Adaptation of Fire-Fighting Systems to Localization of Fires in the Premises: Review

Fire protection is a basic safety issue for all categories of buildings. The criteria for effective fire suppression and the characteristics of extinguishing systems in insulated areas depend on a combination of factors. The main influences include the type of combustible material, ambient temperature, type of spray extinguisher, air inflow and outflow conditions, and space geometry. This article analyzes the most widely used fire-extinguishing technologies in different locations. The main aspects of using the pulsed delivery technology of extinguishing liquid are considered. Based on the analysis of publications from the last decade, it is possible to develop intelligent systems for recording fires and extinguishing fires in the premises.

A Study on Applying Phenol Foam Insulation Material as Pipe Lagging Material

During a fire, the major cause of casualties is the toxic gas produced from combustible interior and exterior materials. Increasing the time for occupant evacuation by reducing toxic gas is the most effective way of reducing casualties. Many casualties occurred in recent fires at the Jecheon Sports Center, Miryang Sejong Hospital, and Icheon Distribution Center. The commonality is that the toxic gas produced from combustible interior and exterior materials was the major cause of the casualties. In this study, phenol foam insulation material was considered as an alternative pipe lagging material, owing to its limited combustibility and non-production of toxic gas, to determine a method for removing the toxic gas generated from the combustion of pipe lagging material. Phenol foam insulation material is often used as the insulation material for building exteriors owing to its excellent insulation performance. Moreover, it has the advantage of being an environment-friendly product with zero ozone layer destruction coefficient and low harmful substance emissions. The incombustibility of phenol foam insulation material was verified through the Standard Performance Test of the Limited Combustible Material (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Notice No. 2020-1053). Further, an alternative is to be proposed if a pipe lagging material with inadequate incombustibility is used in the site even though a tested pipe lagging material with limited combustibility is available.

Cattle Grazing Exclusion Increases Basal, Crown and Mulch Cover in the Sierra de Órganos National Park, Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico

Objective: To estimate the effects of cattle grazing exclusion on soil and vegetation conditions in grasslands of Sierra de Órganos National Park (SONP), Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: Four transects with cattle grazing exclusion were strategically established in SONP grasslands. In each transect the basal, crown and organic mulch cover, soil cover, bare soil, and the form of the autumn plant were measured from 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. Results: Cattle grazing exclusion caused an increase in basal, crown and organic mulch cover, soil cover, as well as over- rested plants and deteriorated plants; bare soil cover and the percentage of normal plants decreased. Study Limitations/Implications: Increase of organic mulch cover implies the accumulation of combustible material that represents a potential risk of fire occurring in the SONP. Findings/Conclusions: Increase of organic mulch, over-rested plants and deteriorated plants shows that SONP grasslandsare transiting to a less stable ecological state.

A priori estimates of the mass of the burnt materials in rooms of buildings in the integral mathematical model of the initial stage of the fire

The integral mathematical model of the initial stage of a fire in the premises of buildings focuses on the problem of estimating the mass of burnt materials assuming that the data on the rate of combustion of combustible materials are not complete. A priori estimates of the mass of burnt materials are found, which do not use data on the combustible material combustion rate. To derive these estimates, a special representation of the modulus of the increment (fall) of oxygen density in a room with a fire in the initial stage was preliminarily found. Two approaches to the derivation of a priori estimates of the mass of burnt materials have been implemented - using the upper and lower estimates of the modulus of the increment (fall) of the oxygen density. A comparison of a priori estimates obtained with different approaches is performed. Research can be useful at assessment of ecological situation and consequences of the fire.

Calorific properties of the wood biomass from some softwood species

The aim of the paper is to highlight the importance of the calorific properties of softwood biomass. The paper presents the caloric power and ash content, important caloric properties in the assessment of wood biomass. Biomass, in the form of wood, was and will remain an important combustible material. The value of ash content for spruce was 3.8% and 4.2% for fir. These values are within the international standards. Wood biomass, as a material can provide the energy need for the population at a reduced price. The combustion process are possible only in the presence of oxygen, which is usually introduced into the focal spot through the combustion air.

Steatite Powder Additives in Wood-Cement Drywall Particleboards

The objective of this study was to develop a new drywall wood-based particleboard as an alternative to gypsum board. Various development iterations have led to the use of wood particles, steatite powder and Portland cement. The resulting outcome shows that screw withdrawal resistance was improved by 37% and bending properties by 69% compared to gypsum board of a similar density (0.68–0.70). The raw surface of the boards is of good quality and comparable to the paper-faced surface of gypsum board. Furthermore, the reaction to fire was evaluated through bench-scale test with a cone calorimeter. The investigated particleboard did not reveal visual signs of combustion after 20 min when exposed to a radiant heat of 50 kW/m2, while burning of the overlay paper of gypsum board occurred at about 57 s, suggesting that wood-cement-steatite powder particleboard could be classified as a quasi non-combustible material.

Fire and Explosion Hazards Associated with Electrostatic Powder Coating

This paper presents fire and explosion hazards during electrostatic powder coating, and describes the course of the process as well as the characteristics of powder coating as a combustible material. Potential sources of ignition that could initiate a fire of a dust layer or an explosion of a dust-air mixture have been identified. The minimum requirements and recommendations raising the level of safety in the area of coating installations are presented.