Earticle

Zinc powder and flakes have excellent thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance, and are increasingly used in the automotive, electronics, and construction industries. Recently, they have also been used in various advanced applications such as energy storage system. However, although powdered zinc metal always poses a fire hazard depending on particle size and handling method, the lack of handling information and unclear related regulations are causing confusion in response procedures. Therefore, we analyzed recent fire cases that occurred at workplaces handling zinc powder and, through focused experiments, confirmed the reaction with moisture according to zinc powder particle size and the risk of ignition according to the handling environment. Additionally, we studied the most effective method to respond to zinc powder fires by comparing the performance of fire extinguishing agents. The conclusions and results of the study can be actively utilized in establishing preventive measures through fire risk assessment of zinc powder, and by verifying the possibility of using water-based fire extinguishing agents to extinguish zinc powder metal fires, it suggests the need for improvement of response systems and review of related regulations.

Zinc powder and flakes have excellent thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance, and are increasingly used in the automotive, electronics, and construction industries. Recently, they have also been used in various advanced applications such as energy storage system. However, although powdered zinc metal always poses a fire hazard depending on particle size and handling method, the lack of handling information and unclear related regulations are causing confusion in response procedures. Therefore, we analyzed recent fire cases that occurred at workplaces handling zinc powder and, through focused experiments, confirmed the reaction with moisture according to zinc powder particle size and the risk of ignition according to the handling environment. Additionally, we studied the most effective method to respond to zinc powder fires by comparing the performance of fire extinguishing agents. The conclusions and results of the study can be actively utilized in establishing preventive measures through fire risk assessment of zinc powder, and by verifying the possibility of using water-based fire extinguishing agents to extinguish zinc powder metal fires, it suggests the need for improvement of response systems and review of related regulations.

In order to reduce the cost of reinforcing the insulation of a building, it is sometimes finished with insulation in the building, and if a fall-down pattern occurs and the secondary ignition occurs, it can be mistaken for arson. In this study, a three-type fire model experiment was conducted with one control group to check whether the ceiling organic insulation finishing method contributes to the formation of the fall-down pattern and whether there is a difference in the characteristics found at the fire site by type of insulation. As a result of the experiment, all three types of experimental groups had high-temperature flaming droplets during the combustion expansion process, forming a fall-down pattern, and there were differences by type of insulation. This study shows that it is necessary to check whether the ceiling insulation is a material with flaming droplets at sites where a number of ignition points are identified but there are no other arson characteristics.

This study proposes a triage system designed to rapidly assess dust explosion risks in industrial environments. The physical and chemical properties of dust samples, including particle size distribution and compositional characteristics, were systematically analyzed to develop a model capable of classifying explosion potential in advance. This approach provides a more structured and quantitative evaluation compared to conventional experience-based assessments. Industrial fire and explosion cases were further examined in relation to key parameters such as minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum explosible concentration (MEC), and particle size distribution. The findings indicate that ultra-fine dust containing combustible elements, such as sulfur and carbon, poses a significantly high explosion hazard due to its low ignition energy and high heat release characteristics. Overall, this study enhances industrial safety by introducing a systematic and quantitative framework for early identification and classification of dust explosion risks, thereby supporting preventive risk management across various industrial sectors.

This study conducted a data-driven analysis to examine the appropriateness of the current mileage-based ambulance disuse criteria. Using eTAS operational records from fire departments in seven cities and provinces across the country, we analyzed key operational variables, including mileage, idling time, number of idlings, and total operating hours. Regional comparisons revealed significant differences in idling indicators and total operating hours between urban and non-urban areas, even under identical mileage conditions. Correlation analysis revealed a strong linear relationship (0.91) between idling time and total operating hours, and regression-based machine learning analysis revealed that total operating hours had the highest explanatory power in predicting idling time (R² = 0.810). This suggests that simple mileage indicators may not adequately reflect the operational intensity of ambulances. This study suggests the need for a data-driven disuse assessment system that incorporates time-based operational indicators.

This study examined the applicability of NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy for analyzing ignitable liquids— toluene, hexane, and iso-octane—commonly detected at fire scenes, with a focus on time lapse and storage conditions. Experimental results showed that when chloroform (CDCl₃) was used as the solvent, the NMR spectra remained consistent with the reference for up to 30 days, confirming the method's reliability. In contrast, DMSO and methanol did not mix with the samples, rendering analysis infeasible. Furthermore, samples stored in metal cans exhibited abnormal peaks, suggesting contamination, whereas those stored in glass vials retained their spectral integrity. In addition, NMR analysis has the advantage that repeated attempts at sample analysis with non-destructive analysis do not damage the original sample. These findings demonstrate that NMR analysis, when combined with suitable solvents and storage methods, is a reliable tool for preserving and identifying ignitable liquid evidence.

This study investigates a fire incident involving a steam silencer at a cogeneration plant on February 28, 2023. The research aims to clarify the ignition mechanism caused by heat conduction between the steam silencer’s diffuser and roof finishing materials. The investigation included on-site inspections and two reenactment experiments. The first experiment confirmed that dry steam can reach temperatures exceeding 450°C under high pressure. The second experiment evaluated the heat accumulation of insulation, urethane foam, and waterproof sheets under 500°C conduction heat. Results revealed that while individual materials only carbonized, The combination of these roof finishing materials caused heat accumulation, leading to a temperature rise of up to 618.6°C.. The insulation and urethane foam acted as thermal barriers, causing internal heat accumulation that exceeded the heat source's temperature, ultimately igniting the waterproof sheet. To prevent recurrence, it is recommended that a “cooling space” be mandatory in the design of steam silencer installations to block direct heat conduction. Furthermore, a secondary safety review of design drawings by fire safety experts should be implemented.