Thursday, January 16, 2020
Ptlls 008 Roles, Responsibilities Essay
Important to define the terms prior to listing the entities which may impact on my work: Legislative requirement: A duty to act according to the law as defined in an Act of Parliament and usually enforceable through the courts. Code of Practice: A set of rules outlining how a person in a particular profession or situation is expected to behave. Statutory Code of Practice: A Code of Practice approved by Parliament and admissible as evidence in any legal action. The Children Act (2004) ââ¬â Every Child Matters underpinned the Change For Children agenda. The Act came into being following the death of Victoria Climbie. The Act is applicable to children and vulnerable adults up to the age of 25. Focused on five specific outcomes for children: Be healthy Stay Safe Enjoy and Achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being Protection of Children Act (1991) ââ¬â gave local authorities to investigates cases of child abuse. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) ââ¬â introduced a vetting and barring service for those working with children and vulnerable adults. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (previously CRB checks). Code of Professional Practice (2008) ââ¬â introduced by the Lifelong Learning Sector. The code is based on 7 behaviours expected of teachers. Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988) ââ¬â relates to copying and adapting materials. The Data Protection (1998) ââ¬â relates to information held on people by others. Education and Skills Act (2008) ââ¬â aimed at increasing participation in learning. The Equality Act (2010) ââ¬â brought all the areas of discrimination: race, sex, disability, race into one Act. The 2010 Act identifies 9 areas of discrimination. Freedom Of Information Act (2000) ââ¬â individuals can ask to see the information held on them Health and Safety At Work (1974) ââ¬â imposes obligations on all to operate within a safe and healthy environment Human Rights Act (1998) ââ¬â basic rights for all The Further Education Teacherââ¬â¢s Qualifications (England) Regulations (2007) ââ¬â professional status for teachers in FE and a qualification route GRAVELLS, A. (2012) Preparing To Teach In The Lifelong Learning Sector 1. 2 Analyse own responsibilities for promoting equality and valuing diversity The definition of equality is to treat everybody equally, especially in terms of status, rights and opportunities. The 2010 Equality Act brought together a number of different pieces of legislation which means it is unlawful to discriminate against people on the grounds of pay, sex, race and disability. Diversity means being aware that every person is unique, not only because of their visible differences such as race, age or disability, but also non visible differences, religion, social background, economic status or political beliefs. Inclusion is about being objective and looking beyond first impressions. Itââ¬â¢s about diversity and breaking down barriers, changing lives and promoting equality. Within my role itââ¬â¢s important for me to base my practice around the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion and keep an open mind. Without an open mind I may not support all people equally to recognise their potential and achieve their aspirations. Discrimination could then be argued to have occurred as students would not have been treated equally. Particular to my role as a potential facilitator would be the areas of Differentiation Preconceived stereotypes Encouraging a wide variety of views Use of culturally diverse images and resources Learning support where appropriate 1. 3 Evaluate own role and responsibilities in lifelong learning Reflective Journal Annex A It is important to consider this question in relation to internal and external influences. My role as a facilitator is connected to the Learning Cycle. The cycle consists of five reoccurring elements. It is appropriate for me to answer this question offering examples for each element. Identify needs. Role ââ¬â arranging assessments to identify student need particularly in the key skill areas: numeracy, literacy and ICT Responsibility ââ¬â offering information, advice and guidance on the contents of the course Plan learning Role ââ¬â planning schemes of work and when it will be taught Responsibility ââ¬â designing a scheme of work, lesson plans and resources Deliver/Facilitate learning Role ââ¬â establish ground rules Responsibility ââ¬â deal with inappropriate behaviour as it arises Assessing Learning Role ââ¬â assess progress whether it be for internal purposes or national examination bodies Responsibility ââ¬â offering feedback to students Evaluation Role ââ¬â improve the teaching and learning process Responsibility ââ¬â evaluate session taught perhaps through student reflective journals 1. 4 Review own role and responsibilities in identifying and meeting the needs of learner Reflective Journal Annex B To meet the needs of the learner, firstly I would conduct an initial assessment, particularly in the areas of key skills: literacy, numeracy and ICT. This would enable both myself and the learner to identify and agree areas where additional support was required to enhance learning Secondly I would negotiate Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) to enable both the learner and myself to set targets and monitor outcomes. Thirdly I would initiate regular tutorials where individuals could receive dedicated individual attention where achievement could be celebrated and support and help offered. Lastly, I would constantly be mindful of barriers to learning whether this be learning or personal ones. In such cases where there were issues depending on the nature of these issues I would either deal with them myself or signpost the student to an appropriate professional 2. Understand the relationships between teachers and other professionals in lifelong learning 2. 1 Analyse the boundaries between the teaching role and other professional roles There are three areas on which I intend to focus. First the teachers time is limited it therefore may be appropriate to refer a student to another professional, for example if the students wishes to discuss their career ideas, although I would feel comfortable doing this I may not have the time. I would therefore signpost them to a career expert. Secondly the teacher may not have a particular expertise and teachers should be respectful of the abilities of other professionals. For example if my computer projector broke down I would ask a technician to repair it. They would have both the expertise and health and safety knowledge to complete the task. Thirdly within the busy life of a classroom it is not always possible to meet the specific needs of the learner whether this is in respect of key skills, language barriers or personal problems. In any of the incidents it would be appropriate for me to refer them to another professional. The key is always to support the learning of the learner.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Gun Control And Border Security - 2025 Words
Gun control and border security are two of the major problems Texas is facing these days. According to, ââ¬Å"The Texas Political Projectâ⬠, immigration is the top most problem Texas is facing today while border security is the second. This leads to an increase in other illegalities like drug trafficking, homicides, mafia wars etc. Premature birth, persistent extermination, and the death penalty are all ambiguous issues in today s general public. Gun control is one of the most convoluted and contentious issues in Texas today. The right to bear arms commenced from the minute men and the American Revolution. The second amendment states: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. It allows ordinary people to protect themselves and their families from harm. According to statistics, most Americans believe that an average citizen should have the right to own a handgun. However, they also want proper regulation from the government. U.S has a 1,900 miles long border with Mexico of which 1,254 miles exists in Texas. There is a persistent threat of drug smuggling, illegal aliens, violent gangs, and the concomitant rise in violence is no more evident than in the state of Texas. To enter into the United States without permissions is a federal crime. Illegal immigration is an arduous problem to solve and most likely will never be thoroughly solved. Never the less, it is a problem thatShow MoreRelatedDrugs Inc1667 Words à |à 7 Pagesthere is a critical need to increase Department of Defense initiatives, in conjunction with the other elements of national power, to develop a decisive anti-drug cartel strategy that will provide security for not only our nation but other nations as well and its citizens at home and abroad. Narcotics, guns and violence, the powerful elements of a never ending war. All these elements are part of the campaign to rid the world of the disaster that drugs so ferociously have inflicted upon the UnitedRead MoreSecurity On The Southern Border1246 Words à |à 5 Pages Security on the Southern Border Jaden Truxal ENGL 1101 Ms. Floyd 8 November 2016 Outline: Security on the Southern Border I. Increased security along the southern border is vitally needed to protect America from foreign threats. A. Purpose: To persuade the audience that increasing the security on the United Statesââ¬â¢ southern border is essential for this nation. B. The U.S. needs and must have more border security, but not the kind that President- elect, Donald Trump, is thinkingRead MoreFighting the Juarez Cartel648 Words à |à 3 Pagesand costly initiative aimed at stemming the flow of illegal drugs into the United States with a specific focus on the well-worn trafficking paths snaking inward from south of the Mexican border. The failure of the War is perhaps best reflected in the incredible carnage and violence which continue to grip key border regions like Juarez. This territory, controlled by the notorious Juarez cartel, is the site of ongoing turf wars with rival drug peddlers, the Sinaloa Cartel, as well as with law enforcementRead MoreGeneral Election Essay1377 Words à |à 6 Pagespoverty, border security, immigration, and more funding to public schools for our youth. According to a Poll release conducted in June 2017 by the University of Texas, issues based on my districtââ¬â¢s demographics include immigration, border secu rity, political corruption/leadership, unemployment, education, and health care (Blank 2017). Among my districtââ¬â¢s population of democrats, political corruption and leadership is the most important issue while my districtââ¬â¢s republican population believes border securityRead MoreMexico Case Study964 Words à |à 4 Pagesbeen expensive and destructive. It is important that the U.S. and Mà ©xico work together to continue strengthening their security cooperation. The U.S. and Mà ©xico must work on strengthening Mà ©xicoââ¬â¢s judicial procedures, fight corruption, and reform the police forces. Because it is clear that this issue also affects the U.S., it would be beneficial for the U.S. to work on improving its gun laws and increase emphasis on prevention and treatment for drug addicts. Improving Mà ©xicoââ¬â¢s rule of law is an importantRead More Mexican Cartel Essay1524 Words à |à 7 Pagesalong the U.S.-Mexico border. But it was the American appetite for coc aine in the 1970s that gave Mexican drug cartels immense power to manufacture and transport drugs across the border. Early Mexican gangs were primarily situated in border towns where prostitution, drug use, bootlegging and extortion flourishedâ⬠(Wagner). They keep themselves armed and ready with gun supplies shipped from the U.S, taking control of the drug trades. The violence is spilling so out of control that they overthrew theRead MoreThe Border Security Act Of 20131701 Words à |à 7 Pagesthe reason so many Americans view the legislature as so disconnected with the public. The Border Security bill was drafted to address the mismanagement of the Department of Homeland Security in regard to immigration policy, and would have provided more clear paths to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers. Another bill, the ââ¬Å"Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013â⬠drafter to tighten gun control in the wake of the Sandy Hook Massacre. The defeat of 7 amendments to the bill led Harry ReidRead MoreGuns And Gun Control855 Words à |à 4 PagesThe rise in cases of gun violence and related incidences of assault has drawn the public to the issue of guns and gun control. Such has been evident within the spheres of politics especially with the last election period seeing the incumbent president Donald Trump suggesting on stringent gun control laws. However, despite the acknowledgment of the need to have better gun laws, much ground and consensus has never reached. Such, to an extent, contributed to the current lack of political goodwill withinRead MoreThe United States Of America1419 Words à |à 6 Pagesin the drug cartel are not only in Mexico, they are in the United States as well. Street gangs with cartel ties are not only in Los Angeles and Dallas, but also in many smaller cities across the United States and much farther north of the Mexican border. Mexican cartels had a presence in 230 cities in the United States in 2008, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Its 2011 report shows that presence has grown to more than 1,000 U.S. cities. While the violence has remained mostly in Mexico, authoritiesRead MoreGun Control : Argumentative Essay Essay1702 Words à |à 7 Pages100 3 November, 2014 Gun Control: Argumentative Essay The gun control debate is a good example that justifies the common known mantra that history will always repeat itself. Gun control is a regulation put forward with an aim of managing the purchase and ownership of firearms with the main aim being to reduce the criminal and unsafe use of firearms. The gun control measures involve strategies such as registration of firearms aimed at restricting the ownership of guns by people proved to be
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Informative Speech On Superbugs - 1372 Words
Christian Lozada Dr. Menegatos HON 105 29 September 2017 Informative Speech Manuscript Does anyone here ever worry about the food that you eat? Where it came from? What itââ¬â¢s made with? If there are any harmful chemicals? Those are of course legitimate concerns because that would be pretty scary to eat food that may just stab you in the back. Have you ever worried about an incurable infection being in your food, though? Itââ¬â¢s not a common thought, but actually the feeding of antibiotics to food-producing animals is causing incurable infections and deaths throughout the entire world. Itââ¬â¢s very important to understand how antibiotics work and how our misuse of them causes incurable infections called superbugs so that we can further protectâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 April 2015, para. 7). If your doctor has ever given, or will give you antibiotics, the misuse, the wrong dosage, and even the wrongful prescription of antibiotics, such as for a virus, can eventually contribute to making a superbug, again according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 February 2017, para. 2-5). There are already many instances of superbugs taking peopleââ¬â¢s lives. For example, just this January 2017, the CDC reported that a Washoe County resident in Reno, Nevada died in late September 2016 because she had an infection from a superbug that could not be cured by every available antibiotic in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 August 2017, para. 1-5). Posted on the Infectious Diseases Society of America website in 2007 by her mother was the story of how Rebecca Lohsen, a 17-year-old high school student and swimmer from New Jersey, died from an MRSA infection, an infection resulting from a superbug (Infectious Diseases Society of America, September 2007, para. 1). On that same website, posted by her parents, a 19-year-old college student, Meredith LittleJohn, died to a superbug after spending time in an intensive care un it in a hospital (Infectious Diseases Society of America, n.d., para. 1-3). And the list of those affected goes way on. So as we can see, superbugs are definitely a threatening and real issue that can affect almost anyone.Show MoreRelatedSuperbugs Informative Speech1243 Words à |à 5 PagesChristian Lozada Dr. Menegatos HON 101 Informative Speech Manuscript This is Rebecca Lohsen. She was a healthy 17-year-old high school student and swimmer from New Jersey. In 2006, she died from a MRSA infection, and itââ¬â¢s an infection thatââ¬â¢s really hard to cure because itââ¬â¢s caused by a kind of bacteria called a superbug. (Infectious Diseases Society of America, September 2007, para. 1). Itââ¬â¢s important to understand what superbugs are and how they come about because theyââ¬â¢re a present and ongoing
Monday, December 23, 2019
Analysis Of The Anthology Diving Into The Wreck - 1221 Words
Philosopher and writer, Jiddu Krishnamurti, says the following in a 1967 ââ¬Å"Public Talkâ⬠: ââ¬Å"when all authority of every kind is put aside, denied, then you can find out for yourself.â⬠This statement characterizes authority -- ââ¬Å"the ability to assert or influenceâ⬠ââ¬â as a governing force that ultimately supersedes identity, as its absence allows for one to ââ¬Å"find out,â⬠or create individual perceptions (OED). Similarly, this conflict of authority and identity manifests in the works of author, Adrienne Rich. Specifically, through its literary form, ââ¬Å"Rape,â⬠in the anthology Diving into the Wreck (1973), exposes the negative effects of a domineering male power by evaluating the deprivation of female identity that occurs as a consequence. It isâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦As such, these lines represent a loss of identity as ââ¬Å"a unique selfâ⬠in the speaker, by exemplifying the generalized female stereotype of submissi veness (OED). Rather than possessing an individual autonomy of the eventââ¬â¢s details, the speaker ââ¬Å"(has) to confess,â⬠and so, loses the ability to command, or contain, the situation as they desire by instead having to ââ¬Å"yieldâ⬠the information (13) (OED). Moreover, the act of rape itself, serves as another example of the loss of female identity to a male influence. For instance, rape is ââ¬Å"sexually forcing oneself onto another without consentâ⬠(OED). By acting without permission, a rapist effectively denies human rights to their victims, compelling them to a state of submission and dehumanizing them into the equivalent of physical property (OED). In her critical essay, Rich recognizes this idea of objectification by writing that, ââ¬Å"Manââ¬â¢s power (is) to [â⬠¦] choose or reject the woman,â⬠just as one can choose or reject an item (Rich, 6). She extends this to the text through the line, ââ¬Å"the maniacââ¬â¢s sperm still gre asing your thighs,â⬠as the rapist has marked the speaker with a physical reminder of their essence to transform them from a person into the evidence of a crime (12). Hence, in the metaphor of predator and prey along with the conflict of dehumanization, a gender hierarchy within the poem emerges that promotes male control and as an effect limits the prominence of ââ¬Ëselfââ¬â¢
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Globalizing Armenia essay Free Essays
Nowadays globalization is becoming more and more popular. It allows us to meet and experience different cultures, societies, technologies and many other things. It helps different countries to exchange useful information. We will write a custom essay sample on Globalizing Armenia essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Globalization just unites people from all over the world. In the n present age globalization has also a great influence on Armenia, which can be seen from our cultural changes, educational changes and religious changes. Globalization allows us to experience different cultures in our country. Many foreign countries have spread their culture, lifestyle in Armenia. First example of these can be the mobile phones we use. They may have been created in China or Japan, but here we use them. Second example can be the cars we use on our streets, which may have been also created in foreign countries. Third can be American culture, which has been spread here through famous American companies such as Coca cola, McDonalds and so on. All we can do is accept cultural changes, which help us to live more comfortable. In Armenia globalization has also affected on our education. Today better and more advanced methods of education have spread in Armenia through globalization. First can be Bologna system, which is used by some Universities in Armenia. Second is learning English language, which makes easier to communicate with foreigners, because English is spoken in almost every country and everybody understand it. Globalization helps us to expand our teaching and learning experience. Today globalization has also a great influence on religion. Now many new religions and religious groups have spread in our country. A result of religious globalization can be different sects, which have been spread here from Europe and are protesting against a church. Globalization needs to be more widely understood by people, especially some of its aspects, which have negative results for our society. So globalization plays an important role in our life. It interferes with culture, education, religion and so on. Globalization helps us to learn more about different countries, their culture and lifestyle. It helps us to expand our knowledge and to live more comfortable and peaceful. Globalization also helps people to create new things but it`s very important to maintain our national values, identity and personality. How to cite Globalizing Armenia essay, Essays
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Water has been used to fight f... free essay sample
Water has been used to fight fires throughout history in all types of environments, applications and methods. This is mainly because water in considered inert and has the scientific properties to make it a great fire suppressor (Liu Kin, 1999). Water has a high heat capacity, requires a large amount of energy to vaporize, can absorb large amounts of heat, and expands when it evaporates diluting the surrounding fuel and oxygen sources (Liu Kin, 1999). Water is also readily accessible in most parts of the world, environmentally friendly, and cheaper to uses than any other methods of fire suppression. This is why it continues to be the most sought after fire extinguishing agent. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems or NFPA750 defines water mist as a water spray for which the Dv0.99 [99%], for the flow-weighted cumulative volumetric distribution of water droplets is less than 1000 um within the nozzle operating pressure (NFPA, 2015, Definitions, para. 3. 3.22). The European Committee for Standardization defines water mist in its CEN/TS14972 as a water spray for which the 90% of the total volume of liquid (Dv0.90) is distributed in droplets with a diameter smaller than 1000 microns at the minimum design operating pressure of the water mist nozzle (VID, n.d.). These definitions are a little confusing but are attributed to an earlier time when droplet size was the only consideration for performance (VID, n. d.). The operation of misting systems is relatively simple. Pressure pushes water through a nozzle or series of nozzles to create a cool, fog-like mist. This mist is suspended in the air due to its small droplet size and is transported throughout the area by turbulent air. The mist performs much a like a gas in the sense it can move around objects and get into crevices and ventilation systems. Surface wetting is still the primary method of fire suppression and helps keep the fire from spreading but it is not a complete saturation like traditional sprinkler systems (Stanwick, 2003). This wetting is assisted by cooling of the surrounding areas, surrounding air, fire, and fuel source (Stanwick, 2003). Another benefit of water misting is the scrubbing effect. In simple terms, smoke is made of liquid and solid particles created through the combustion of the fuel source (Stanwick, 2003). These small particles stick to the water droplets cleaning the air from harmful particles (Stanwick, 2003). This can be an important factor in the ability of this technology to save lives. According to the NFPA, prior to 1999 smoke inhalation deaths outnumbered burn deaths three to one (Hall, 2011). After 1999, there is a two to one ratio for smoke inhalation versus burn deaths (Hall, 2011). Today there are a number of factors that affect water mist performance. As previously mentioned, the surface area of the spray being used has a direct effect on how it reacts with the fire (Hambling, 2001). A normal sprinkler droplet size of one millimeter has a water surface area of two square meters (Hambling, 2001). A mist spray of one-tenth a millimeter across can have a surface area of more than two hundred square meters (Hambling, 2001). To put this into perspective, in one test a fire temperature was decreased approximately five hundred degrees centigrade and extinguished in two seconds using a mist (Hambling, 2001). That is extremely efficient fire fighting and explains why previously droplet size was considered so important. Smaller droplets also have a much longer hang time in the air (Liu Kin, 1999). This can help them be carried to small crevices and other areas inaccessible by larger droplets (Liu Kin, 1999).Spray flux density is another factor that affects water mist. Spray flux density is the amount of water spray in a unit volume or unit area (Liu Kin, 1999). The spray flux density must be increased enough to remove heat from the fire, cooling it below the ignition point (Liu Kin, 1999). The more it increases the less effect it will have on oxygen in the area. This is why certain heads with spray patters are tested first prior to use. The correct equilibrium must be met for the situation and fuel to optimize the effects and the spray mist (Liu Kin, 1999). The mist must reach the fire to be effective and a fire that creates more heat than the cooling power of the mist will not be extinguished (Liu Kin, 1999). This can further be affected by spray momentum, spray angle, shielding of the source, size of the fire, airflow, size of the area and shape of the area (Liu Kin, 1999). The last factor affecting water mist performance is the spray momentum (Liu Kin, 1999). This is the spray velocity and its direction in reference to the fire (Liu Kin, 1999). This has a direct impact on the droplets ability to penetrate the fire and contact the fuel source (Liu Kin, 1999). The spray momentum produces air turbulence which helps circulate the water droplets (Liu Kin, 1999). This circulation helps reduce the amount of oxygen and fuel vapor which in turn helps extinguish the fire (Liu Kin, 1999). The factors that affect spray momentum are droplet size, droplet velocity, pressure, angle, nozzle spacing, airflow, area size, and area shape (Liu Kin, 1999). The history of misting systems can be traced back to around 1880 and the F.E. Myers company (Lakkonen, 2008). Their creation of the back-bag system included a lance utilizing small water droplets to fight forest fires (Lakkonen, 2008). The biggest drawback of the time was lack of pressure and it wouldnt be until the 1900s that further advancement would be made in this area (Lakkonen, 2008). As better sealing materials were improved and created, the ability to increase pressure advanced and by the 1930s there were multiple companies offering systems that utilized misting technology in their products (Lakkonen, 2008). They were promoted on the benefits of cooling effect, oxygen displacement and low water damages with use (Lakkonen, 2008). One such company marketed a multiple orifice nozzle called a water dust nozzle (Lakkonen, 2008). In the 1940s another company, Factory Mutual, carried out a series of tests with small droplet nozzles and their effectiveness on gasoline fires (Lakkonen, 2008). The results indicated that the performance was comparable to conventional sprinkler systems except flow rates were much lower (Lakkonen, 2008). During this period, fire fighting techniques with water mist were established and the USA and Europe adopted water mist techniques as a manual fire fighting strategy (Lakkonen, 2008). The effectiveness of misting during the period was well recognized but it was still not utilized for fixed applications (Lakkonen, 2008). This was mainly due to the lack of water pressure in the systems that supplied water if any where yet available (Lakkonen, 2008). For the next twenty years there was a period of independent research but no systematic trials (Lakkonen, 2008). The creation and investigation into gases and powder as a fire suppression agent became the mainstream focus (Lakkonen, 2008). These systems were integrated into or along with the conventional sprinkler systems (Lakkonen, 2008). Misting was only considered effective and used in a select portion of the industry, manual fire fighting (Lakkonen, 2008). Around 1970 there were breakthroughs with supporting technologies such as hydraulics, which helped increase the working pressure of the manual firefighting systems (Lakkonen, 2008). This helped create several research groups that were researching misting technologies in different parts of the world (Lakkonen, 2008). By 1980 there was some misting products installed in a number of industrial and public buildings such as the Leipzig Bowling center in Germany (Lakkonen, 2008). The biggest breakthroughs were from Sweden where researches developed new tactic for fighting fires (Lakkonen, 2008). Krister Giselsson and his partner Mats Rosander termed their new tactic offensive fire fighting (Lakkonen, 2008). This new tactic applied misting sprays to indoor fires in short bursts (Lakkonen, 2008). This helped to cool the combustion gases without large amounts of thermal imbalance and without large amounts of scalding hot steam (Lakkonen, 2008). The creators then took the information they collected from the offensive fire fighting and began creating one of the first fixed water misting systems (Lakkonen, 2008). They would co-operate with the company Electrolux Euroclean (Lakkonen, 2008). Electrolux Euroclean was in the business of industrial cleaning equipment and was inspired to join fire misting when their equipment was accidently used to put out an oil fire (Lakkonen, 2008). Electrolux Euroclean would carry out a number of tests at the Swedish research institute proving the performance of their product and to give baseline scientific references where previously there were none (Lakkonen, 2008). This unusual team organized several demonstrations and fire tests between 1981 and 1983 providing an increase in the general knowledge of misting in Sweden and surrounding areas (Lakkonen, 2008). In the 1980s the Montreal protocol was signed being finalized in 1987 (USDOS, n.d.). This global initiative protected the atmosphere by stopping the production and use of ozone depleting substances most notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons (USDOS, n.d. ). Halon was widely used at this time as a fire suppression agent and this started the search for viable alternatives (USDOS, n.d.). The Significant New Alternative program (SNAP) was started by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helped develop a class of clean agents and renewed interest and funding for research in water misting systems (USDOS, n. d.). Another incident in 1990 would also help water mist technology. The ferry boat Scandinavian Star had a fire break out on the morning of April 7th 1990 (Scandinavian Star, n.d.). The cause of the fire is suspected to be arson but the loss of 159 people is what brought negative publicity on the marine industry (Scandinavian Star, n. d.). Experts franticly searched for fire suppression methods that did not have the weight, large piping requirements, or high water requirements of standard systems to be installed into ships (Lakkonen, 2008). This event also leads to the successful fire demonstrations in Balsta Sweden on 20 June, 1990 (Lakkonen, 2008). These demonstrations were attended by shipping companies, insurance companies, fire and rescue services, and other marine industry companies (Lakkonen, 2008). It is considered a major turning point for water misting systems and the first large marine installations are realized in 1992 onboard Motor Ship Danica, Motor Ship Festival, and Motor Ship Karneval (Lakkonen, 2008). The modern age of water mist technology had begun and was further supported by the International Maritime Industry (IMO) (Lakkonen, 2008). The IMO had multiple resolutions in the mid 1990s that would increase the support and use for this technology aboard ships (Lakkonen, 2008). These resolutions would require the latest safety technology and require features incorporated similar to that of a hotel or building (Wilmot, 2016). The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) would create a technical committee on Water Mist development and release the first standard, NFPA750 Water Mist Fire Protection, in 1993 (Lakkonen, 2008). In 1998 the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) was formed with five corporate members (Lakkonen, 2008). Water misting systems have become even more popular through recent years and have been further investigated by all branches of the military (Lakkonen, 2008). The IWMA has swelled to over fifty corporate members and now holds an annual conference that supports the misting industry (Lakkonen, 2008). This old technology has had resurgence due to continued advancements and the events previous ly discussed. Misting is now common in a number of industries and is continuing to increase in popularity. Today water misting technology is marketed with advantages such as: immediate activation, high efficiency, minimized damage, environmentally friendly, and non toxic (ORR, n.d.). One of the most recent advances in misting technology is the PyroLance. The PyroLance is a portable, high pressure, fire fighting system utilizing misting technology (Schroeder, 2011). It consists of a high pressure lance, a high powered pumping unit and the hoses to connecting the two (Schroeder, 2011). It comes in three different models that can be operated by gas, diesel or power take-off and has a variety of options including: wireless controllers, wireless repeaters, upgraded hoses, extending hoses, mounting systems, water tanks, foam tanks, and abrasive material (Schroeder, 2011). Traditionally firefighters enter a structure to actually engage the fire (Roe, n.d.). This can risk the lives of those trapped inside and the firefighters by introducing more oxygen to the fire (Roe, n.d.). The situation can then escalate becoming more serious through flashovers, back drafts or an explosive type environment (Roe, n.d.). This product is unique because it changes traditional thinking on how to fight fires and can be used in situations that are difficult for fire fighter such as smoldering material between walls or structure panels. The PyroLance is held by the firefighter against the exterior wall or structure of the target and initiates the system (Schroeder, 2011). This activates the high pressure water stream mixed with aggregate which bores a 3mm hole through the target (Schroeder, 2011). The firefighter can then switch the aggregate off and initiate the high pressure water system (Schroeder, 2011). This provides a misting spray to the interior of the targeted location with water, foam, or combination of the two, cooling the targeted area and associated fire (Schroeder, 2011). The companys website claims a fire reduction of 900 degrees in less than one minute and that the boring is effective against any type material including steel, concrete, brick, stucco, and wood (Schroeder, 2011). The United Stated Air Force (USAF) conducted extensive testing on PyroLance to characterize the piercing and fire extinguishing capabilities of the system (Schroeder, 2011). Their testing was conducted in accordance with the NFPA 412 Standard for Evaluating Aircraft rescue and Fire-fighting Foam Equipment, Section 6.3.2 (3) (Schroeder, 2011). They evaluated flow rate, foam quality (not discussed here), throw distance, maximum piercing distance between two composite plates, multiple panel piercing ability, and ability to extinguish hidden fires between two panels (Schroeder, 2011). The finding of this testing concluded that this system is very easy to use to pierce an aircraft and apply water or foam to a fire (Schroeder, 2011). Throw tests were determined by placing a series of small fires at various distances and the then measuring to the furthest extinguished fire pan (Schroeder, 2011). The results indicated that the system was effective up to thirty-five and a half feet (Schroeder, 2011). Maximum piercing distance was completed by increasing the separation distance between two panels until they both could not be penetrated (Schroeder, 2011). This test concluded that the system could be used to pierce two aircraft panels separated up to eight feet (Schroeder, 2011). Multiple panel piercing ability was tested by organizing multiple panels at twelve inch intervals and seeing how many/how far the system could penetrate (Schroeder, 2011). This multiple panel piercing test concluded that the system is capable of penetrating five . 153 in thick aircraft panels separated by twelve inches in between (Schroeder, 2011). Ability to extinguish hidden fires between two panels was completed by following the Federal Aviation Association Aircraft Cargo Compartment Minimum Performance Standards for containerized fires (Schroeder, 2011). This test utilized an LD-3 container, eight thermo couples to monitor temperature and empty cardboard boxes stacked inside (Schroeder, 2011). There were also two twelve inch by three inch slots cut into the sides for ventilation (Schroeder, 2011). Two tests were conducted and the internal temperature was reduced to below 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit but the fire did continue to smolder and was not completely extinguished (Schroeder, 2011). This study concluded that the USAF should continue with additional studies to investigate effectiveness of the system to extinguish compartment fires using water, water foam and heat absorbing gels (Schroeder, 2011). The results of this test were primar ily designed to study the piercing ability and not designed for its firefighting success (Schroeder, 2011). There were also a number of recommendations made to help improve the system (Schroeder, 2011). Thos recommendations are: minimum flow rate of the system be at least 10 gallons per minute, the overall weight of the lance needed to be lowered due to the high firefighter fatigue sustained while using the system, the shoulder support should be modified to avoid conflict with the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), install a power switch on the lance, install and alternator for automatic battery recharging, and lastly resolve the issue with aggregate mixing with water when not actuated (Schroeder, 2011). This study indicates that although the PyroLance system may not be ideal for all situations, it is an excellent tool that can advance the available options to the firefighter. It also supports continued research be conducted for this system to be further perfected. A number of high profile organizations have already added this tool to their firefighting capabilities including the USAF, United States Navy, Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, and many municipalities across the United States. It is extremely popular in other countries including Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Dubai, and is growing its fan base through exhibits and demonstrations at popular events. The advancement of misting technology has been continual since its inception and has increased with a better scientific understanding of how the technology works. Water misting is a viable alternative to traditional sprinkler systems and in areas where water damage from traditional systems is of concern. Currently, misting systems are designed for both solid fuel and liquid fuel fires and are continuing to challenge other portions of the fire protection market. The PyroLance is a great example of the versatility of this technology opening new markets and challenging traditional views. It is a fire fighters tool that should not be overlooked in the quest for saving lives and preventing injury. Does your municipality have this tool in their arsenal?
Friday, November 29, 2019
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