Engineering News and Mining Weekly
Igniting Innovation: The Engineering Battle Against Fire
Fire, by its nature, is notoriously unpredictable. It is di cult to model, even with multiple assumptions and many simpli cations. So, what is re, and why is it simultaneously so crucial and dangerous? Fire is the combustion of gases—known as pyrolysis gases—and combustion itself is defined as "a self-sustained, high-temperature oxidation reaction" (V. Babrauskas, 2003).
This definition clarifies that it is not the material itself that combusts, but rather the gases it emits as it oxidises at high temperatures. Whether the material is a solid that decomposes or a liquid that evaporates, the resulting gas combusts upon ignition. Once ignited, the re becomes self-sustaining, requiring no external energy to continue burning.
My journey into fire engineering was sparked by an event which occurred in my oce building on a regular day during an otherwise uneventful week in my life. An unmaintained car in the parking garage caught re when its owner tried to start it. The owner ed in panic, and the re quickly consumed the vehicle. Fortunately, the garage was equipped with a re suppression system that contained the blaze and saved the surrounding vehicles. However, the incident was not without casualty; a security guard suered serious injuries from smoke inhalation while attempting to extinguish the
re with a handheld extinguisher. He was rushed to the hospital and, thankfully, made a full recovery.
From its discovery and controlled use by early humans, re has been an essential tool for various purposes. Its ability to provide warmth, cook food, fend o predators, and facilitate the development of more advanced technologies such as the smelting of metals underscores its importance in human advancement. Moreover, re's role extends beyond these traditional uses; in modern contexts, it is employed in controlled environments for energy production, waste management through incineration, and even in land management practices like controlled burns to maintain healthy ecosystems and prevent uncontrolled wild res.
Fire is considered dangerous, as it can cause immediate physical harm and, in severe cases, death. It can swily consume buildings and other structures, leading to signi cant economic losses by destroying homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, uncontrolled wildfires have a profound impact on the environment, leading to the loss of vegetation and wildlife, soil erosion, and contribute to air pollution.
As engineers, we often say: "Prevention is better than cure". In the context of fire, the "cure" would involve protection and/ or detection systems. But first, a fire risk assessment is crucial – it is the initial step toward re prevention. By identifying the
re hazards using a Hazard Identi cation and Risk Assessment approach, we can evaluate the frequency, severity, and potential consequences of these hazards. Once identi ed, appropriate control measures can be implemented to prevent fires. Unfortunately, especially with unpredictable hazards, these control nd measures are not always completely eective, and res may still occur. This is where the "cure" in the form of fire protection and/or detection comes into play.
Fire protection encompasses three engineering disciplines: Civil (passive re protection), Mechanical (active re protection), and Electronic/Electrical/Mechatronic ( re detection). Passive re protection, designed by civil engineers, includes robust structural elements such as re doors, and re-resistant walls, ceilings, and oors. These are speci cally engineered to contain res by preventing the spread of ames and smoke, thereby protecting both life and property without any active intervention.
Active re protection systems take a more dynamic approach. Designed by mechanical engineers, these systems detect the presence of re and automatically engage to suppress it. Sprinkler systems, for instance, activate when a certain heat threshold is exceeded, discharging water or fire-retardant gases directly onto the ames. This not only controls but also aims to extinguish the re, minimising damage and providing crucial time for evacuation. On the detection front, electronic/electrical, and mechatronic engineers design sophisticated re detection systems that are crucial for early warning. These systems use various sensors – including smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors – and can integrate advanced technologies such as infrared and ultraviolet ame detectors or video-based detection systems.
Together, these systems form a comprehensive approach to re safety, each playing a critical role in the layers of protection they provide. From detection to containment and suppression, the integration of these systems ensures a robust defence against re, signi cantly enhancing safety and reducing the risk of extensive damage in any environment. This multifaceted approach not only ensures compliance with safety regulations but also adapts to the speci c needs of various structures, oering tailored solutions that are both eective and innovative.
When it comes to safeguarding against res, a universal strategy simply does not exist. The complexity of re protection and detection necessitates a tailored approach, best devised by a seasoned re engineer. With extensive experience across a broad range of re engineering disciplines, Proconics is uniquely positioned to oer a complete suite of services that covers every aspect of re safety management. From the initial mapping of potential ame sources and analysing re propagation to designing optimal detector placement and sophisticated suppression systems, we deliver end-to-end solutions.