This article discusses the challenges industrial facilities, particularly those in sensitive sectors like food processing, face regarding fire safety and compliance with regulations. It highlights the increasing number of industrial fires in recent years, often exacerbated by inadequate fire protection system design, misuse of systems, outdated installations, and non-compliance with regulations. Companies are often reluctant to halt operations for fire safety installations due to the associated costs and loss of profits.
The problem:
We are going to focus on the specific challenges faced by sectors like food processing, chemical industries, and those subject to ATEX directives (explosive atmospheres). A significant problem highlighted is the lack of sectorization in cold storage facilities. Fires within the insulating panels of un-sectorized cold storage units are difficult to extinguish because the flames are trapped between the panel faces. The need for fire-resistant panels and appropriate structural design to withstand fire and temperature is emphasized.
Proper Equipment for Industrial Facilities
Fire protection involves both active and passive measures:
- Active protection: Automatic detection, external hydrants, powder extinguishing systems, BIES (I’m unsure what BIES stands for, likely a type of fire suppression system), automatic sprinklers, etc.
- Passive protection: Structural resistance, sectorization, and fire-rated doors.
Key Considerations:
- Sectorization: Crucial for preventing fire spread. Different types of fire-rated doors (service doors, doors for machinery/vehicles/goods) are needed.
- Sectorizable Mechanisms: These should be autonomous, independent of electrical power, and activate during a fire alarm regardless of the alarm’s location.
- Certifications and Regulations: Fire doors must be installed by certified professionals and comply with regulations.
- Comprehensive Risk Analysis: Consider risks from electrical equipment, vehicle charging points, production processes, etc. A multidisciplinary approach is needed. This includes assessing fire load density, the probability of ignition sources and fuels coexisting, evacuation routes, access for fire services, and the maintenance of detection, alarm, and extinguishing systems.
Insurance Companies’ Influence
Insurance companies are responding to the increased fire incidents by tightening insurance policies, increasing premiums, and demanding improved fire protection installations that often exceed legal minimum requirements.
Conclusion:
Investing in appropriate fire safety measures, including sectorization, is crucial for personnel safety, asset protection, and business sustainability. Collaboration with industrial safety experts is recommended.
