ASP FIRE - Experts & Thought Leaders
Latest Accredited Support Proffessionals (ASP FIRE) news & announcements
The fire that broke out at the Houses of Parliament in central Cape Town on 2 January 2022 has again raised the issue of protecting heritage structures and other buildings containing priceless artifacts or documents from fire risk. The fire is believed to have started on the third floor of the National Council of Provinces building before spreading to the office space and gymnasium and then the National Assembly building, which was completely gutted. Houses of Parliament The Houses of Parliament consists of the original building, completed in 1884, and additions built in the 1920s and 1980s. This house is the National Assembly, the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of South Africa, while the original building houses the National Council of Provinces, the upper house of Parliament. Houses of Parliament have received Grade 1 National Heritage Status by the SAHRA The original parliament building was designed in a neoclassical style that incorporates elements of Cape Dutch architecture. The later additions were designed to blend in with the original building. The Houses of Parliament have received Grade 1 National Heritage Status by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), its highest rating. Absence of fire resistance measures In mid-April 2021, a fire originating at Table Mountain eventually swept onto the upper campus of the University of Cape Town (UCT). It caused extensive damage to the African Studies Library reading room, known previously as the JW Jagger Library. Built-in the 1930s, it is home to many international research collections, with an estimated 85 000 items in total. “It is particularly challenging where you have a building that did not necessarily have fire resistance measures incorporated into its design,” points out ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. Concerns with construction materials Modern buildings deploy drencher systems that can cool the exterior against an encroaching fire A key consideration with a heritage building is if it has been adapted from its original function and construction, or is it a relatively new building that can accommodate such measures? The construction materials used in older buildings are often not in line with modern regulations. Complicating the issue is that heritage buildings are difficult to retrofit with conventional sprinkler systems, for example, because their external appearance has to be preserved. Modern buildings also deploy drencher systems that can cool the exterior with water curtains to protect windows, doors, walls, and roofs against an encroaching fire. Addition of Fire sprinklers, hypoxic systems “This is probably the best strategy to adopt in the event of a fire like the Table Mountain blaze, as it means a heat shield is essentially created around a building to protect it,” stresses van Niekerk. In addition to modern advances like recessed sprinkler systems, which are only activated in the event of a fire, another solution is a hypoxic system that introduces nitrogen into an area to reduce the oxygen level to the point where spontaneous combustion cannot occur. However, the best approach remains a proper fire-risk assessment that examines a building holistically. There are also internal factors that need to be considered, such as the possible sources of ignition inside a building and how best to manage these. Modern electrical management systems The electrical system can still be modernized without affecting its heritage ‘look and feel’ Notwithstanding that a building is old, the electrical system can still be modernized without affecting its heritage ‘look and feel’. In addition, modern electrical management systems based on earth leakage and thermal resistors, as well as computer monitoring, can result in an automatic shutdown if any risks are detected. These can range from fans, heaters, and computer terminals that are left on to overloaded multi-plug extensions, a common cause of fire in a typical office environment, for example. Introduction of refuge areas “Managing the internal environment of a building adequately allows for the fire risk to be minimized. Risk can never be eliminated by 100%, but it can be reduced to an acceptable level,” highlights van Niekerk. An effective means to achieve this is to introduce refuge areas into heritage buildings in particular as part of the overall life-safety strategy. A refuge area has its oxygen supply and fire-rated walls and doors to protect occupants until a fire dies down or is brought under control. Fire risk assessment “There is an onus on the owners or trustees of heritage or historic building to safeguard that building against fire. This is a risk assessment that any responsible building owner should conduct.” “It is advisable for any commercial or academic institution to request their insurers to come to take a look at their buildings to give them advice. If the insurer does not have the necessary technical expertise or experience, ASP Fire offers this specialized service to a host of insurers,” concludes van Niekerk.
With the Festive Season almost near, homeowners are urged to ensure that basic fire-risk mitigation measures are in place if they are going away on holiday, highlights ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. The situation is also compounded by the current spate of load-shedding instituted by electricity utility Eskom. Proper fire-safety check If users are planning on going away, it is best to conduct a proper fire-safety check of the home before the family departs. This will reveal any potential fire-risk areas, allowing homeowners to develop and implement specific solutions. Major causes of home fires are faulty electrical outlets and old or outdated appliances. In addition, worn-out sockets that are not earthed properly can ignite combustible items such as floors, curtains, and rugs. What’s more, homeowners often wire these electrical connections themselves. Causes of home fires Electrical appliances used for heating, cooking, and lighting are also major contributors to home fires Electrical appliances used for heating, cooking, and lighting are also major contributors to home fires. It is important to regularly check if all of these connections are still sound. Simple preventative measures include not overloading extension cables and plugs, not switching electrical appliances on a single plug all on at once, testing earth leakage devices, and checking that plugs and wall sockets are safe and not overloaded. Testing for leakage Test the earth leakage on the distribution board (DB) before going away on holiday by simply pressing the ‘TEST’ button. The earth leakage is designed to trip the electrical supply and de-energize the circuit whenever there is a short circuit. A faulty earth leakage will not trip when there is a short, resulting in electrical cables overheating, causing the plastic insulation to burn, and resulting in a preventable fire. Checking for circuit breakers Plugging in many different appliances on the same adaptor will exceed the maximum current rating Every home DB should include an earth leakage and suitably rated circuit breakers, which protect electrical circuits from damage should there be an overload. Most homeowners believe that the circuit breaker will indicate an overloaded circuit, but fail to assess the electrical load on a single plug point and whether or not they are overloading the capacity of the wiring to that plug. Electrical multiplug extensions are known to cause fires when they are overloaded, as a higher current is drawn through the adaptor cord than what it is designed to carry. This may result in the overloaded wiring overheating and causing the plastic insulation to catch fire. Plugging in many different appliances on the same adaptor will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. Load shedding and nuisance tripping When it comes to loading shedding, the fire risk is mainly due to appliances such as irons, hairdryers, cookers, and heaters inadvertently being left on. After electricity supply is restored following load shedding, such appliances are likely left unattended as residents are either asleep or may even have forgotten that they have been left on. Another problem is nuisance tripping, which can best be mitigated by ensuring that all appliances are switched off during load shedding. However, make sure that one light is left on to indicate the return of power. Checking the fittings of electronic appliances Nuisance tripping can damage electrical equipment as well as result in a fire due to power surges. This means the oversupply of a voltage that, even at a fraction of a second, will generally damage sensitive digital and computer equipment and possibly start a fire. Apart from load shedding, Gauteng residents also have to contend with thunderstorms, during which lightning can strike a powerline and use it as a conduit to cause equipment to explode, thereby starting a fire. This means it is important that all electrical or electronic appliances are fitted with surge plugs. Candles pose as a risk factor Another risk factor is using candles as a light source during load shedding, which needs to be extinguished immediately once the electricity supply is restored. Residents also need to ensure that candles are positioned correctly so that, in case they fall over, they do not pose a fire risk. All candles need to be placed in proper containers as well. Investing in fire extinguishers, gensets Homeowners are opting for backup gensets to supplement grid power in the event of load shedding Van Niekerk advises homeowners to invest in a small fire extinguisher for the home and to ensure that all residents not only know where this is positioned so it can be accessed readily in darkness but that everyone in the home knows how to operate it effectively in the event of a fire. Homeowners are increasingly opting for backup gensets to supplement grid power in the event of load shedding, but these pose additional safety and fire-risk issues. Servicing and maintenance Gensets need to be serviced and maintained regularly so that they can be switched on immediately in the event of load shedding. “If the power goes out and you switch your Genset on, only to find that it is out of fuel, for example, the last thing you want to do is to attempt to refill that Genset while it is running, or while the engine or exhaust is hot, as this poses a serious risk of causing a fire while doing this, as the Genset can therefore cause the fuel to combust,” concludes Van Niekerk. Home fire-safety checks Check for and replace any faulty electrical outlets and old or outdated appliances. Ensure that any worn-out sockets are replaced as these are often not earthed properly. Test the earth leakage on the distribution board. Ensure that any electrical multiplug extensions are not overloaded. Invest in a small fire extinguisher for the home and make sure everyone knows where it is located and how to use it. Tips for load shedding Ensure appliances such as irons, hairdryers, cookers, and heaters are not inadvertently left on. Leave one light on to indicate the return of power. Fit all electrical or electronic appliances with surge plugs to prevent nuisance tripping or power surges. If candles are used as a light source, place these in proper holders so that they do not fall over, and remember to extinguish them once the power is back.
A fire that broke out at the KZN Resins factory in Durban at the end of August has placed the spotlight on the extreme hazards associated with the chemical-processing industry (CPI), comments ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. These hazards can quickly lead to a cascading sequence of events, resulting in a potentially catastrophic loss. Here fire protection systems should be designed in conjunction with, or consideration of, the respective Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). It includes identification of critical equipment needed to prevent any catastrophic loss, and will ultimately estimate the likelihood and severity of any unwanted releases. Implementation of fire protection systems To meet the fire protection objectives and loss mitigation, both passive and active fire protection features and systems should be implemented. Common and effective features include both passive (functional features as in drainage systems) and active (mechanical, as in a sprinkler or deluge system.) Solid-phase chemical fire retardants cause a layer of carbon char to form on a polymer surface that is very difficult to burn Some chemical fire retardants interrupt the chemical reaction in the gas phase of combustion, for example, halon and PhostrEx, whereas others break down the polymers in the solid phase of combustion so that these melt and flow away from the flame. Other solid-phase chemical fire retardants cause a layer of carbon char to form on a polymer surface that is very difficult to burn. Intumescents are materials containing chemicals that cause swelling up behind the protective char layer, providing even more insulation. Risk due to multiple fires A system not designed for the storage of flammable liquids, particularly in plastic containers, whether stored in racks or on the ground, poses a risk for multiple fires starting together within the storage area, and can lead directly to the failure of the best fire systems installed, warns van Niekerk. In terms of the specific measures required to combat such a fire, no two firefighting operations are the same. “However, one thing always remains constant. To save lives, firefighters must first protect their own lives,” stresses van Niekerk. Therefore, the equipment they select has to be robust, reliable, and fail-safe, even in demanding conditions and firefighters must be familiar with their equipment. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Every second in which the body is depleted of oxygen or exposed to high concentrations of toxic substances can result in acute or lasting harm to health. Wearing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is essential, as well as flash hoods or hooded masks to protect one’s eyes. Firefighters must always ensure their equipment is well-maintained and should clean it thoroughly after each use. Turnkey services Technicians will maintain the system at the suggested intervals as determined by the applicable bylaws ASP Fire provides a turnkey service whereby sound fire-engineering principles are applied to ensure that the design complies with the life, property, and environmental fire safety objectives required by law. Thereafter, its accredited fire technicians will install the recommended system design and, finally, technicians will maintain the system at the suggested intervals as determined by the applicable bylaws. Fire protection regulations “Essentially the legislation is concerned, quite simply, with the need for all buildings to be designed, constructed, and equipped so that, in the event of a fire, the risk of life and to the buildings themselves is preventable. If a fire does break out, the fire prevention system must be efficient enough to mitigate the fallout of said fire,” explains van Niekerk. The necessary fire protection regulations are contained in SANS 10400: Part T Fire Protection, published by the South African Bureau of Standards, which compels all responsible parties to protect the constitutional right of people to an environment that is not harmful to their safety or well-being.
The New Future For Fire Agencies
DownloadThe Eight Key Trends in Fire Detection in 2023
DownloadA Digital Platform to Improve Fire Safety Compliance and Inspections
DownloadOvercoming the Challenges of Fire Safety in the Paper Industry
DownloadCarbon Monoxide: Creeping Killer Caught In The Act
Download