Fire Safety Challenges in the Next 10-25 Years

1. The Challenges that Face Fire Safety over the Next 10-25Years 21st September 2017 John J O’Sullivan MBE FIFPO MIFSM

2. Challenges for the next 10-25 years

3. Irish Craic and Humour

4. My view of the next 10-25 years From my involvement and experience with life safety, property protection and its environmental impact there are many issues that any person involved with safety need to be aware of from the way we manage risk today and what we need to take into account over the next 10-25 years. Some of these factors will be a short to medium term but we now need to learn from our experiences of today in relation to the way we manage risk but we also need to be alert to worldwide problems from which BREXIT will not save us.

5. History NASA Achievements • We need to look back at the past to look forward to the future • 20th November 1969 NASA took the first man to the moon • Freezer foods - developed to feed astronauts • Golf balls - 3D computer simulations to find most aerodynamic surface • De-Icer – Invented to stop ice building up on aircraft windows • Kidney machines – designed to purify water • Blood analysis – instrument to analyses in 30 sec v 20 mins • Smoke detectors – invented to pick up false alarms in the Sky Lab • Fire fighters suit – 1967 developed fire resistant textiles for space suites

6. What are the issues

7. Environmental Droughts in all continents of the world Africa has suffered water shortage for many years Europe shortage of water – Greece, Spain, Portugal USA 38 states face water shortage Australia shortage of drinking water India water shortage Middle East will have water shortage Flooding in the UK More natural disasters

8. Population changes the age process • People will live longer

9. Generational issues Population Changes Aging population Population shifting in many parts of the world Immigration –Language & Cultural Attitudinal differences By 2050 the population will be 9.5 billion before it declines Biggest birth growth in Asia, Africa and Latin America UK will have similar issues for the next 10-25 years We cannot ignore it we will need to deal with it.

10. > Urban interface will continue to grow – will impact on design of buildings the evacuation process and fire fighting tactics. • > Higher density population –impact fire safety infrastructure and emergency response. • > Globally the percentage of the population living areas more exposed to natural disasters (costal areas/woodland) will grow. • > As the population ages the type of disabilities will increase – impact on building design for egress/rescue techniques/EMS and communication. • Workforce demographic will dictate fire safety in the community must complete for a declining qualified workforce. • Will also have an aging workforce • This will impact on life safety

11. Increased Frequency & Severity of Catastrophes > 2017 Mexico 2 Earthquakes $25 billion > 2017 Hurricane IRMA $200 billion (estimated) 2017 Hurricane Harvey$160 billion 2005 Hurricane Katrina $60 billion 2011 Japan Earthquakes/Tornadoes $40 billion

12. European wildfires Spain 11,000 fires

13. Fires in Portugal – 1,700 fire fighters involved

14. Golfer continue to play Oregon , Washington State with a 31,000 acre Eagle Creek Fire September 2017

15. Fires in Australia

16. June 2012 – West Cork

17. Fire Station flooded in one hour

18. Northern Ireland Floods August 2017 – 1 hour £15m

19. Cultural and Social Attitudes Emergency preparedness for other forms of incidents including terrorism and major disasters is now a major issue for emergency planning. There is a need to integrate design for other types of emergencies into fire safety and vice a versa. This has impact on emergency planning, fire service resources, mass notification and protection of lifeline resources. As we become a more safety oriented culture, our regulatory structure will present conflicting environmental, workplace and fire safety objectives. Increased cultural diversity (especially in the EU) will lead to new challenges for community based programmes such as fire safety education, enforcement of fire safety regulations, and support for volunteer fire service. (may now change with BRIXIT)

20. Pakistan – Karachi - 2012 • At least 289 people have died in one of Pakistan's worst fires, at a garment factory in Karachi

21. Russia Hotel Fire – April 2013

22. Bangladesh – The House of Cards

23. Over 2000 persons lost their lives

24. 2013 - 20 Fire Fighters Lost there Lives in Yarnell

25. Canada June 2013- Several People Lost there Lives

26. Aircraft ground handling fire (Miami) 2016

27. 08 September 2017 – Southend The air freshener is believed to have exploded when it was ignited by a cigarette

28. Timber frame buildings - Millfield Manor Estate 2015

29. Millfield Manor Estate Report – August 2017 • Six houses burned to ground in 25 minutes • According to the building design this spread of fire should have taken 3 hours • Report has not been received well in the ROI with some professional calling it a white wash. • Requested a case history to be provided as part of the report (ignored) • Framework for Enhancing Fire Safety in Dwellings where concerns arise • Report produced by Eamon O’Boyle and Associates

30. Problems and Values • Around the world

31. Going Green in Fire Protection • Global Warming Issues • Ozone Depletion • Atmospheric Life

32. Montreal Protocol - TSAP

33. Montreal Protocol its success Hailed as the most successful treaty in UN history - for achieving universal ratification and meeting its targets ahead of schedule, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has celebrate its 25th anniversary. The Protocol, which was ratified by 197 countries, has enabled reductions of over 98 percent of all global production and consumption of controlled ozone-depleting substances. The Protocol also oversaw the global phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) by 2010. New challenges Global Warming.

34. Defining the Green Movement - Objectives • Fire Protection Systems • How Green Buildings Affect Us • Possible Issues with Green Buildings • Green Products • Ways Fire Safety Can Help

35. Fire Detection and Suppression systems • Fire detection systems • Sprinkler systems • Water Mist Systems • Gas suppression systems • Clean Agents

36. Detection Systems • Early detection • Point detection • HSSD systems • CCTV technology • Oxygen reduction systems • Better detection reduces toxic gas releases • Reduces global warming gases • Use of recycled materials

37. Water Fire Suppression Systems • Reduction in toxic gases • Reduction in environmental gases • Conservation of natural resources • Reduction in carbon footprint • New technology • New designs

38. Properties FK-5-1-12 Halon 1301 HFC - 227ea HFC - 125 ODP 0 12 0 0 GWP 1 6900 3500 3400 AL 0.014 65 33 29 Inert gases 0 0 0 0 Green Issues

39. Aviation Challenge

40. Key findings from HFC Report • The contribution of HFCs to climate forcing is currently less than one per cent of all greenhouse gases. • But levels of HFCs are rising as they replace HCFCs—HFC 134a, the most popular type, has increased in the atmosphere by about 10 per cent per year since 2006. • The consumption of HFCs is projected to exceed the peak consumption levels in the 1980s of the old, now fully phased-out CFCs—this is primarily due to rising demand in emerging economies and a global population now above seven billion. • Alternative Methods and Processes – these range from improved building design that reduces or avoids the need for air conditioners to fibre rather than foam insulation materials • Non-HFC substances – there are already commercially available alternatives that range from ammonia to dimethyl ether for use in foams, refrigeration and fire protection systems

41. Ways we can Help • Collect and reuse water • Main drain tests annually • Pump tests 3 monthly • Water-flow switch tests 6 monthly • Beneficial or harmful • Plastic tank storage • Plastic pipe corrosion • Solar energy • Electric pumps

42. Key Drivers Affecting Fire Safety Progress.

43. Natural Lighting and Ventilation • Sky lights • Light wells • Triple glazing • Double curtain walls • Stairwells • Natural light • Natural air movement • Smoke control systems • Sub floor ventilation

44. Possible issues • Natural ventilation - effect means of escape • Blown in cellulose insulation – increase flammability range • Lightweight building materials - wind effect • Green roof – venting issues • Green roof aerial attack • Street widths – increase risk of fire spread • Fire retardants – increase in release of toxic by-product • Photovoltaic solar panels – always energised/shock hazard • Duty of care – safety of fire fighters entering bulding

45. Some benefits of going Green • Fire safe materials • Lower combustibilty • Lower heat release rate • Less toxic smoke released • Reduce green house gases • Reduce the impact of the environmental bodies introducing legislation • Maintain safety standards

46. Changes in Fire safety • More combustible buildings (less flame retardant) • Different methods of insulation (compressed straw) • More toxic gas releases (man made materials) • Availability of water for fire fighting (not in all locations) • Housing density (too close and too tall) • Contamination/pollution of ground and air (chemical & gas release) • Egress for the aged (lack of mobility) • Aviation fire fighting (PFOS in foams) • Responsible ownership (can and will industry provide it?) • Fire Risk Assessment Consultancy (Approved Inspectors/Fire Engineers/Fire Service)

47. Impact on the Environment

50. Japan Robot of the year 2007