• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.9-21
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• 2024

Static-electricity-induced fires and explosions persistently occur every year, averaging approximately 80 and 20 cases annually according to fire statistics provided by the National Fire Agency and industrial accident statistics provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, respectively. Despite the relatively low probabilities of these accidents, their potential risks are high. Consequently, effective risk assessment methodologies and accident investigation strategies are essential for efficiently managing static-electricity hazards in fire- and explosion-prone areas. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify the causal variables essential for accident investigations, thereby facilitating risk assessments and the implementation of effective recurrence prevention measures to mitigate static-electricity hazards in fire-and explosion-prone regions. To this end, industrial accident statistics recorded over the past decade (2012 to 2021) by the Ministry of Employment and Labor were analyzed to identify major fire and explosion incidents and related industrial accidents wherein static electricity was identified as a potential ignition source. Subsequently, relevant investigation reports (63 cases) were thoroughly analyzed. Based on the results of this analysis, existing electrostatic fire and explosion risk assessment techniques were refined and augmented. Moreover, factors essential for investigating electrostatic fire and explosion disasters were delineated, and the primary causal variables necessary for effective risk assessments and scientific investigations were derived.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.42-50
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• 2011

To foster fire investigation professionals and expand career opportunities for graduates of fire science majors, it is extremely important to expand and reorganize courses which are related to fire investigation. Only 30 percent of universities have fire investigation related courses, and the courses only offer theoretical materials. As a result, it has a great limitation to teach essential knowledge which is required at a fire scene. This study suggests to classify fire investigation-related-courses in to fire investigation course and fire identification course. In addition, the study proposes ways to standardize curricula which enables students to acquire Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI).

• Congress of the korean instutite of fire investigation
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.56-65
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• 2010

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.811-818
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• 2018

A fire and explosion accident caused by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) welding and cutting torch gas leak occurred 10 m underground at the site of reinforcement work for bridge columns, killing four people and seriously injuring ten. We conducted a comprehensive investigation into the accident to identify the fundamental causes of the explosion by analyzing the structure of the construction site and the properties of propane, which was the main component of LPG welding and cutting work used at the site. The range between the lower and upper explosion limits of leaking LPG for welding and cutting work was examined using Le Chatelier's formula; the behavior of LPG concentration change, which included dispersion and concentration change, was analyzed using the fire dynamic simulator (FDS). We concluded that the primary cause of the accident was combustible LPG that leaked from a welding and cutting torch and formed a explosion range between the lower and upper limits. When the LPG contacted the flame of the welding and cutting torch, LPG explosion occurred. The LPG explosion power calculation was verified by the blast effect computation program developed by the Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board (DDESB). According to the fire simulation results, we concluded that the welding and cutting torch LPG leak caused the gas explosion. This study is useful for safety management to prevent accidents caused by LPG welding and cutting work at construction sites.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.119-127
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• 2017

This study analyzed the cause of car explosion that occurred in the riverside park. The car carrying a male driver and a female passenger was parked in the park and explosion occurred inside the car. After the explosion, the driver and the passenger got burned. When they went to the hospital by the 119 Rescue Service, they stated that the car was sprayed with thinner before they had a quarrel and the explosion occurred during their quarrel. However, after several days, they changed their statement. They said that gasoline in the plastic bottle was poured and ran into the cigarette lighter. They tried to pull the cigarette lighter but pushed it by mistake. Then explosion occurred. Because only the explosion by mistake could receive car insurance, whether the cause of explosion was intentional or not became an issue. The car exploded was carefully investigated and analyzed. The statement of the driver and passenger was analyzed in the aspect of fire science. As a result, it was demonstrated that this car explosion occurred by driver's intention.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.56-62
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• 2005

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.22-33
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• 2023

The number of fire and explosion accidents caused by pyrolysis oil and gas at waste plastic pyrolysis plants is increasing, but accident status and safety conditions have not been clearly identified. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify the risks of the waste plastic pyrolysis process and suggest appropriate safety management measures. We collected information on 19 cases of fire and explosion accidents that occurred between 2010 and 2021 at 26 waste plastic pyrolysis plants using the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) database and media reports. The mechanical, managerial, personnel-related, and environmental problems within a plant and problems related to government agencies and the design, manufacturing, and installation companies involved with pyrolysis equipment were analyzed using the 4Ms of Machines, Management, Man, and Media, as well as the System-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) methodology for seven accident cases with accident investigation reports. Study findings indicate the need for establishing legal and institutional support measures for waste plastic pyrolysis plants in order to prevent fire and explosion accidents in the pyrolysis process. In addition, ensuring safety from the design and manufacturing stages of facilities is essential, as are measures that ensure systematic operations after the installation of safety devices.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.89-96
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to check the fire origin and cause of the fire by observing the shape of the flame propagation in air-conditioner indoor unit through the fire tests. We supposed that the flame is spread from the surroundings to the top of the air-conditioner and ignited on top of the air-conditioner with n-heptane. And then repeated this experiment twice under the same conditions. After the ignition, refrigerant filled in air-conditioner and lubricating oil exploded with large explosion and flame having high temperature and pressure belched out rapidly due to bursting refrigerant pipe linked air-conditioner between 734 seconds and 559 seconds. After result of checking the combustion residue we found that almost all of that was lost except a part of the evaporator, motor and metal. The position of short-circuit traces of wiring for the air-conditioner ignited itself is similar to that of fire damage by external flame. Therefore, we verified that it is not certain to determine the ignition cause and point by only the shape of the combustion residues.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Fire Investigation
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

The purpose of this paper is to report gas fire accident based on classification of the major gas fire causes (including handling mistakes, inferior goods, etc.), fire classifications (fire, explosion, leakages, etc.), damage levels(1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade levels), casualties (death, serious wound, slight injury) since gas fire has been generated according to growth of gaseous fuel consumption on home and enterprises with various accident causes. Among gaseous fuels, LPG facility can be c1assified as gas container, pressure regulator, gas hose, interim valve, combustion port. Any fire or any explosion can be caused from handling mistakes, inferior goods on each parts as stated above. Exact gas fire causes shall be identified based on previous case studies on similar fires with consideration of lesson learns.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Fire Investigation
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2006

본 연구에서는 변압기의 종류와 각 변압기의 특징에 대해 살펴보았다. 최근 변압기 사고의 발생현황과 통계를 살펴보고, 화재 및 폭발 안정성에 가장 취약한 지상설치형 유입식 변압기를 대상으로 절연유 분출원인 및 폭발 현상 등 변압기 사고의 주요 원인에 대해 이론적으로 연구하였다. 또한, 화재 폭발 메카니즘을 살펴봄으로서 그 위험성을 인지하고, 유입식 변압기의 사고의 방지를 위한 대책 마련을 하고자 하였다.