NEWSHEET 20
Global Warming
We may all be trying to make our individual positive contribution towards reducing (or delaying) this ever increasing GLOBAL problem by improving insulation in homes and reducing emissions from vehicles we drive. Weather conditions continue to change - with summers becoming hotter and the risk of Forest Fires increasing dramatically year by year.
The means by which fire services, owners of property within areas considered as a high risk and even those just visiting these areas, can be provided with the earliest identification of a fire situation is far beyond capabilities of "traditional" fire detection systems. Whilst PROLINE makes no claim to be able to guarantee to save property or human life by the installation of our FM approved and UL listed LINEAR HEAT DETECTION system, we DO have experience where our "TH" digital temperature sensing cable has provided early warning of just such conditions with positive outcomes - both financially and environmentally. As a cable based heat/fire detection system, a total of up to 10kms of forest area can be covered by a single heat sensing cable installation. Monitored by an associated electronic interface which - in addition to being able to identify the location of the alarm- will continue to provide the essential detection capability even with a single fault condition on the sensing cable. As a programmable interface unit, the total length of the connected sensor cable can be "sub-zoned" into an equivalent maximum 50 sections - each with its own associated alarm output- to assist identify the exact geographic location of the alarm -rather than just a metre/feet display. Increased Area Coverage can be increased simply by the addition of further sensor cable runs and associated interface units - ALL signalling to a central location or to individual local area monitoring stations.
Installation at ground level will inevitably provide a risk of mechanical damage, but the combination of a chemical and abrasion resistant outer sheath or steel braid- neither option favoured by rodents** etc - will minimise the simple repair process necessary to return the system to full operating status.
** - Extract from Chemical & abrasion resistant extrusion material characteristics specification:-
Rilsan polyamides' extraordinarily smooth surface imparts excellent friction and abrasion resistance.This high gloss finish also provides this renowned resistance to termites and rodents, and inhibits fungi and mould growth.
Protection being achieved at a cost of less than 2.00 uk pounds sterling per 1km of forest!
RECENT EXAMPLES OF THE RISK FACED
Wildfires raging across Greece - June 28, 2007
Six days of heatwave conditions -- temperatures reaching 40 - 46 degrees Celsius -- and windy conditions are fanning dozens of fires burning across Greece. Two civilians are victims of this fast-moving fire. They died when trying to escape by foot when their car was trapped near the town of Volos in central Greece. Firefighters backed-up by planes and a helicopter battled to contain the blaze.
The recent deaths increase to 12 the victims of this, Greece's worst heatwave in 110 years. At least 10 people have died from heatstroke. Exploding World War Two mines deep in the lush pine forest near Dervenochoria, some 100 kilometres north of Athens, further hampered firefighters' work.
About 100 firefighters, 18 fire trucks, five airplanes and a helicopter were coordinating efforts to rein in the blaze, which the official said had damaged holiday homes. Officials suspect the fire started after small explosions around electricity pylons that may have overheated due to the weather.
Israel sent three fire-fighting aircraft to nearby Cyprus on Thursday to fight a forest fire raging in the southern Limassol district. Cypriot meteorological officials said temperatures would abate by Saturday, but another heatwave was on the way next week.
Information Source for above articles - Fire & Safety Group Magazine.
Strong winds threaten firefighters' lives and containment of Lake Tahoe wildland fire-June 27, 2007
Firefighters were warned that strong and unpredictible afternoon wind could keep the wildfire near Lake Tahoe blazing as well as threaten their safety. To date, thousands of residents have been forced to flee from the raging fire. Wind forced firefighters off the line they had been holding on the eastern edge of the fire where 200 homes have already been destroyed.
A sudden flare-up briefly trapped two firefighters and forced the evacuation of a 300 - home subdivision. The firefighters were forced to deploy their emergency shelters. They were missing for nearly an hour, but walked away uninjured. Without the tent-like shelters, the men would have died.
Tuesday's flare-up occurred in an area where firefighters had set a backfire to keep the main blaze from reaching more houses. But the gust blew embers across the fire line and started new spot fires.
Investigators have located the fire's point of origin, near the popular Seneca Pond recreation area, and are close to identifying its cause. Authorities have said they believe it was caused by human activity, but there was no indication it was intentional. The forest is so dry that a discarded cigarette butt or match could easily have ignited the fire. The area was also dotted with the remnants of illegal campfires.
Information Source for above articles - Fire & Safety Group Magazine.
Cyprus - Troodos Range - Blaze - July 2007
A forest fire which broke out in the Troodos mountains, is threatening the heart of the islands green areas with disaster.
The fire broke out at around 1300 local time (1000 GMT) and remains out of control, razing the pine-covered Troodos range. President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, cancelled his schedule for the day and is now on his way to the Crisis Management Center in the affected areas.
At the same time, Cyprus appealed for outside help to contain the forest fire and tonight one aircraft from Italy is expected to assist the Cypriot authorities, as well as an aircraft from Israel.
The fire is threatening villages, homes, restaurants, churches, holiday homes and summer camps, as a heatwave is striking the island for the seventh day.
Already, the villages of Pelendri, Saitas, Trimiklini, Kato Amiantos and Dimes are being evacuated with the help of the Police and the Civil Defense Unit.
The fire is uncontrollable and causes fear, a spokesman of the Cyprus Fire Service Unit has said, describing the fire as the worst that has ever broken out on the island.
According to the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, the fire was caused by high tension cables of the Cyprus Electricity Authority.
07.07.2007
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