Introduction to Fire Safety Management

13 Environmental
Fire not only poses a risk to life and property it also has
a signifi cant impact on the environment. Environmental
damage from fi res can be both short and long term and,
in the case of pollutants from fi res affecting groundwater
supplies, may persist for decades or even longer. Rivers,
sewers, culverts, drains, water distribution systems and
other services all present routes for the conveyance of
pollutants off-site and the effects of a discharge may be
evident some distance away.
In many cases, major pollution incidents can be
prevented if appropriate pollution prevention measures
are in place or immediately available. Contingency
planning is the key to success, therefore preventive and
protective measures and incident response strategies
should be carefully considered and implemented.
13.1 The sources of pollution in the
event of fi re
Every combustion process has the ability to cause envir -
onmental pollution. In some cases fi res will pollute
fl ora and fauna directly and in others the pollution will
This chapter discusses the following key
elements:
➤ The sources of pollution in the event of fi re
➤ The legal obligations related to environmental
protection in the event of fi re
➤ Preplanning to minimise the environmental
impact of fi re
➤ Containing water run-off from fi re.
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impact
of fi re
occur via the air, the earth and/or the ground water. The
degree of contamination from fi re effl uent depends upon
how large the fi re is, what is burning and the temperature
and burning conditions. When considering how a
fi re from a particular location may pollute the environment,
it should be borne in mind that pollution can occur
through a number of routes, including:
➤ Via site’s surface water drainage system, either
directly or via off-site surface water sewers
➤ By direct run-off into nearby watercourses or onto
ground, with potential risk to ground waters
➤ Via the foul drainage system, with pollutants either
passing unaltered through a sewage treatment
works or affecting the performance of the works,
resulting in further environmental damage
➤ Through atmospheric deposition, such as vapour
plumes.
There are an infi nite number of compounds that are
produced during a combustion process. Some common
building materials and contents are known to give
off toxic, corrosive and/or carcinogenic fumes when
involved in fi re. In addition to fumes, harmful particulates
in the form of soot or other fallout present signifi cant
risks to the environment.
The most common pollutants that are likely to cause
environmental pollution as a result of fi res include:
➤ Sulphur dioxide
➤ Carbon monoxide
➤ Benzene
➤ Acetone
➤ Polychlorinated biphenyls
➤ Fire fi ghting water/foam run-off
➤ Asbestos
➤ Isocyanates – cyanide.