In the modern world, there are a lot of factors that can cause a fire. This is especially true for large enterprises that deal with combustible and explosive substances such as oil or gas. However, a fire hazard situation can occur in any other place. To prevent these situations, the creation of fire prevention systems is provided. In this article, we will consider the goals and objectives of such systems.
Definition of concept
Fire prevention system - a set of organizational measures and technical means aimed at eliminating fire hazard situations and preventing fire conditions. Such systems should be calculated for each individual enterprise, taking into account the conditions for the occurrence of a fire at this particular enterprise.
A fire prevention system is needed to reduce the likelihood of fires that couldlead to injury or death of people, as well as financial losses. Like any other fire safety measures, these systems are regulated by law.
Article 48 of the Federal Law No. 123 is devoted to the fire prevention system at the protected object, the first of the three named in Part 3 of Art. 5 Federal Law 123 components (along with the fire protection system and a set of organizational and technical measures to ensure fire safety) of the fire safety system of the protected object.
The purpose of fire prevention systems
From all of the above, we can single out the goal. So what are these systems for?
There are three components involved in starting a fire:
- combustible environment (that is, where fire is most likely to occur),
- source of ignition (it can be an open fire, a spark, direct sunlight, electric current, chemical reaction, etc.),
- oxidizing agent (usually the oxygen found in the air is sufficient).
These components are also called the fire triangle. Since it is impossible to exclude oxygen from this triad, it is always present, the emphasis is on the exclusion of one of the other two components: a combustible medium or an ignition source. This is the purpose of fire prevention systems.
The mechanism of a fire is as follows: the ignition source of a combustible substance is heated to the point where its thermal decomposition occurs. During thisprocess, the substance is split into carbon monoxide, water and a huge amount of heat, and carbon dioxide and soot are released.
The time from the moment a substance is ignited until it catches fire is called the ignition time. It is on the basis of this criterion that slow-burning and fireproof substances are selected for the operation of enterprises.
How does the system work?
Let's look at how the fire prevention system works, how safety is achieved.
These systems eliminate the possibility of the formation of a combustible and explosive environment, and also prevent the introduction of sources of ignition into a dangerous environment. These issues are given increased attention at the design stage of buildings. During the operation of buildings, these systems are subject to inspections by fire authorities.
Fire prevention
So what does a fire prevention system include? As we have already found out, there are two aspects in the operation of the system:
- Prevention of flammable and explosive environments,
- avoid introducing ignition sources into this very environment.
Thus, there are several conditions for preventing a fire when ignition sources are introduced into the environment:
- energy of the ignition source must be less than the energy required to ignite the combustible mixture in the environment;
- The temperature of all surfaces in production must be less than the self-ignition temperature of the same surfaces upon contact.
Tasks of fire prevention systems
Fire prevention and fire protection systems perform a number of tasks aimed at preventing the occurrence of fire hazards.
- Maximum industrialization of the production of combustible and explosive substances, which in the future can reduce the number of human casu alties.
- Sealing containers for combustible substances, as well as equipment for working with them.
- Introduction to the production of slow-burning and fireproof materials.
- Use fire and explosion-proof equipment during work.
- Zoning the premises to reduce the spread of fire.
- Monitoring indoor air to prevent accumulation of explosives in the air.
- Insulation of combustible atmosphere.
- Increased humidity in factories and free access to water tanks.
- Keeping rooms clean, as some industrial dusts can also cause fires.
- Checking the he alth of heating devices, ventilation ducts.
- Installation of fire safety equipment (AUPS, fire extinguishing and smoke exhaust systems, etc.)
Causes of fires
- Electrotechnical in nature (short circuit, current overload, high transient resistance, improper use of electric heaters oruse of homemade devices).
- Violation of the rules for the use of fire (left open fire, unextinguished tobacco products, work near combustible substances, welding, etc.).
- Failure to comply with fire safety.
- Static electricity (caused by dragging charged objects when friction occurs).
- Irregularities in the use of ovens (malfunction or improper operation).
- Spontaneous combustion of substances and materials.
- Natural phenomena (lightning strikes, directional sunlight).
- Artificial creation of a fire situation (arson).
All these reasons should also be taken into account when creating a fire prevention system.
Fire prevention
The concept of fire prevention is synonymous with the concept of "fire prevention systems at the object of protection." It involves the assessment of fire and explosive situations, as well as the implementation of all kinds of methods and means of protection. Among the latter, the following means are used:
- technological (AUPS, smoke removal and fire extinguishing systems and other fire automatics);
- construction (protective barriers, firewalls, escape routes, collapsible structures, ventilation and smoke exhaust systems);
- organizational (creation of fire and rescue units, gas rescue services).
The purpose of the methods and means used to prevent fires is as follows:
- creating conditions in whichfire is not possible;
- guaranteeing maximum security for people in the event of a fire;
- protecting both personnel and assets;
- leveling the consequences of a fire for workers.
The development of fire prevention measures is especially important in those enterprises where the outbreak of a fire can harm people working there.
Requirements for fire safety system
The main requirement can be called the control and verification of all processes that can provoke a fire and lead to human and financial losses.
However, there are a number of requirements that will help prevent the occurrence of fire, namely:
- compliance with the prescribed norms for the permissible concentration of combustible substances in the working environment;
- use of additives that reduce the combustibility of materials (inhibiting and phlegmatizing);
- observation and control over the composition of the air environment;
- Prevention of combustible and explosive working environment;
- availability of proper ventilation of industrial premises;
- presence of a fire alarm in working condition for notification in case of emergencies.
The creation of fire safety systems must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of regulatory and technical documentation for a specific production process. It is also necessary to take into account the degreecombustibility of materials used in a particular production.
As practice shows, it is impossible to completely avoid the occurrence of a fire, but it is in our power to do everything possible to reduce the negative consequences through a well-planned warning system.
