NEWS
Brian Meacham, Meacham Associates
Further underlined the need for data on changing fire risks with green buildings. Data is not keeping up with the implementation of new technologies, green materials, façade insulation, photovoltaics, energy storage, etc.
READ MOREYosr Melki, Knauf Insulation
Keeping people safe is critical for all buildings. She calls for wide value chain cooperation to integrate sustainable construction and fire safety, engaging design engineers and architects, materials suppliers, the construction industry, as well as researchers and regulators
READ MOREFanny Guay, PAROC
Industry wants European standards, to facilitate placing on the market and to ensure demanding levels of fire safety. The EU has regulatory tools which can support this, in particular the Construction Products Directive and the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, but in the latter fire safety is only included marginally.
READ MOREResearch gaps for integrating fires into LCA
A Fire Safety Journal article and a thesis from Oregon State University find little existing science and identifies research and data gaps.
READ MOREData on environmental emissions from fires
New report analyses emissions from fires, susceptible to have health or environmental impacts, with an Emission Factor database for 90 materials.
READ MOREReview of environmental impacts of fires
NFPA-funded study proposes framework for quantifying environmental impact of fires and identifies research gaps. As above, most of the c. 60 references concern environmental impacts of wildfires or of major fire incidents, fire statistics reports or ISO methodologies.
READ MOREEU FireStat project reports 3 – 5
Efectis has published reports on several packages of the EU FireStat project on fire data and cost/benefit analysis of fire safety actions (“Closing data gaps and paving the way for pan-European Fire Safety Efforts”, see DG GROW above).
READ MOREFire safety regulation of upholstered furniture & mattresses
EU FireStat report concludes fire safety regulation upholstered furniture and mattresses in Sweden offers net cost benefit, but with high uncertainty. This is the report of package #5 of the EU FireStat project (see above), led by Efectis, with this work package carried out by Lund University.
READ MORESFPE Handbook of Fire and the Environment
New 500 page reference work from the Society of Fire Protection Engineers on fire impacts on the environment, including mitigation and sustainability.
READ MOREEU JRC reviews SSbD approaches
Commission report analyses objectives and existing tools for assessment of “SSbD” for chemical, but ignores durability. The 184 page report reviews existing frameworks relevant to “Safe and Sust...
READ MOREpinfa GA addresses the Green Deal
pinfa members working together on opportunities offered by for PIN flame retardants by the EU Green Deal.
READ MORENew chairman of pinfa-NA: Carolyn Pressley
Pinfa North America has elected Carolyn Pressley, Budenheim USA, as Chairman for 2-year term, from 1st July 2022.
READ MORESafety by Durability
pinfa infographics explain why chemical stability of PIN FRs is key to Green Deal product durability objectives.
READ MORERoad to Flame Retardant Commercialisation
pinfa-NA member, Dr. Anteneh Worku (FR Adviser LLC) presents challenges of FR design and production. pinfa North America (pinfa-NA) was a sponsor of the ACS Fire and Polymers 2022 workshop
READ MOREPossible restriction of halogen FRs in E&E
State proposes to restrict all halogenated flame retardants (HFFRs) in E&E enclosures and stands. The proposal from the Washington State Ecology Department takes forward the SAFER “priority products” process (law RCW 70.365, see pinfa Newsletter n°108).
READ MORECancer recognised as firefighter health risk
The WHO’s IARC has classified cancer as an exposure risk for firefighters. At an expert meeting 1st July 2022, IARC classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)
READ MOREEU reports record wildfires in 2022
The EU’s Copernicus (CAMS) data show record wildfire activity in South West Europe. Germany, Eastern Europe and Baltic States are also affected.
READ MOREWhirlpool sued 1.3 M£ for tumble-dryer fire
Legal action by a London borough adds to payments already made to 37 residents and recall of half a million driers. In August 2016, a fire started in a flat on Heathstan Road, Shepherds Bush, caused by tumble drier (according to the London Fire Brigade investigation).
READ MOREMiami plane crash landing fire
126 people escaped with no major injuries when RED Air MD-80 crash landed and caught fire at Miami International Airport 21st June 2022.
READ MORECourt orders 8 M£ for combustible cladding
UK court condemns contractor to pay replacement costs of combustible polystyrene insulation cladding and fire barriers.
READ MOREDo flame retardants impact smoke toxicity?
Furnished room fire tests conclude that flame retardants do not increase smoke toxicity. The room tests are described in Blais 2020 (see pinfa Newsletter n°104).
READ MOREPlasticsEurope calls for faster recycling
The EU plastics industry federation reports on benefits and opportunities of recycling and calls for incentives. The “ReShaping Plastics” report (SYSTEMIQ for PlasticsEurope) says current industry and policy actions could more than double plastics recycling from 14% today to 33% in 2030, reducing greenhouse emissions and waste.
READ MORE“Circularizing the Electronics Industry”
z2data Webinar with Design Chain Associates says circularity drives to sustainable chemicals, and EU Green Deal policies will make this happen.
READ MORERecycling of PIN FR from PC/ABS
Solvent is shown to dissolve the phosphorus FR BDP from PC/ABS, enabling recovery of the PIN FR for recycling.
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