Fire Risk Assessment: A Systematic Review of the Methodology and Functional Areas

Fire is a physical and social phenomenon that affects both individuals and the environment. Fire risk assessment is a critical part of a fire prevention program. In this process, the fire risk associated with the possibility of occurrence and severity of damage resulting from the fire is estimated and calculated. In this paper, a classification scheme and a systematic literature review are presented in order to classify and interpret the current researches on fire risk assessment methodologies and applications. Based on the scheme, 93 scholarly papers from 13 journals are categorized into application areas and other categories. The application areas include the papers on the topics of environmental impact, production and industry, transportation, buildings, power industry, oil and gas industry, urban fires and other topics. Scholarly papers are also classified by (1) year of publication, (2) journal of publication, (3) year of publication and application areas and (4) authors’ nationality. The survey results show that the largest number of papers was published during the period 2010-2012 with 31 (33.33%), the most of the studies have been carried out on environmental impact (47.31%), the journal of Forest Ecology and Management had the highest percentage of articles with 26.88%. It is hoped that the paper can meet the needs of researchers for easy references of fire risk assessment methodologies and applications. Therefore, this work would be able to provide useful insights into the anatomy of the fire-risk assessment methods, and suggest academic researchers and experts a framework for future attempts and researches

A Comprehensive Review on Risk Factors Affecting the Crash Severity

As a matter of growing machinery life, traffic crashes are considered an inevitable source of injuries and costs around the world. Regarding to increasing traffic accident outcomes, controlling the current status is necessary. In this way, identifying risk factors affecting the crash severity is an essential step toward initiating a convincing solution. The core objective of this study was to categorize the risk factors affecting the severity of crashes. Data needed for this study were gathered through searching Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases using the keywords included fatal and crash, injuries and crash, fatal and traffic accident, and injuries and traffic accident. Based on 83 selected studies for review, factors affecting the crash severity divided into five factors and forty-seven sub-factors. The most prevalent sub-factors were age, sex, safety belts, alcohol and drug use, speed, weather conditions, lighting conditions, time of the day and week, vehicle kind, road condition, collision type and crash location. Many risk factors affect crash severity and determination of the most important ones can be a prelude in reducing the effects. Therefore, the conclusion of this review can assist to traffic safety experts, police and contribute to distinguishing and monitoring the risk factors affecting crash severity transportation agencies

Fire Risk Assessment: A Systematic Review of the Methodology and Functional Areas

Fire is a physical and social phenomenon that affects both individuals and the environment. Fire risk assessment is a critical part of a fire prevention program. In this process, the fire risk associated with the possibility of occurrence and severity of damage resulting from the fire is estimated and calculated. In this paper, a classification scheme and a systematic literature review are presented in order to classify and interpret the current researches on fire risk assessment methodologies and applications. Based on the scheme, 93 scholarly papers from 13 journals are categorized into application areas and other categories. The application areas include the papers on the topics of environmental impact, production and industry, transportation, buildings, power industry, oil and gas industry, urban fires and other topics. Scholarly papers are also classified by (1) year of publication, (2) journal of publication, (3) year of publication and application areas and (4) authors’ nationality. The survey results show that the largest number of papers was published during the period 2010-2012 with 31 (33.33%), the most of the studies have been carried out on environmental impact (47.31%), the journal of Forest Ecology and Management had the highest percentage of articles with 26.88%. It is hoped that the paper can meet the needs of researchers for easy references of fire risk assessment methodologies and applications. Therefore, this work would be able to provide useful insights into the anatomy of the fire-risk assessment methods, and suggest academic researchers and experts a framework for future attempts and researches

Building a Model Using Bayesian Network for Assessment of Posterior Probabilities of Falling From Height at Workplaces

Background: Falls from height are one of the main causes of fatal occupational injuries. The objective of this study was to present a model for estimating occurrence probability of falling from height. Methods: In order to make a list of factors affecting falls, we used four expert group's judgment, literature review and an available database. Then the validity and reliability of designed questionnaire were determined and Bayesian networks were built. The built network, nodes and curves were quantified. For network sensitivity analysis, four types of analysis carried out. Results: A Bayesian network for assessment of posterior probabilities of falling from height proposed. The presented Bayesian network model shows the interrelationships among 37 causes affecting the falling from height and can calculate its posterior probabilities. The most important factors affecting falling were Non-compliance with safety instructions for work at height (0.127), Lack of safety equipment for work at height (0.094) and Lack of safety instructions for work at height (0.071) respectively. Conclusion: The proposed Bayesian network used to determine how different causes could affect the falling from height at work. The findings of this study can be used to decide on the falling accident prevention programs

The relationship between organizational safety culture and unsafe behaviors, and accidents among public transport bus drivers using structural equation modeling

Safety culture and unsafe behavior have been considered to be important factors in operational safety in various fields, including transportation systems. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between safety culture and unsafe behaviors, and accidents among bus drivers. Indeed, two questionnaires; i.e., Driver Safety Culture Questionnaire (DSCQ) and Public Transport Driver Behavior Questionnaire (PTDBQ), were developed. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 336 public transport bus drivers in Tehran, Iran. Unsafe behavior and safety culture were measured using DSCQ and PTDBQ, respectively. Additionally, a questionnaire was developed to assess socio-demographic factors and number of accidents. DSCQ and PTDBQ had appropriate psychometric properties. The results indicated a negative relationship between accidents, and safety culture and drivers’ unsafe behaviors. A positive association was also observed between unsafe behaviors and accidents. On the other hand, the unsafe behavior significantly mediated the relationship between safety culture and accidents. Overall, the model presented in this study indicated that strategies for improvement of organizational safety culture could decrease the drivers’ unsafe behaviors and subsequently reduce the number of accidents

Investigating and modeling of the effects of condensate storage tank fire in a refinery

Background & objective: Oil storage tanks are major industrial facilities which always pose risks of toxic substance release, fires and explosions. Fire has been recognized as the most common risk associated with such facilities, while explosion is the most important one in terms of ability to claim human lives and damage property. The current study aimed at investigating and modeling the effects of fires occurring in a gas condensate tank farm, according to which the level of possible emergencies were specified using the guidelines provided by the Center for Chemical Process Safety. Lastly, control measures were recommended. Methods: In the present study, the release and leakage of gas condensate from floating roof tanks were assessed using HAZOP method. Then, using PHAST software, the amount of radiation intensity received by the surrounding environment was determined, safe boundaries were computed, and according to the CCPS standard the emergency levels were determined. Results: modeling was performed based on the maximum capacity of tanks for both cold and hot seasons. The results revealed that safe distance for a maximum amount of irradiation density (4 KW/m2) related to a sudden release were 60 and 140 meters, respectively. Conclusion: according to the current condition of the plants and storage tanks, a plan was recommended for emergency management and practical suggestions were provided to improve the reliability and consistency