Substantiation of the possibility of carbon dioxide fire extinguishing of utility collectors using mobile fire-fighting equipment

Introduction. Modern development of economy and technology leads to an increase in the number of underground structures, which raises the issues of fire extinguishing organization in them in case of necessity. Statistical data show that the extinguishing time in underground structures is much longer than the average for other fires, while fires in collectors are fires of increased complexity of private nature.

In the published works devoted to fires in underground structures, the issue of extinguishing fires in collectors using special gas extinguishing equipment is not studied.

Purpose. Improvement of methods of fire extinguishing in underground collectors for engineering communications by using of carbon dioxide.

Tasks. Analysis of operational actions of fire departments when extinguishing fires in collectors for engineering communications and analysis of dangerous factors accompanying fire extinguishing in them; analytical substantiation of the possibility of extinguishing carbon dioxide in collectors for engineering communications by mobile fire extinguishing means, using the example of a gas extinguishing vehicle AGT-1; formalization of values of the second consumption of a fire barrel when carbon dioxide is supplied in the form of nomograms in conjunction with the volume of the room, which can be extinguished by the gas extinguishing vehicle AGT-1.

The analytical part. The algorithm of optimization of the choice of the number of forces and means, as well as the quantity of fire extinguishing agents for extinguishing fires in collectors for engineering communications is based on an analytical calculation of the equipment of fire departments, geometric parameters of collectors and conditions ensuring the tightness of the room.

Conclusions. The article evaluates the use of gas extinguishing vehicle (AGT-1) in underground collectors up to 1000 m3. On the basis of analytical calculations, the formalized data and nomograms for calculation of para­meters of extinguishing underground collectors are presented, the algorithm of a choice of extinguishing substances and their quantity is developed. The efficiency of application of gas extinguishing vehicle for liquidation of fires in cable lines under voltage and after its removal is proven.

1. Lanchava О. et al. Prospects of usage of transforming systems for extinguishing fire in tunnels. International Scientific Conference “Advanced Lightweight Structures and Reflector Antennas”. Tbilisi. 2009; 302-308.

2. Carvel R. Fire protection in concrete tunnels. The Handbook of Tunnel Fire Safety. Thomas Telford Publishing, London. 2005; 110-126.

3. Lin C.L., Chien C.F. Lessons learned from critical accidental fires in tunnels. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. 2021; 113:103944. DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2021.103944

4. Palm A., Kumm M., Ingason H. Full-scale tests of alternative methods for fire fighting in underground structures. Sixth International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Securit. Marseille, France. March 12–14, 2014. 2014; 573-582.

5. Song W. et al. Underground mine gas explosion accidents and prevention techniques — an overview. Archives of Mining Sciences. 2021; 66(2). DOI: 10.24425/ams.2021.137463

6. Zhou J. et al. Evolution Behaviors and Properties of Power Compartment Fires in Underground Urban Utility Tunnels : а review. 2023 IEEE 6th International Electrical and Energy Conference (CIEEC). IEEE. 2023; 771-778. DOI: 10.1109/CIEEC58067.2023.10165832

7. Polekhin P.V., Chebukhanov M.A., Kozlov A.A., Firsov A.G., Sibirko V.I., Goncharenko V.S., Chechetina T.A. Under the gen. ed. of D.M. Gordienko. Fires and fire safety in 2020 : statistical collection. 2021; 112: fig. 5 (rus).

8. Matyushin A.V. Fires and fire safety in 2015 : statistical collection. 2016; 124: fig. 40 (rus).

9. Gordienko D.M. Fires and fire safety in 2016 : statistical collection. 2017; 124: fig. 40 (rus).

10. Gordienko D.M. Fires and fire safety in 2017 : statistical collection. 2018; 125: fig. 42 (rus).

11. Gordienko D.M. Fires and fire safety in 2018 : statistical collection. 2019; 125: fig. 42 (rus).

12. Gordienko D.M. Fires and fire safety in 2019 : statistical collection. 2020; 80: fig. 30 (rus).

13. Grigoryev A.N., Podgrushnyy A.V. Tactical techniques and methods of extinguishing fires in cable collectors for engineering communications by operational fire protection units. Fires and emergencies: prevention, liquidation. 2009; 1:75-82 (rus).

14. Niu Y., Li W. Simulation study on value of cable fire in the cable tunnel. Procedia Engineering. 2012; 43:569-573. DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2012.08.100

15. Marke P. Cable tunnels — an integrated fire detection/suppression system for rapid extinguishment. Fire technology. 1991; 27:219-233. DOI: 10.1007/BF01038448

16. Kun-sheng L.I. et al. Experimental study on carbon dioxide gas fire extinguishing technology in large buried cable tunnel. Fire Science and Technology. 2022; 41(7):954.

17. Shahrour I. et al. Smart monitoring system for risk management in the underground space. MATEC Web of Conferences. EDP Sciences. 2019; 281:01005. DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/201928101005

18. Lee J. et al. Implementing a Digital Twin of an Underground Utility Tunnel for Geospatial Feature Extraction Using a Multimodal Image Sensor. Applied Sciences. 2023; 13(16):9137. DOI: 10.3390/app13169137

19. Ge L. et al. Experimental research on inerting characteristics of carbon dioxide used for fire extinguishment in a large sealed space. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2020; 142:174-190. DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2020.06.005

20. Korolchenko D.A., Sharovarnikov A.F. Extinguishing fires with carbon dioxide in enclosed spaces. Integration, Partnership and Innovation in Construction Science and Education Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference. Moscow, 2017; 353-357 (rus).