• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2024

According to the section A-VI/3 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), Water-based firefighting training center is mandatory to obtain onboard certificates. This space, being similar to fire situations on ships requires that safety measures be quantified to ensure occupant safety and establish operational standards. For fire safety evaluation, cases were designed based on the presence or absence of smoke control equipment using Pyrosim based on Fire Dynamics Simulation (FDS). Vector analysis was performed to evaluate flow of smoke and heat. Available safe escape time / required safe escpae time (ASET/RSET) analysis was conducted to evaluate safety by comparing the interpreted numerical results through Pathfinder. During safety evaluation of the current operational condition, the appropriateness of the function of each smoke control equipment was numerically and visually indicated. The emergency situation with dust collector stopped was expressed by each evacuation time and safety margin of 111.2 seconds, suggesting that be used as a standard of evacuation time.

• 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.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.310-317
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• 2024

In this study, Aimed to develop technology to ensure the safety of firefighters responding to hydrogen incidents and to review the performance of protective super absorbent polymer (SAP) that could help maintain the thermal protection performance of equipment with protective properties. Tests were conducted, including bench-scale and full-scale thermal exposure tests, to review the protective performance of SAP using firefighting garments commonly used by firefighters. The results showed that without SAP application, 2nd degree burn areas were measured at 9.4%, and 3rd degree burn areas at 7.7%. In contrast, when SAP was applied, the percentage of 2nd degree burn areas decreased to 7% on the lower body, and there was no temperature rise causing 3rd degree burns. Therefore, it is expected that by applying SAP to the outer surface of firefighter garments, even under temporarily high temperature conditions such as hydrogen jet flames, thermal damage to firefighters could be protected for a certain period.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Background: Firefighting involves exposure of firefighters to risks related to this activity, serious injuries, and occupational diseases are recorded. There are other consequences such as thermal and emotional stress. This systematic review is proposed in order to analyze the risks and consequences faced by these workers and thus provide elements to improve safety management systems in institutions. Method: A descriptive observational study of systematic literature review on the risks and consequences of exposure to firefighters' activity was proposed, and the information was analyzed and described based on the available data and according to the variables determined. Results: The studies showed data on mechanical, physical, chemical, psychosocial risks, workers' perception and resilience, and epidemiological data. Information related to firefighters' activity on falls and slips, exposure to noise, and high concentrations of carbon monoxide is detailed. In addition, the relationship between burnout, cognitive, and physical fatigue as adverse effects on health and performance is mentioned. Conclusions: Among the preventive measures, the use of personal protective equipment is suggested, incorporation in prevention programs of information on exposure to risk factors, as well as the implementation of models that can predict the perception of workers, additionally, the generation of management systems with safety climate models for fire departments.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 2020

This study analyzes the issue of the supply of force of fire in the high-rise buildings, and proposes an efficient method to do so. The results are as follows. First, in terms of Detect fire, it is necessary to shorten force of fire supply time by diversifying fire alarms such as alarms, vibrations, and voices from outside, clarification of fire occurrence points, and marking of fire. Second, with regard to communication signals, strengthening the installation target of wireless communication auxiliary facilities, supplementing the installation of repeaters, and constructing a multicommunications network were proposed. Third, in terms of Decide action, it is necessary to supply firefighter and firefighting equipment with the method of crossing of a river in adjacent buildings. Fourth, in terms of Respond to site, helicopters and emergency elevators are used to assist in the supply of firefighting equipment using drones. Easy-to-break glass windows and identification marks are required in every floor. Finally, in terms of applying fire suppressants, water can be supplied by means of a helicopter adjacent to the structure.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.520-533
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• 2023

The present study developed a test protocol for evaluating the mobility of firefighting chemical and flame personal protective equipment (PPE) for the National 119 Rescue Headquarters in Korea and suggested ergonomic design factors to improve their mobility and performance. Six types of PPE were employed, including three types for flame protective PPE (5 ~ 6 kg excluding the self-contained breathing apparatus), and three types for chemical and flame protective PPE (8 ~ 11 kg). These PPEs are used by the 119 Rescue firefighters. Three male firefighters (34.3 ± 1.2 y in age, 175 ± 8 cm in height, 81 ± 13 kg in body weight) participated in the mobility test and interview. A mobility test protocol consisting of 16 components (nine postures and seven motions including a dexterity test) along with a visibility test were developed based on pre-interviews and literature reviews. The findings indicated that the clothing microclimate humidity on the neck and chest exceeded 85%RH on average for all the six PPE conditions, with the chest area reaching as high as 98%RH. This high humidity caused fogging inside the visor and impaired visibility. The requirements for improving the PPE design in terms of mobility varied depending on whether it was the separated types or all-in-one types, particularly regarding the hood and gloves design. The findings of this study can be applied to improve the design of Level A_PPE for firefighters. The mobility test protocol and visibility test developed in this study can also be applied to other types of Level A impermeable PPE.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.117-125
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• 2018

This paper examined the problems concerning recognition of business selection and operation, etc. and the presentation of the corresponding improvement measures. For this purpose, according to the results of a questionnaire survey on recognition of detailed business operation of the fire safety shared tax, satisfaction in business execution, financial operation measures for the subject of fire fighters, fire fighters have been shown to be indifferent to the detailed business field of fire safety shared tax, investment contents, etc. in the operation of fire safety shared tax. In terms of satisfaction after execution of the shared tax, reduction of the aging rates for firefighting equipment and improvement of dissemination rate was shown to be high with Fire Sergeant (M = 3.70) and a service duration of more than 16 years (M=3.64). To improve the measures of finance, there was considerable feedback saying that the reduction in state subsidy was inappropriate. In view of the diversification and development of the fire safety shared tax businesses being operated on a limited basis along with the overlap of most state subsidy businesses with safety field businesses, legal system improvement is needed for the stable securing of insufficient firefighting financial resources so that the full amount of shared tax can be invested in firefighting fields.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.673-682
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• 2020

Buildings are becoming more and more high-rise and large-scale in recent years, so in the event of a disaster such as a fire, enormous human and economic damage is expected. Therefore, management, security, and fire control are essential for large buildings in the city. Because these large buildings are very complex outside and inside, they need a three-dimensional control based on 3D modeling rather than a simple flat-oriented control. To do this, this paper designed and implemented a building control system based on 3D modeling. Specifically, we designed a 3D building / facility editing module for 3D modeling of buildings, a 3D based control module for building control, and a linkage module that connects information such as firefighting equipment, electrical equipment and IoT equipment. Based on this design, a building control system based on 3D modeling was implemented.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Firefighters wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for protection from environmental hazards. However, due to the layers of protective functions, the PPE inevitably adds excessive weight, bulkiness, and thermal stress to firefighters. This study investigated the adverse impact of wearing PPE as an occupational stressor on the firefighter's cognitive functioning. Twenty-three firefighters who had been involved in firefighting at least for 1 year were recruited. The overall changing trend in the firefighter's cognitive functioning (short-term memory, long-term memory, and inductive reasoning) was measured by the scores of three standardized cognitive tests at the baseline and the follow-up, after participating in a moderate-intensity physical activity, wearing a full ensemble of the PPE. The study findings evinced the negative impact of the PPE on the firefighter's cognitive functioning, especially in short-term memory and inductive reasoning. No significant influence was found on the firefighter's long-term memory. The results were consistent when the participant's age and BMI were controlled. The outcomes of the present study will not only fill the gap in the literature, but also provide critical justification to stakeholders, including governments, policymakers, academic communities, and industry, for such efforts to improve human factors of the firefighter's PPE by realizing the negative consequences of the added layers and protective functions on their occupational safety. Study limitations and future directions were also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

In the various disaster scene effective protective equipment and suppression measures of crisis response cases that is closed all in Korea. Due to asbestos exposure by wearing protective equipment, as well as thoroughly strengthen firefighting, recognize the seriousness of the hazard factors in the fire activity, and established legal system for disease compensation and supplemented by institutional for diseases not yet recognized by officially recognized disaster, fire officials to improve morale and working conditions can be expected to improve major public service.