Fire and the Environment Understanding Carbon Footprints’ Fire Engineering Section Manchester Central Eur Ing Dr Jim Marsden CEng, FIFireE Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

Scale of the problem

The Issue of Global Warming Since the middle of the Twentieth Century, CO 2 levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere have increased at an average annual rate greater than 1 ppm per year due to a combination of natural processes and increased combustion of fossil fuels. The average CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere is now above 380 ppm; and the rate of increase in carbon dioxide content has increased over the past fifty years, to more than 2 ppmv annually.Since the middle of the Twentieth Century, CO 2 levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere have increased at an average annual rate greater than 1 ppm per year due to a combination of natural processes and increased combustion of fossil fuels. The average CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere is now above 380 ppm; and the rate of increase in carbon dioxide content has increased over the past fifty years, to more than 2 ppmv annually.

The Issue of Global Warming

Can the Fire industry Influence? Move from reactive to proactive Fire & Rescue Service Contribute to Gov Targets –60% reduction in CO 2 by 2050

How can the Carbon Foot print can be Reduced? Partnerships with key stakeholders The development of sustainable policies By influencing building construction

Is the FRS doing its part? Community fire safety measures within the Fire and Rescue services can be shown to be reducing the CO 2 yields. Traditionally the role of the FRS is to save life and property. Could this be amended to protect life property and the environment? The FRS could obviously do more

The scale of CO 2 emissions within our community [Fire and Rescue services] Taking the Metropolitan brigadesTaking the Metropolitan brigades CO 2 Yield annually is approximated at 300,000 tonnesCO 2 Yield annually is approximated at 300,000 tonnes Assuming within the rest of the brigades an annual yield of 20,000 tonnes per brigade CO 2CO 2 yield is 1.5MT Total Nationally could be in the region of 2MT per year of CO 2

Total CO 2 emissions from preventable fires? –In the region of 2 million tonnes CO 2 per annum nationally –This is a moderate estimation based upon limited research

CFS Measurement

Applications within FRS Community issues Partnerships The development of sustainable policies Building design (Fire stations and new builds) Building construction and design Community and Ward measurements Innovative use of sprinklers for environmental protection The development of green policies within the organisation

Some initial findings Within Greater Manchester Fire and rescue Service we have actually been reducing our carbon footprint but the analysis has not been undertaken.

Dwellings 2003 approx 5000 tonnes annually 2006 approx 3600 tonnes annually 28% reduction

Car fires 2003approx 2000 tonnes annually 2006approx 1000 tonnes annually 50% Reduction

Rubbish Fires 2003approx 2500 tonnes annually 2006approx 1100 tonnes annually 56% reduction

Type of IncidentNumber CO 2 53g/hr CO 2 15 mins CO 2 27g/hr CO 2 27g/15min Area M 2 FDR1Vehicles FDR1 FDR1Dwellings FDR1Business FDR Total N/A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

Environmental impacts

Are Local Acts Robust Enough GM Act [Section 67] For example covers materials such as Paper or Cardboard Rags Rubber Wood

Stacks can be seen as ‘Carbon Banks’ Wood C 6 H 10 O 5 [Basic Cellulose] Tyres C 5 H 8 [natural rubber {Isoprene}] Plastic (C 2 H 3 Cl) X [PVC]

Some Typical Examples

Timber Stacks

A Comparative Study

Estimation of CO 2 from stacks Stack Size m 2 CO 2 per min (tonnes) CO 2 per Hour (tonnes)

Some simple concepts of Combustion The combustion of hydrocarbons is fairly fundamentalThe combustion of hydrocarbons is fairly fundamental Consider a simple combustion processConsider a simple combustion process But in realityBut in reality

Environmental impacts of fires Usually result in large amounts of water resulting in –Water run off –Contamination Undesirable emissions –Carbon Dioxide –Carbon Monoxide –Chlorine compounds [Plastic] –Carbon [smoke]

Burning Rates and Production of CO 2 Burning rates can range from 0.035kg m -2 s -1 to 0.075kg m -2 s -1 typical CO 2 Yields can be as high as 53grams m -2 s -1 In addition to CO 2 other gases such as CO and compounds based on Cl X can cause damage to the environment

Grass and Wildfire

California Wild Fire 8 million metric tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide. In just a week One-quarter as much as fossil fuels do in that state in that month

Built Environment

Factors affecting sustainability within the Built environment The effects of fire on the environment are currently not taken into account within the building design. A sustainable building is only ‘green’ until it has a fire

Embodied energy within Buildings The embodied energy of a building is the energy used to acquire raw materials, manufacture, transport and install building products in the initial construction of a building

Typical Embodied energy values MaterialMJ/kg Recycled Steel9 Steel32 Ree Bar40 Concrete (poured)1.3 Concrete (pre Cast)2 Copper Cable110 Aluminium227

However What about the effect of fire? Sustainability?

The Real Carbon Footprint of fire Firstly the amount of CO 2 produced from the construction materials used. Secondly the embedded Carbon released during a fire

The Real Carbon Footprint of fire Thirdly the CO 2 produced for constructing a replacement building Fourthly the CO 2 produced in recycling the fire damaged materials ( i.e. steel etc)

The effects of Water suppression

Water Suppression systems Traditionally installed for: The protection of property and business To assist in the protection of life As a part of a fire engineered solution To complement fire resisting features

The Effects of water suppression An uncontrolled fire in a building will result in the release of CO 2 and other environment damaging chemicals The use of water suppression can reduce emissions to much smaller amounts

What are the advantages? Better and safer building designs The use of sprinklers within buildings for environmental reasons (resulting in greater protection to life safety etc. FRS contributing to a greener environment The opportunity to influence and develop national and international policy

Value of Sprinklers CO 2 Energy Calculator Building area m 2 Sprinkler Fire Size CO 2 generated TonnesCO 2 Generated Tonnes Benefit of sprinkler protection

What are the Advantages? Reduced mobilisations resulting in Reduced vehicle emissions (driving and pumping time) Reduced wear and tear in appliances Better use of resources Less nuisance fires Contribution to cleaner air and healthier environment

Conclusions Emissions of CO 2 from fire contribute to global warming Currently FRS are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases but not actually reporting it There has been little research to estimate the amount of CO2 emitted from fires

Thank you