Introduction. The analysis of flame retardants and extinguishing agents used for preventing and extinguishing fires in an ecosystem is carried out. It is shown that at present there are no weatherproof, environmentally friendly and cost effective extinguishing agents capable of stopping wood and peat burning.
Purpose and objectives. Development of cost effective and environmentally friendly synthetic agents capable of both flame retarding and extinguishing natural combustible materials.
Materials and methods. Synthetic dispersions of ammonium phosphates of two- and three-valence metals, as well as wood and peat fireproofed by them are the object of the study. Physical and chemical properties of synthesis products in comparison with their fire retarding efficiency are examined. Fireproofing, fire extinguishing, as well as physical and chemical properties of synthesized products are determined using GOST-regulated methods of thermal and chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy and original methods.
Results and discussion. The formulation of Kompleksil synthetic compound effective in extinguishing and fireproofing wood and peat is optimized using a full factorial experiment. At the same time, the inflow of volatile nitrogen containing products into the gaseous phase is identified as the dominating burning inhibition process common for natural combustible materials. The weather resistance (preservation of fireproof properties in respect of forest combustible materials at 79 mm precipitation), forest and environment enhancement (improvement of mineral nutrition conditions and growth of forest plant communities) properties of Kompleksil compound are identified.
Conclusions. A cost effective synthetic compound based on natural mineral materials showing fireproofing and extinguishing efficiency when protecting forest combustible materials and peat is developed. This compound was tested in the process of extinguishing real wildfires; its weather resistance is identified, and the positive response of forest plant communities to the application of this multiple action compound is registered. The use of Kompleksil allows to reduce time expenditures and fire extinguishing agent consumption when extinguishing wildfires, which significantly reduces material damage.

Introduction. Coiled MBOR basalt fiber material is used to demonstrate the potential of research into the fire protection of structures using a radiant heat test facility.
Research methods. A set of high-power halogen lamps is used to simulate a high temperature impact. The heating intensity is adjusted by changing the voltage applied to the lamps, and it is controlled by the thermocouples that record the temperature of the heated surface of a fire proofing material. The studies have proven efficient for various types of fire proofing and various structures. They are especially relevant in providing rational fire protection of polymer composite structures having relatively low thermal resistance (80…120 °С) due to the fact that they are rarely tested in fired furnaces.
Results and discussion. Several options of multilayered MBOR-20F fire proofing were tested. Dependences between time, on the one hand, the surface temperature of protected elements (200 × 300 × 20 mm polyurethane plates), and the temperature between the layers of the fire-proofing material, on the other hand, are presented under standard temperature conditions. Fire protection efficiency improvement by PLAZAS fire-resistant adhesive compound, applied between MBOR layers, is demonstrated. This fireproofing method is applicable not only to metal structures. It demonstrates high fireproofing properties and has a strong potential if applied to fireproof polymer composite structures and products. The measurements, taken by thermocouples in the course of a session of tests, can be used to estimate the thermophysical properties of fireproofing materials exposed to high temperatures, which are rare in most cases, although they are necessary for a thermal analysis. It is demonstrated that similar experiments can also be carried out at nonstandard heating temperatures (for example, when the combustion of fossil fuels is imitated).
Conclusions. Experiments, conducted using the radiant heat test facility, and thermal engineering calculations allow to accelerate the selection of the optimal fire protection option and identification of the fireproofing thickness. Moreover, this method allows to reasonably minimize the number of costly fired furnace tests using fullscale samples of fireproofed structures and products.

Introduction. Interdisciplinary research is a most relevant issue in science and education. The integration of intellectual resources with research and production infrastructure is acknowledged as the main goal of interdisciplinary research in the international practice.
The main (analytical) part. The authors propose the following methodological approach to the study, based on the distribution of interdisciplinary methods into groups by the scale of the research subject (material). In this case, the studies have the following levels: microlevel, supramolecular level, material research, design research. The paper presents research methods used at each of these levels. The co-authors propose to optimize the study of performance characteristics of building materials and fire retardants through the use of a compatibility chart with regard for the study levels and the analysis of methods of experimental research at each level.
Using a compatibility chart. The methodology of the study. A research into the fire retardant efficiency of esters of phosphoric acid, used to modify wood, was selected as a practical example for compatibility diagrams. The project encompasses a number of methods applicable to compatibility charts: the method of elemental analysis, the Gibbs energy assessment method, the sample surface assessment method, the electron microscopy method, methods of assessing fire-hazardous characteristics of wood, the water sorption method, strength and biosecurity assessment methods.
Conclusions. The co-authors first proposed an algorithm for generalizing the empirical data on mechanochemical characteristics of materials using interdisciplinary methods in the form of a compatibility chart. This methodology optimizes research into any composite materials though it preserves targeted research methods and eliminates impractical and concomitant experimental studies, thus, reducing labour costs and environmental impacts.

Introduction. The data presented in the article show that the problem of differentiating primary and secondary short circuits is very important. The purpose of the article is to develop a scientifically grounded research method for copper conductors of automobile electric systems showing signs of a short circuit to identify the cause of its damage in a fire investigation.
Materials and methods. The research was conducted with the help of JSM-6390LV scanning electron microscope having an energy dispersive microanalysis unit attached, DuraScan 20 microhardness tester, and Fluke Ti400 infrared thermal imager.
Results and discussion. It is experimentally proven that the microhardness of a copper conductor subjected to a primary short circuit differs from that of a copper conductor subjected to an overcurrent or external high temperature. Images of microhardness measurement areas of a copper conductor subjected to a primary short circuit are provided. The results of an energy dispersive analysis and characteristic diagnostic features allowing to establish the cause of the copper conductor damage in case of fire (primary or secondary short circuit) are provided. The temperature of the copper conductor is measured for short circuits that entail sparking and an arc. The applicability of the computational method for determining the conductor temperature in the event of a short circuit is experimentally proved.
Conclusions. A differentiation method is proposed for telling primary short circuits from secondary ones arising in copper conductors of automobile electrical systems. It is shown that the microhardness testing method can supplement the scanning electron microscopy method. The results provided in the article can be used by specialists to study copper conductors extracted from burned vehicles in order to identify the mechanism of their damage and, eventually, the cause of the car fire.

Introduction. The importance of fire safety (FS) measures at fuel and energy industry facilities, in particular over the course of continuous technological processes of oil refineries (OR), is highlighted in the article. Decision makers are able to manage the process of planning and implementing these measures thanks to special software integrated into automated process control systems. The fire and explosion prevention subsystem designated for managing gas analyzing equipment and its control processes was chosen as the object of research.
Theoretical framework. The fire safety of oil refineries, that entails the maintenance of gas analyzer sensors, is characterized by such random subprocesses as climate and weather changes at refineries. It is proposed to split this process into two opposite subprocesses, destructive and productive ones. Events related to calibration, verification or replacement of sensitive elements of thermochemical sensors are at the core of the recovery subprocess. Destructive subprocess events are associated with the appearance of deviations in thermochemical sensors from nominal values as registered by a shift on duty. It is proposed to describe the randomness of this
subprocess as a Markov process. The sensor system behavior is simulated as the two streams. Thermochemical sensors have two modes: ready and not ready.
Research results. The readiness model of gas analyzers is calculated as a ratio of the number of thermochemical sensors which are potentially ready for use in accordance with the regulatory and engineering documentation, to their total number, taking into account the randomness of events that make thermochemical sensors unready. A special case used to illustrate the Markov model building is studied. The possible number of modes for sets of thermochemical sensors is calculated for such a situation. The transition between modes of sets in a fire alarm subsystem is determined using the proposed system of differential Kolmogorov equations, which has five equations for a specific case. The calculation can be generalized for any number of remote sensors.
Conclusions. The readiness assessment method applied to thermochemical sensors of gas analyzers in open areas of refineries is studied. The method can be applied in the process of automated fire and explosion prevention system operation.

Introduction. The problem of fire and explosion safety of liquefied hydrocarbon gas transportation arose in the 1970s. The task was set to design new generation tanks having improved technical and economic parameters and indicators to ensure fire and explosion safety.
The co-authors have conducted the analysis of regulatory documentation covering the fire and explosion safety of hydrocarbon gas transportation tanks, which shows the absence of any unified policy in the design of cars designated for hazardous cargoes. Hence, a number of models, having no or insufficiently effective protective devices, are produced. Therefore, the issues of fire and explosion safety were understudied in the earlier research works on design of railroad cars, and the problem has not been resolved.
Principal actions aimed at the fire and explosion safety of hydrocarbon gas transportation tanks were implemented by the Russian University of Transport (MIIT). Statistical information on fire hazardous failures and fleet tank accidents, as well as their detailed investigation has been collected. Tank barrel vulnerabilities have been identified; reliability and durability assessment methods have been developed.
Priorities for improving the pressurized tank design are outlined.
The following items of work have been performed:
● analysis of statistical data on hazardous cargo transportation accidents,
● development of fire hazard emergency scenarios;
● improvement of “Railroad car analysis and design regulations”,
● development of mathematical models designated for the analysis of tanks,
● identification of an unstable temperature field inside a tank barrel, if in the seat of fire, using non-linear heat conduction equations and the finite element method (FEM),
● identification of the stress-strain state of a tank barrel during a fire.
Conclusions. Following the completion of the work performed by the Russian University of Transport (MIIT), hydrocarbon gas tanks have obtained a better barrel emergency impact protection. A unified policy in the design of cars for hazardous cargoes is needed and regulatory documentation requirements must be harmonized.

Introduction. According to the statistical data, electrical fires account for the majority of all fire accidents. Hence, better fireproofing of fuel and energy facilities is a relevant issue. The article addresses electrical fire extinguishment using high-expansion foam. An extinguishment time analysis methodology, applicable to fire extinguishment using high-expansion foam, has been developed to validate these solutions. The purpose of this article is to calculate the dependence between the fire extinguishment time and the foam consumption rate. The research objectives are to 1) identify the principal values to be used in the calculations and the list of input data; 2) to identify the dependence between the extinguishment time and the foam consumption rate using packaged transformer substation 2BKTP (1,000 kVA) as an example.
Calculation methodology. The calculation methodology is based on the material balance equation between the amount of foam, applied for firefighting purposes, and the amount of foam, destroyed as a result of its contact with the heated wire surface, which is the main fire load inside burning electrical facilities.
Research results. The co-authors have calculated the fire suppression time using packaged transformer substation 2BKTP (1,000 kVA) as an example. Dependencies between fire extinguishment time, specific foam consumption rate, and foam application rate are identified.
Conclusions. The co-authors have identified the main values, needed to simulate a fire extinguishing model. They have also shown optimal foam consumption and application rates and offered their assessment of the applicability of high-expansion foam to electrical fires.

The general principles that govern the selection of wires and cables for fire hazardous areas are considered. The analysis of effective regulatory documents, governing the use of cable products in fire hazardous environments is performed. The information on safe wiring methods is provided. The need for technical and organizational solutions, governing the state fire supervision over the safe condition of electric power networks of buildings and structures, is highlighted. Examples of the cable grades, that comply with the wiring standards in fire hazardous areas, are provided.