Unintentional Fires Research Articles

Determinants of local community participation in forest fire management in the northern Iran

Forest fire is one of the environmental events that occur under the influence of human and non-human (such as lightning, volcanoes, etc.) factors. In Iran, forest fires are a recurring problem. Human activities, such as negligence by local communities or travelers, play a major role in their occurrence. Intentional and unintentional fires pose the most significant threats, leading to the destruction of vast forest areas, especially in northern Iran, in recent years. In this regard, the participation of local communities in the management of such occurrences is essential. The purpose of this study was to analyze the determinants of local community participation in forest fire management (CPFFM) in Northern Iran, focusing on Nowshahr township. The research includes seven independent variables: quality of extension services (QES), awareness of rules and regulations (ARR), social norm (SN), place attachment (PA), environmental belief (EB), pro-environmentalist attitude (PEA) and social capital (SC) and their impact on CPFFM was measured. This research is a type of descriptive-correlational and causal-relational research that was conducted with a survey. The statistical population included local communities living on the edge of the forest in Nowshahr township (N = 78,786), of which 350 people were selected as a sample using stratified random sampling with proportional assignment. The research instrument was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by subject experts and the reliability of its items was achieved with Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.711 ≤ α ≤ 0.921). The results of causal analysis indicated that QES (β = 0.522), SN (β = 0.156) and ARR (β = 0.305) have the highest direct effect on CPFFM, respectively. Also, EB had the greatest non-causal effect (0.083) on CPFFM. This research, by emphasizing the variables of human ecology from the point of view of environmental psychology in the conceptualization of some key variables affecting CPFFM, can be useful for decision makers and planners of forest fire management.

Poisonings from hydrocarbon inhalant misuse in Australia.

Inhalational misuse of volatile substances has been a significant public health concern because of the risk of sudden death and associated chronic complications such as encephalopathy. The Australian Government released a Consensus-based clinical practice guideline in 2011 on the management of volatile substance use in Australia, which noted a lack of available data particularly on harms. This study aimed to measure (1) the number of calls received by the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC) regarding inhalational hydrocarbon exposures or poisonings and (2) the number of unintentional deaths reported to the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) in Australia. We performed a retrospective review of all recreational inhalational hydrocarbon exposure calls to the NSWPIC between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. A search was made of the NCIS database in all states and territories over the same period to determine the number of non-intentional inhalational hydrocarbon-related deaths in Australia. Between January 2010 and December 2020, there were 752 primary calls made to the NSWPIC regarding hydrocarbon use or exposure. Age or age bracket was recorded in 748 cases, with 508 (67%) calls involving children or adolescents. Over the same time, there were 58 unintentional deaths involving the recreational use of inhalational hydrocarbons. The median age at death was 23 years (interquartile range = 15-30 years), and 72% (42 cases) were male. Cause of death was predominately acute suffocation/asphyxia, encephalopathy related to chronic use, cardiac arrest likely from sudden sniffing syndrome or thermal injuries secondary to unintentional fires sparked by the volatile agents. Although death and cardiac arrest are uncommon among people in Australia who misuse hydrocarbons for recreational use, the deaths and cardiac arrests tend to occur in adolescents.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of anomalous systems in gas subsidiaries (Case study of Alborz Gas Company)

An anomaly is an unsafe condition or action that has the potential to cause an accident. These conditions or unsafe practices in gas companies play a very important role in the occurrence of gas leaks and fires. Any unsafe acts can lead to unpleasant incidents for citizens and their homes and property. The aim of this study is to increase the effectiveness of anomalous systems in gas subsidiaries of Alborz province. To conduct this study, Tripod Beta technique to draw a diagram of analysis of gas accidents in homes in Alborz province and hierarchical analysis method was used to assess the risk of injuries, casualties and unintentional house fires. In the first stage, information on gas leaks and fires was collected by reviewing the documents related to the winter events of 2020. Then the sum of the mentioned conditions was studied as a hypothetical model. In the second step, the mentioned model was analyzed using Tripod Beta method and the causes of the accident were determined by the capability of the study method. The obstacles studied were technical safety regulations and the creation of a safe environment. The immediate reason attached to the technical safety regulations was the lack of proper understanding of the valve opening and closing sign. Another immediate reason for creating a safe environment was the lack of safe equipment. The precondition for not understanding the open and closed sign of the valve, lack of sufficient knowledge and the precondition for not using safe equipment, buying unsafe equipment and the hidden reason for lack of sufficient knowledge, lack of training and the hidden reason for buying unsafe equipment was poor economic situation. The results of this study indicated that fire-related conditions are of the utmost importance in assessing the risk of unintentional house fires. Failure to pay attention to safety points while using gas-related equipment, poor condition of the building and more male residents have the most anomalies in causing gas company accidents.

Prototype for Automatic Fire Detection and Extinguishing Robot

Fire mishaps are common nowadays, and at times it has become very challenging for firefighters to save personage entities. It became hard for a human being too constant supervision during accidental fire situations. Consequently, in such cases, a firefighting robot is handpicked. Particular robots are most fruitful in industries where the odds of unintentional fires are severe. Moreover, the initiated vehicle can recognize the existence of fire and extinguish it involuntarily by pumping out water. Temperature sensors and smoke sensors are used for the detection of fire. It contains a motor-driver module that controls the gesture of the robot. A relay circuit is handed down to direct the pump, and it automatically sprinkles water when the fire is noticed. The proposed robot also has an LCD that displays the temperature, smoke, and fire rate.

Fire injury analysis

SummaryIn this paper, we examine unintentional dwelling fire injuries during the period 2006 to 2016 in Merseyside, in the North West of England. Overall, it appeared that deprivation was a significant factor in unintentional fire injuries over the period studied, with 52% of fire injuries occurring in areas with the highest level of deprivation. Males and females appeared equally likely to be injured in an unintentional dwelling fire, however, males were twice as likely to be injured in an alcohol and drug‐related fire incident, or injured attempting to fight a dwelling fire than females. In terms of the age profile of those injured in unintentional dwelling fires, the group with the highest level of fire injuries was the elderly (29% of injuries), followed by those aged 25 to 45 (28% of injuries), then those aged 45 to 65 (23% of injuries), then young persons (aged up to 24) (20% of injuries).

Arc Discharge–Induced Ignition of Combustibles Placed on a Damaged AC Power Supply Cord

One of the major causes of unintentional electrical fires is short circuit of an electrically and/or mechanically damaged alternating power supply cord. Detecting of such an event and interrupting the power supply may be beyond the capability of a conventional electro-mechanical circuit breaker. A lot of research papers have been published related to arc fault of wiring and its detection method. Furthermore, arc fault circuit interrupters have been put into practical use. The objective of the present paper is to understand fault of damaged power supply cord under two selected situations observed in practical use or considered suitable to understand fire ignition. Using two kinds of samples similar to but different from samples prescribed in UL1699 standard, the ignition mechanism of combustibles is discussed based on the results of laboratory experiments. The findings herein underscore the important role of the arc in the ignition of combustibles that are placed on the damaged part of a power supply cord, which is normally followed by a short circuit of broken element conductors or breakage of intact element conductors. Moreover, a possible arc detection feature in the two situations is discussed based on a distorted voltage waveform.

Explaining the spatio-seasonal variation of fires by their causes: The case of southeastern France

This paper explains the spatial variation of the fire metrics throughout SE France which was divided into three regions, each characterized by environmental and socio-economic trends. The most deleterious causes were identified as well as their evolution throughout the year.Using the regional fire database Prométhée, which has gathered information on wildfires in SE France since 1973, different fire metrics such as occurrence, burned area have been investigated in the study area.A general trend was identified in SE France showing that most fires occurred and had the highest impact, in terms of burned area, in summer. When the fire causes were known (only 33.7% of the total ignitions), undetermined arson and negligence during professional work were the most frequently involved. However, because of the interactions between region, season, and cause, the fire metrics could differ from this trend, varying spatially and seasonally according to their cause. Fires due to deliberate causes (especially undetermined arson) were concentrated and impacted mainly region 3 in summer, usually presenting a large mean burned area. In contrast, unintentional fires due to forestry and agricultural works were gathered and had a higher impact mainly in region 1 in winter, and fires due to private work, smaller in size, presented the same pattern but occurred mainly in spring in region 3. This pattern was mainly due to the seasonality of these works. The spatio-seasonal variation of natural (lightning) and accidental fires (especially due to power lines and garbage dumps) were mainly driven by climate conditions (regarding lightning and power lines) and/or population density (regarding garbage dumps). When fires smaller than 1ha were removed from the analyses, results could differ regarding the region or season of maximum occurrence and/or mean burned area for fires due to lightning, professional works and negligence during leisure activities.Locating the hotspots of fire occurrence for the main causes will help to improve fire prevention in better allocating law-enforcement and educational measures.

Unintentional residential fires caused by smoking-related materials: Who is at risk?

Discarded cigarettes have been reported consistently as the leading cause of unintentional residential fire deaths; however, little is known about the risk factors of unintentional residential fires caused by smoking-related materials (i.e. smoking material fires, SMFs). Detailed data was coded from coronial files and this study focused on the 215 unintentional residential fires in the database which involved only single fatalities, with eighty-five of these being SMFs. This study is unique in using odds ratio (OR) analyses to investigate the size and relative importance of risk factors associated with SMFs. Seven out of 17 variables tested were significantly associated with SMFs compared to Non-SMFs, including being asleep (OR =15.37), bedroom/ lounge room being the room of fire origin (OR =10.29), alcohol intake (OR =3.42), psychotropic and sedative drugs intake (OR =3.35), mental illness (OR =3.18), being aged between 18 and 65 (OR =2.57), and being male (OR =1.81). Tests for mediation effect of alcohol intake and being asleep further clarify the nature of the relationship between age group and SMFs. Results revealed that individuals who had died in SMFs were more likely to present with multiple impairments compared to those who had died in non-SMFs. Further, significant associations between mental illness, psychotropic and sedative drug intake and the risk of SMFs were found. The comparative role of these risk factors provides an evidence-base for SMF prevention programs.

Transforming fire prevention: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the transformation of fire prevention processes via improved targeting of fire prevention interventions over a four-year period. Design/methodology/approach – A four-year case study of the transformation of fire prevention processes involving a UK fire and rescue service, local council, National Health Service primary care trust and a police force was undertaken. Findings – Understanding the socio-economic causal factors underlying unintentional dwelling fires, and the need to work in collaborative partnerships to achieve change in such factors can support more targeted and effective fire prevention activities. Research limitations/implications – Analysis of underlying causal factors and their relationships, together with population segmentation and working in coordinated collaborative partnerships, can support enhanced fire risk assessment and community safety. This supported more pro-active early intervention fire risk management. Practical implications – Analysis of socio-economic causal factors and socio-economic groups associated with unintentional dwelling fires can assist in targeting fire prevention activities in a more effective and efficient manner. This enabled the fire and rescue service to target fire prevention to social groups most at risk of dwelling fires and the types of fires (for example, kitchen fires) relevant to the different social groups. Social implications – Collaborative public sector partnerships can achieve change in the socio-economic circumstances of at-risk individuals to support fire prevention. This enables the social- and health-related factors underlying fire risk to be addressed by the relevant partner health or social services agencies. Originality/value – The detailed analysis of the transformation of fire prevention activities that led to an implemented approach to enhance community safety. In particular, the analysis and evaluation of the move to collaborative multi-agency partnerships to support and improve fire prevention activities.

Recognition of Atypical Burn Patterns and Pre-cremation Blunt Force Trauma Observed on Human Remains in Two Forensic Cases in the United States

The normal burn pattern of bone color in humans described and illustrated by Symes and colleagues from unintentional fires was compared to the burn patterns seen in two forensic cases from Texas and North Carolina that involved the intentional burning of two victims. Heat altered bone exhibits a range of colors (e.g. white, blue-grey, black, and yellow) from the highest to the lowest exposure of heat. In the Texas case, atypical burn patterns were evinced by an asymmetrical burn pattern on the skull and lower body as well as by the predominantly calcined upper body with a charred lower body. The thermal pattern seen on the body of the North Carolina victim was consistent with a longer heat exposure to the trunk and left side of the body. In both cases, thermal damage did not obscure per mortem blunt force trauma. The atypical burn patterns were diagnostic of intentional fires and contributed to the reconstruction of the events of the crime.

Effectiveness of the Cigarette Ignition Propensity Standard in Preventing Unintentional Residential Fires in Massachusetts

We evaluated the Massachusetts Fire Safe Cigarette Law's (FSCL's) effectiveness in preventing residential fires. We examined unintentional residential fires reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System from 2004 to 2010. We analyzed FSCL effect on the likelihood of cigarette- versus noncigarette-caused fires and effect modification by fire scenario factors by using an interrupted time series regression model. We analyzed the effect of FSCL on monthly fire rates with Poisson regression. Cigarettes caused 1629 unintentional residential fires during the study period. The FSCL was associated with a 28% (95% confidence interval = 12%, 41%) reduction in the odds of cigarette- versus noncigarette-caused fires, although not in analyses restricted to casualty fires, with smaller sample size. The largest reductions were among fires in which human factors were involved; that were first ignited on furniture, bedding, or soft goods; that occurred in living areas; or that occurred in the summer or winter. The FSCL appears to have decreased the likelihood of cigarette-caused residential fires, particularly in scenarios for which the ignition propensity standard was developed. Current standards should be adopted, and the need for strengthening should be considered.

A Review of the Main Driving Factors of Forest Fire Ignition Over Europe

Knowledge of the causes of forest fires, and of the main driving factors of ignition, is an indispensable step towards effective fire prevention policies. This study analyses the factors driving forest fire ignition in the Mediterranean region including the most common human and environmental factors used for modelling in the European context. Fire ignition factors are compared to spatial and temporal variations of fire occurrence in the region, then are compared to results obtained in other areas of the world, with a special focus on North America (US and Canada) where a significant number of studies has been carried out on this topic. The causes of forest fires are varied and their distribution differs among countries, but may also differ spatially and temporally within the same country. In Europe, and especially in the Mediterranean basin, fires are mostly human-caused mainly due arson. The distance to transport networks and the distance to urban or recreation areas are among the most frequently used human factors in modelling exercises and the Wildland-Urban Interface is increasingly taken into account in the modelling of fire occurrence. Depending on the socio-economic context of the region concerned, factors such as the unemployment rate or variables linked to agricultural activity can explain the ignition of intentional and unintentional fires. Regarding environmental factors, those related to weather, fuel and topography are the most significant drivers of ignition of forest fires, especially in Mediterranean-type regions. For both human and lightning-caused fires, there is a geographical gradient of fire ignition, mainly due to variations in climate and fuel composition but also to population density for instance. The timing of fires depends on their causes. In populated areas, the timing of human-caused fires is closely linked to human activities and peaks in the afternoon whereas, in remote areas, the timing of lightning-caused fires is more linked to weather conditions and the season, with most such fires occurring in summer.

An exploration of causal factors in unintentional dwelling fires

We examine the causal factors involved in unintentional dwelling fire incidents within the Merseyside area of the North West region of the United Kingdom. The approach of all-subsets multiple linear regression was used to develop an unintentional dwelling fire risk model for the region. The risk model was based on data obtained from UK government agencies relating to causal factors identified by earlier published studies. In the region studied, mental health problems, disability and residents living alone were the most significant factors associated with unintentional dwelling fire fatalities. However, in a separate model of the incidence of unintentional dwelling fires within the region, binge drinking and smoking were additional statistically significant factors.

A Systemic Approach to Fire Prevention Support

Fire prevention initiatives are increasingly being viewed as an effective approach to fire and rescue service improvement. In this paper we examine a research project aimed at investigating the use of a novel multi-paradigm systemic approach to fire prevention support involving the use of interpretivist soft systems approaches combined with experimental scientific statistical modelling. The research project is based upon a 2 year case study in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in the UK. The soft systems approach was beneficial for understanding the nature of fire prevention, and the causal factors associated with unintentional dwelling fires. When combined with a statistical modelling approach and a hard systems approach to developing a geographical information system, the result was a useful tool for analysis of unintentional dwelling fires that assisted in targeting fire prevention activities to those most at risk.

Unintentional fires caused by products that focus sunlight

Unintentional Fires Caused by Products that Focus Sunlight Objectives The ability of myriad and sundry transparent and reflective objects to set fires by focusing sunlight has likely known since before...

Victim Behaviours, Intentionality, AndDifferential Risks In Residential Fire Deaths

The majority of fire deaths in New Zealand occur in residential structures. These are seen as largely preventable and are a basis for fire safety and prevention strategies. While such strategies have emphasised technological and engineering solutions (i.e. smoke alarms, egress standards, building code reform), there has been a lesser consideration of victim behaviours as a key factor in fire safety and prevention. This paper reports on a study of behavioural factors in all unintentional residential fire deaths from 1997-2003 in which inquest reports were examined to determine a range of demographic, fire dynamic, forensic, and behavioural features in 131 cases. The results support other findings which highlight the potent role of victim behaviours in fire ignition and spread, and in fatal outcomes. Significant factors identified include alcohol consumption, acts of omission, carelessness, dangerous habitual behaviours, and consequences of disabilities. A dichotomy between intentional and unintentional fires was not supported, as several cases fell into a borderline group whose role in fire causation was established (although intent to harm was not). Features of this group included attention seeking, irrational behaviour, and diminished cognitive/intellectual capacities. Those identified as being differentially at most risk of residential fire deaths were the young, the elderly, the disabled, and lower socioeconomic groups. Effective safety and prevention strategies must address specific behavioural characteristics of these disparate groups, especially sociopsychological processes, attitudes, and cognitive patterns that contribute to elevated fire risks. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed as part of a wider approach to fire safety and prevention strategies.

An analysis of fatal unintentional dwelling fires investigated by London Fire Brigade between 1996 and 2000

London is a large capital city with a population of approximately seven million people. It shares many problems with other large cities around the world, including deaths due to fire. Many of these fire deaths can be linked to social problems such as poor housing, loneliness, illness, etc. Data from the London Fire Brigade Real Fire Library—a unique database of information collected from real fire incidents by dedicated teams of fire investigators operating in the Greater London Area has been used to obtain a range of statistics about fatal fires and fire death victims for the 5-year period from 1996 to 2000. Most deaths occurred in unintentional dwelling fires. The statistical information has therefore been analysed to identify the main factors involved as to why people die in unintentional dwelling fires and see what lessons can be learnt from these deaths. Common risk factors identified in the unintentional dwelling fire deaths investigated include smoking, alcohol, old age, disability, illness, living alone, social deprivation and not having a working smoke alarm fitted. Comparisons are also made with the results found from other studies and measures for preventing unintentional dwelling fire deaths are examined.

Urban residential fire and flame injuries: a population based study

Background—Fires are a leading cause of death, but non-fatal injuries from residential fires have not been well characterised. Methods—To identify residential fire injuries that resulted in an emergency department visit,...