Fire Protection for Netherlands' Waste Handling Facility

Recycling has the advantages of reducing the quantities of materials that are deposited in the world’s landfill sites and saving natural resources. But to adequately protect the public, the advantages of recycling must be coupled with appropriate fire safety measures. Unique fire risks exist at recycling and waste handling operations. Disposal and recycling of combustible materials pose some unique fire, explosion, and environmental risks when compared to other industries.

Fires that occur in these large piles of combustible materials may quickly grow beyond the fire fighting resources of the local fire department. The owner may expect the fire department to make every effort to put out the fire. Pouring water on the fire may in some circumstances add to the environmental consequences. Runoff water and a low temperature fire may contribute to water and air pollution.

Recently, a recycling and waste handling plant in the Netherlands installed 84 SharpEye Optical Flame Detectors model 20/20MI to detect fire in the various deluge zones.