Fire fighting/prevention

Foams are used industrially and are important in rubber preparations (foamed-latex) and in fire fighting. The foam floats as a continuous layer across the burning surface, so preventing the evolution of inflammable vapours. Foams are also used in gas absorption and in the separation of proteins from biological fluids. See anti-foaming agents. 

Use of dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide is recommended for cycloahphatic amine fire fighting. Water spray is recommended only to flush spills away to prevent exposures. In the aquatic environment, cyclohexylamine has a high (420 mg/L) toxicity threshold for bacteria (Pseudomonasputida) (68), and is considered biodegradable, that is, rnineralizable to CO2 and H2O, by acclimatized bacteria. 

The metliods of fire protection and prevention are dealt witli elsewhere. However, to conclude tliis section we present a brief discussion on plant fire fighting methods and equipment. 

TYPES OF HAZARD / EXPOSURE ACUTE HAZARDS / SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID / FIRE FIGHTING... 

If it is assumed that precursors can be identified in a scientific way, the next research question can be formulated. By using only precursors the elimination of all possible accidents is extremely unlikely. Retrieving precursors and acting upon them can be seen as a sort of fire fighting approach. It is more important to devise pro-active measures to discover the underlying factors, causing the possible accidents. Subsequently companies can direct resources at these identified causal factors and possible accidents can actually be prevented. The next research question is therefore formulated as ... 

A general application of loss prevention practices is considered prudent both by insurers and petroleum companies, so overall, all facilities are required to achieve the corporate protection standards. In fact the premium of insurance is normally based on the level of risk for the facility after an insurance engineer has "surveyed" the facility. Isolated cases may appear where less fixed protection systems are provided in place of manual fire fighting capabilities, however the general level of overall loss prevention level or risk is maintained. Insurers will also always make recommendations for loss prevention improvements where they feel the protection levels are substandard and the risk high. Where they feel the risk is too high, they may refuse to underwrite certain layers of insurance or charge substantial additional premiums for reinsurance requirements. 

Process system emergency safety features (i.e. ESD, isolation, depressurization and blowdown) should be considered the prime safeguards for loss prevention over fire protection measures (i.e. fireproofing or barriers, firewater systems, manual fire fighting). 

Fire Fighting - Those giving information or instructions about fire prevention and fire fighting equipment (e g., No Smoking, no open lights, etc.). 

Fire Brigade An organization of industrial plant personnel who are trained to use the fire fighting equipment and to carry out tire prevention activities within the plant. 

If fire is detected before the explosives are involved, prompt action with suitable fire-fighting equipment should be taken to prevent development of a serious accident. 

Upon arrival of the fire-fighting service, action should be directed toward preventing the explosives from getting involved. 

Large quantities of the ammonium phosphates are used as fertilizers and in fertilizer formulations as well as fire retardants in wood building materials, paper and fabric products, and in matches to prevent afterglow. Solutions of the ammonium phosphates sometimes are air-dropped to retard forest fires, serving the double purpose of fire fighting and fertilizing the soil to accelerate new plant growth. 

Still another consideration is fires occurring in machine equipment such as electrical fires or lubricating oil fires in a fuze assembly machine. Here, primary consideration is the rapid detonation of the fire and deactivation of the equipment to prevent the continous machine operation which would cause the fire to intensify or propagate into a detonation. Fire fighting in this case, in the form of a water deluge system is the secondary action to extinguish the cause of the fire. 

A written procedure for fire control measures should be in place, including prevention of fire, fire detection measures and fire drills. Fire detection and fire-fighting equipment should be serviced regularly. Smoking should not be permitted in the storage areas. 

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