FIRE SUPPRESSION
PREVENTiT off ers cost eff ective fi re solution
PREVENTiT from Freeland Scientifi c generated lots of interest when it was launched to the industry at RWM in September. The reason for this was because of the system’s new low-cost fi re prevention solution for waste and recycling stockpiles; it’s exactly what site operators are looking for.
PREVENTiT works by monitoring core temperatures in stockpiles. If an area of the pile approaches dangerous temperatures, industrial sensor probes send an alert wirelessly to a phone or computer, so the fi re can be prevented before it has even started.
Fire prevention has been at the top of the waste industry agenda following last year’s new requirements within the Environment Agency’s Fire Prevention Plans, which force operators to have fi re prevention measures. If operators fail to do this, site permits and insurance could be at risk.
Freeland Scientifi c’s expertise in this area have led to their involvement in trials with the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum, to better understand the conditions under which stockpile fi res occur.
PREVENTiT is designed for stockpiles stored for several weeks at waste and recycling sites. It is particularly suited for woodchip waste, but has applications for other waste covered by Fire Prevention Plans.
There are two methods to measure temperatures: low-cost disposable string sensors distributed through the stockpile, and wireless probes inserted or screwed into the waste pile.
The unique temperature monitoring system works wirelessly to transmit real time information from every sensor point to a PC or mobile phone. It allows the user to keep a check on temperature
data ,as and when convenient. The software also includes a fully traceable batch management system which can be used to track product fl ow through the site.
It is a leading product within the fi re suppression market, which monitors core temperatures deep within a stockpile.
For a typical medium-large waste site, PREVENTiT costs less than £1 per cubic-metre-of-stored woodchip. Already, it has been successfully implemented within the wood stockpiles of a leading waste management and recycling company in the South East of England, and further installations are planned.
Fixed systems to be way ahead
FIRES in recycling plants still make the headlines, and there is evidence that despite Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) guidance, some insurers have decided this sector is not for them.
Reduced insurance market capacity will result in a hardening of premiums, and/ or the imposition of tougher conditions.
Fires cannot be prevented inside a recycling building, and it is generally accepted the most eff ective way of dealing with this is to install fi xed fi refi ghting systems.
BY STEWART KIDD, M.D. LOSS PREVENTION CONSULTANCY LTD
Systems can either be manual or automatic. However, if automatic, the use of heat detection rather than smoke sensors will reduce the possibility of spurious or false activations.
Sprinkler systems respond to the heat of the fi re by operating a thermal sensor in the sprinkler head, so only the heads in
36 SHM November, 2017
the area of the fi re actually open – this reduces the amount of water discharged.
Deluge systems use open heads, operate at the same time, and will be most useful for protecting specifi c items of plant and machinery, rather than large areas.
Sprinkler systems probably provide the optimum level of protection inside buildings and structures – including covering storage areas and sorting areas, and the exterior of machinery.
Deluge systems require either human intervention – so will not be activated when sites are closed – or separate detection systems. In this case, care should be taken to ensure that normal activity, such as steaming, do not actuate the systems.
Some fi re authorities and insurers have suggested the use of water cannons – referred to as monitors. Fixed or oscillating monitors can be located to cover indoor and outdoor storage areas and, when supplied with water from an internal fi re main, will provide extensive wetting of the
outer surfaces of burning stacks.
Above all, care should be taken when applying water at high pressure in a solid stream, as this may result in stacks – and the fi re being spread.
Additionally, foam concentrate may be injected into the water stream to provide enhanced penetration of stacks.
www.skiphiremagazine.co.uk
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