2017 National Fire Statistics - Benefits of water mist - AASYS
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NOVEMBER 2018
ANALYSED:
2017 National
Fire Statistics
FIRE SUPPRESSION:
CHILD SAFETY:
Smoke alarm Benefits of
breakthrough water mist
CONTENTS
2 TRAINING 35 TECHNOLOGY
FPASA fire and technical How solar panel ‘sticky
training courses for 2019 science’ saved a London
4 VIEW school from burning down
Let us not forget the very 39 HERITAGE
COVER: Residential fires accounted for human stories behind the Government neglect blamed
more than half of all financial losses from fire statistics for museum fire that
fires in 2017 destroyed irreplaceable
7 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
world treasures
Vol 44 No 4 • November 2018 Research shows a mother’s
ISSN 0259 - 1766 voice is more effective than a 41 COMMERCE
traditional smoke alarm The fischer FireStop range
Publisher
Fire Protection Association of 8 INTERNATIONAL NEWS aids in the compartment-
Southern Africa alisation of fire and smoke
Incorporated Association not for gain Head of independent review
Reg. No. 1973/000022/08
warns of another potential 43 LIBRARY
Editor Grenfell Tower disaster
Mike Simpson Summaries of fire-related
mike@media-simpson.com
11 FIRE LOSS STATISTICS articles available from the
FPASA Consultants FOR 2017 FPASA Library
Lynley Carols
Kulvir Takoorparsad Unpacking the facts and 44 HISTORY
Design and Production figures around the 2017 The manpower problems of
De Roche Repro National Fire Loss Statistics 1922 still remain familiar to
Printing today’s firefighters
Law Print 27 FIRE SUPPRESSION
Publisher’s Address: We analyse the advantages 46 FDIA MEMBERSHIP
PO Box 15467 Impala Park 1472
Springbok Road Bartlett Boksburg of using water mist as a fire LISTING
Telephone: (011) 397-1618 suppression system
Satellite Tel: (011) 552-6908/9
Telefax (011) 397-1160 30 BATTERIES
or (086) 647-1633
library@fpasa.co.za Assessing the dangers and
www.fpasa.co.za the solutions associated with
Advertising executive lithium battery fires
Barbara Spence
Avenue Advertising
P O Box 71308
Bryanston 2021 South Africa
Tel: (011) 463-7940
barbara@avenue.co.za
www.avenue.co.za Fire suppression
We analyse the advantages
AUDIT BUREAU of using water mist as a fire
OF CIRCULATIONS
suppression system
Fire Protection is a membership magazine
published quarterly by the FPASA.
The views expressed in articles by outside contributors are
See page 27
not necessarily those of the FPASA.
Permission must be obtained from the FPASA before
material in this journal is reprinted or broadcast and
acknowledgement must be given.
1 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
TRAINING
Fire protection training courses for 2019
THE FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS OF THE CPFA Europe. Training takes place at the qualify for discounts of 5-30%.
FPASA’s comprehensive range of Fire FPASA facility near OR Tambo For more information, contact Renay on
Protection courses on offer for 2019. International Airport in Boksburg, or 011 397 1618. Or email her:
All courses are accredited by an arrangements can be made for on-site renay@fpasa.co.za
appropriate body – such as the Civil training at the client’s premises.
Aviation Authority of South Africa or FPASA members and stakeholders Course dates and details as follows:
TITLE JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
1 Basic Fire-Fighting Module 16 06 20 17 08 19 17 07 25 09 06 04
2 Fire-Fighting & Evacuation 15 05 19 16 07 18 16 06 26 08 05 03
3 Workplace Fire-Fighting, Breathing 28-31 25-28 25-28 23-26 27-30 24-27 22-25 12-15 16-19 28-31 11-14 02-05
Apparatus & Grass Fire-Fighting
4 Fire Risk Assessment & Prevention 21-25 11-15 11-15 01-05 27-31 12-16 21-25 02-06
Strategies
5 Advanced Fire Prevention 25-28 01 & 03-07 & 19-23 & 07-11 &
04-08 10-14 26-30 14-18
6 Fire Appliance Reconditioning 18-22 08-12 01-05 18-22
7 Plan Appraisal: SANS 10400 04-08 08-12 24-28 26-30 21-25 09-13
8 CFPA Principles in Fire Safety 04-08 03-07 09-13 25-29
Engineering
9 Fundamentals of Fire Investigation 18-22 13-17 02-06 25-29
10 Advanced Fire Investigation 21-24 05-08
Techniques
11 Sprinkler Pumps: Inspection and 12-14 02-04 09-11 06-08 01-03 19-21
Testing
12 Gas Suppression Design Overview 31 -01 02-03 01-02 01-02 11-12
2 options: Clean Agent or Inert Agent Clean Clean Inert Clean Inert Clean &
Inert
13 Bylaws 25-28 18-21 09-12 25-28
14 Passive Fire Protection - Fire Stop 29 13 27 09
15 Insurer Fire Impact Reduction 15
Strategy (InFIRes) Seminar
NOTE: 1. Courses can be arranged on-site on request - subject to a minimum number of delegates and suitable facilities. 2. The Association reserves the right to postpone or cancel a course.
3. These dates may be subject to change without notice. The amended course dates will be available on our website www.fpasa.co.za.
Bookings:
college@fpasa.co.za
011 397 1618/19
Technical Enquiries:
carelv@fpasa.co.za; lynleyc@fpasa.co.za
Library:
library@fpasa.co.za
Membership/Publication
Enquiries:
reception@fpasa.co.za
Finance:
accounts@fpasa.co.za
2 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
VIEW
Let us not forget the very human
stories behind the statistics
Innovative,
Innovative, ccost-effective
ost- effec tive TTelemetry
e
elemetr y
S WE WERE PUTTING THE FINAL bushfires (see photo below) that Other articles
A touches to this issue of Fire
Protection – with its extensive
focus on the South African Fire Loss
devastated more than 60 000 hectares
of land. In September, the South African
firefighting community was in
As usual, this issue is packed with an
array of thought-provoking and
informative articles. Our News section
and FFire
ire Protection
Protec tion solutions
Statistics for 2017 – Garden Route mourning when three of its brothers
residents were attending a funeral to died in a building fire in downtown
(see pg 7-8), highlights breakthrough
new international research on how fire
Our
Our solutions include:
say their final farewells to the eight Johannesburg.
alarms can best alert young children to
people, all members of the same family, All of these recent incidents should
the outbreak of a blaze. There are also
• Fire system design (Engineering)
who died tragically in a veld fire at serve as reminders that, behind cold
concerning views from an imminent • Fire Detection Solutions
Farleigh, close to Knysna. A few days and bare statistics, are very real human
expert on how poor attitudes within
earlier, a Working on Fire (WoF) tragedies and very real consequences of In-cabinet fire protection I
helicopter pilot had been killed when fire. But as we go through the Fire Loss
the construction industry could result in • Fire Suppression Solutions
another Grenfell Tower-style skyscraper
his chopper went down fighting a fire Statistics for 2017 (see pages 11-24)
at Riversdale, also on the Garden Route. and mull over their implications, let us
fire disaster. • Underground Te
elem
elemetry
Our technology focused features
In the US state of California, around never forget that the real reason we do
800 people were either missing or our jobs as industry professionals is to
(see pg 27-35) have in-depth analyses • Fire and Saffet
e y Equipment
of the advantages of using water mist
confirmed dead as a result of runaway protect property and save lives. Monitoring
as a fire suppression system, and the
Pump station Portable gas monitoring
dangers – and their solutions – • DTS (Distributed Tem
emperature
e
associated with lithium battery fires.
There’s also information on a new Sensing)
product development that may
alleviate difficulties involved in fighting
• Portable and Fixed Gas monitoring
solar panel fires. • Installation Services
Happy holidays Deluge fire system Stand-alone fire suppression
As this is the final issue of the magazine
for 2018, all that remains is to thank
you all for your participation over the
past year – whether it’s partaking in
FPASA training courses, contributing
ideas or being a highly valued advertiser
in this magazine. May you have a
blessed Festive Season and very happy
holidays.
We look forward to serving you DTS (Distributed Temper
e ature Sensing) SL2010 Underground Te
elemetry
again in 2019.
Quality,
Q ualit y, product
pr oduc t innovation
inno v a tion and service
ser vic e excellence
e x c ellenc e
Mike Simpson
Editor is guaranteed
guar an t eed with each solution
w w w.spero.co.za • info@spero.co.za • +27 12 665 0317
Sperosens
Sper osens Sperosens
Sper osens
4 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Uniquely positioned to offer
optimal FIRE DETECTION &
SUPPRESSION solutions for all
Mother’s voice more effective
industries across sub-Saharan Africa than traditional smoke alarm
PRODUCT RANGE SERVICES OFFERED
N INTERNATIONAL STUDY HAS
A
е²8½u+b b½bO½ ½O8 b8+b contained in the voice-alarm message alarms. “We know smoke alarms save
½µ½8Yu µ½b²+b²ÈOb
Èb˲ b½ b½bO½ Detection found that sleeping children are seemed to have little effect, around lives. They will alert occupants early if
*b8²µ?,bO}O8+²½
Extinguishing Panels Flame Detection three times more likely to wake up 90% of the children woke for the voice they are working, fitted and installed in
Â,²8u²b b½bO½+˵½bµV
²b ½²(8bµ b8½?+b b½bO½ including +Ð) b²½obY,²8u to a voice recording than to the loud alarm, compared with just over 53% for the correct location. This gives adults,
½O}b²b+²bµµ Linear Heat Detection еµµ½8Obɽ}+˵½b bµu8Y ÂYub½8²Ë µ½u beeping of a smoke alarm. Research by the beeping alarm. A total of 85% of parents or guardians the opportunity to
2b}Ob²b+²bµµ (Éb²+Âbµ Locally Designed and Manufactured, as well as World- the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the children escaped in five minutes wake children and leave the house.”
8Fb½²b+²bµµ Warning Devices 8µµ²½bY²b b½bO½?+²bµµ §Âb½ Ohio, USA, established that playing a when hearing the voice alarm, The newspaper also quoted
child a recording of their mother’s voice compared with just over 50% for the Professor Niamh Nic Daéid, Director of
was far more likely to wake them up beeping alarm. the Leverhulme Research Centre for
The ²Ëʲ8ubnOÈb½8o²bO½²8bµ offer a number
nnb8½Â²bµ½²8Ë8µµO8½bYɽ}OÈb½8o²bµËµ½bµj than a traditional alarm and would help Speaking to the London-based The Forensic Science at the University of
8bÈb½uVobYÂu²8Y8Fbo²É8²bÈ8-+ V8µÉb8µYbYO8½bY them escape from the fire scene more Guardian newspaper, Rick Hylton of the Dundee in Scotland, as saying that
inputs and outputs. quickly. National Fire Chiefs Council of the UK more research was needed to see if
Fully compliant with EN54-2 and EN54-4 Dr Gary Smith, co-author of the welcomed the study, but added that other familiar sounds, like a dog
3 Year Warranty research, said that high-pitched beeping the public should not be concerned barking, could also prove effective.
2, 4 and 8 Zone Versions alarms tended not to wake children about the effectiveness of their current
Repeater Panel Range Available under 12, although the reason for this
Weatherproof Versions include a DIN Rail option was unknown. Given that, from around Photo credit: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
age five, children had the potential to
save themselves from dangerous
situations, it was important to develop
better alarms.
The study found that using the
child’s name in the recording did not
increase its effectiveness. The next step
would be to investigate whether a voice
other than the mother’s could be
equally effective, or whether the gender
of the recorded voice mattered. “If we
can get something that can be
generically developed and just taken
straight out of the packet and is
effective for children in this age range –
then that is our goal,” Smith said.
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital
research compared the effects of four
different smoke alarms on 176 children
aged between 5 and 12. One alarm had
a high-pitched beep and the other
three had the mother’s voice calling
either the child’s name, or giving
instructions such as ‘wake up’ or ‘leave Stanley the Smoke Alarm is a costume character who promotes fire safety among children,
CAPE TOWN HEAD OFFICE - JOHANNESBURG DURBAN
T +27 (0)21 948 4575 T +27 (0)11 794 9144 E info@technoswitch.co.za T +27 (0)31 266 8843
the room’. Or both. in particular, in the UK. New research indicates that a mother’s voice is more effective for
E info.ct@technoswitch.co.za µµ8(8²V¾*Yub*8YV 8µb²(8²V}8bµF²u E info.dbn@technoswitch.co.za While the specific wording alerting children than a traditional beeping smoke alarm
ISO 9001:2015 Certified 7 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
www.technoswitch.co.za
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Why it’s impossible to rule out
another Grenfell disaster
AME JUDITH HACKITT, APPOINTED are still fresh in people’s memories. things as cheaply as possible, getting
D by the British government to lead
an independent review into
building regulation and fire safety in the
Part of that culture change, she said,
involves the construction industry
having the same sense of care for those
around the rules. It was about cost, not
quality. Unless we fix the system, we
have no way of guaranteeing that there
wake of the Grenfell Tower fire disaster using buildings as it does for those won’t be another catastrophic event.”
in London last year, has warned that it’s involved in constructing them. “When I She continued: “We need to get to a
impossible to rule out a similar tragedy looked from the outside into standards point where people who construct a
if changes aren’t made to the in the built environment, what I building are as responsible for those
regulatory system. encountered was truly shocking. The who use it over the next 10 or 20 years,
Addressing delegates at IOSH 2018, system for fire safety in high-rise and as they are for employee safety [during
the Institution of Occupational Safety complex buildings was weak and building]. What we are calling for is
and Health’s annual international ineffective,” Dame Hackitt told collaboration and joined-up thinking
conference held in Birmingham in delegates. across the built environment sector, not
September, Dame Hackitt said she was “People actually said things like ‘we self-interested groups protecting their
“truly shocked” about standards in the always knew something like this would own turf, something I have seen a lot
built environment when she started her happen’. They knew the system wasn’t of.”
review. She believes it is vital to working but didn’t know how to fix it. Dame Hackitt’s review of the
implement a culture change as soon as There was a race to the bottom. Grenfell fire was published earlier this
possible, while the horrors of Grenfell “Companies were looking to do year and included 53 recommendations
aimed at providing a stronger and
tougher – but easier to follow –
regulatory regime.
She said some industry groups and
the UK government are already looking
at how to implement certain of the
measures. These include bringing
together bodies such as the Health and
Safety Executive, local authority
building control, and fire and rescue
authorities.
Dame Hackitt added that there
needs to be stronger powers of
enforcement so as to provide more
deterrent to cost-cutting. “Right now,
the level of penalties when people are
caught out is not strong enough,” she
said. “There is no deterrent.
“We also need a system where
people can raise concerns in the
knowledge they will be acted on. The
same goes for within industry. For
example, we don’t want people thinking
they don’t know who to tell if there are
concerns.”
8 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
FIRE STATS 2017
Latest figures show massive
increase in financial losses
resulting from Knysna fires
T HE FOLLOWING PAGES PROVIDE STATISTICAL
information on the reporting of fires received from the
various fire departments across the country during 2017.
Efforts are currently underway to improve participation from all
national fire brigades with regard to increasing the number of
brigades providing fire data, as well as the quality of the data
reported to the FPASA.
The overall number of fires recorded for 2017, across all
categories, has increased by 18.37% when compared to the
overall 2016 figure. This increase was attributed to the Knysna
Fires which ravaged the Western Cape, claimed several lives,
displaced thousands of people and ultimately resulted in
significant financial losses arising from damage to property. The
reported monetary damages support this finding. The overall
reported national financial loss has risen from R3.1-billion in
2016 to R5.4-billion in 2017, a massive 74.20% increase.
The largest financial losses in 2017 were attributed to fires
which occurred within the category of residential. This
accounted for 50.60% of the total monetary loss of all fires,
with an astounding R2,773,495, 906.00 (almost R2.8-billion)
loss reported.
There has been improvement in the assigned causes of fire,
when comparing the 2016 and 2017 reported statistics. Of the
41,873 fires reported for 2016, 36.63% were attributed to
undetermined causes. In 2017 there were a total of 49 567
reported fires and only 28.38% constituted undetermined
causes. Based on this it was concluded that, while the number
of reported fires had increased by 18.37%, there had also been
an 8.25% improvement in determining the cause of fire. This
improvement may be suggestive of a commitment by the Fire
Services to improved fire investigation and cause determination
in South Africa.
11 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
FIRE STATS 2017
Deaths 2017
Description Adult
Adult deaths 2017 Buses 1
Cars, motorcycles 116
Cinemas and theatres 2 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Department stores 1
Cars, Motorcycles
Dwellings formal 174
Educational establishments 2
Electronics 1
Dwellings informal
Dwellings formal Flats 3
Furniture 1
Heavy goods vehicles 4
Hospitals and nursing homes 1
Hotels and boarding houses 1
Informal dwellings 275
Buses Informal dwellings
Cars and motorcycles Metal Metal 3
Cinemas and theatres Mines (surface)
Department stores Miscellaneous fires Mines (surface) 1
Dwellings formal Night clubs and dance halls
Educational establishments Plantations and forests
Miscellaneous fires 5
Electronics Restuarants and cafes Night clubs and dance halls 1
Flats Rubbish, grass and bush
Furniture Shops Plantations and forests 2
Heavy goods vehicles Trains
Hospitals and nursing homes Utilities Restaurants and cafes 1
Hotels and boarding houses Warehouses
Rubbish, grass and bush 53
Shops 4
Trains 1 FIRE SYSTEMS
Utilities 6
Warehouses 1
Total 660
VEHIC
V
Vehicle
ehicle engine and risk area protection
Compared deaths 2008 - 2017
Compared deaths LOCA
900
2008 - 2017 Protect
Protection of generators, transformers, conveyors etc.
850 Year Total BLAZ
800
750 2008 377 Mobile
700
650
2009 376 ROTO
600 2010 224 Rapid
p response
r foam mist unit
NUMBER OF DEATHS
550
500 2011 410 I-PRO
450
400
2012 391 Detectio
350
2013 578
300
WATE
250 2014 854
200 Revolut
150
2015 436
100
2016 530
50
0 2017 660
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
YEARS
WWW.FIRE.I-CAT.CO.ZA
WW
FOR DISTRIBUTOR
D & INSTALLER ENQUIRIES
12 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
FIRE STATS 2017
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ABAQULUSI MUNICIPALITY(Vryheid) 37 10 1 - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - 13 5 - - 69
ALFRED DUMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY(Ladysmith) 15 38 1 - - 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11 3 6 - 3 - 91 - - 3 173
AMAHLATHI FIRE DEPARTMENT(Stutterhein) 2 17 - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 - 1 - - - 68 7 - 6 107
BITOU - PLETTENBURG BAY PROTECTION SERVICES(Plettenberg)8 46 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 11 - - - - - 121 51 - 105 350
BREEDEVALLEI MUNICIPALITY(Worcester) 51 228 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 52 - - - - 335 - - - 669
BUFFALO CITY MUNICIPALITY(Bisho) 142 379 16 6 3 8 - - - - 2 7 10 3 3 3 - - - 2 - 1 - 1 1 - - 1 - - 67 4 7 1 - - 1154 1 3 138 1963
CAPE TOWN METRO COUNCIL 1544 1628 148 10 14 69 27 1 2 44 106 124 27 32 12 18 11 6 3 2 2 3 19 5 3 5 4 - 70 620 14 62 7 5 1 9759 1 1 1024 15433
Dr BEYERS NAUDE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY(Willowmore) 6 19 - 1 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - 2 - 3 - - - 34 - 4 - 71
DR RUTH S. MOMPATI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY(Vryburg) 76 48 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 123 - - - - - 57 22 12 14 352
EDUMBE MUNICIPALITY(Paulpietersburg) 26 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 - - - 29
EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY(Germiston) 598 581 11 8 4 8 5 - 1 3 22 32 30 6 13 23 24 18 20 5 1 1 4 4 7 15 23 67 30 69 164 26 35 2 5 481 1183 70 19 69 3687
ETHEKWINI UNICITY MUNICIPALITY(Durban) 561 552 81 7 8 27 7 - - 1 36 33 93 3 22 16 30 5 10 3 - 6 12 9 5 17 11 3 1 46 392 29 74 2 8 - 4710 24 6 541 7391
GOVEN MBEKI MUNICIPALITY(Secunda) 79 103 1 - - 1 - - - - 2 - 2 - - - - - 8 - - - - - - 2 5 35 1 - 25 2 9 - - - 20 8 - 11 314
GREAT KEI FIRE DEPARTMENT(Cintsa) 5 13 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46 - - - - - 91 - - 1 156
JOHANNESBURG EMS 483 346 1 10 6 2 32 13 2 2 15 9 1 1 2 2 - - 1 - 2 1 - - - 1 33 1 47 238 1 5 - - - 1082 27 3 64 2433
KHARA HAIS(Upington) 35 52 - - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 82 - - - - - 50 7 13 - 241
KNYSNA MUNICIPALITY FIRE SERVICES 1060 453 - - - 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15 1 1 - - - 446 - - 18 1997
KOUGA MUNICIPALITY(Jeffrey's Bay) 27 84 - 1 - - 1 - - 1 1 - 6 - - - 3 - - 1 - - - - - - - 10 - - 18 - 5 - - - 81 307 - 7 553
KWA-DUKUZA FIRE DEPARTMENT(Stanger) 33 56 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 - 10 4 - - - - - - 1 15 - - 31 - - - - - 131 6 - - 290
LANGEBERG FIRE DEPARTMENT(Ashton) 14 52 - 1 1 2 - - - - - - 1 - - - 2 - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - 4 - 1 - - - 153 - - 1 233
MADIBENG FIRE DEPARTMENT(Brits) 57 26 - - - 1 1 - - 4 3 - 2 - - 1 1 1 - - - - - - - - 2 - 2 2 22 3 7 - - - 138 - - 16 289
MAKANA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY(Grahamstown) 18 22 1 - - - - - - - - 2 1 - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 71 18 - 2 136
MANGAUNG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY(Bloemfontein) 122 159 4 3 3 7 3 1 1 2 4 12 9 5 2 3 10 - - - - 1 - - 2 - - - - 3 41 2 12 - 1 - 580 - 9 12 1013
MANTSOPA MUNICIPALITY(Ladybrand) 5 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 - - - - - 84 - - - 96
MBHASHE FIRE DEPARTMENT(Dutywa) 49 7 - - - 1 - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 28 - - - - - 15 - - - 101
MBOMBELA MUNICIPALITY(Nelspruit) 137 21 - - - - - - - - - - 3 - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - 61 - 7 - - - 218 - - 17 465
METSIMAHOLO MUNICIPALITY(Sasolburg) 42 85 6 - - - - - - - - 2 1 - - - - - 9 - 3 - - 7 7 2 - - - - 14 - 12 - - - 15 - - - 205
MIDVAAL FIRE SERVICES(Meyerton) 25 13 - - 1 1 - - - - - - - - - - 6 - 1 1 - - - - - - - - - 1 7 - 3 - - - 352 - - 4 415
MKHONDO FIRE DEPARTMENT(Piet Retief) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12 99 - - 111
MNQUMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY(Butterworth) 20 26 - - - 2 - - - - - - 2 1 - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - 48 - - - - - 26 - 1 2 131
MOGALAKWENA MUNICIPALITY(Potgietersrus) 47 3 1 - - 1 - - - - - - 3 1 1 - 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - 3 - 1 14 2 6 - - - 98 5 2 - 190
MOQHAKA MUNICIPALITY(Kroonstad) 10 6 1 1 - - - - - - - - 3 - 1 - 1 - - - - - - - 1 - 1 1 - - 2 - 1 - - - 61 - - - 90
MOSSEL BAY FIRE & RESCUE 29 71 6 1 - - - - - - 1 - 3 - - - 4 - - - - - 1 1 - - - 5 - 7 6 1 - - - - 380 - - 6 522
MSUKALINGWA FIRE DEPARTMENT(Ermelo) 16 23 - - - - - - - - 2 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 - - - 1 - - - - - - - 6 7 2 2 - - - 47 4 33 13 161
NAMAKWA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY(Springbok) 4 4 - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - 3 - 4 17 36
NELSON MANDELA BAY METRO(Port Elizabeth) 120 154 5 1 0 10 2 - - 1 4 2 10 - 2 3 1 1 2 - - 1 - - 1 2 3 1 - 2 35 1 4 1 - - 294 16 2 14 695
NEWCASTLE PROTECTION SERVICES 207 55 - - - 4 - - - - 1 2 10 - - - 2 - - 1 - - - - - 1 - - - - 3 - 2 - - - 383 - - - 671
NGQUSHWA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY(Peddie) 13 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23 - 9 - - - 27 2 - 3 82
PIXLEY KA SEME FIRE DEPARTMENT(Volksrust) 11 - - - - - - - - - - - 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 - 2 - - - 27 - - - 47
POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY(Pieterburg) 27 9 2 1 1 1 - - 1 - - 3 5 1 2 1 2 - 1 1 - 1 - 2 1 2 1 4 - 3 48 8 9 - - - 66 - 1 - 204
RAY NKONYENI MUNICIPALITY(Port Shepstone) 23 5 - - - - - - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11 - - 3 - 1 - - - 64 5 - 15 132
SOL PLAATJE EMS(Ermelo) 81 85 - - 3 3 1 - - - 3 5 2 - 2 2 4 - 1 - - 1 - - - - 1 - 1 1 20 - - - - - 547 - - - 763
STELLENBOSCH FIRE DEPARTMENT 22 19 1 1 - - - - - - - - - - 2 - 1 - - - - - - - 1 - - 3 - 1 6 - 1 - 8 - 232 2 1 2 303
STEVE TSHWETE (Hendrina) 9 2 - 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 - 1 - 77 - - - 96
STEVE TSHWETE (Middleburg) 47 28 - 22 - - - - - - - - 3 - - - - - 14 - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 4 - - - 243 - - - 364
SWARTLAND MUNICIPALITY(Malmesbury) 27 20 2 2 3 - - - - - 1 1 1 - 6 - 2 5 21 - - - 6 - - 1 - 3 - - 24 - 2 - 1 - 153 50 17 - 348
TSHWANE METRO MUNICIPALITY(Pretoria) 653 345 29 3 4 7 2 - 3 1 17 21 59 6 3 7 5 19 5 2 3 1 1 3 2 4 6 4 - 15 321 38 33 - 8 1 2390 - 144 220 4385
UBUHLEBEZWE FIRE DEPARTMENT(Ixopo) 38 6 - - - 2 - - 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 1 5 - - - 35 11 - - 102
UMHLATHUZE MUNICIPALITY(Empangeni) 56 32 1 - 1 2 1 - - - - 1 2 - 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - - 2 - - - 27 1 3 - 1 - 246 - - 36 414
UMLALAZI MUNICIPALITY(Eshowe) 64 - - - 1 1 - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - 3 - 12 - - - 400 6 - - 489
Total 6781 5940 319 83 53 163 82 14 8 17 147 247 411 54 94 75 130 62 108 24 9 20 29 46 33 49 62 204 37 281 2629 194 349 13 41 483 26866 754 275 2381 49567
14 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018 15 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018
FIRE STATS 2017
Fire losses 2017
Breakdown of fire losses
DESCRIPTION SMOKING ELECTRICAL OPEN FLAMES COOKING HEATING WELDING LIGHTNING ARSON UNREST UNDETERMINED OTHER TOTAL RAND DAMAGE
Dwellings formal 109 862 1857 348 207 27 43 336 1 2186 805 6781 2 538 450 645
Informal dwellings 142 739 1445 336 206 10 25 295 0 2193 549 5940 194 941 641
Flats 18 75 34 52 16 1 0 6 2 56 59 319 34 081 620
Hotels and boarding houses 0 12 10 6 1 0 0 3 0 46 5 83 6 022 000
Hospitals and nursing homes 0 20 3 2 5 0 0 4 0 13 9 53 26 136 628
Educational establishments 5 21 22 5 1 0 0 31 0 30 48 163 49 901 860
Churches and halls 2 18 11 2 1 1 0 9 0 33 5 82 39 566 000
Cinemas and theatres 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 14 555 200
Museums, libraries and art galleries 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 1 8 15 452 600
Night clubs and dance halls 0 5 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 17 2 006 000
Restaurants and cafes 1 21 13 42 12 0 0 3 0 42 13 147 32 284 931
Offices 2 69 46 4 7 0 0 6 1 81 31 247 135 304 633
Shops 8 99 32 25 14 8 0 64 0 88 73 411 179 860 401
Department stores 4 11 3 7 0 2 0 0 0 24 3 54 112 429 500
Garages and workshops 0 19 12 1 8 4 0 8 0 21 21 94 52 282 700
Warehouses 1 14 7 2 1 4 0 3 0 31 12 75 182 844 500
Outside storage 7 13 29 0 2 1 3 8 1 48 18 130 8 552 311
Furniture 3 4 4 0 1 2 0 4 0 38 6 62 13 473 000
Plastics and rubber 1 6 30 4 4 5 0 15 0 36 7 108 84 029 700
Textile 2 2 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 9 4 24 21 300 500
Printing 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 9 R 741 500
Milling 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 2 0 11 1 20 15 547 500
Petroleum 0 4 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 14 29 3 861 392
Food and drink 0 11 6 15 1 0 0 2 0 4 7 46 40 716 400
Paper and packaging 0 4 8 1 1 2 2 2 0 10 3 33 9 657 300
Chemical 1 6 3 0 6 4 1 0 0 16 12 49 15 002 831
Metal 0 13 13 0 2 4 0 0 0 23 7 62 2 010 800
Electronics 1 85 17 0 3 0 2 1 0 66 29 204 35 915 500
Mines (surface) 0 23 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 5 5 37 839 000
Utilities 2 102 33 1 6 2 0 7 0 86 42 281 81 257 469
Cars, motorcycles 24 661 232 0 38 47 1 113 2 933 578 2629 173 262 191
Buses 1 41 10 0 7 1 0 15 1 94 24 194 24 539 306
Heavy goods vehicles 1 71 30 0 37 4 0 23 1 110 72 349 182 893 900
Ships 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 3 0 2 3 13 8 523 000
Trains 0 10 1 0 1 0 0 10 1 18 0 41 1 017 064 000
Aircraft 5 0 103 0 0 2 1 11 0 335 26 483 1 926 322
Rubbish, grass and bush 1222 124 12619 272 96 56 75 540 26 6556 5275 26866 79 676 037
Plantations and forests 33 3 123 2 0 0 17 64 0 434 80 754 42 932 763
Agricultural 2 8 50 116 2 1 6 13 0 69 8 275 568 700
Miscellaneous fires 37 631 454 53 11 4 7 115 24 300 746 2381 15 136 602
Total 1638 3812 17277 1304 704 196 183 1722 60 14068 8604 49567 5 481 548 883
3,30% 7,70% 34,86% 2,63% 1,42% 0,39% 0,37% 3,47% 0,12% 28,38% 17,35% 100%
16 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018 17 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018FIRE STATS 2017
Compared residential (informal)
fire losses 2008 - 2017
Year Damages
2008 (3279) R 76 827 903
Fire losses 2008- 2017 2009 (4008) R 101 174 053
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2010 (2590) R 64 719 576
2011 (4046) R 102 389 740
Total Loss in Rands 2312,5 2013,6 1323 2085,6 3162 2158 1847 2732 3144 5481
2012 (4516) R 114 556 248
GNI 2209,9 2342,4 2608,5 2897,6 3066 3441 3694 3913 4229 4512
2013 (4886) R 117 693 080
Fire Loss as a % of GNI 0,10% 0,09% 0,05% 0,07% 0,10% 0,06% 0,05% 0,07% 0,07% 0,12%
2014 (5191) R 103 999 546
No. of Fires 35,4 40,4 26,5 37,7 41,4 42,3 46,1 45,7 41,8 49,5 2015 (5448) R 132 525 415
Population 49,3 49,9 49,9 51,7 52,2 52,9 53,5 54,3 55 55,7 2016 (5283) R 179 513 324
Legend to table: 2017 (5940) R194 941 641
Total loss in Rands = Total monetary value in millions
GNI = Gross National Income in billions
No. of Fires = Total number of fires in thousands
Population = South African population in millions
Compared residential formal losses 2008 - 2017
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Formal dwellings R 387 199 973 R 495 170 058 R 525 406 578 R 576 242 642 R 556 062 426 R 770 392 753 R 408 543 965 R 997 647 018 R 1 628 615 209 R 2 538 450 645
Informal dwellings R 76 827 903 R 101 174 053 R 64 719 576 R 102 389 740 R 114 556 248 R 117 693 080 R 103 999 546 R 132 525 415 R 179 513 324 R 194 941 641
Flats R 29 625 288 R 31 858 641 R 21 695 900 R 31 496 970 R 51 584 320 R 34 968 000 R 164 670 830 R 26 808 200 R 28 497 000 R 34 081 620
Hotels and boarding houses R 11 313 775 R 38 899 991 R 1 980 700 R 18 015 340 R 22 075 400 R 85 813 450 R 3 272 490 R 29 454 200 R 7 304 630 R 6 022 000
TOTAL R 504 966 938 R 667 102 744 R 613 802 754 R 728 144 692 R 744 278 394 R 1 008 867 283 R 680 486 831 R 1 186 434 833 R 1 843 930 163 R 2 773 495 906
18 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018 19 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018FIRE STATS 2017
Compared number of fires
2008-2017
Year Number of Fires
2008 35432
2009 40481
2010 26574
2011 37721
2012 41481
2013 42343
2014 46187
2015 45784
2016 41873
2017 49567
Compared number of fires for the last decade
49567
46187 45784
41481 42343 41873
40481
37721
35432
26574
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
20 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018FIRE STATS 2017
Compared industrial losses 2016 - 2017
Description 2016 Value of loss 2016 Incidents 2017 Value of loss 2017 Incidents
Furniture R 6 810 650 38 R 13 473 000 62
Plastics and rubber R 23 921 300 57 R 84 029 700 108
Textile R 50 779 500 22 R 21 300 500 24
Printing R 150 000 2 R 741 500 9
Milling R 11 149 500 10 R 15 547 500 20
Petroleum R 6 390 000 27 R 3 861 392 29
Food and drink R 3 492 000 17 R 40 716 400 46
Paper and packaging R 20 149 800 33 R 9 657 300 33
Chemical R 18 743 000 45 R 15 002 831 49
Metal R 7 258 859 79 R 2 010 800 62
Electronics R 27 882 500 170 R 35 915 500 204
Mines (surface) R 15 077 200 75 R 839 000 37
Utilities R 36 597 900 151 R 81 257 469 281
Total R 228 402 209 726 R 324 352 892 964
23 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018FIRE STATS 2017
Breakdown of occupancy 2017 Financial losses 2017
Description Total
Formal dwellings 6781
Other
Informal dwellings 5940 3%
Transport
Flats 319 26%
Hotels and boarding houses 83
Hospitals and nursing homes 53 Residential
51%
Educational establishments 163
Churches and halls 82 Institutional
1%
Cinemas and theatres 14
Public
Museums, libraries and art galleries 8 Assembly
1%
Night clubs and dance halls 17 Commercial
9%
Restaurants and cafes 147 Storage
3%
Offices 247
Industry
Shops 411 7%
Department stores 54
Garages and workshops 94
Warehouses 75
Outside storage 130
Furniture 62
Plastics and rubber 108
Textile 24 Financial losses 2017
Printing 9 Occupancies Total Damage
Milling 20
Residential R 2 773 495 906
Petroleum 29
Food and drink 46 Institutional R 76 038 488
Paper and packaging 33 Public Assembly R 57 579 800
Chemical 49
Commercial R 512 162 165
Metal 62
Storage R 191 396 811
Electronics 204
Mines (surface) 37 Industry R 324 352 892
Utilities 281 Transport R 1 408 208 719
Cars, motorcycles 2629
Other R 138 314 102
Buses 194
Heavy goods vehicles 349 Total R 5 481 548 883
Ships 13
Trains 41
Aircraft 483
Rubbish, grass and bush 26866
Plantations and forests 754
Agricultural 275
Miscellaneous fires 2381
Total 49567
24 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018FIRE SUPPRESSION
By Lynley Carols, Head
Water mist of Technical & College,
at the FPASA
as a fire
suppression
system
A water mist system displaces oxygen and creates heat absorption by turning the mist into steam
Introduction
For as long as we can remember, water has been the number one way of extinguishing fires.
Indeed, during my many years in the fire service, I always marvelled at the fact that a tiny
droplet of water can have such an effect on a fire. Yet it does – as researchers have proven
through physics over the past 50 years.
PRINKLER SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN Water mist suppression is also replacing litre of water into 1 600l of steam. The
S used as a method of fire
suppression for over 200 years
and their effectiveness is very
impressive. In more recent times, water
mist suppression systems have been
halon systems in order to be more
environmentally friendly.
So why is water so
efficient?
size of sprinkler droplets is equal to
1mm, whereas water mist creates a
droplet size of 50-200µm. For this
reason it’s more effective if we look at
two of the four methods of
developed as a way of reducing fire risk Latent heat of vaporisation of water is extinguishment; removal of oxygen and
in areas such as ship engine rooms, 2 256kJ/kg, with a specific heat heat. Water mist droplets cover the
aircraft hangars, warehouses, factories, capacity of 4.2kJ/ (kg.K). For water to floor area much faster than a droplet
retail stores, restaurant kitchens and – turn into steam, an exothermic reaction from a sprinkler, which increases heat
in countries such as Canada, the USA needs to take place, which will require absorption and makes the vaporisation
and Britain – residential dwellings. 2 600kJ of energy in order to turn one rate faster.
27 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018FIRE SUPPRESSION
Advantages of water mist ▲ Able to extinguish Class A,B,C and become regulation in some countries. In
systems F/K fires; Britain, the standard is still under
▲ Rapid cooling effects; revision under DD8489 and DD 8458,
Water mist systems can be found in
▲ They will form a mist blanket and/or as well as for international regulations
both portable and fixed units, and may
curtain against radiant heat; NFPA 750 and some clauses in NFPA
come with various extinguishing
▲ Safe for electrical installations or 13R, 13D and 15, IMO A.800 and
medium options. These include water
appliances; CEN/TS 14972.
with inert gas, natural sea water for
▲ Inexpensive agents are used in the Water mist systems have already
ship firefighting, and water mixed with
units, rather than other, more costly, proved to be a very reliable, as data
antifreeze for use in sub-zero
extinguishing agents; gathered over the past 5-6 years by the
temperatures. Water mist systems have
▲ Easy to refill; UK-based BRE Group indicates (visit
the following benefits:
▲ Response is rapid, as there is no need www.bre.co.uk for more information).
▲ The cylinders are made of high-
to lay out fire hoses, drag hose reels Water mist is one of the most
quality material with internal
etc. innovative fire prevention systems to be
corrosion protection;
introduced in recent years, especially
▲ Human safety is guaranteed;
In Summary when it comes to containing fires in
▲ Toxic fumes are not released and
residential areas. It is more cost
there is no thermal breakdown; As mentioned earlier, water mist fire
effective, cleaner and easier to operate.
▲ Environmentally friendly; suppression systems have already
Water mist deployed inside an aircraft hangar
The water mist system heat absorption by turning the water systems which will protect thatched
mist into steam. In the area where it is roofs or properties that are at risk from
A water mist system is a fixed fire
installed, the system will reduce heat the flying embers caused by veld fires.
suppression system which may also
and decrease the amount of oxygen Let’s look at some of the systems
include additional components such as
(specifically in compartmentation designed by the BRE Group and Brigit
detection, actuation, water supply and
rooms), and decrease the amount of Systems:
water application systems. The main
radiated heat release; for example, ▲ Localised-application system/object
aim of a water mist fire suppression
extractor fans in deep fryers or gas protection. These protect any object
system is to generate sufficient pressure
stove grills in restaurant kitchens. Water that is located in a specific
in order to distribute enough water
mist suppression systems are also very contained area, or in a high-risk open
droplets to cover the area it is designed
useful in confined areas such as rail and area.
to protect.
road tunnels. ▲ Compartmentation. These protect
To be extinguished, a fire must be
an enclosure with a specific high
controlled, cooled down and
Water mist system designs heat release rate in a particular
suppressed. When all three factors are
room. For example, a pump house or
in play, they will ultimately lead to total There are currently two water mist
flammable liquid store, which will
extinguishment. What a water mist system designs on the market. But
have a 1%-3% foam concentrate
system will do in its operational there are still many opportunities to
within the vessel.
function is displace oxygen and create innovate into new areas; for example, A water mist suppression system used to protect a transformer
28 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018 29 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018BATTERIES
FireDos foam dosing pumps and systems • Monitors and water cannons
• Mobile dosing and monitor systems • Bund and tank top pourers
Lithium batteries:
The dangers and
the solutions special risk fire protection
Hand line nozzles • Mueller gate valves, indicator posts and fire
protection control valves • Jones hydrants • Foam concentrate
+27 (0) 861 111 544 • sales@dosetech.co.za
PHOTO CREDIT: NASA SAFETY CENTRE
mgf@dosetech.co.za • www.dosetech.co.za
Aftermath of a fire in a laptop lithium-ion battery
Introduction other alternatives. However, they generate
large amounts of energy, and the fire and
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO
By Carel Vermaak, explosion risk associated with them is
improve safety and security, as well as to
FPASA Technical therefore high. For ease of understanding, all
prevent the consequent loss of life,
Specialist
destruction of property and disruption to
business activities. The intention is not to
batteries in this article will be referred to as
lithium batteries. FPA FIRE COLLEGE
criticise lithium or lithium-ion batteries, and The difference between lithium
the content below will assist in gaining a and lithium-ion batteries Fire courses acknowledged
better understanding of such batteries and
the potential fire risks involved. Lithium-ion batteries, despite their for quality and professionalism
Lithium batteries are used widely name, do not release any
throughout the world and are lithium during a fire
considered to be among the incident, even if the
COURSE BOOKINGS
greatest breakthroughs in casing is
compromised. FIRE PROTECTION
battery power
How can ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN
technology. AFRICA
Lithium-based you
Telephone (011) 397 1618
batteries are
Fax (011) 397 1160 or (086) 647 1633
inexpensive,
Satellite Tel: (011) 552-6908/9
lightweight, powerful and
FPA Web page: http/www.fpasa.co.za
environmentally safer than
Lithium-ion batteries do not release any
lithium during a fire incident
30 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018 31 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018BATTERIES
tell the difference? The difference is that fire that will continuously flare up as each Strategies to manage fire risks system that will suppress, cool, isolate and
lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable. battery cell in turn ruptures and releases its contain the fire. Suppression of lithium-ion
Training in the safe handling of lithium and
Examples include those used in digital contents. battery secondary fires is best accomplished
lithium-ion batteries should be included in
cameras, laptops, tablets, and hybrid/plug-in The result is the release of flammable by cooling the burning material.
the risk management strategy. Organisations
vehicles. electrolyte from the battery and, in the case Another consideration is to isolate
and individuals should be made aware of the
Lithium batteries, however, will release of disposal lithium batteries, the release of lithium batteries during transport, storage,
hazards of these batteries.
lithium during a fire incident. They are single- molten burning lithium. A concern is that etc. These should be done in an environment
use, non-rechargeable batteries which are these fires should not be treated as a normal that can effectively contain a fire and the
Standard operating procedures
discarded by the end user once they go ‘flat’. fire and will require specific training, (SOPs) resulting toxic byproduct. Isolation of
planning, storage and extinguishing batteries from general facilities could include
interventions. SOPs should include all aspects of the safe external storage or satellite storage methods.
Unfortunately, the amount of data transport, storage, life cycle, daily use Material Safety Data Sheet indicates,
related to fire behaviour of large-format disposal, etc. under the heading ‘extinguish medium’, the
batteries is limited. However we can predict use of CO2, DCP and foam. It also warns not
that, when a battery undergoes thermal
Emergency response to use a class D fire extinguisher on lithium-
procedures
runaway, it will behave in a certain manner. ion batteries.
The fire may be a progressive burn-off, or one Through a proper risk assessment, create FM Global, in conjunction with the NFPA
that is explosive in nature. Both types of emergency response procedures based on Research Foundation, has conducted tests on
thermal events and their negative byproducts suitable response and battery handling data. the suitability of sprinkler systems to protect
(jetted shrapnel, molten metal, burning the storage facilities of lithium-ion batteries.
electrolytes and other matter) can be What is the recommended When designing a suppression system,
managed in the appropriate storage and protection? the combined effects of different storage
transport environments. As these batteries are increasingly commonly heights, ceiling height, protection system
Mechanical damage would probably rank used, this is a difficult question to answer. design, commodity type and composition are
as the highest risk factor to initiating thermal Careful planning and decisions on the part of yet to be properly understood and should not
runaway (fire/explosion event). Improper the installer and the end user are required. be inferred from these test results alone.
handling can result in crush or puncture Here are some considerations as far as fire Additionally, significant changes in lithium-
damage, possibly leading to the release of protection is concerned: ion battery design and chemistry may require
electrolyte material or short-circuiting. ▲ a class D fire extinguisher that uses copper additional research over time.
agent may be a suitable fire extinguishing
medium for lithium batteries; Conclusion
▲ however, a class D fire extinguisher may Battery technology is changing rapidly. With
Non-rechargeable lithium not have any effect on lithium-ion new battery technologies, new hazards may
batteries will release lithium
batteries. emerge. New challenges exist for determining
during a fire incident
the best way to suppress and control fires,
Consider including determining the most suitable and
Fire behaviour of lithium effective fire suppression agents and systems. References:
Develop a fire containment and suppression
batteries FM Global
system. Extinguishment of lithium-ion NFPA Research Foundation
Lithium batteries have the potential to battery fires is best accomplished by a Ron Butler
spontaneously ignite and subsequently
explode due to overheating. Overheating
might be caused by overcharging, electrical
shorting, rapid discharge, manufacturers’ The Association offers an array
defect, poor design or mechanical damage. Need a workplace of fire risk management,
Overheating results in a process called consulting and engineering
thermal runaway, where a reaction within the fire risk assessment? services, including legal
compliance reviews, fire safety
battery is causing internal temperature and
pressure to rise at a quicker rate than can be We can help audits, investigations and
evacuation procedures and
dissipated. Once one battery cell undergoes plans
thermal runaway, sufficient heat may be
produced to cause adjacent battery cells to FIRE PROTEC TION A S SOCIATION OF SOUTHERN
undergo thermal runaway. This produces a The result of a mobile phone battery fire
Incorporated Association not for Gain. Reg No 1973/000022/08 VAT Registration No.: 4110103100
Tel: (011) 397-1618, Satellite Tel: (011) 552-6908/9, Fax: (011) 397-1160, www.fpasa.co.za
32 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018 33 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018TECHNOLOGY
Solar panel ‘sticky science’
For Cooking Equipment, saves London school from fire
ANSUL Products Protect More ®
Cafes and cafeterias. Delis and diners. Fast food chains and food courts. ANSUL® fire suppression systems and
portable extinguishers protect more types of cooking equipment for more customers than any other brand.
Our passion for protection is what fuels product innovation and application methods to protect your valued
employees, customers and livelihood.
While solar panels offer many advantages, they do pose additional challenges for firefighters
When you want the most trusted restaurant suppression systems,
turn to the ANSUL® brand.
L ONDON FIREFIGHTERS HAVE
used a new glue-like liquid to
save a school in the suburb of
Twickenham from burning down.
to stop the fire spreading to the
solar panels, thereby preventing
more serious damage to the entire
roof structure. PVStop is a black
became the first fire service in the
world to join a trial of the light-
blocking coating, but it was only
more recently that it was able to
www.ansul.com/restaurants liquid coating designed to cover use PVStop in a real-life
According to the UK-based Fire
magazine, they are the first crews solar panels and act as a ‘liquid emergency scenario.
in Europe to use this scientific tarpaulin’. It can be sprayed onto
breakthrough. the panel using an extinguisher or Quick application
Crews used the specialist the head of an aerial appliance. George Mahoney, Operational
glutinous substance, called PVStop, In 2017 the London Fire Brigade Policy Watch Manager at the
© 2018 Johnson Controls.
Contr All rights reserved.
ed. AD-2018-8-B
35 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018TECHNOLOGY
brigade, said: “The fire started in an PVStop works by blocking the “This is the first time PVStop
extractor fan on the ground floor sunlight which powers them, so the has been used operationally in
and spread into the void of the process of converting light into Europe. It has been used once in
roof, where the school had solar electricity is stopped.” Australia, where it is manufactured.
panels. Without crews quickly It was great to see this in action
applying PVStop, the fire could Panels de-energised for the first time and it was Powerful, easy to
have very quickly spread to the He continued: “The panels are then successful – it prevented the fire
solar panels which, in turn, could de-energised and the risk of spreading and has saved the school ÏŅĹĀčƚųåØ8ĜųåĬ±ŸŸ
have compromised the roof of the the cost of having to replace the
school.
electrocution is greatly reduced, so
crews can get closer and prevent solar panels.” ŞųŅƴĜÚåŸƼŅƚƵĜƋʱ
“Incidents involving solar panels
can be especially dangerous as it’s
fire spreading from a roof to the
rest of the building. A combination
The liquid, which is
environmentally friendly and non-
ųåĬĜ±ÆĬå±ĹÚāåƻĜÆĬå
difficult to isolate the electrical
current they generate if they are
of science and the quick thinking toxic, has been distributed to
eleven of the London Fire Brigade’s
ŸŅĬƚƋĜŅĹüųŅĵŅĹå
of firefighters really saved this
damaged or involved in a fire. school from significant damage. aerial appliances. ŞųŅƴĜÚåųţ
+27 11 401 6700 info@elvey.co.za www.elvey.co.za
Fires involving solar panels can be especially dangerous as it’s difficult to isolate the electrical current they generate
ELVEY IS A LEADING DISTRIBUTOR OF ELECTRONIC SECURITY EQUIPMENT IN AFRICA.
Our mission is to assist in the protection of people and property by providing quality,
36 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018 innovative products and solutions to the electronic security industry, thereby ensuring a safe
and secure future for all.HERITAGE
Kidde Linear Heat Detection heavily criticised for not doing
Government neglect blamed enough to ensure the building and
its priceless treasures were
for Rio museum fire disaster adequately protected from the risk
of fire.
“We never got anything from
the federal government,” senior
museum executive Luiz Duarte told
GLOBAL EFFORT IS UNDERWAY – ladders, no equipment. So we took
A
the media. “The money spent on
led by the United Nations the initiative to get in to try and each one of those [lavish] stadiums
Educational, Scientific and save what we could. We had to [for the 2014 soccer World Cup]: a
Cultural Organization (Unesco) – break down doors. The soldiers quarter of that would have been
to restore as much as possible of helped us carry things [outside].” enough to make this museum safe
Brazil’s National Museum in Rio de The blaze was shown live on and resplendent. We recently
Janeiro after it was devastated by national TV and on some finalised an agreement with (state-
fire in September. The blaze in the international TV networks. The run development bank) BNDES for
200-year-old building damaged or cause remains unknown, but a massive investment, so that we
destroyed many of the 20-million Brazil’s Culture Minister, Sergio Sa could finally restore the palace
items stored there, ranging from Leitao, was quoted in local media and, ironically, we had planned on
archaeological finds to historical as saying it may have been the a new fire prevention system.”
memorabilia. The museum is said result of an electrical short circuit Another report, by the
to have housed Latin America’s or been ignited by a small paper Associated Press news agency, said
largest collection of historical hot air balloon landing on the roof. the building was “well known to be
treasures. Subsequently, the Brazilian vulnerable to fire” and there were
Fire broke out just after the federal government has been “recriminations that successive
governments didn’t sufficiently
fund the museum”.
Unesco estimates that it could
Featuring an alarm temperature of 218°C / 424°F take up to a decade to restore just
part of the collections. Countries
Key Advantages : including Germany, Italy, France,
Canada and the United States have
• Detection at the point of risk offered to help in the restoration
effort. Among the items that
• Increased area coverage
survived are Luzia, the oldest
• Developed to withstand continuous use at very high temperatures (up to 170°C / 338°F) human fossil in the Americas, and
the Bendegó meteorite, the largest
• Consistently providing an action alarm temperature around 218°C / 424°F
discovered in Brazil.
• Maintains its mechanical and physical properties, even in high humidity environments (> 90% RH)
Among the exhibits that survived the fire is the Bendegó meteorite
• The silicon outer sheath also offers chemical and UV protection, which makes this cable suitable
for exterior applications 5pm closing time on a Sunday Fire rages through the Brazilian National Museum in Rio de Janeiro
night and raged out of control for
• A stainless steel outer braid version is also available, which provides increased mechanical protection most of the evening, before
eventually being brought under
control by firefighters. According to
the BBC, efforts to control the fire
were inadequate. “It's unfortunate
but the firefighters were not in a
UTC Fire and Security South Africa (Pty) Ltd position to do anything, to fight
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Fax : +27 11 579 7301
Support.ssa@fs.utc.com museum. “They had no water, no
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41 FIRE PROTECTION November 2018You can also read
