Environmental Concerns of Fires: Facts, Figures, Questions and New Challenges for the Future.
Environmental Concerns of Fires: Facts, Figures,
Questions and New Challenges for the Future.
(1245 K)
Marlair, G.; Simonson, M.; Gann, R. G.
Volume 1;
Interflam 2004. (Interflam '04). International
Interflam Conference, 10th Proceedings. Volume 1. July
5-7, 2004. Organised by Interscience Communications
Ltd. in association with National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Building Research Establishment;
National Fire Protection Association; Society of Fire
Protection Engineers; and Swedish National Testing and
Research Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, Interscience
Communications Ltd., London, England, 325-337 pp, 2004.
Keywords:
fire science; fire safety; environmental effects; case
histories; fire plumes; water; emissions; containment;
foam extinguishing systems; halons; flame retardants;
regulations; standardization
Abstract:
The effect of fires on the environment has been
increasingly in the public eye since the chemical
warehouse accident in the Sandoz facility in
Schweizerhalle in November 1986. This paper presents a
discussion of this accident together with a
representative sample of other environmentally important
case studies related to fires. Modes of interaction with
the environment and potential transfer mechanisms are
discussed. The impact of fire effluents in both the
short and long terms and activities on the
quantification of the environmental effect of fires are
also presented. Some of the current environmental
debates that are interacting withfire prevention and
fire fire fighting techniques are also discussed,
outlining challenging remaining issues. Finally,
insight on international action in response to these
incidents and related standardisation activities under
progress is presented.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899