Important Parameters and Settings in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Aim: The article presents a set of parameters and settings for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which is crucial in the operational work of the fire brigade and its importance for the quality of the final material obtained from an RGB camera or a thermal imaging camera. Introduction: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are more often and more boldly used by various uniformed formations, including pilots of the State Fire Service and Volunteer Fire Brigades. Currently, they are used to perform recognition of situations and coordination of activities with the use of RGB and thermal imaging cameras. There are also other applications of UAV, including firefighting, but at the moment they are only conceptual solutions, as they have not been tested during an actual firefighting operation. According to the authors, a drone is currently only a carrier of additional devices and its functionality during the operation depends largely on certainty and reliability of a given UAV structure, as well as on the type and quality of the elements and sensors mounted on it. Methodology: A review of literature and press reports, as well as the authors’ experience in working with UAVs and the results of their research were used to analyse the topic. Conclusions: Indicating a set of key parameters for the UAVs used by fire brigade users is only possible to define its application. Therefore, in this study, the authors presented the most common use of unmanned aerial vehicles, for which key parameters were indicated and the impact of these factors on the obtained results of drones was described. Due to the frequent neglect of camera operation and the importance of their parameters, the authors described the most frequently set parameters of photographs and their impact on the final result, which is of key importance for the usefulness of the collected material.

Guidelines for the Use of Voice Alarm Systems Based on the Analysis of Normative and Legal Documents Used in Selected European Countries

Purpose: The aim of this publication is to present the results of theoretical research – evaluation of normative and legal documents used for the design and installation of voice alarm systems (VAS) in selected European countries. The aim of the research was to analyze and compare the functioning of voice alarm systems in Poland against the background of selected European countries. Introduction: Voice alarm systems are systems installed in buildings that enable the broadcast of warning signals and voice messages for the safety of people in the building. Mandatory use of voice alarm systems in selected buildings became applicable in Poland on January 16, 2006. In Europe, these systems have been present before. Over the years, there has been development of both the devices included in the systems, as well as the normative documents and legal acts that describe these systems. Methods: Within the research process, theoretical research was used, such as: analysis of literature and legal documents, synthesis, generalization, inference, comparison and analogy. As part of the research, documents from such countries as Poland, Great Britain (mainly England), Sweden, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands were analyzed. The selection of individual countries was guided by the level of development of these systems in a given country and the availability of source documents. Conclusions: The presented analysis of the requirements for the use of voice alarm systems shows how different the approach to the use of this type of systems is. Depending on individual experiences and the administrative structure of a given country, a variety of regulations, whether legal or normative (not always normative documents issued by state standardization institutions), can be seen in the field of voice alarm systems application. Unfortunately, one can get the impression that voice alarm systems are still not as popular as fire detection systems. The definition of the requirements for buildings in which the use of voice alarm systems should be obligatory and the requirements for the determination of the required level of speech intelligibility consti- tute the basis for the consistent development of this type of fire protection equipment. Such requirements should be specified either in legal regulations or in normative acts dedicated to voice alarm systems. Keywords: safety of evacuation, evacuation of buildings, voice alarm system, EN 54-16, EN 54-24, guidelines Type of article: review article

Converter Compensation of Reactive Power Consumed by the Induction Generato

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to present a reactive power compensation for small hydropower plants with an induction generator. The classic compensation with capacitors is discussed and its improvement is proposed. Instead of capacitors, a three level power electronic converter connected in parallel to the induction generator can be used to provide reactive power compensation. The purpose of the paper is to present the developed structure of an active compensator and its control method. The developed control method was verified on a laboratory stand. The project and the methods: As part of research, an active compensator was built as a three-level power electronic converter in topology with Neutral Point Clamped. Laboratory tests of a converter compensator were carried out on a stand equipped with an induction generator with a power of 7.5 kW. Laboratory system measurements were made using a power analyzer and an oscilloscope. Results: A control structure of an active compensator based on a voltage-oriented method was presented and discussed. The operation of the con- verter compensator has been verified on a laboratory stand equipped with a 7.5 kW induction generator. The compensator current reduces the reactive (inductive) component of the current consumed from a power grid to a value equal to zero. The reactive power compensator ensures that the tgφ power factor is maintained at a set value of zero, which corresponds to the total compensation of inductive reactive power consumed by an induction generator working in a hydropower plant. Operation of the active compensator did not cause a significant increase in the harmonic content in the current consumed from the power grid. Conclusions: The paper presents the issues regarding reactive power compensation in hydropower plants with induction generators. Commonly used capacitor compensation has been covered and as a result, it is proposed to replace it with power electronics converter compensation of reactive power connected in parallel induction generators. Active compensator provides compensation for the entire reactive power consumed by the induction generator. The use of the converter compensator of reactive power significantly contributes to the reduction of costs for reactive power incurred by the owners of hydropower plants. The reactive power compensator also has a positive impact on the operation of the entire power grid, power losses from the reactive component of the current on the impedances of power grid components are limited. Keywords: renewable source of electricity, reactive power, active compensator, induction generator Type of article: original scientific article

Functional and Performance Characteristics Including Principles of Placing the Elements of Voice Alarm Systems on the Market

Aim: The aim of the article was to present voice alarm systems and discuss the legitimacy of their use in fire alarm systems. The article presents the principles of introducing the elements of voice alarm systems to the market and their functional and operational properties. The article was written on the basis of a master’s thesis entitled “The analysis of the functional and operational properties of voice alarm systems” submitted at the Faculty of Safety and Civil Protection Engineering of the Main School of Fire Service. Introduction: Voice alarm system is one of the methods of warning the users of facilities about a threat, but there are many methods of alerting, e.g. sounders or optic signalling devices. Each of the above-mentioned systems has its advantages and disadvantages, so the application of the appropriate system, regardless of whether the regulations impose this obligation on the investor or it will be done on investor's own require deep consideration. Methods: There are several legal acts in force in Poland that define various aspects of voice alarm systems. Facilities in which the use of voice alarm systems (VAS) is mandatory are listed in the Regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other construction facilities and areas. In turn, the specification of the documents required for individual VAS elements is specified in the Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 establishing harmonized conditions for the marketing of construction prod- ucts and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC and additionally in Poland in the annex to the regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of 20 June 2007 on the list of products used to ensure public safety or protection of health and life and property, as well as the rules for issuing admittance for use of these products. Results: It has been found that many elements of voice alarm systems require careful analysis. Starting with the conformity assessment of the system components through its parameters, such as speech intelligibility, coverage angles or the appropriate sound pressure level. It is also important to select the system for the intended functional use of the rooms and to verify the correct operation of the system after changing the arrangement. Conclusions: Voice alarm systems are a very good, but relatively expensive system. They allow for a very diverse operation and facilitate appropriate evacuation. However, despite the high costs, it is worth considering their installation due to the invaluable action in terms of ensuring the safety of the users of the facility and the protection of their lives. Keywords: voice alarm systems, loudspeakers, maintenance, conformity assessment, phased evacuation Type of article: review article

The Use of Innovative Technologies in Rescue and Firefighting Activities of the State Fire Service in Order to Increase the Safety of Officers and Protect the Environment

Aim: The aim of the article is to present examples of rescue and firefighting activities carried out by PSP / national rescue and firefighting system (KSRG) with the use of innovative techniques and technologies resulting from the research and development projects carried out by teams of contractors, which included CNBOP-PIB as a leader or member of the consortium. In practice, the implementation of the obtained results allows for the actual and formal safety of firefighters-rescuers and other participants in rescue and firefighting operations, which is one of the basic duties of research and development units operating in the field of broadly understood fire protection, civil protection and crisis management. Introduction: Achieving the above goal is possible through the use of innovative techniques and technologies in rescue and firefighting operations, which allow reducing the risk of accidents and failures. Due to rational technical solutions, it is also possible to limit or even completely eliminate overloads of the osteoarticular system. The planned effect, which is to increase the safety level of rescue and firefighting operations, can also be achieved with the use of organizational and technical methods resulting from the selection of optimal methodologies, including those in logistics activities. Methodology: The article presents the possibilities of using products created as a result of the implementation of projects financed by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) related to the improvement of activity management and the use of innovative design solutions for equipment used in the planned activities. The considerations were based on the results of development activities carried out by consortia in which CNBOP-PIB participated. Summary: In literature, innovation is the implementation of a new or significantly improved product (or service), process, new marketing method or a new method of organization in the field of business practices, workplace organization or relations with the environment. Products (and services), processes and methods (technical, organizational and marketing) can be called innovations if they are new or significantly improved, at least from the point of view of rescue and firefighting activities carried out by PSP/KSRG. Conclusions: Effective use of the results of projects financed by NCBiR is one of the fastest ways to implement organizational and technical innovations in system activities. According to the authors, in order to increase the rational use of funds allocated to the implementation of research and development projects, a more active participation of the operator is recommended (in terms of content). The use of innovative technologies, even on a national scale, allows achieving measurable effects in terms of increasing the functionality, usability of products, modernization of existing systems, improvement of technologies used in rescue and firefighting operations, optimization of working conditions and time, and protection of the natural environment by reducing technogenic situations. Keywords: innovative technologies, organization of rescue and firefighting activities, effectiveness of activities Type of article: review article

The Role of Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the Fire Safety of Residential Buildings

Purpose: The aim of this publication is to present the most important aspects of using smoke and carbon monoxide detectors intended for households or similar residential facilities as well as to indicate the advantages and disadvantages of the adopted system solutions that affect the number of detectors installed in this kind of buildings. The article aims to present the issues related to the Integrated Qualifications System (ZSK), i.e. newly developed market qualification, dedicated to installers and maintenance technicians of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Introduction: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for early detection of existing threats such as fires or escaping carbon monoxide are an important element of fire protection, dedicated primarily to owners of residential buildings. In many countries in the EU it is obligatory to install detectors in homes, whereas at the moment in Poland the only aspect regulated legally is the obligation of the manufacturer of these products to obtain a certificate. Since 2016, the ZSK has been operating in Poland, in which in 2019 the qualifications of installers/maintenance technicians of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were distinguished. As a result, a person with a market qualification certificate is prepared for independent installation and maintenance of fire safety monitoring devices Methodology: As part of the research process, theoretical research was used, such as: analysis of literature and legal documents, synthesis, general- ization, inference, comparison and analogy. As part of the research, documents from such countries as Poland, Great Britain (mainly England), Germany and France were analysed. The selection of individual countries was guided by the level of development of these systems in a given country and the availability of source documents Conclusions: The presented analysis of the requirements for the installation of the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors shows how different the ap- proach is regarding the use of this type of devices. Depending on experiences and the administrative structure of a given country, a variety of regulations, whether legal or normative, can be discerned in the use of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. ZSK is a well-described system of formal organization and classification of competences and offers the public services at the highest possible quality level. It is also a partial solution to the problem of installing detectors. However, it is necessary to regulate this issue from the legal level, as it was the case in other EU countries, where the installation of detectors in homes is obligatory. Such action will contribute to reducing the victims of fires or inhalation of toxic gases (carbon monoxide) Keywords: Integrated Qualifications System (ZSK), smoke alarm detector, electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide, residential buildings Type of article: review article

Critical Infrastructure in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The paper presents the results of the review of literature and of the legal regulations in the field of the protection of critical infrastructure in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assumed main goal was to determine the requirements for protecting elements catalogued in 11 critical infrastructure systems, in the face of the risk of losing key personnel and the need to maintain continuity of critical infrastructure operations. Introduction: The first part of the paper discusses the essence and methods of identifying critical infrastructure in Poland. Further on, possible clauses were identified of an epidemic and its impact on individual critical infrastructure systems, with particular focus on the fact that if an epidemic occurs, there may be a temporary or long-term shortage of personnel essential to the business continuity of the facilities, installations and elements included in critical infrastructure. Then, the legal solutions for maintaining the operating continuity of critical infrastructure during COVID-19 implemented in 2020 were presented, pointing to legal tools aimed at ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure by securing key resource, i.e. the employees. Methodology: Literature research and qualitative analysis were carried out of the legal acts announced in 2020 related to enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure, and a review was carried out of the recommendations and guidelines addressed to critical infrastructure operators, which were issued in March and September of 2020. The obtained results were analysed using the following: publications, acts of the Polish law, recommendations and guidelines published on the websites of governmental institutions, interviews with independent experts. Conclusions: The first regulations on specific arrangements meant to prevent, counteract and combat COVID-19, other contagious diseases and crisis situations caused by them did not contain any provisions that would be supportive of the protective capacity of the critical infrastructure elements in Poland. The first document in this respect, RCB guidelines of 16 March 2020 have not been formalised yet in the legal system. The so-called Shield 2.0 of 31 March 2021 introduced to the 15x of the COVID-19 Act the tools for specific employers entitled to take advantage of new, previously unavailable opportunities to ensure the continuity of services. Those entitlements made it possible to change the work system or work schedule of employees, to instruct them to work overtime, as well as to refuse to grant annual leave or to cancel it. Keywords: critical infrastructure, pandemic, COVID-19, law, key personel Type of article: case study

Supporting Evacuation of Disabled People – Organizational and Technological Challenges

Aim: The aim of this publication is to present the most important aspects concerning the conditions for evacuation of people with various types of disabilities – from mobility problems, to reduced perception in the event of a threat, and to indicate the most important challenges both in terms of legal regulations, as well as organizational and technological conditions for ensuring effective evacuation of disabled people. Introduction: People with disabilities are a group that requires special consideration when planning evacuation from public utility facilities, because many of these people – depending on the type and degree of their dysfunction – will not be able to evacuate from the danger zone on their own. The inspection carried out in 2019 by the Delegation of the Supreme Audit Office in Poznań confirmed the need to adapt the applicable legal regulations in this regard (in practice, fire safety instructions, evacuation plans, staff training and equipping facilities with adequate equipment supporting the evacuation of people with disabilities) [1]. In addition to legal and technological aspects, a very important factor in the effective evacuation of disabled people are organizational solutions adopted in a given facility, which should take into account the individual specificity (cubature) and functions of a given facility. Methodology: As part of the research process, theoretical research was used, such as: analysis of literature and legal documents, synthesis, general- ization, inference, comparison and analogy. During the research, national and foreign sources (from the United States and Great Britain) were analyzed. The selection of individual countries was guided by the level of development of the solutions adopted in these countries dedicated to supporting the evacuation of disabled people in a situation of threat to their life or health, as well as the availability of data sources. Conclusions: The presented analysis of the conditions for the evacuation of people with disabilities from public utility buildings shows the challenges that both the legislator and managers of facilities in the country face in this area, as well as the emergency services. The latter – similarly to people with disabilities – are the systemic beneficiaries of the desired changes in the area of law and tactics of rescue operations, from the moment of alerting about an event in the facility where there are people who are unable to evacuate themselves. Introducing good practices, verified in other countries, into common application, should significantly improve rescue operations. The expected effect will be to shorten the time of providing help to all people unable to evacuate themselves in an emergency – regardless of their number, as well as the type and specificity of the public facility in which the life or health threatening situation occurred. Keywords: evacuation of disabled people, public utility buildings, intelligent construction, modelling and computer simulations, individual evacuation plan Type of article: review article

Analysis of Fire and Explosion Properties of LNG

Aim: The aim of this article is to analyse fire and explosion properties of LNG along with the identification of hazards that may arise during emergency incidents involving it. The article is based on an analysis of the available literature and a full-scale experimental study involving a 200-liter LNG tank leading to a jet fire. Introduction: Safe use and proper transport of flammable and harmful substances, together with the analysis of the effects of threats, enable the reduction of the number of accidents and provide possible conditions for the evacuation of people and property in a hazard zone. The compilation and systematization of knowledge on the safe use of the environmentally friendly LNG fuel will allow for an increase in the scope of its use. It is consistent with the state’s sustainable development policy consisting in identifying threats or adjusting technical solutions that minimize losses in transport or industry. Methodology: There are many legal acts in the world regarding safe storage and transport of LNG. One of the most important is Directive 2012/18/EC known as “Seveso III”. This document contains requirements for the prevention of major accidents involving hazardous substances – including LNG – and ways to reduce their negative effects on human health and the environment. Relevant requirements have also been specified in standards, tests, articles and other international acts, including in the European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (the so-called ADR Agreement). The article compares flammable and explosive parameters of LNG. Possible scenarios occurring during the release and ignition of the LNG vapour cloud have been shown. The change of pressure of LNG vapour in the 200 l tank as a function of its heating time in the burning spill of a mixture of gasoline and diesel fuel is presented. In such a thermal exposure, a jet fire with a flame length of up to 5 meters was obtained. Conclusions: The proper use of flammable gases should be a priority in ensuring fire and explosion safety in facilities, during transport, etc. Hence, recognizing the threats and comparing them, or matching technical solutions that minimize the effects of LNG failures will allow active inclusion of knowledge in this field in the process of protection against fire and explosion. In case of LNG storage, attention should be paid to the types of materials in the immediate vicinity of this liquefied gas in order to have sufficient mechanical properties at the lowest liquefied gas temperature. Keywords: LNG, fire safety, process safety Article type: review article