• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2005

In order to evaluate the performance of fire-protection foams used to protect structures from heat and fire damages, the thermal characteristics of them are experimentally investigated. This research focuses on the destruction of a fire-fighting foam subjected to heat radiation. A simple repeatable test apparatus for fire-protection foams subjected to fire radiation is developed. It involves a foam generation equipment, a fire source for heat generation, repeatable test procedures, and data acquisition techniques. Results of the experimental procedure indicated that each thermocouple within the foam responded in a similar manner and gradually to a temperature of 115℃～20℃. At this point, each trace generally rises to a temperature of approximately 90℃. The temperature gradient in the foam as time passes increases with increasing the foam expansion ratio. In addition, it is found that the temperature gradient along the foam for depth decreases with increasing the foam expansion ratio.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2020

Background: Meta-analyses have shown firefighters to be at an increased risk of several cancer types. Occupational carcinogen exposure may explain these increased risks. This study aims to describe Norwegian fire departments' work conditions from 1950 until today, focusing on factors relevant for potential occupational carcinogen exposure. Methods: With the help of a reference group, we developed a questionnaire on topics related to occupational exposure to carcinogens for the period 1950-2018. Selected Norwegian fire departments provided department-specific responses. Results: Sixteen departments, providing fire services for 48% of the Norwegian population as of 2019 and mainly consisting of professional firefighters, responded to our questionnaire. The introduction of synthetic firefighting foams, more regular live fire training, the introduction of chemical diving, and a higher number of diesel-driven fire service vehicles were identified as changes thought to increase exposure to occupational carcinogens. Changes thought to decrease exposure included the switch from negative to positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses, the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses during all phases of firefighting, the use of ventilating fans during firefighting, increased attention to flammable materials used during live fire training, increased attention to handling and cleaning of turnout gear and other equipment, and installment of exhaust removal systems in apparatus bays. Conclusion: Norwegian fire departments' work conditions have seen several changes since 1950, and this could influence firefighters' occupational carcinogen exposure. A peak of carcinogen exposure may have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s before recent changes have reduced exposure.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.470-473
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• 2011

본 연구에서는 산업현장에서 에폭시 강화촉진제, 도로용 첨가제 등으로 많이 사용되고 있는 경화제(M.E.K)의 혼합비에 따른 자연발화 위험성을 알아보고 산업 현장의 화재 예방을 위한 기초자료로 제공하고자 하였다. M.E.K와 에포비아 수지를 각기 다른 비율로 혼합한 상태에서 시간경과에 따른 시료의 온도변화 와 유증기 발생 및 자연발화 여부를 관찰한 결과 합성수지와 경화제의 혼합시 경화제가 5% 이상으로 혼합될 경우 혼합 수지의 내부온도가 약 $40^{\circ}C$ 이상으로 상승하면서 발포 현상과 함께 다량의 유증기가 발생하였고, 유증기가 발생된 모든 조건에 대하여 자연발화 여부는 확인할 수 없었다.

• Journal of the Korean Professional Engineers Association
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.23-27
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• 2009

In regard to the planning of building evacuation in high-rise buildings, the current ruling provisions in domestic Acts are divided into the Building Act and the Fire Services Act to stipulate the requirements of evacuation facilities and the egress plan for fire safety. This fact of two divided Acts is the one reason that the planning of complete building evacuation in case of fire in the high-rise buildings could not have been accomplished successfully on the basic design basis with the current applying procedure of the two Korean Acts.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2013.11a
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• pp.232-233
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• 2013

Recently Korea has imported and executed Performance Based Design for the method to settle the dangerousness on outbreak of fire of high-rise building. The overseas country's PBD is autonomic but It is unable to carry out the essential role of PBD as the performance based design that based the code based design in the domestic. Also It occurs the problems that different the classification standard of building as dualisation between the building code and the fire services act. In this study, We have investigated overseas's cases for the PBD of high-rise building and have drawn the improvement direction & the problem of domestic's PBD by comparing and the analysing the domestic regulation.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.946-948
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• 2003

This paper describes the development of an INS (Inertial Navigation System) integrated positioning system, which can monitor and track the firefighter's position for assisting effective fire-fighting activity and rescue services. The INS consists of highly accurate three-axis gyro sensor and three-axis accelerometer. By integrating an INS to positioning system, it is also possible to obtain the information of firefighter's physical state (e.g. standing, collapse and crouch) of posture including velocity. Consequently, this research would obviously make a contribution to effective rescue activities and safety of firefighters. Besides, this paper presents results from field tests conducted at Tokyo University demonstrating its viability and utility. We also summarize the overall system requirements and architecture, and describe the hardware and software used in the prototype system in detail.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.38-46
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• 2013

Permanent water supply and water sprinkling systems are essential to protect major forests and facilities from forest fire. Back in 2005, Naksan Temple, a valuable cultural asset of Korea, was burned down in a forest fire that took place in Yangyang. This started a series of movements including installing water supply facilities and managing forests near important cultural assets. As for the existing facilities, however, they were installed without any standard guidelines for management and installation according to each constructor's specifications, which were based on the National Fire Safety Code 109. Unfortunately, this is not effective in protecting facilities from forest fires such as they have a small protection area, limited simultaneous sprinkling, and a difficult the movement of fire hose. Against this background, the study examines the condition of water supply facilities currently in use, identifies their deficiencies, and suggests how to improve the criteria for water supply service to effectively prevent forest fire. Specifically, three systems were proposed: Water Sprinkler Tower System for preventing spread of crown fires, and Forest Fire Hydrant System and Portable Water Spray System to be effective for suppressing surface fires. In addition, the standards on the performance and components of water pumps are also suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.113-123
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• 2007

This study analyzed the appropriateness of the spatial distribution of fire stations and emergency medical facilities, the main providers of emergency medical care, in Busan. The area over which the 119 emergency medical services were situated in relation to the dispatch and transport of urgent rescue services was examined. Addresses of patients requiring 119 emergency services were obtained and stored as individual units so that they could be analyzed in a Geographic Information System(GIS). The time taken by emergency services to reach patients and transport them to a hospital or other facility was measured in seconds. By inputting additional information such as the location of the 119 dispatch centers, jurisdictions, and emergency medical facilities, the GIS allowed for analyses not only of the temporal but also the spatial aspects of emergency medical services. The results showed that of 16 Gu/Gun and 226 Eup/Myen/Dong in the Busan area, only 41% of Busan's emergency medical services could respond to and transport patients within five minutes. In all districts, most emergency medical services were provided within five to ten minutes. However, the pattern of hospital use to transfer patients to hospitals was inefficient. Based on the temporal and spatial distributions of fire stations and emergency medical agencies, and on their dispatch and transport times, this study sets out and compares ideal dispatch and transportation patterns for the efficient use of Busan's emergency medical services and resources.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.321-328
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• 2017

The effects of the Sewol ferry disaster have infiltrated into various fields, such as politics, the economy, and social fields in Korea, and the population's consciousness of the importance of safety has been strengthened by the disaster. The purpose of, this study is to empirically verify whether there has been any change in the fire service environment following the Sewol ferry disaster. Such a change would be expected to have produced a change in the consciousness of the government about safety and increased the level of support. This study sets out five research hypotheses and verifies their adoption. The years studied are those before and after the accident occurred, viz. 2013 and 2015, respectively, and the main statistical technique is the t-test. The main results of this study are as follows. First, there was no significant difference in the fire-service demand between the two years. Second, the fire-service budget showed a significant difference between the two years. Third, the regional resources facilities tax showed a significant difference between the two years. Fourth, the fire-service budget considering the fire-service demand showed no statistically significant difference. Fifth, the fire service-demand considering (the number of) fire-fighters was significantly different in the rescue and emergency medical services between the two years. Sixth, the fire service-demand considering fire-equipment showed no significant difference between the two years.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2014

A Volunteer Fire Brigade is a voluntary social services organization that performs various assistance works in fire fighting activities such as fire fighting and rescue of human lives on a part-time basis. Recently, it has also assumed an important role in the creation of security culture of local society. Besides, it provides diverse service activities related to security of local society. However, as this kind of volunteer fire brigade organization is not in a vigorous state, research for an improvement is being carried out in earnest. As part of a vitalization plan of the volunteer fire brigade, an attempt was made in this research to present an activation plan of the volunteer fire brigade through formation of social capital. Accordingly, efforts were made in this research to investigate and analyze an awareness of social capital among the volunteers and to present on this basis a plan for formation of social capital for the volunteer fire brigade of local society. As a result of the research, it turned out that social norm has the major effect on the formation of social capital for volunteer fire brigade. Therefore, it is our belief that an independent statute should be established to nurture and develop volunteer fire brigades. And when strong mutual trust among the volunteers are formed and efforts for devotion to local society are made on this basis, the security level of local society will be enhanced further.