Facilities dedicated to the storage and management of garbage and waste are, without a doubt, facilities with a high risk of fire. We have seen this this summer. In July alone, more than twenty fires were recorded in waste treatment plants in the State.
The waste arrives at the recycling plant and is stored until it is processed. During this period, the materials undergo thermal processes that can generate combustion centers. Another risk is the recycling or recovery process itself where automated machinery such as crushers, presses or transport ducts is used, among others. During this phase, the material is subjected to actions that cause thermal displacements and physical effects that can cause a fire at any point in the process.
It is for this reason that more elaborate fire protection solutions than conventional ones are required. Some examples may be systems for detecting and extinguishing sparks in ducts, detection using thermographic cameras or detection by aspiration.
Toxicity, flammability, corrosion risk, explosion risk, etc. require more elaborate fire protection solutions than conventional ones.
To the problem of fire, critical enough in itself, we must add, when we talk about waste, other associated problems. Toxicity, flammability, corrosion risk, explosion risk, etc.
Fires in waste treatment plants not only have effects on economic losses for the employer or job losses for workers, but can also have severe environmental consequences and affect the health of people in the surrounding area. To give an example, we have the fire at a solvent and industrial waste treatment plant in Montornès del Vallès last December where the burning solvent reached the Besòs River.
We know that we need to work on the causes to have some effect on the consequences, for this reason:
- The property must make the necessary investments in adaptations and maintenance of facilities, especially those related to safety.
- It is well known that everyday life lowers the perception of risk. Every day we go to work and nothing ever happens, so we let our guard down, until it happens. Therefore, it is very important to define and implement a training and information calendar for staff.
- It is essential to identify the risks, evaluate them correctly and manage them so that their effects disappear or are minimized. That is why there are companies that specialize in safety.
- At MSConsultors, we have already helped a good number of waste treatment plants.
The Tarragona Waste Incineration Service Plant (SIRUSA), the Can Barba Organic Waste Treatment Plant in Terrassa or the Vallès Waste Treatment Center (CTRV) are some interesting examples of fire engineering applied to this type of facility. We would like to thank you for your trust and commitment to the safety of people, property and the environment.