CHAPTER 5:Fire prevention

004 Research and development of scientific technologies for fire prevention

It is not possible to fully implement countermeasures for fires without understanding what causes them. Today, fires may occur in unexpected places due to a complexity of reasons. Preventing fires, mitigating damage, and identifying causes are not possible without the latest scientific technologies. As the center of research and development of new fire-fighting technologies, National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, an independent governmental body, shoulders this responsibility as the only research institute for fire and disaster in Japan. It performs research on issues socially and politically required placing full importance on the defined time limit as well as continuously conducting basic research.
Research with overriding priority to be achieved within these five years are " Promotion of utilizing information technologies against fire and disaster," " Security for the weak such as older people, etc.," " Advanced technologies to support fire-fighting activities," and " Safety evaluation of dangerous materials and handling facilities." As for basic research, " Combustion phenomena of materials," And " Basic theory and application method of technologies for fire fighting," are being continuously promoted. In order to make efficient progress in this research, various activities, such as cooperative research among industries, governmental institutions, and universities as well as international exchanges, are being implemented.

Safe use of fuel cells

Next generation automobiles will no longer require gasoline. The leading alternative technology could be fuel cells. A fuel cell, which generates electrical power through a chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, is an environmentally friendly energy source that generates less vibration and noise, and produces only water as a byproduct. Strong focus worldwide is being placed on fuel cell technology, and in Japan it is expected to play a key role in stimulating the economy since the country has few natural energy resources. The government has the policy to prepare the infrastructure required to successfully introduce fuel cell technologies by 2005. Fire and Disaster Management Agency is now studying issues from the viewpoint of regulations and security.
The first is the issue of extinguishing facilities to cope with fire accidents of cars equipped with fuel cells, which might occur in underground parking areas, etc. The second is the safety standard when the fuel cells are introduced in residences. The last one is the safety standard when a hydrogen supply station is installed adjacent to conventional gasoline stations. Fire and Disaster Management Agency is aiming to encourage a resolution to these issues at an early stage, in order to make use of fuel cells for people's daily life.

005 Utilizing the Power of Private Enterprise for Fire Prevention - Promotion Program for Scientific Fire and Disaster Prevention Technologies -

In order to efficiently cope with disasters, such as fire fighting, under the urban and specialized conditions faced today, the relevant agencies should make use of advanced scientific technologies much more than before.
Specifically, advanced activities for fire fighting and ambulance, rescue service, development of information systems, and promotion of environmental preservation, etc., are the main focus of recent interest. In order to mix and make use of advanced scientific technologies comprehensively, the entire society, including private companies and universities, should cooperate more fully. For this purpose, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency has founded the " Promotion Program for Fire and Disaster Prevention Technologies," an effective research fund program for prevention of fire and disaster in making full use of the technological capability of the private sector. In order to resolve the difficult issues currently faced, the program solicits universities, research institutes, and private companies for broad research themes. The program seeks to identify excellent themes for sponsorship. In FY2003, applications for 131 themes were received, and of these, 16 were selected for their excellence.

Water mist fire extinguisher to reduce the damage caused by conventional sprinklers

Water mist is a new type of fire extinguisher that only requires one-half to one-third as much water as a conventional sprinkler while maintaining the same level of extinguishing capability. It is expected to replace halon as a new environmentally friendly extinguisher. Because it causes less property damage than a conventional sprinkler and is easy to install even in areas with a short water supply, it could be widely used in ceilings as well as for fire hose nozzles. There are still many unknown factors relating to the fire extinguishing principles of water mist sprinklers, so further study and step-by-step development are planned for this technology.