Page 30 - OHS, April 2020

FIRE SAFETY
Selecting Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Industrial Plants
Don’t let your industrial fires get out of hand—or happen at all. Here are some factors to consider.
BY DEREK ROY
When we think of major fires in industry, we undoubtedly picture large-scale ex- plosions and flammable events. These are usually the result of hydrocarbon and solvent spills or fires that, when not extinguished via the use of fixed suppression systems (sprinklers, etc.), require the mobilization of large-scale, high- flow water monitors and foam application systems. If these types of fires are not controlled adequately, they can certainly create devastation on a massive scale.
However, most fire responses to industrial facili- ties are not on this scale. Although large-scale hydro- carbon and solvent fires can create spectacular visu- als, it is preferable to extinguish these blazes over time and from a distance using the appropriate equipment. According to the National Fire Protection Associa- tion (NFPA), the following facts are noted regarding emergency response at industrial properties1:
■ Between 2011 and 2015, municipal fire depart- ments in the U.S. responded to an estimated average of 37,910 fires at industrial or manufacturing proper- ties each year, with annual losses from these fires es- timated at 16 civilian deaths, 273 civilian injures, and $1.2 billion in direct property damage.
■ The vast majority of fires (71 percent) in indus- 26 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL 2020
trial and manufacturing properties were outside or unclassified fires, which accounted for an estimated average of three civilian deaths, 38 civilian injuries, and $265 million in direct property damage each year.
■ Vehicle fires accounted for an estimated aver- age of nine percent of industrial and manufacturing property fires) each year, with losses estimated at 6 civilian deaths, 17 civilian injuries and $125 million in direct property damage each year.
Of note above is that despite most fires being “out- side or unclassified,” a disproportionate number of ci- vilian deaths and injuries resulted from structure fires on industrial sites. Structure fires present specific risk whether on an industrial site or in the community. The risks of rescue, containment and extinguishment in structures are well documented elsewhere. For pur- poses of this article, the focus here will be on some of the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for both the industrial fire brigade personnel as well as responding municipal fire departments.
Industrial and manufacturing facilities can pres- ent many safety hazards for workers on a daily basis. From the risk of abrasions, contusions and cuts to the need for head, hearing, eye and face protection as well as respiratory hazards requiring varying degrees of
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