Journal Description
Fire
Fire
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal about the science, policy, and technology of fires and how they interact with communities and the environment, published monthly online by MDPI. The Global Wildland Fire Network is affiliated with Fire.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), AGRIS, PubAg, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Forestry) / CiteScore - Q2 (Forestry)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Paper Types: in addition to regular articles we accept Perspectives, Case Studies, Data Descriptors, Technical Notes, and Monographs.
Impact Factor:
3.0 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.4 (2023)
Latest Articles
Numerical Investigation of Flow and Flame Structures in an Industrial Swirling Inverse Diffusion Methane/Air Burner
Fire 2024, 7(7), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070237 (registering DOI) - 5 Jul 2024
Abstract
In this study, a novel gas burner combining air swirl and an inverse diffusion flame (IDF) is designed for industrial applications. Numerical simulations using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) method and simplified reaction mechanisms are conducted to predict the turbulent flow and combustion performance
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In this study, a novel gas burner combining air swirl and an inverse diffusion flame (IDF) is designed for industrial applications. Numerical simulations using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) method and simplified reaction mechanisms are conducted to predict the turbulent flow and combustion performance of the burner. Detailed flow structures, flame structures and effects of burner configurations are examined. The simulation results indicate that the swirl action of the burner creates a central recirculation zone and two external recirculation zones at the burner head, which stabilize combustion. The tangential velocity is minimal at the center of the burner and decreases with increasing distance from the outlet. As the distance from the exit increases, the maximum tangential velocity gradually decreases, and the peak value shifts towards the wall. This decrease in tangential velocity with axial distance signifies the gradual dissipation of the swirl effect, which disappears near the chamber outlet. The comparisons reveal that altering the number of burner fuel nozzles is more effective in reducing NO emissions than changing the inclination angle of the fuel nozzles, in the given conditions. Favorable combustion conditions are achieved when there are 16 fuel nozzles and the nozzle inclination angle is 60°, resulting in a 28.5% reduction in NO emissions at the outlet, compared to the reference condition.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Industrial Fire and Urban Fire Research)
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Open AccessArticle
“Not Even Hell Must Look like This”—Print Media Narratives about the October 2017 Wildfires in Portuguese Public-Managed Forests
by
Elisabete Figueiredo, Cristina Ribeiro and Maria Eduarda Fernandes
Fire 2024, 7(7), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070236 - 5 Jul 2024
Abstract
The unprecedented wildfires of 2017 in Portugal, particularly affecting the Centre Region, resulted in more than 100 deaths and numerous other dramatic socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Due to the unparalleled magnitude of these events, the extent of the burned area, and the catastrophic
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The unprecedented wildfires of 2017 in Portugal, particularly affecting the Centre Region, resulted in more than 100 deaths and numerous other dramatic socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Due to the unparalleled magnitude of these events, the extent of the burned area, and the catastrophic consequences, forest and fire management were placed at the center stage of public and political concerns, receiving wide mass media attention and amplification likely to shape public opinion and influence policy decisions. Through a quasi-qualitative content analysis approach, this article focuses on the media narratives conveyed by the news issued over two years (N = 1056) by eight newspapers of different periodicities and geographical scopes regarding the wildfires of October 2017 in the Matas do Litoral—coastal public-managed forest areas located in the Centre Region of Portugal. The analysis focuses on three main dimensions: the agents and actors mentioned and their power-related positions, the geographical coverage of the newspapers, and the relevance ascribed to emotions and feelings in the media narratives about the wildfires. The results demonstrate the relevance attributed in media narratives to the views of institutional agents and the negligence of local people’s voices. When particularly highlighting the material impacts of the wildfires, media narratives tended to focus less on people’s emotions and other non-tangible issues. The variation in these narratives according to the geographical scope of the newspapers and the publication time of the news strongly points out the need to address the heterogeneous character of the media coverage of wildfires.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fire Social Science)
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Open AccessArticle
Effect of Room Layout on Natural Gas Explosion in Kitchen
by
Kai Yang, Hao Wu and Ye Chen
Fire 2024, 7(7), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070235 - 5 Jul 2024
Abstract
In order to elucidate the overpressure and fire hazard effects of gas explosion in a congested room, the effects of gas concentration and room layout on a gas explosion in a kitchen were studied by CFD. The results showed that the flow field
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In order to elucidate the overpressure and fire hazard effects of gas explosion in a congested room, the effects of gas concentration and room layout on a gas explosion in a kitchen were studied by CFD. The results showed that the flow field parameters in a kitchen exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease as the gas concentration increased. The maximum gas flow rate recorded within the chamber was 390 m/s, while the corresponding maximum flame propagation rate and peak pressure reached 289.86 m/s and 30.95 kPa, respectively. The difference in the flow field induced by the concentration was further enhanced by the presence of congested materials. Additionally, the room layout influenced the gas congestion’s blowout effect due to variations in turbulence intensity and flammable gas volume caused by significant changes in the congestion within the room. Specifically, when the gas concentration was 10%, the order of indoor gas flow rate and flame combustion rate were II > U > L > I, while the turbulent kinetic energy and explosive overpressure followed the order I > II > L > U. The results are of great significance for the disaster assessment and accident prevention of natural gas explosion in civil kitchens.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Industrial Fire and Urban Fire Research)
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Open AccessArticle
The Influence of Wildfire Climate on Wildfire Incidence: The Case of Portugal
by
Mário G. Pereira, Norberto Gonçalves and Malik Amraoui
Fire 2024, 7(7), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070234 - 3 Jul 2024
Abstract
Although the influence of climate on the fire regime is unanimously recognized, most publications and studies on this influence are on a global scale. Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate the role of climate in wildfire incidence at the country and regional scale
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Although the influence of climate on the fire regime is unanimously recognized, most publications and studies on this influence are on a global scale. Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate the role of climate in wildfire incidence at the country and regional scale using multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning methods (clustering and classification algorithms). Mainland Portugal was chosen as a case study due to its climate and because it is the European region most affected by wildfires. The results demonstrate the climate signature in the spatial and temporal distribution of the wildfire incidence. The conclusions of the study include (i) the existence of two pyro-regions, with different types of climate (Csb and Csa) composed of NUTS II regions: the northern region composed of the Norte and Centro regions and the southern region composed of Alentejo and Algarve; (ii) the intra-annual variability in the wildfire incidence, characterized by two peaks, one in the spring and the other in the summer, are a consequence of the country’s type of climate; and (iii) how the annual cycle of wildfire incidence varies over the years depends on the weather conditions throughout each year. These results are of fundamental importance for wildfire managers, especially in the context of climate change.
Full article
Open AccessReview
Recent Developments in Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Transportation: Challenges, Opportunities, and Perspectives
by
Sanjay Kumar Singh Patel, Rahul K. Gupta, M. V. Rohit and Jung-Kul Lee
Fire 2024, 7(7), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070233 - 3 Jul 2024
Abstract
Hydrogen (H2) is considered a suitable substitute for conventional energy sources because it is abundant and environmentally friendly. However, the widespread adoption of H2 as an energy source poses several challenges in H2 production, storage, safety, and transportation. Recent
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Hydrogen (H2) is considered a suitable substitute for conventional energy sources because it is abundant and environmentally friendly. However, the widespread adoption of H2 as an energy source poses several challenges in H2 production, storage, safety, and transportation. Recent efforts to address these challenges have focused on improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of H2 production methods, develo** advanced storage technologies to ensure safe handling and transportation of H2, and implementing comprehensive safety protocols. Furthermore, efforts are being made to integrate H2 into the existing energy infrastructure and explore new opportunities for its application in various sectors such as transportation, industry, and residential applications. Overall, recent developments in H2 production, storage, safety, and transportation have opened new avenues for the widespread adoption of H2 as a clean and sustainable energy source. This review highlights potential solutions to overcome the challenges associated with H2 production, storage, safety, and transportation. Additionally, it discusses opportunities to achieve a carbon-neutral society and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen Safety: Challenges and Opportunities)
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Open AccessArticle
The Bacharach Method: A Low-Cost Tool for Small-Scale Combustion Units’ Flue Gas Quality Control
by
Jiří Ryšavý, Wei-Mon Yan, Thangavel Sangeetha, Jenn-Kun Kuo, Cheng-Chi Wang, František Hopan, Maria Gouveia, Carla Oliveira Henriques, Lenka Kuboňová and Tadeáš Ochodek
Fire 2024, 7(7), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070232 - 3 Jul 2024
Abstract
Although current EU regulations, such as EU Directive 2015/1189 on the eco-design of solid fuel boilers and Directive 2015/1188, in accordance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, require manufacturers to meet specific emission requirements for CE marking, the routine and regular onsite testing of
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Although current EU regulations, such as EU Directive 2015/1189 on the eco-design of solid fuel boilers and Directive 2015/1188, in accordance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, require manufacturers to meet specific emission requirements for CE marking, the routine and regular onsite testing of household heating appliances is still not mandatory in many EU countries. This research endeavour addressed this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of the Bacharach method as a rapid and cost-effective tool for assessing flue gas quality, particularly in terms of particulate matter mass concentration. This study also compared the results of the Bacharach method with those obtained from two commercially available portable analysers. The research outcomes demonstrate that the Bacharach method, in combination with an innovative evaluation approach, offers a viable solution, enabling the swift and economical assessment of flue gas quality with the primary objective of determining the boiler class according to the limits specified by standard EN 303-5 under operating conditions. The modified Bacharach method for measuring TSP in solid fuel-fired boilers provides qualitatively similar results to the commercially used SM500 and STM225 instruments. The modified Bacharach methodology was primarily developed for comparison to the boiler class 3 limit (i.e., 125 and 150 mg/m3). The study revealed that the modified Bacharach method, when applied to biomass-based boilers, exhibited higher accuracies in the case of classification into classes 3 and 4, whereas fossil fuel-based boilers demonstrated higher accuracy in the case of class 5 limits.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ignition Mechanism and Advanced Combustion Technology)
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Open AccessArticle
Using a Cultural Keystone Species in Participatory Monitoring of Fire Management in Indigenous Lands in the Brazilian Savanna
by
Rodrigo de Moraes Falleiro, Lívia Carvalho Moura, Pedro Paulo Xerente, Charles Pereira Pinto, Marcelo Trindade Santana, Maristella Aparecida Corrêa and Isabel Belloni Schmidt
Fire 2024, 7(7), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070231 - 2 Jul 2024
Abstract
There is a consensus that fire should be actively managed in tropical savannas to decrease wildfire risks, firefighting costs, and social conflicts as well as to promote ecosystem conservation. Selection and participatory monitoring of the effects of fire on cultural keystone species may
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There is a consensus that fire should be actively managed in tropical savannas to decrease wildfire risks, firefighting costs, and social conflicts as well as to promote ecosystem conservation. Selection and participatory monitoring of the effects of fire on cultural keystone species may be an efficient way to involve local stakeholders and inform management decisions. In this study, we investigated the effects of different fire regimes on a cultural keystone species in Central Brazil. With the support of diverse multiethnic groups of local fire brigades, we sampled Hancornia speciosa (Apocynaceae) populations across a vast regional range of 18 traditional territories (Indigenous Lands and Quilombola Territories) as well as four restricted Protected Areas. We considered areas under wildfires (WF), prescribed burns (PB) and fire exclusion (FE) and quantified tree mortality, canopy damage, loss of reproductive structures and fruit production following a simplified field protocol. Areas with H. speciosa populations were identified and classified according to their fire history, and in each sampled area, adult plants were evaluated. We hypothesized that WF would have larger negative impact on the population parameters measured, while FE would increase plant survival and fruit production. We found that tree mortality, canopy damage, and loss of reproductive structures were higher in areas affected by wildfires, which also had the lowest fruit production per plant compared to PB and FE areas, corroborating our hypotheses. However, we also found higher mortality in FE areas compared to PB ones, probably due to plant diseases in areas with longer FE. Considering these results and that the attempts to exclude fire from fire-prone ecosystems commonly lead to periodic wildfires, we argue that the Integrated Fire Management program in course in federal Protected Areas in Brazil—based on early dry season prescribed fires—is a good management option for this, and likely other, cultural keystone species in the Brazilian savanna.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Fire Ecology and Management in Tropical and Subtropical Ecosystems)
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Open AccessArticle
Drought and Wildfire Trends in Native Forests of South-Central Chile in the 21st Century
by
Efraín Duarte, Rafael Rubilar, Francisco Matus, Claudia Garrido-Ruiz, Carolina Merino, Cecilia Smith-Ramirez, Felipe Aburto, Claudia Rojas, Alejandra Stehr, José Dörner, Francisco Nájera, Guillermo Barrientos and Ignacio Jofré
Fire 2024, 7(7), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070230 - 2 Jul 2024
Abstract
Over the last decades, Chile has experienced a long-term drought with significant consequences for water availability, forest productivity, and soil degradation, ultimately dramatically increasing the surface of burned area. Here, we quantify the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) to ascertain the extent of
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Over the last decades, Chile has experienced a long-term drought with significant consequences for water availability, forest productivity, and soil degradation, ultimately dramatically increasing the surface of burned area. Here, we quantify the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) to ascertain the extent of “moisture deficiency” across the central-southern region of Chile from 2000 to 2023 to assess the drought’s relationship with the frequency of wildfires focusing on the impact of native forests. Our methodology quantifies the PDSI from the burned area data using MODIS MCD64A1 satellite imagery, validated by in situ wildfire occurrence records. The findings indicate that 85.2% of fires occurred under moderate to severe drought conditions. We identified 407,561 ha showing varying degrees of degradation due to wildfires, highlighting the critical areas for targeted conservation efforts. A significant increase in both the frequency of wildfires and the extent of the affected area in native forests was observed with the intensification of drought conditions in the 21st century within mesic to humid Mediterranean climatic zones where drought explains up to 41% of the variability in the burned area (r2 = 0.41; p < 0.05). This study highlights the relationship between drought conditions and wildfire frequency, showing the paramount need to adopt comprehensive wildfire mitigation management in native forests.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Use of Remote Sensing Technology for Forest Fire)
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Open AccessArticle
Study of the Safety Characteristics of Different Types of Pepper Powder (Capsicum L.)
by
László Kosár, Zuzana Szabová, Richard Kuracina, Stefan H. Spitzer, Miroslav Mynarz and Bohdan Filipi
Fire 2024, 7(7), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070229 - 2 Jul 2024
Abstract
This research was aimed at comparing the fire characteristics of different types of pepper in the context of explosion prevention. The following characteristics were studied: explosion pressure Pmax and Kst at selected concentrations, ignition temperature of the deposited dust layer from
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This research was aimed at comparing the fire characteristics of different types of pepper in the context of explosion prevention. The following characteristics were studied: explosion pressure Pmax and Kst at selected concentrations, ignition temperature of the deposited dust layer from the hot surface, and minimum ignition energy. The comparison of the chemical properties of the used types of pepper was performed using TG/DSC. The results of the measurements suggest that different types of peppers exhibit different explosion characteristics. Each sample reached the maximum value of the explosion pressure and rate of pressure rise at different concentrations. The volume of the explosion chamber used also influenced the explosion characteristics. It is a consequence of the fact that the explosion characteristics strongly depend on the mechanism of action of a particular igniter. The minimum effect on the safety characteristics was observed when measuring the minimum ignition energy and the minimum ignition temperature of the dust layer from the hot surface. The results of the measurements suggest that different types of peppers exhibit different explosion characteristics. This information should then be considered in explosion prevention.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fire and Explosions Risk in Industrial Processes)
Open AccessArticle
Time Delay Estimation for Acoustic Temperature Measurement of Loose Coal Based on Quadratic Correlation PHAT-β Algorithm
by
Yin Liu, Jun Guo, Wen**g Gao, Hu Wen, Guobin Cai, Yongfei ** and Kaixuan Wang
Fire 2024, 7(7), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070228 - 1 Jul 2024
Abstract
The acoustic temperature measurement method has a broad application prospect due to its advantages of high precision, non-contact, etc. It is expected to become a new method for hidden fire source detection in mines. The acoustic time of flight (TOF) can directly affect
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The acoustic temperature measurement method has a broad application prospect due to its advantages of high precision, non-contact, etc. It is expected to become a new method for hidden fire source detection in mines. The acoustic time of flight (TOF) can directly affect the accuracy of acoustic temperature measurement. We proposed a quadratic correlation-based phase transform weighting (PHAT-β) algorithm for estimating the time delay of the acoustic temperature measurement of a loose coal. Validation was performed using an independently built experimental system for acoustic temperature measurement of loose coals under multi-factor coupling. The results show that the PHAT-β algorithm estimated acoustic TOF values closest to the reference line as the sound travelling distance increased. The results of coal temperature inversion experiments show that the absolute error of the PHAT-β algorithm never exceeds 1 °C, with a maximum value of 0.862 °C. Using the ROTH weighted error maximum, when the particle of the coal samples is 3.0–5.0 cm, the absolute error maximum is 4.896 °C, which is a difference of 3.693 °C from the error minimum of 1.203 °C in this particle size interval. The accuracy of six algorithms was ranked as PHAT-β > GCC > PHAT > SCOT > HB > ROTH, further validating the accuracy and reliability of the PHAT-β algorithm.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fire Risk Assessment and Safety Management in Buildings and Urban Spaces)
Open AccessArticle
A Framework for Conducting and Communicating Probabilistic Wildland Fire Forecasts
by
Janice L. Coen, Gary W. Johnson, J. Shane Romsos and David Saah
Fire 2024, 7(7), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070227 - 1 Jul 2024
Abstract
Fire models predict fire behavior and effects. However, there is a need to know how confident users can be in forecasts. This work developed a probabilistic methodology based on ensemble simulations that incorporated uncertainty in weather, fuel loading, and model physics parameters. It
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Fire models predict fire behavior and effects. However, there is a need to know how confident users can be in forecasts. This work developed a probabilistic methodology based on ensemble simulations that incorporated uncertainty in weather, fuel loading, and model physics parameters. It provided information on the most likely forecast scenario, confidence levels, and potential outliers. It also introduced novel ways to communicate uncertainty in calculation and graphical representation and applied this to diverse wildfires using ensemble simulations of the CAWFE coupled weather–fire model ranging from 12 to 26 members. The ensembles captured many features but spread was narrower than expected, especially with varying weather and fuel inputs, suggesting errors may not be easily mitigated by improving input data. Varying physics parameters created a wider spread, including identifying an outlier, underscoring modeling knowledge gaps. Uncertainty was communicated using burn probability, spread rate, and heat flux, a fire intensity metric related to burn severity. Despite limited ensemble spread, maps of mean and standard deviation exposed event times and locations where fire behavior was more uncertain, requiring more management or observations. Interpretability was enhanced by replacing traditional hot–cold color palettes with ones that accommodate the vision-impaired and adhere to web accessibility standards.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probabilistic Risk Assessments in Fire Protection Engineering)
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Open AccessArticle
Comparison of Perimeter Delineation Methods for Remote Sensing Fire Spot Data in Near/Ultra-Real-Time Applications
by
Hanif Bhuian, Hatef Dastour, Mohammad Razu Ahmed and Quazi K. Hassan
Fire 2024, 7(7), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070226 - 1 Jul 2024
Abstract
Forest fires cause extensive damage to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human property, posing significant challenges for emergency response and resource management. The accurate and timely delineation of forest fire perimeters is crucial for mitigating these impacts. In this study, methods for delineating forest fire
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Forest fires cause extensive damage to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human property, posing significant challenges for emergency response and resource management. The accurate and timely delineation of forest fire perimeters is crucial for mitigating these impacts. In this study, methods for delineating forest fire perimeters using near-real-time (NRT) remote sensing data are evaluated. Specifically, the performance of various algorithms—buffer, concave, convex, and combination methods—using VIIRS and MODIS datasets is assessed. It was found that increasing concave α values improves the matching percentage with reference areas but also increases the commission error (CE), indicating overestimation. The results demonstrate that combination methods generally achieve higher matching percentages, but also higher CEs. These findings highlight the trade-off between improved perimeter accuracy and the risk of overestimation. The insights gained are significant for optimizing sensor data alignment techniques, thereby enhancing rapid response, resource allocation, and evacuation planning in fire management. This research is the first to employ multiple algorithms in both individual and synergistic approaches with NRT or ultra-real-time (URT) active fire data, providing a critical foundation for future studies aimed at improving the accuracy and timeliness of forest fire perimeter assessments. Such advancements are essential for effective disaster management and mitigation strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing of Wildfire: Regime Change and Disaster Response)
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Open AccessArticle
Experimental Study on the Inerting Effect of Premixed Inert Gas of CO2 and N2 in Goaf
by
Bobo Shi and Jiaxing Zhao
Fire 2024, 7(7), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070225 - 1 Jul 2024
Abstract
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As the conventional inert gas, it is used for the prevention and control of coal’s spontaneous combustion, mainly N2 and CO2. However, there is limited research focusing on the inerting effect of composite inert gas. This paper studied the impact
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As the conventional inert gas, it is used for the prevention and control of coal’s spontaneous combustion, mainly N2 and CO2. However, there is limited research focusing on the inerting effect of composite inert gas. This paper studied the impact of using a premixed inert gas (N2 accounted for 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%) instead of CO2 on the inerting effect of nearly horizontal and gently inclined goaf by building a physical similarity simulation experiment platform. The experimental results showed that the inerting effect of premixed inert gas was better than that of CO2. For instance, in a nearly horizontal goaf, the inerting effect of the premixed inert gas was optimal when the N2 accounted for 70%. The average O2 concentration in the monitored area decreased from 9.7% with CO2 to 6.4%. In addition, in the gently inclined goaf, the premixed inert gas exhibited an accumulation state similar to CO2, primarily occurring in the lower part region adjacent to the working face. Furthermore, the accumulation state of premixed inert gas was inversely proportional to its inerting effect. This study has important reference significance for applying inert gas fire prevention and extinguishing technology in mines.
Full article
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Open AccessArticle
Analysis of Factors Influencing Fire Accidents in Commercial Complexes Based on WSR-DEMATEL-ISM Model
by
Rongshui Qin, Chenchen Shi, Tao Yu, Chao Ding, **n Ren and Junfeng **ao
Fire 2024, 7(7), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070224 - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
Commercial complexes integrate various business formats, and a fire outbreak can lead to widespread, continuous, and chain-reaction social disturbances, including severe casualties, economic losses, and social impacts. To deeply explore the characteristics and influencing factors of fire accidents in urban commercial complexes in
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Commercial complexes integrate various business formats, and a fire outbreak can lead to widespread, continuous, and chain-reaction social disturbances, including severe casualties, economic losses, and social impacts. To deeply explore the characteristics and influencing factors of fire accidents in urban commercial complexes in China, this study first analyzed fire accident cases in commercial complexes that occurred from 2002 to 2022. Using mathematical statistics, the analysis examined the year and month of the accidents, their severity, and their causes to identify key risk factors associated with fire hazards in urban commercial complexes. Subsequently, based on the WSR methodology, an index system for assessing the influencing factors of fire accidents in commercial complexes was constructed, encompassing four aspects: personnel, equipment, environment, and management, including 11 cause indicators and 9 outcome indicators. Then, the Decision Experiment and Evaluation Laboratory Method (DEMATEL) was used to quantitatively analyze the relationships among influencing factors, combined with Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) to perform a hierarchical categorization of the factors and identify those critically influencing commercial complex fires. This research indicates that critical influencing factors include inadequate regulations, insufficient fire safety inspections, inadequate safety training, careless use of fire during operations, inadequate government supervision, illegal renovations, unimplemented corporate fire safety responsibilities, and poor routine maintenance and management. These results provide a theoretical reference for effectively preventing and controlling fires in commercial complexes.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fire Safety Management and Risk Assessment)
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Open AccessArticle
Experiments on a Mine System Subjected to Ascensional Airflow Fire and Countermeasures for Mine Fire Control
by
Mingqian Zhang and Zongxiang Li
Fire 2024, 7(7), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070223 - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
The disorder and disaster evolution characteristics of ascensional airflow fires in mine ventilation systems has been the focus of mine fire research. In this work, through repeated experiments, the variation characteristics of the temperature and air volume in the main and side branches
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The disorder and disaster evolution characteristics of ascensional airflow fires in mine ventilation systems has been the focus of mine fire research. In this work, through repeated experiments, the variation characteristics of the temperature and air volume in the main and side branches of an ascensional airflow fire were obtained under different ventilation capacities. Using the TF1M(3D) software to solve the problems of mine physical ventilation and combined with the analysis of an example, the variation in the ascensional airflow fire and the process of disordered airflow in the ventilation system in an entire area mine were described in detail. Fire combustion served as the power source for uncontrolled energy release, and its fire pressure interacted with the thermal resistance of the mine ventilation, directly causing airflow disorder. As the fire intensified, the ascensional airflow fire caused the airflow in the side branch to decrease, stagnate, or reverse. Improving the fan supply capacity can not only help reduce the increase in the ventilation thermal resistance of the side branch but also help avoid the airflow reversal of the side branch. From the regular variation characteristics, the theoretical results were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fire Risk Assessment and Safety Management in Buildings and Urban Spaces)
Open AccessArticle
Indigenous Fire Data Sovereignty: Applying Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles to Fire Research
by
Melinda M. Adams
Fire 2024, 7(7), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070222 - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Indigenous Peoples have been stewarding lands with fire for ecosystem improvement since time immemorial. These stewardship practices are part and parcel of the ways in which Indigenous Peoples have long recorded and protected knowledge through our cultural transmission practices, such as oral histories.
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Indigenous Peoples have been stewarding lands with fire for ecosystem improvement since time immemorial. These stewardship practices are part and parcel of the ways in which Indigenous Peoples have long recorded and protected knowledge through our cultural transmission practices, such as oral histories. In short, our Peoples have always been data gatherers, and as this article presents, we are also fire data gatherers and stewards. Given the growing interest in fire research with Indigenous communities, there is an opportunity for guidance on data collection conducted equitably and responsibly with Indigenous Peoples. This Special Issue of Fire presents fire research approaches and data harvesting practices with Indigenous communities as we “Reimagine the Future of Living and Working with Fire”. Specifically, the article provides future-thinking practices that can achieve equitable, sustainable, and just outcomes with and for stakeholders and rightholders (the preferred term Indigenous Peoples use in partnerships with academics, agencies, and NGOs). This research takes from the following key documents to propose an “Indigenous fire data sovereignty” (IFDS) framework: (1) Articles declared in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as identified by the author and specified in Indigenous-led and allied Indigenous fire research in Australia, Canada, and the U.S.; (2) recommendations specific to cultural fire policy and calls for research in the 2023 Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission report; (3) research and data barriers and opportunities produced in the 2024 Good Fire II report; and threads from (4) the Indigenous Fire Management conceptual model. This paper brings together recommendations on Indigenous data sovereignty, which are principles developed by Indigenous researchers for the protection, dissemination, and stewardship of data collected from Tribal/Nation/Aboriginal/First Nations Indigenous communities. The proposed IFDS framework also identifies potential challenges to Indigenous fire data sovereignty. By doing so, the framework serves as an apparatus to deploy fire research and data harvesting practices that are culturally informed, responsible, and ethically demonstrated. The article concludes with specific calls to action for academics and researchers, allies, fire managers, policymakers, and Indigenous Peoples to consider in exercising Indigenous fire data sovereignty and applying Indigenous data sovereignty principles to fire research.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reimagining the Future of Living and Working with Fire)
Open AccessArticle
Simulation Modeling of the Process of Danger Zone Formation in Case of Fire at an Industrial Facility
by
Yuri Matveev, Fares Abu-Abed, Olga Zhironkina and Sergey Zhironkin
Fire 2024, 7(7), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070221 - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Proactive prevention and fighting fire at industrial facilities, often located in urbanized clusters, should include the use of modern methods for modeling danger zones that appear during the spread of the harmful combustion products of various chemicals. Simulation modeling is a method that
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Proactive prevention and fighting fire at industrial facilities, often located in urbanized clusters, should include the use of modern methods for modeling danger zones that appear during the spread of the harmful combustion products of various chemicals. Simulation modeling is a method that allows predicting the parameters of a danger zone, taking into account a number of technological, landscape, and natural-climatic factors that have a certain variability. The purpose of this research is to develop a mathematical simulation model of the formation process of a danger zone during an emergency at an industrial facility, including an explosion of a container with chemicals and fire, with the spread of an aerosol and smoke cloud near residential areas. The subject of this study was the development of a simulation model of a danger zone of combustion gases and its graphical interpretation as a starting point for timely decision making on evacuation by an official. The mathematical model of the process of danger zone formation during an explosion and fire at an industrial facility presented in this article is based on the creation of a GSL library from data on the mass of explosion and combustion products, verification using the Wald test, and the use of algorithms for calculating the starting and ending points of the danger zone for various factor values’ variables, constructing ellipses of the boundaries of the distribution of pollution spots. The developed model makes it possible to calculate the linear dimensions and area of the danger zone under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, constructing a graphical diagram of the zones of toxic doses from the source of explosion and combustion. The results obtained from the modeling can serve as the basis for making quick decisions about evacuating residents from nearby areas.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fire and Explosions Risk in Industrial Processes)
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Open AccessArticle
State-to-State Rate Constants for the O(3P)H2(v) System: Quasiclassical Trajectory Calculations
by
Alexey V. Pelevkin, Ilya V. Arsentiev, Ilya N. Kadochnikov, Ivan A. Zubrilin, Evgeny P. Filinov and Denis V. Yakushkin
Fire 2024, 7(7), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070220 - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
The rate constants of elementary processes in the atom–diatom system , including the processes of vibrational relaxation and dissociation, were studied using the quasiclassical trajectory method. All calculations were carried out along
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The rate constants of elementary processes in the atom–diatom system , including the processes of vibrational relaxation and dissociation, were studied using the quasiclassical trajectory method. All calculations were carried out along the ground potential energy surface (PES) 3 that was approximated by a neural network. Approximation data were obtained using ab initio quantum chemistry methods at the extended multi-configuration quasi-degenerate second-order perturbation theory XMCQDPT2 in a basis set limit. The calculated cross-sections of the reaction channels are in good agreement with the literature data. A complete set of state-to-state rate constants was obtained for the metathesis reaction, the dissociation and relaxation of the H2 molecule upon collision with an O atom. According to these data, Arrhenius approximations over a wide temperature range were obtained for the thermal rate constants of considered processes. Data obtained on the dissociation constants and VT relaxation of vibrationally excited H2 molecules can be used in constructing kinetic models describing the oxidation of hydrogen at high temperatures or highly nonequilibrium conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art on Hydrogen Combustion)
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Open AccessArticle
Exploring the Cross-Sectoral Joint Fire Management Mode Driven by Fire Information in China: From the Perspective of Organizational Interaction
by
Yuwei Song and Jida Liu
Fire 2024, 7(7), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070219 - 27 Jun 2024
Abstract
With the increase in types of fire risk and the expansion of fire management coverage, it is urgent to involve multiple subjects in fire management. Cross-sectoral joint fire management is a new fire management mode based on collaboration between the fire management sector
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With the increase in types of fire risk and the expansion of fire management coverage, it is urgent to involve multiple subjects in fire management. Cross-sectoral joint fire management is a new fire management mode based on collaboration between the fire management sector and the industry management sector in China. Additionally, fire information from multiple sources plays a significant role in the formation of the cross-sectoral joint fire management mode. To explore the operating characteristics and influencing factors of the cross-sectoral joint fire management mode, this paper constructed a cross-sectoral joint fire management game model by focusing on the interactions and game relationships between multiple organizations. Through numerical simulation analysis, the mechanisms by which the sharing level, coverage range, and disclosure degree of fire information influence the evolution of the game system are investigated. The results show that with the improvement in the sharing level, the coverage range, and the disclosure degree of fire information, although the evolutionary paths of the game system and game subjects’ strategies are different, the cross-sectoral joint fire management game system can form a stable strategy combination of (1,1,1). This indicates that the sharing level, coverage range, and disclosure degree of fire information play positive driving roles in the formation of the cross-sectoral joint fire management mode. Furthermore, it is found that the fire management sector has a greater influence on the cross-sectoral joint fire management mode. Finally, the implications of improving the effectiveness of cross-sectoral joint fire management are proposed: enhancing institutional support, promoting information sharing, and expanding channels for information disclosure.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Industrial Fire and Urban Fire Research)
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Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Evaluating the Combustion Performance of the Usual Timbers in Furniture Using a Grey Correlation Method Based on Thermolysis, Ignition, and Flame Spread
by
Zhi** Yu, Jiani Song, Lan Xu and Hao Zhang
Fire 2024, 7(7), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7070218 - 26 Jun 2024
Abstract
Timber is the most widely used material for furniture in view of its characteristics of light mass, high strength, easy processing, coloring, and decorative appearance. However, the flammability of wood has been frequently associated with increased fire intensity and the rapid spread of
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Timber is the most widely used material for furniture in view of its characteristics of light mass, high strength, easy processing, coloring, and decorative appearance. However, the flammability of wood has been frequently associated with increased fire intensity and the rapid spread of fire in buildings. In this paper, the combustion performance of six kinds of common furniture timber was investigated based on thermogravimetric analysis at 25–500 °C, cone calorimetry with 50 kW/m2 thermal radiation intensity, and flame spread experiments with 3 kW/m2 thermal radiation intensity. The ignition, weight loss, thermogenesis, smoke, and flame spread characteristics of these timbers were obtained. Subsequently, a comprehensive index system including thermal stability, heat release ability, smoke production capacity, and flame spreading speed was constructed to evaluate the combustion performance of the selected timbers. In addition, a grey correlation method relying on the game theory to assign weight was proposed for the quantitative analysis of the relevant evaluation indexes. As a result, the combustion performance of the six kinds of timber, which was defined as a specific value from poor to good, was as follows: pine (0.8696) > Chinese fir (0.8568) > Oriented Strandboard (OSB) (0.8425) > density board (0.8122) > plywood (0.8087) > elm (0.7909). Timber with poor combustion performance contributes to the reduction in fire risk in buildings. Our suggestions are of great significance for selecting furniture timber from the perspective of the prevention and control of building fires.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fire Prevention and Control in Urban Infrastructure and Underground Space: 2nd Edition)
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