Brief Introduction
The article “The Link between Fire Research and Process Safety: An Evolution from Specific Needs to General Concern” identifies the gap between Fire Safety Engineering and Performance-based Risk Analysis (PRA). Risk Analysis is “a powerful field that makes it easier for engineers to improve their dynamic systems” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 2).
That being the case, Fire Safety Engineering (FSE) should become a critical input in every Process Safety (PS). Although “a link exists between these engineering fields, the agreeable fact is that they require more applications in different structures” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 3). According to the authors, such fields will improve different Fire Protection Systems (FPSs).
The article examines the importance of Risk Analysis in complex buildings and industrial facilities. Engineers should use performance-based and prescriptive approaches in order to prevent industrial fires.
Statement of the Research Problem
The article analyzes the effectiveness of different engineering processes. A Process Safety (PS) framework “consists of technical structures, guidelines, and tools that can manage the risks encountered in different organizational operations” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 3).
The RA process makes it easier for engineers to understand the nature of different risks. According to Cadena and Munoz (2013, p. 3), “Fire Safety Engineering (FSE) offers advanced solutions that can deal with different Fire Safety Challenges (FSCs)”. The researchers therefore wanted to understand “how these functions can produce better Fire Protection Systems” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 3).
The authors wanted to “understand the connection between FSE and PS and their applications in different fire systems” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 4).
Description of the Research Procedures
The researchers began their article by presenting the required literature review. This procedure identified “the major practices associated with fire protection in different industrial processes” (Oh, Jiang, & Panganiban, 2013, p. 3). This knowledge made it easier for the scholars to identify the existing gap between PS and FSE. The scholars used a Correlation Approach (CA) for the study.
This approach made it easier for the researchers to understand the challenges affecting different Fire Protection Systems (FPSs). This knowledge encouraged the scholars to identify the existing gaps in different FPSs.
The scholars “analyzed the importance of Fire Safety Engineering and Process Safety” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 4). The researchers applied these concepts in different fire scenarios. The approach made it possible for the scholars to get the best findings.
According to the researchers, many industries were not embracing the use of PS and FSE. The CA made it easier for the researchers to achieve their potentials. They also identified the practices that can improve the level of fire prevention in different industrial processes.
Flaws in the Procedural Design
The above procedural design presented a number of flaws. To begin with, the research method did not present a clear hypothesis. This weakness made it impossible for the researchers to predict their results. The researchers were unable to gather the best evidences during the study.
The authors failed to support their arguments using meaningful data and ideas (Oh et al., 2013). The authors did not collect the best data thus affecting the validity of their study. A proper research design could have produced better results.
Analysis of the Targeted Data
The literature review made it easier for the researchers to analyze the issues affecting different companies. According to the article, many engineers were not taking PS and FSE seriously. The agreeable fact is that such engineering fields were critical and applicable in different organizations. The researchers identified the importance of these two engineering practices.
The “joint application of FSE and PS can make it easier for engineers to understand the safety challenges encountered in different facilities” (Gagnon, 2007, p. 85). This approach can make it easier for analysts to examine various fire behaviors and dynamics (Gagnon, 2007).
These two fields can therefore improve the practices undertaken by different industries. The gathered information encouraged the researchers to examine the effectiveness of these engineering fields. This knowledge addresses the problems affecting different organizations.
Limited and Justifiable Conclusions
The authors concluded their article by highlighting the significance of FSE and PS practices. Engineers “should use PS and FSE ideas in order to have a clear understanding of different fire safety problems” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 4). This practice can also deal with high complexity problems such as industrial fires.
This knowledge is admirable because “the link between PS and FSE is less common in different industries” (Cadena & Munoz, 2013, p. 5). Engineers should strengthen this link in order to achieve the best goals.
According to Gagnon (2007, p. 109), new studies “will ensure every engineer identifies better improvement opportunities in the field of fire protection”. The article also explains how FSE inputs might offer appropriate solutions to different RA processes. The authors encourage different scholars to invent new FSE ideas and concepts (Gagnon, 2007).
Engineers should apply such ideas in different PS problems. This practice will deal with the challenges affecting many industrial processes. More studies and research designs are required in this field. Such studies will present the best ideas and strategies in order to support different industrial processes.
Reference List
Cadena, J., & Munoz, F. (2013). The Link Between Fire Research and Process Safety: An Evolution from Specific Needs to General Concern. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 31(1), 1-6.
Gagnon, R. (2007). Design of Special Hazard and Fire Alarm System. Cengage, KY: Cengage Learning.
Oh, J., Jiang, Z., & Panganiban, H. (2013). Development of a Smart Residential Fire Protection System. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 1(1), 1-6.