Industrial fires

Of the many industrial fires in the UK in 1997 each of some 411 cost more than 50000 with total losses amounting to 186m. These spanned a wide range of industrial and related premises as shown in Table 1.1. The most common sources of ignition (see Chapter 6) that year are shown in Table 1.2. 

The external events PSA was based on standard methods used for commercial reactor PSAs, Fire risk was estimated from commercial nuclear power plant data combined with industrial fire information. The seismic hazard was evaluated using a combination of the EPRI and LLNL ( UREG/CR-.3250) databases. Wind hazards were analyzed by EQE, Inc., using NRC-based nicihodulogy. 

Industrial plants contain a great number of possible ignition sources. A study made by tlie Factory Mutual Engineering Corporation of almost 25,000 industrial fires reported over a decade indicates tliat, for tlie majority of fires, tlie origins can be traced to tlie following general sources ... 

Electrical accidents, including electrical arcing, short circuits, and overheated electrical equipment, are tlie leading cause of industrial fires. 

McKinnon, G. P, Tasner, P. S. and Hill, M. L., Editors, Industrial Fire Hazards Handbook, 1st Ed. National Fire Protection /Association, 1979. 

Table 12.4 (ASME Consensus table 3) Suggested chemical limits. Industrial fire-tube, high duty, primary fuel fired.

The investigation of an industrial fire or explosion invariably starts with an effort to identify each element in the fire triangle. Quite often, the fuel is known and so either the oxidizer or the ignition source becomes the focus of the investigation. For example, in a blender used to mix a... 

Fire Protection Association. 1974. Increasing number and cost of fires in chemical process industries. Fire Prev., Vol. 106, p. 15. 

Industrial fire protection and safety engineers attempt to eliminate hazards at their source or to reduce their intensity with protective systems. Hazard elimination may typically require the use of alternative and less toxic materials, changes in the process, spacing or guarding, improved ventilation or, spill control or inventory reduction measures, fire and explosion protective measures - both active and passive mechanisms, protective clothing, etc. The level or protection is dependent on the risk prevalent at the facility versus the cost to implement safety measures. 

The easiest way to document the selection process is to prepare a table of the materials involved and the required extinguishing methods. Tables 3 and 4 provide examples of documentation that is prepared in the industry. Fire Risk Hazardous Zone drawings are prepared using published literature on commodity hazards and extinguishing methods (Ref. NFPA 325M). 

Air pollution—generally, local environmental agencies are quick to arrive at industrial fires and start monitoring to determine if hazardous materials are in the air that could cause harm to the public or the environment. Depending on the materials on fire, there is a potential for hazardous materials to travel offsite. The Emergency Response Plan must identify potential pollutants and appropriate responses for the public. 

Suggested design criteria for general fire protection applications. For industrial fire protection, the hazards are generally very specific and the guidance provided here should be reviewed to determine if it is appropriate for the hazard being protected. 

NFPA. Industrial Fire Protection Ffandbook. National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. 

Furthermore, although total removal of any one of the necessary conditions for a fire will absolutely prevent its occurrence, such stringent restrictions on industrial operations are seldom economically feasible. Industrial materials are, however, studied with a view to ascertaining just how much leeway there is, so that a compromise between absolute fire prevention and economy of operation may be reached. It is for this reason that, while we know how to prevent fires, they still do start, and why loss limitation is such an important part of industrial fire protection... 

R.C. Smart, "The Technology of Industrial Fire and Explosion Hazards , Chapman Hall, London (1947) 6) A.M. Cameron, "Chemistry... 

Firefighters respond to an industrial fire. Water must be obtained from a hydrant one block away. What are four of the mechanical devices that will be used to get the water from the hydrant to the fire ... 

See the Refs for additional info Refs l)Kirk Othmer 6(1951), 903 2)A.S. Radford, Paint Technol 20, 317-23(1956) CA 50, 17455(1956)(Spontaneouscombustion of linseed oit soaked materials its early detection) 3)Sax(1957), Sect 6, 129 45 (Industrial fire protection) Sect 7, 147 70 (Storage handling of hazardous materials)... 

Addressing the Fire Hazards of Alternative Fuels for Public Transit Buses Industrial Fire Safety (Part 1, September/October 1993 Part 2, January/ February 1994)... 

National Fire Protection Association has the objective of developing, publishing, and disseminating standards intended to minimize the possibility and effect of fire and explosion. NFPA s membership consists of individuals from business and industry, fire service, health care, insurance, educational, and government institutions. NFPA conducts fire safety education programs for the general public and provides information on fire protection and prevention. Also provided by the association is the field service by specialists on flammable liquids, electricity, gases, and marine problems. 

Each year, statistics on causes and occupancies of fires and deaths resulting from fire are compiled and published. NFPA sponsors seminars on the Life Safety Codes, National Electrical Code, industrial fire protection, hazardous materials, transportation emergencies, and other related topics. NFPA also conducts research programs on delivery systems for public fire protection, arson, residential fire sprinkler systems, and other subjects. NFPA publications include National Fire Codes Annual, Fire Protection Handbook, Fire Journal and Fire Technology. 

Uses 4-Aminophenyl ether is a resin used in the manufacture of a variety of industrial products, (e.g., in insulating varnishes, flame-retardant fibers as wire enamels, coatings, films). It also is used in the manufacture of other industrial fire-resistant products. 

Tewarson, A., Characterization of the fire environments in central offices of the telecommunications industry, Fire Mater., 2003, 27, 131-149. 

The explosion broke flammable liquid lines throughout the complex. The blast also broke fire protection system risers, disrupting all fire-water. Over 250 firefighters from 21 fire departments and industrial fire brigades responded to the fire. The fire escalated and... 

Bete Fog Nozzle Inc. (2005) Spray Nozzles for Industry, Fire Protection and Pollution Control. www.bete.com... 

---