Accidental and malicious fires in the waste & recycling sector can be catastrophic, with substantial financial losses and a very high risk of fire spreading to adjacent buildings and businesses.
The risk of arson attacks in the sector is significant, and fires often require a massive response by the emergency services, with nearby residents forced to stay indoors or leave the area.
Our team designs and develops bespoke firefighting solutions for waste handling facilities, taking into account the types and quantities of waste materials you store, the size and shape of your premises, and the presence of personnel and members of the public.
We can also factor in any mobile fire risks you face, e.g. in refuse trucks and skip lorries, to protect against fire-related losses on the move.
Request A Quote
A Unique Challenge
Merlin’s years of experience working with waste handling facilities throughout the UK and Ireland has given our engineers unparalleled understanding of the industry.
The waste & recycling sector is a ‘perfect storm’ of fire risks:
- Large vehicles, increasingly hybrid or electric, operate around the clock to transport materials.
- Flammable waste materials must be stored in large quantities on premises often in urban areas.
- Strict safety regulations mean an uncontrolled fire can have major repercussions for operators.
A good fire protection strategy is essential and should include fire suppression methods, to extinguish blazes before they take hold of materials or vehicles, and to contain them where this is not possible until the emergency services can get to the scene.
In sites where incineration is used, precautions around controlled fire must be of the highest standards. Combustible dust is likely being produced at any time machinery is in use or material is being moved around.
These fire risks are exacerbated by the presence of potentially unstable waste material. Aerosol cans, gas and propane tanks can all easily find their way into waste making its way to the plant. Lithium-ion batteries are an increasingly frequent hazard found in household and construction waste, as they have the potential to enter thermal runaway, where they and they have the capability to produce their own fuel source which makes means they can produce them capable of producing long lasting fire in a great many different environments.
Due to the heightened threat of fire in waste management and recycling operations, the Environment Agency (EA) poses strict regulations on site operators to ensure that the best fire safety practices are in place where environmental permits are held.
Fire Suppression Systems for Recycling Centres
We can recommend multiple fire suppression systems for different parts of your premises, to protect against the specific risks faced in each area.
Some examples of the available technologies include:
- Deluge systems that dispense large quantities of water or foam to smother flames in open areas.
- Water mist systems that damp down fuel sources to reduce the spread of fire, without using chemical agents.
- Vehicle fire protection systems that dispense a suppression agent to quickly stop vehicle fires, including hybrid and electric battery fires.
Our preferred option for fleet is the Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection System. Merlin are exclusive UK & Ireland distributors of this innovative technology, which has been installed more than 100,000 times worldwide.
Extra Protection for Incinerators
We appreciate that some parts of the waste sector, especially including waste-to-energy operations, can require incineration. This is no obstacle to adequate fire protection.
Our systems can account for planned, contained burning, while monitoring for the presence of flames, sparks and embers in the surrounding areas.
This extra layer of protection is arguably even more important, as the presence of an incinerator provides a possible source of ignition for adjacent areas and materials, and that added risk should be mitigated against in its own right.
While humans are capable of spotting a spark, often seeing a naked flame comes too late. Fire Shield Systems fire detection systems pick up the smallest indications of potential fire outbreak, right down to subtle but telling rises in temperature, and deploy fire suppression systems into action to mitigate ignition.
The danger of heavy plant and machinery working long hours should never be overlooked, as fuel-filled vehicle engines overheating can potentially cause large-scale damage.
Fire Shield Systems is the sole UK supplier of the Dafo system, a market leader in vehicle fire protection systems with proven reliability. Dafo employs a unique wet/ liquid agent called Forrex which has been specially formulated for fighting fires in engine compartments. Forrex is gentle on vehicle engines meaning minimal downtime for your operations.
To find out how we can help you get in touch today or call us on +353 45 863 023.
Contact Merlin
Whatever the range of risks you are facing in your waste and recycling facility, we are here to consult on the best fire suppression solutions for the job.
Contact Merlin today using any of the details on our Contact page, and one of our experienced, helpful engineers will get in touch as soon as possible to arrange a no-obligation initial consultation.
