Introduction: Explosion Suppression
Explosion protection is one of the most complicated areas of safety provision, partially because of the numerous sources that can lead to an explosion, and partially due to the massive effects that an explosion leads to, especially in a building. Therefore, the use of explosion suppression systems is essential for ensuring that specific premises are completely safe and ready for use.
However, ensuring that the latest technology should be used for explosion suppression is not enough; since human factor plays a major role in most of the accidents related to explosion, it is important that the staff should be properly instructed on the issues concerning the mechanism and use of explosion suppression systems.
Discussion: The Potential Threats and the Means to Avoid Them
The given issue is especially peculiar when taking a closer look at the way in which the staff uses the diagrams and schemes displayed in the SFPE handbook of fire protection engineering (2002). As the existing rules say, it is crucial to locate the diagram that displays the required data. For instance, a flammability diagram can show the regions that are relatively hazardous and can possibly lead to combustion and the further explosion.
Thus, it can be assumed that in case of an explosion compression system being under consideration, the employees should consider the areas that are the most flammable, i.e., the areas where combustible or flammable material is stored, or the ones composed of such material.
Another obvious solution that can possibly help is the improvement the personnel’s knowledge of the explosion suppression system. For instance, it is essential that the staff should know about the sequence of the suppressed explosion. As long as the personnel has the entire procedure from the ignition of the combustible mixture to the halt of the suppression system (Gagnon, 2007, 223), in their memory, the process of preventing the possible explosion can be driven to perfection.
Finally, it must be assured that the agent of the explosion suppression used by the personnel should be fully compatible with the environment in which the device is being used. Otherwise, the explosion suppression system used can easily backfire and lead to even more destruction. The given issue is especially important if there are flammable or combustible materials in the vicinity of the area in question.
Speaking of the explosion suppression system agent, it should be chosen wisely not only because of its potential danger when reacts with the environment in which it is being used, but also because the personnel should be instructed on the specifics of the given agent.
As Gagnon states, “The position of personnel in proximity to a vessel that could undergo rupture could be the determining factor in selecting an explosion suppression system” (Gagnon, 2007, 222). Therefore, the personnel must be instructed on the means to handle the provided agent, while the latter must be chosen based on the specifics of the area under discussion.
Conclusion: Caution and Efficiency
With that being said, it can be considered that instructing the staff concerning not only the current version of the explosion suppression agent, but also on every possible variation of the latter is the only way to provide complete safety and the key to avoiding the possibility of explosion suppression system failure.
As long as the actions of the staff are going to be polished to perfection and the employees learn how to operate every possible variation of the explosive suppression system and its agents, accidents can be avoided.
Reference List
Gagnon, R. M. (2007). Design of special hazard and fire alarm systems (2nd ed.). Albany, NY: Delmar Learning.
SFPE handbook of fire protection engineering (2002). Web.