI of 0.90) of buildings built with plastic bottles. These two factors recorded the highest ‘satisfaction’ ratings, leaning towards ‘very satisfied’. Regarding the factor ‘fire resistance’ of buildings built with plastic bottles (having a Mean Value of 3.40; RSI of 0.68), results reveal that 50 percent of the respondents are ‘unsure’ if it is a satisfactory factor driving reusing plastic bottles or not. The study found that the satisfaction ratings of technical and environmental factors have higher appeal to respondents compared to health and safety and also financial factors. It is recommended that Awonto Konsult and also Brains and Hammers Construction invest more in information related to the fire resistance of plastic bottles used in construction because fire outbreaks pose great threats to buildings. Equally, wider empirical research on plastic bottle wastes, if undertaken, could support the development of policies for waste management, particularly in developing countries. This research has the potential to convert waste into wealth in a bid to minimising environmental impacts of disposed plastic bottles as well as contribute to sustainable materials, particularly for rural housing. Since this study was based on a survey, experimental studies of potentials driving the reuse of plastic bottles in housing construction will reveal results that could enable more sustainable housing construction in Nigeria.

Informal settlements ablaze: decoding the combustible nature of building materials used in Bangladesh through experiments and numerical analysis

ABSTRACT Fire outbreaks in informal settlements pose severe threats to residents and their properties. Despite the frequent occurrence of fire events in Bangladesh, detailed studies on fire propagation behaviour remain limited. This study addresses this critical issue by comprehensive investigations into the ignitability and burning behaviour of different materials such as cardboard, polyurethane foam, plastic bags, wood, and structural timber that are commonly found in informal settlements. Additionally, an advanced numerical model based on the finite volume method was developed in Fire Dynamics Simulator and then employed to accurately predict the fire-reaction properties of materials under the cone calorimeter environment. The results revealed that cardboard ignites quickly, burns moderately, and does not produce flaming droplets or ignite the filter paper. PU foam burns vigorously, with a high burning rate, and emits dense black smoke and a toxic odour. Plastic bags ignite rapidly, burn intensely, and are greatly influenced by the presence of airflow. The numerical model successfully quantified fire-reaction properties such as ignition time, heat release rate (HRR), and flame spread characteristics. Notably, wood and structural timber demonstrate a distinct combustion pattern with a sharp HRR peak, while PU foam exhibits the highest peak HRR values followed by timber masonite.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOREST FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES

This study addresses the importance of forest fire prevention and combat activities, emphasizing environmental education as a tool for preventing forest fires in Canaã dos Carajás. The social relevance of the topic is highlighted by the significant impact of forest fires on the environment, economy, and public health, especially in the context of the Amazon Rainforest, which is essential for global climate regulation. The research is descriptive and combines data collection methods, including document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The document analysis involves reviewing reports, public policies, scientific articles, and educational materials, while the interviews are conducted with a representative sample of residents, educators, local authorities, and civil defense professionals. The general objective of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of environmental education activities in preventing forest fires. The specific objectives include analyzing residents’ perceptions of the importance of prevention, the influence of public policies, and proposing improvements in environmental education strategies. The research identified the urgent need for effective conservation policies, given the importance of the Amazon Rainforest in climate regulation. In Canaã dos Carajás, rapid urbanization driven by mining and a lack of resources and infrastructure are critical challenges for forest fire prevention. The interdisciplinary approach, using qualitative and quantitative techniques, allowed for a detailed analysis of the challenges faced and best practices. Location maps and satellite images were used to analyze the distribution of fire outbreaks. The results underline the importance of an integrated approach to fire prevention, highlighting the effectiveness of public policies and the need for ongoing training. This study provides valuable contributions to the formulation of public policies and educational strategies, promoting environmental education and active community involvement as key elements for effective forest fire prevention.

Effectiveness of natural ventilation in controlling the smoke spread within a refuge floor of a high-rise building

Refuge floors in high-rise buildings ensure a haven for occupants to stay in an emergencyprimarily during a fire breakout. Provisions for natural ventilation of the refuge floor are mandatory in all fire codes as they help release smoke and heat build-up. However, the effectiveness of such provisions has been questioned in many studies. This research employs large eddy simulations based three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling on a real-world high-rise building to investigate the efficacy of natural ventilation in a refuge floor during a fire. Consequently, the performance was assessed by evaluating the temporal and spatial distributions of temperature, visibility, smoke and carbon monoxide concentration. Emphasis was placed on determining the adequacy of window placement and openings. Analysis was started with a code-compliant window configuration. Subsequently the window size and the layout were iteratively modified using simulation results. Seasonal wind variations were also considered. Results showed that a well-engineered natural ventilation strategy can considerably improve the refuge floor habitability. Simulations also revealed limitations of natural ventilation under certain wind conditions, necessitating a backup mechanical system. This also underlined that combining fire analysis with cutting-edge modelling allows tailored natural ventilation for refuge floors, maximising safe occupancy during fires.

Does soil type influence the occurrence of fire outbreaks in Cerrado, Brazil?

Forest fires associated with anthropic activities in Cerrado, Brazil, have been the main cause of the degradation of the biome. Thus, this study aims to understand the dynamics of fire foci and Gross Primary Production as a function of soil classes in an Environmental Preservation Area. This study combined soil types with meteorological variables of rainfall, soil moisture and air temperature to relate to fire occurrences and Gross Primary Production (GPP) for the years 2001–2020. For the evaluated period, there was an increase in temperature (±0.5 ºC) and a reduction in rainfall (±50 % in the driest years). The highest numbers of fire outbreaks were recorded in the areas corresponding to the Neossolos (Arenosols), followed by Latossolos (Ferralsols) between August and October. The future projection of the occurrence of foci for the next 10 years indicated that there would be an increase in the number of fire foci in all soil classes (700 %), especially for Neossolos. The future projection of GPP for the next 10 years indicates that there would be a reduction in coverage, especially for Gleissolo (Gleysol, 40–80 %). As a prevention strategy, attention should be doubled between August and October, as these months are the most conducive to fire outbreaks in the Cerrado.

Interrogating Disaster Management in the South East Nigeria: Problems and way forward

Early warning in disaster management is not taken seriously by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). There are plethora of disasters ranging from flood, fire outbreak, erosion and many others in Nigeria. In spite of the fact that the incidences of the disasters come now and again, they were still treated with levity. The ugly situation motivated this study which is “Interrogating disaster management in the south east Nigeria: Problems and way forward. The study adopted qualitative research method and specifically, content analysis was used as mode of analysis.Focus group discussion guide and in-depth interview also were used to elicit data from respondents. The data complemented the analysis.Findings revealed that there has never been animplementable institutional/policy framework chatted over the years to nip the ugly incidents in the bud. Also, the management of NEMA appears to be disconnected from the people since many emergency calls by victims were treated with ignominy

The Imperatives of Disaster Management in South East Nigeria: Addressing the elephantine issues

Disaster has become endemic in Nigeria and the South East Region is not an exemption. Time and time again, reports are circulated in the social media, national dailies and other media platforms on incidences of flood, fire outbreak and other related disasters that threaten human existence. The ugly situation motivated this study which is primarily to examine the imperatives of disaster management in the South East Nigeria with a view to addressing the elephantine problems. The study adopted qualitative research method and specifically, content analysis was used as mode of analysis. Findings revealed that the South East region does not apply strategic methods in managing disaster in the region and recommendations were made in line with the findings.

Gas leakage detection system for domestic and industrial applications

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a highly inflammable gas used as sources of energy in automobiles, industries and for domestic cooking. Disaster occurs when LPG leaks and is in contact with the source of fire which may claim lives and destroy properties. Hence, its early detection is essential for preventing disaster. This paper presented smart detection of LPG leakage in domestic homes and industries. The system consisted of MQ-2 gas sensor which sensed the presence of the gas in the air and sent signal to the Arduino micro controller. The micro-controller informed the embedded Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) module to send message in form of Short Message Service (SMS) to the users to swing into action in a bid to prevent outbreak of fire. Performance tests carried out to evaluate the system showed the capability of the system to concurrently send SMS to different subscribers and produce audible alarm. It was also observed that SMS was sent to users in a timely and efficient manner. The system could be useful in residential homes and industrial premises for preventing fire hazards.

Self-ignition behaviour of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification

The possibility of different agrowastes to self-ignite under ambient condition, due to exothermic reactions between their surface molecules and air or other oxidizing agents which are conveyed into the void volume between the particles, exists. It is imperative to investigate the self-ignition ability of these harzadous waste products causing environmental pollution after the milling process to avoid sudden fire outbreaks. In this study, the self-ignition attributes of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification was investigated by evaluating their self-ignition temperatures using DIN EN 15188:2021 standard and Frank-Kamenetzkii's theory of thermal explosion at varying basket volume. The results revealed decrease in the ignition temperature of dust samples as ignition time and dust basket volume were increased. Sample C (rice husk dust residue) was considered to be the most hazardous with respect to its propensity to self-heating possessing the lowest self-ignition temperature of 173 °C at 800 mL cubic mesh. Its moisture content and activation energy of 1.41 % and 46.52 kJ/mol respectively were the lowest. Its thermal conductivity, carbon content, heating value and bulk density of 0.07 W/mK, 78.98 wt%, 26,895 kJ/kg and 255.4 kg/m3 respectively were the highest. Correlation coefficient from the Arrhenius plot showing the self-ignition behaviour of dust samples using the model of Frank-Kamenetzkii were 0.9976, 0.9910 and 0.9962 for corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues respectively. In conclusion, the data presented are effective in predicting the self-ignition ability of corn cob, wheat bran and rice husk residues in ambient air from biomass gasification in order to prevent sudden fire attack that may arise based on storage of their dust particles in food processing industries.

In an increasing fire outbreak scenario, do we need to worry about wildland firefighters?

In an increasing fire outbreak scenario, do we need to worry about wildland firefighters?

Approximating the probabilistic p-Center problem under pressure

The Probabilistic p-Center problem under Pressure (Min PpCP) is a variant of the usual Minp-Center problem we recently introduced in the context of wildfire management. The problem is to locate p shelters minimizing the maximum distance people will have to cover in case of fire in order to reach the closest accessible shelter. The landscape is divided into zones and is modeled as an edge-weighted graph with vertices corresponding to zones and edges corresponding to direct connections between two adjacent zones. The risk associated with fire outbreaks is modeled using a finite set of fire scenarios. Each scenario corresponds to a fire outbreak on a single zone (i.e., on a vertex) with the main consequence of modifying evacuation paths in two ways. First, an evacuation path cannot pass through the vertex on fire. Second, the fact that someone close to the fire may not take rational decisions when selecting a direction to escape is modeled using new kinds of evacuation paths. In this paper, we characterize the set of feasible solutions of Min PpCP-instance. Then, we propose some approximation results for Min PpCP. These results require approximation results for two variants of the (deterministic) Minp-Center problem called Min MACp-Center and Min Partialp-Center.

Robust Forest Fire Detection using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

Forest fires pose significant threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human lives, necessitating proactive measures for early detection and rapid response. This paper presents FireGuard, an efficient model for forest fire detection using deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Leveraging the power of deep learning and image processing techniques, FireGuard analyzes aerial imagery and satellite data to detect signs of smoke and fire outbreaks in forested areas. The model utilizes a lightweight CNN architecture optimized for real-time performance and resource-constrained environments, making it suitable for deployment on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surveillance cameras, and satellite platforms. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of FireGuard in accurately identifying forest fires with high precision and recall, outperforming traditional methods and existing deep learning models. By providing early warnings of potential fire incidents, FireGuard enables timely intervention by fire fighting agencies, thereby mitigating the impact of forest fires and preserving natural habitats.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Fire Accidents in Commercial Complexes Based on WSR-DEMATEL-ISM Model

Commercial complexes integrate various business formats, and a fire outbreak can lead to widespread, continuous, and chain-reaction social disturbances, including severe casualties, economic losses, and social impacts. To deeply explore the characteristics and influencing factors of fire accidents in urban commercial complexes in China, this study first analyzed fire accident cases in commercial complexes that occurred from 2002 to 2022. Using mathematical statistics, the analysis examined the year and month of the accidents, their severity, and their causes to identify key risk factors associated with fire hazards in urban commercial complexes. Subsequently, based on the WSR methodology, an index system for assessing the influencing factors of fire accidents in commercial complexes was constructed, encompassing four aspects: personnel, equipment, environment, and management, including 11 cause indicators and 9 outcome indicators. Then, the Decision Experiment and Evaluation Laboratory Method (DEMATEL) was used to quantitatively analyze the relationships among influencing factors, combined with Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) to perform a hierarchical categorization of the factors and identify those critically influencing commercial complex fires. This research indicates that critical influencing factors include inadequate regulations, insufficient fire safety inspections, inadequate safety training, careless use of fire during operations, inadequate government supervision, illegal renovations, unimplemented corporate fire safety responsibilities, and poor routine maintenance and management. These results provide a theoretical reference for effectively preventing and controlling fires in commercial complexes.

Impact of Biomass Burning, Wildfires, and Wind Events on Aerosol Optical Depth: Implications for Climate Change

In this article, we describe multiannual variations of the atmospheric aerosol optical depth values in the widely understood area of the Baltic Sea. We present the trends in the changes and depict unusual aerosol situations. As a result of analyses, we focus on 2019, since unusually high values of aerosol optical depth were recorded in several stations around the Baltic. We match the high aerosol levels with an unusually high number of wildfires across Europe in spring and summer, which emitted large quantities of aerosols into the atmosphere that were distributed over vast European areas in part by the wind. We then connect this case with the climate change consequences. Since aerosols influence the radiative budget of the planet by directly affecting the atmospheric radiation budget, it is obvious that human well-being is in danger due to wildfires, as well as from the atmospheric perspective. Climate change will lead to more frequent fires; thus, humans need to develop solutions to decrease the risk of fire outbreaks.

Investigated the role of community based approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia

Community based conservation approaches are the holistic way to ensure appropriate biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in many protected areas across the world. However involvement of local community in conservation activities and benefit sharing in many protected areas are not well implemented. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of community based conservation approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development. To address the stated objectives, required data were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The result of the study revealed that parks provide various benefits for the local communities which are found in and adjacent to the park. Regarding perceived benefits from park, there was significant difference among community based association and non-community based association at (X2 = 92.071, df = 1, P < 0.05) while no significant difference was observed across kebeles. In spite of variation in perception among local community on park conservation, it was revealed that the communities contribute towards conservation of the park by controlling outbreak of fire and informing wildlife attack. Regarding strengths and weakness of community based conservation approaches as the finding indicated that internal factors out weight the external factors which imply that implementing the approaches is crucial for successful conservation of the park.

Flame Fighter: GPS-Enabled Robot with GSM Communication for Fire Extinguishing

One of the biggest issues our society is currently dealing with is fire accidents. To reduce the likelihood of fire accidents, efficient fire detection and extinguishment procedures should be followed. Fire rescue personnel are currently providing services to put out fires. But occasionally, it might result in firefighters losing their lives. This study suggests utilizing an Arm processor to create a smart, miniature firefighting robot. Without assistance from a human, the suggested robot will autonomously detect and put out fires. An GSM and GPS models can be used to manually control the robot and put out fires. Additionally, the GSM uses alert messages to notify the user of the fire outbreak. Therefore, our method may be utilized to efficiently identify and put out fires in instances when they are starting

Thermal decomposition and combustion of interior design materials

Research findings on the patterns of thermal decomposition and combustion are reported for widely used interior design materials. The experiments were conducted using a hardware and software system including a thermogravimetric analyzer (to record the characteristics of thermal decomposition), a gas analyzer (with H2, CH4, H2S, SO2, CO and CO2 sensors) and a high-speed camera (to record the characteristics of ignition and combustion). The temperature of the oxidizing medium ranged from 500 to 900°C to investigate the conditions of thermal decomposition initiation and sustained combustion. It was established that the highest concentrations of toxic emissions were typical of the combustion of polypropylene at a maximum temperature of the oxidizing medium (900°C). Wood showed the shortest ignition delay time and the longest duration of combustion. The experimental data were used for a physical problem statement and mathematical model of heat and mass transfer to explore the thermal decomposition and combustion of interior design materials in different rooms. A comparison of the experimental findings with the mathematical modeling results validates the developed model. The growth rates of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations were determined for construction (wooden) and interior design (polymer) materials. The maximum concentrations of CO and CO2, and the minimum times taken to reach their threshold values corresponded to wood and polyvinyl chloride panels. This research provides a deeper insight into the thermal decomposition of a wide range of fuels and the formation of gaseous pyrolysis products of these fuels. The results obtained can be used to evaluate the toxicity of construction and interior design materials during compartment fires as well as to estimate the safe egress time and risks involved in the process. They can also serve as a database for the development and testing of mathematical models describing fire outbreaks and propagation in confined spaces.

Design and implementation of an autonomous fire-extinguishing robot with SMS alert functionality

Fire outbreak represents a formidable threat, capable of causing loss of life, property destruction, and permanent injuries. Firefighters bravely confront these hazards, placing themselves at serious risk to protect communities. Despite the inherent dangers, their selfless service remains vital. Among recent technological advancements, firefighting robots have emerged as significant tools for mitigating such risks. These robots utilize machine learning and cutting-edge sensor technologies to enhance fire detection accuracy, minimizing false alarms. To improve the performance of the fire robot, this study designed and implemented an Arduino UNO microcontroller based on the ATmega32 and developed using C++ language. In addition to equipping it with SMS capability that allows it to notify the concerned entity about an outbreak, the developed robot operates autonomously thereby minimizing human error in its operation. With the aid of the ultrasonic sensors, the robot navigates and avoids obstacles collision with high precision. Integrated with flame and smoke sensors controlled by the microcontroller ensures swift fire detection. By autonomously sprinkling water from a mounted container, it effectively suppresses fires. Through this innovative design, the study aims to bolster fire response capabilities, reducing reliance on human intervention and enhancing safety for both firefighters and civilians. From the performance evaluation carried out on the developed robot, it was observed that the robot has exhibited an effective performance in detecting and extinguishing fires using the various sensors.

Study on Household-Level Electricity Consumption of Domestic Consumers in Romania: The Need to Check the Electrical Installation

With technological development and the decrease in the price of electrical appliances for domestic consumers, combined with users’ desire for a certain level of comfort, the number of electrical devices in homes has increased. Although current equipment is largely energy-efficient, the high number of these devices, used simultaneously, has led to an increase in electricity consumption. Electrical installation in homes has been replaced in most cases, but the connections have remained the same, without any checks being carried out in terms of load and operational safety. This paper presents an exploratory case study based on a questionnaire answered by 678 individuals from Romania. The objectives of the questionnaire were to identify the characteristics of the domestic consumer and their opinion on the state of the installation, energy costs, and energy consumption. Based on the analysis, 74.15% of the respondents stated that the power installed in their homes as domestic consumers increased. Based on the analysis conducted on-site, the risk of fire outbreaks in the power supply columns of apartment buildings was identified. To avoid critical situations, it is necessary to periodically check the connection and supply columns so that they are functional and safe to operate.

Near-term fire weather forecasting in the Pacific Northwest using 500-hPa map types

Background Near-term forecasts of fire danger based on predicted surface weather and fuel dryness are widely used to support the decisions of wildfire managers. The incorporation of synoptic-scale upper-air patterns into predictive models may provide additional value in operational forecasting. Aims In this study, we assess the impact of synoptic-scale upper-air patterns on the occurrence of large wildfires and widespread fire outbreaks in the US Pacific Northwest. Additionally, we examine how discrete upper-air map types can augment subregional models of wildfire risk. Methods We assess the statistical relationship between synoptic map types, surface weather and wildfire occurrence. Additionally, we compare subregional fire danger models to identify the predictive value contributed by upper-air map types. Key results We find that these map types explain variation in wildfire occurrence not captured by fire danger indices based on surface weather alone, with specific map types associated with significantly higher expected daily ignition counts in half of the subregions. Conclusions We observe that incorporating upper-air map types enhances the explanatory power of subregional fire danger models. Implications Our approach provides value to operational wildfire management and provides a template for how these methods may be implemented in other regions.