Fire Risk Assessment (Research Paper Sample)

Fire risk assessment
Name:
Institution:
FIRЕ RISK ASSЕSSMЕNT
Fire is one of the deadliest risk that can invade premises or household and cause great damages to people and property. It is hazardous mainly because it strikes when unknown and can extend the damage to all other neighboring premises and property (Coppola 2007, 28). Fire risk assessment is the only solution to prevent extensive damage that can be caused by fire. It is the systematic assessment of the possible fire causative agents, the extent of the fire they can cause and the ways forward on how to reduce the effect of such fires. It is a process that involves identifying the possible fire hazards, identifying the people at risk, evaluating the extend of the risk if at all a fire occurs, recording findings and setting up strategies to reduce the damage of the fire risk. Fire assessment process is a safety precaution that should be carried out in a company of a home regularly and periodically to make ensure that all fire-fighting tools and equipment are set. It also enables reduction of the possible fire causing hazards (Wells 1997, 26).
Chemicals are one of the most prevalent causes of fire. Chemical fire is one of the most dreaded fire occurrences mainly because it can spread rapidly to any other flammable substance in short periods thus causing a lot of damage (Coppola 2007, 29). Chemicals are also tricky to deal with mainly because most of them can easily vaporize forming very flammable gases or vapor which can easily attract fire from very long distances. Formaldehyde as an example of such chemical, is very corrosive and can easily evaporate forming a very flammable gas. The formaldehyde vapor spreads easily to long distances within seconds making it very dangerous to humanity and to property (Wells 1997, 28).
In this regard, our company which deals in the processing and transportation of formaldehyde can suffer great losses if there is poor fire assessment and prevention mechanisms (Coppola 2007, 49). Formaldehyde is usually supplied to a number of industrial customers all over Europe and some parts of UK. Thought the business has its dangers, it is profitable and it is the main source of income to our company. Due to the risky nature of the business and the product involved, the company requires that a fire risk assessment exercise be carried out every month to ensure that all fire-fighting equipment and all other equipment used in the processing are safe and in good condition for use (Wells 1997, 79).
The first step in fire assessment is highlighting all the possible fire hazards at the place of work. This will give the assessor a clear mind in determining the most possible hazards and give possible ways of combating the hazards. Fire risks associated with formaldehyde includes the on-site dangers and the dangers involved during its transportation to the respective destinations (Coppola 2007, 146). One of the on-site danger is leakage from pipes and containers. This is dangerous as it will easily vaporize into space and can then be inhaled by workers. Inhalation of the formaldehyde vapor is dangerous to the body and causes sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath and even cause death if in high concentrations. This is risky and a danger to the workers at the premises. To add to this, formaldehyde gas can cause very disastrous explosions if it comes into contact with heat. This is very disastrous as it can lead to lose of the whole premises and even death of workers. The fire can also extend to the estates nearby due to electric cable connections (Wells 1997, 49). Such an incidence can be very catastrophic and can cause a lot of economic decline to the county. Another danger associated with leakages is it’s readily reaction with high oxidizing agents, bases and with nitrogen dioxide. Its reaction with nitrogen dioxide is very explosive at about 180ï¹¾C. The other reactions with the other substances that are also dangerous to humans and need to be disposed off keenly if discovered in time (Coppola 2007, 156).
Another risk factor associated with the on-site processing of formaldehyde is explosion of pipes carrying liquid or gaseous formaldehyde at high pressure. This causes high degree of exposure of formaldehyde to the environment and can have effects to a large extent. It can easily vaporize into air causing negative impacts to the neighboring estates and even river Ure’s tributary which passes alongside the company. Such an incidence is catastrophic both to the company and to the society as it will cause death of workers and also members of the society at the estates (Coppola 2007, 159). To the aquatic life in river Ure’s tributary, it can cause suffocation and eventual death. Any edible creature that will survive in the water can cause illness if used for food. To add to this, the high pressure explosion can also cause physical damage to any individual near the scene. The pressure released by the exploding pipe can throw any individual at high speeds to some distance far from the scene. This scenario causes full exposure of an individual to formaldehyde and this affects his or her eyes, skin, respiratory tract and even the mouth. Such state of accident is catastrophic and can cause death instantly or cause severe injuries to the individual (Wells 1997, 94).
Another health risk that can result from the on-site processing of formaldehyde is release of it’s by products to river Uri’s tributary. This is dangerous to the aquatic life and can cause massive deaths of the aquatic animals. Its dissolution in the water will also make the water dangerous for use in any household activity (Kleane & Sanders 2008, 13). Any contact with the water will also have dangers to the skin, eyes and the general body. Such water is also dangerous to both domestic and wild animals as it will cause massive deaths if animals use it for drinking. Such contamination can cause disaster all through the river to the destination water body. This can be very dangerous as it will kill all fish in the river causing hunger and economic decline to the society. All those earning a living from fishing will have difficulties in meeting their daily living. Massive death of fish in the river will also cause very bad odor resulting from the rotting fish (Coppola 2007, 56).
Another risk factor associated with the production of formaldehyde is the accidental contamination of food or drinking water. This can easily happen at the place of work due to confusion or through dissolution of such vapors in water which is then used for cooking. Food contamination can also arise due to plants’ absorption of formaldehyde solution or vapors. When used for food, such crops can easily cause poisoning which can be fatal to humans. Use of meat from animals which have ingested the solution can also lead to health complications to humans.
While in transportation, formaldehyde can also expose the company, the society and employees to a lot of risks. This is because formaldehyde and the related solutions are explosive and can easily vaporize into space to form very explosive vapor. One of the major risks that can be exhibited during transportation is the occurrence of accidents during transportation. Such accidents can involve a transporting plane or track. Such accidents can be very fatal because they will enable release of formaldehyde gas into the air (Kleane & Sanders 2008, 56). This gaseous product spreads at high speeds to distances of up to 50 km and is very dangerous as it is very explosive. Though such accidents are rare, there is need to ensure that all loopholes that can lead to such are not available. Another risk factor related to transportation is the sinking of a sea vessel carrying formaldehyde. This will cause dissolution of this dangerous solution into water causing death of aquatic life. Such sinking can also cause escape of formaldehyde gas into space which also exposes a lot of humans to danger. Explosion of such gas can be catastrophic and can affect people up to 20 km square (Kleane & Sanders 2008, 19).
Due to transportation congestion and ups and downs, there can be accidental leakage of formaldehyde into the air from the transporting containers. Such an incident is dangerous as it will start by affecting the driver and any other individuals assisting in the transportation of the solution. This can lead to very dangerous accidents as the gaseous product released from the liquid will make the driver unconscious which will then lead to very catastrophic accidents. Release of the related gaseous product into the air during transportation is also dangerous as it can affect the surrounding environment to up to 50 km. This is very fatal to the residents at the estates and any other individual near the scene. The release of the related gaseous product can also lead to very large fires affecting individuals to up to 20 km. such fires can also lead to bush fires as it spreads very fast and can easily reach to a forest (Kleane & Sanders 2008, 45).
Though formaldehyde is a stable substance, it can easily be affected by high temperatures which will lead to its vaporization causing explosive fire. This makes it necessary to keep it in cool conditions to avoid such accidents (Gagliano et al 2008, 124).
Occurrence of fire and related risks resulting from the on-site preparation and transportation of formaldehyde has negative effect to the company, society, employees and even the government. Politically, the occurrence of such accidents will cause lack of government trust and faith in the company. Occurrence of any catastrophe from the company may cause the government force the company to relocate to areas far away from the residential plots. The government can also enforce high taxes on the businesses activities conducted by the company so that th...