![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Figure-1.png\")
Every year around 5,000 people die and around 50,000 people are injured in residential fires across the EU\u00b9, presenting a danger to families and their livelihoods. Brominated flame retardants can help prevent or slow down fires when used in consumer products such as furniture and electronics.
\nWhen a fire breaks out in a home, every second counts to help people, especially the very young, elderly and disabled, escape safely. In such situations, the quantity of upholstered furniture, which often represents the greatest fire load in a home, can make a drastic difference in terms of the time available.
\nResearchers at the fire research laboratory Efectis found\u00b2\u00a0that higher safety standards for the fire performance of upholstered furniture have a great impact on the time available in escape scenarios.
\nPublished \u00a0in March 2020 and \u00a0researched by Eric Guillaume and team \u00a0from the fire research\u00a0laboratory Efectis\u00a0in France and the Netherlands, the study compared \u00a0sofas purchased around Europe and tested as per EU or national standards.
\nAccording to the researchers, furniture constructed to the British standard BS 5852 or equivalent Irish standard outperformed those with standards from the other EU Member States. While\u00a0 ignition resistance is an important factor\u00a0 in order \u00a0to prevent fires from starting, \u00a0the time to peak heat release rate as well as the actual heat release rate and the volume of smoke generated per unit time can also impact escape times; on all these criteria, the British and Irish sofas performed better Without ignition, there is no fire, but if a fire is already ongoing, slowing its spread also correlates to longer available times for occupants to escape.
\nThe conclusions of this study align very well with recent work by the South West Research Institute\u00b2.\u00a0 This work focused on fire performance comparisons of upholstered furniture from France, United States, and United Kingdom.
\nMatthew Blais, Director of Fire Technology, Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) had the opportunity to present the results from this work during the 2019 European Fire Safety Week.
\nDr. Blais explained the importance of demanding flammability standards for furniture and noted\u00a0that \u201ccountry fire codes for furniture and electrical equipment affect their performance in fires: the furniture standard in England (BS-5852) is significantly more protective than the equivalent codes in the US or France. Escape time is significantly increased. Performance of French and US furnishings are approximately the same with very short flashover times resulting from a small open flame ignition source.\u201d
\nUnfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation on the use of flame retardants. Some are even advocating for the reduction or elimination of safety standards in furniture and electronics in order to avoid the use of flame retardants. In emergency situations, however, it can be seen from the above studies that the use of flame retardants in furniture makes a great difference, showing that their use is effective and necessary.
\n1\u00a0https://www.europeanfiresafetyalliance.org/our-focus/statistics/
\n2\u00a0https://www.bsef.com/news/study-shows-stricter-regulations-on-furniture-fire-safety-affect-escape-on-fire-scenarios/
\nThe post Stricter Regulations on Fire Safety can affect escape from fire scenarios appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "Every year around 5,000 people die and around 50,000 people are injured in residential fires across the EU\u00b9, presenting a danger to families and their livelihoods. Brominated flame retardants can help prevent or slow down fires when used in consumer products such as furniture and electronics.\nWhen a fire breaks out in a home, every second counts to help people, especially the very young, elderly and disabled, escape safely. In such situations, the quantity of upholstered furniture, which often represents the greatest fire load in a home, can make a drastic difference in terms of the time available.\nResearchers at the fire research laboratory Efectis found\u00b2\u00a0that higher safety standards for the fire performance of upholstered furniture have a great impact on the time available in escape scenarios.\nPublished \u00a0in March 2020 and \u00a0researched by Eric Guillaume and team \u00a0from the fire research\u00a0laboratory Efectis\u00a0in France and the Netherlands, the study compared \u00a0sofas purchased around Europe and tested as per EU or national standards.\nAccording to the researchers, furniture constructed to the British standard BS 5852 or equivalent Irish standard outperformed those with standards from the other EU Member States. While\u00a0 ignition resistance is an important factor\u00a0 in order \u00a0to prevent fires from starting, \u00a0the time to peak heat release rate as well as the actual heat release rate and the volume of smoke generated per unit time can also impact escape times; on all these criteria, the British and Irish sofas performed better Without ignition, there is no fire, but if a fire is already ongoing, slowing its spread also correlates to longer available times for occupants to escape.\nThe conclusions of this study align very well with recent work by the South West Research Institute\u00b2.\u00a0 This work focused on fire performance comparisons of upholstered furniture from France, United States, and United Kingdom.\nMatthew Blais, Director of Fire Technology, Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) had the opportunity to present the results from this work during the 2019 European Fire Safety Week.\nDr. Blais explained the importance of demanding flammability standards for furniture and noted\u00a0that \u201ccountry fire codes for furniture and electrical equipment affect their performance in fires: the furniture standard in England (BS-5852) is significantly more protective than the equivalent codes in the US or France. Escape time is significantly increased. Performance of French and US furnishings are approximately the same with very short flashover times resulting from a small open flame ignition source.\u201d\nUnfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation on the use of flame retardants. Some are even advocating for the reduction or elimination of safety standards in furniture and electronics in order to avoid the use of flame retardants. In emergency situations, however, it can be seen from the above studies that the use of flame retardants in furniture makes a great difference, showing that their use is effective and necessary.\n1\u00a0https://www.europeanfiresafetyalliance.org/our-focus/statistics/\n2\u00a0https://www.bsef.com/news/study-shows-stricter-regulations-on-furniture-fire-safety-affect-escape-on-fire-scenarios/\nThe post Stricter Regulations on Fire Safety can affect escape from fire scenarios appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2020-06-18T07:40:01+00:00", "date_modified": "2020-06-17T22:36:43+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/BSEF-Q2-Post-4-Website-2.jpg", "tags": [ "fire safety", "Fire retardancy" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2020/06/18/indian-fire-service-week-fsw-2020/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2020/06/18/indian-fire-service-week-fsw-2020/", "title": "The Indian Fire Service Week (FSW) 2020", "content_html": "Every year during April, India observes its annual Fire Safety and Fire Service Week.\u00a0 The initiative is observed under the guidance of the Fire Adviser, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, as a homage to the lives lost during a fire on April 14th, 1944 at Victoria Dock in erstwhile Bombay Port.
\nIn 2018, as per a report on fire incidents published by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), India recorded close to 13,159\u00b9\u00a0deaths due to fire. This is a significantly high number of deaths per million population: ~16 on an average from 2012-2016 when compared to peers globally and in Asia
\nFigure 1: Fire Deaths per million population (India vs USA and EU), 2012-16
\n
Figure 2: Fire Deaths per million population (India vs Asian Peers), 2012-16
\n![\"Figure](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Figure-2.png\")
Source: World Fire Statistics 2018, Centre for Fire Statistics, International Association of Fire and Rescue Services
\nIn the recent past, India has witnessed several major fire incidents like the one during \u201cMake In India\u201d event in 2016, where the main stage at a major cultural event caught fire due to a \u201cdefective electrical circuit\u201d. Another example is of a fire in New Delhi which led to severe damage to one of India\u2019s premier museums, the National Museum of History in New Delhi. Almost all the artefacts in the museum were gutted in the process. Some of the major incidents where a significant number of lives were lost include one at a residential building in Delhi (in December 2019) and at a hotel in Karol Bagh (In February 2019) in Delhi, which resulted in a combined death of over 60 people and causing severe injuries to several other. In May 2019, a fire at a coaching institute in Gujarat resulted in the death of 20+ students, while leaving several others injured, and a fire in a restaurant compound in Mumbai also resulted in over 10 deaths and several other injuries
\nIn many cases, investigation has pointed to a short circuit or to faulty electrical equipment, improper wiring, substandard electrical fittings, poor maintenance, etc. as the root cause. Other key causes include inadequate fire safety audits, flouting of norms, lack of awareness among people about the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts related to fire safety, unavailability of fire safety equipment in buildings and high presence of combustible objects in buildings and public spaces. These causes indicate violations in compliance with the National Building and National Electrical Codes
\nThese past incidents have led to an increased emphasis on the need to improve fire safety related measures across key public spaces, and the authorities have started to strengthen compliance checks to ensure that the possibilities of such incidents occurring is minimized. A few examples of positive and proactive measures being taken are restaurants in Mumbai prominently displaying \u201cfire compliant\u201d signs, and frequent checks on fire safety across various states in India. Nevertheless, there is always scope to enhance the focus on fire safety standards, and to think of various ways in which the net impact of fires can be minimized from a proactive standpoint. In a bid to address these issues, the India Bromine Platform (IBP), established as a cross-industry platform under the aegis of the Indian Chemical Council (ICC), is taking several initiatives to spread the word related to best practices in terms of fire safety standards by engaging with electrical fire safety experts, architects, builders, government agencies etc. Such efforts are expected to help in identifying key challenges and jointly defining potential solutions to address them.
\n1\u00a0Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India 2018, Nation Crime Records Bureau, Govt. of India
\nThe post The Indian Fire Service Week (FSW) 2020 appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "Every year during April, India observes its annual Fire Safety and Fire Service Week.\u00a0 The initiative is observed under the guidance of the Fire Adviser, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, as a homage to the lives lost during a fire on April 14th, 1944 at Victoria Dock in erstwhile Bombay Port.\nIn 2018, as per a report on fire incidents published by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), India recorded close to 13,159\u00b9\u00a0deaths due to fire. This is a significantly high number of deaths per million population: ~16 on an average from 2012-2016 when compared to peers globally and in Asia\nFigure 1: Fire Deaths per million population (India vs USA and EU), 2012-16\n\nFigure 2: Fire Deaths per million population (India vs Asian Peers), 2012-16\n\nSource: World Fire Statistics 2018, Centre for Fire Statistics, International Association of Fire and Rescue Services\nIn the recent past, India has witnessed several major fire incidents like the one during \u201cMake In India\u201d event in 2016, where the main stage at a major cultural event caught fire due to a \u201cdefective electrical circuit\u201d. Another example is of a fire in New Delhi which led to severe damage to one of India\u2019s premier museums, the National Museum of History in New Delhi. Almost all the artefacts in the museum were gutted in the process. Some of the major incidents where a significant number of lives were lost include one at a residential building in Delhi (in December 2019) and at a hotel in Karol Bagh (In February 2019) in Delhi, which resulted in a combined death of over 60 people and causing severe injuries to several other. In May 2019, a fire at a coaching institute in Gujarat resulted in the death of 20+ students, while leaving several others injured, and a fire in a restaurant compound in Mumbai also resulted in over 10 deaths and several other injuries\nIn many cases, investigation has pointed to a short circuit or to faulty electrical equipment, improper wiring, substandard electrical fittings, poor maintenance, etc. as the root cause. Other key causes include inadequate fire safety audits, flouting of norms, lack of awareness among people about the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts related to fire safety, unavailability of fire safety equipment in buildings and high presence of combustible objects in buildings and public spaces. These causes indicate violations in compliance with the National Building and National Electrical Codes\nThese past incidents have led to an increased emphasis on the need to improve fire safety related measures across key public spaces, and the authorities have started to strengthen compliance checks to ensure that the possibilities of such incidents occurring is minimized. A few examples of positive and proactive measures being taken are restaurants in Mumbai prominently displaying \u201cfire compliant\u201d signs, and frequent checks on fire safety across various states in India. Nevertheless, there is always scope to enhance the focus on fire safety standards, and to think of various ways in which the net impact of fires can be minimized from a proactive standpoint. In a bid to address these issues, the India Bromine Platform (IBP), established as a cross-industry platform under the aegis of the Indian Chemical Council (ICC), is taking several initiatives to spread the word related to best practices in terms of fire safety standards by engaging with electrical fire safety experts, architects, builders, government agencies etc. Such efforts are expected to help in identifying key challenges and jointly defining potential solutions to address them.\n1\u00a0Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India 2018, Nation Crime Records Bureau, Govt. of India\nThe post The Indian Fire Service Week (FSW) 2020 appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2020-06-18T07:00:57+00:00", "date_modified": "2020-06-17T22:37:54+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/BSEF-Q2-Post-1-Website.jpg", "tags": [ "fire safety", "Fire retardancy" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/12/10/role-brominated-flame-retardants-electric-electronic-appliances/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/12/10/role-brominated-flame-retardants-electric-electronic-appliances/", "title": "The role of brominated flame retardants in electric and electronic appliances", "content_html": "According to the US Department of Homeland Security a fire can become life-threatening in just 2 minutes. It takes no more than 30 seconds for a small flame to burst into a sizable fire. It is clear that when you are trying to escape a fire, every second counts.
\nAccidental fires can start easily by many different reasons: for example\u00a0gas stoves, burning cigarettes, failing electronics \u2026 We all use highly flammable materials\u00a0in our homes, workspaces and public places on a daily basis, but we might not be aware of the risks they present.
\n\n
Over time more and more of these materials have become commonplace for all of us. We rely on them in every aspect of our lives. That is especially the case with electrical appliances and electronics. Our dependency on electronics has indeed increased our level of comfort and made our lives easier, but in the same time it decreased fire safety in our homes, offices, factories, public places \u2026
\nHow? All kinds of electronics contain a high level of plastics, or polymers. These plastics present a significant fire risk.
\nThe figures are clear, yet alarming:
\nThe time available to escape from a burning building shortened drastically from 17 minutes in the 70s to even less than 3 minutes in 2015.\u00a0Taking into account the pace of digital evolution, we will be seeing even more electronics in the future – everywhere. Does this mean that in a few years\u2019 time, trying to escape from a burning building will be futile? Do we have to \u2026 embrace our horrible faith in the event of fire?
\nLuckily, it won\u2019t go this far if we make use of brominated flame retardants. They make it possible to avoid or slow down the burning process, extending escape time and improving your chances of getting out safely.
\nFlame retardants are chemicals that are added to materials to slow down the ignition process in case of a fire. In that way they reduce risks of fire, property losses and \u2013 more importantly \u2013 human casualties.
\nGuillermo Rein is a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. For our previous newsletter we had an interesting talk with him about fire science and the importance of flame retardants in society. He states that adding flame retardants to plastics \u2018is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics’.
\nAs we already pointed out, electronics and electrical appliances, such as televisions, computers, radios, fridges and washing machines mostly consist of a high volume of plastics, which are highly flammable.\u00a0Ignition may be initiated from both inside the device and from external sources.
\nAdding brominated flame retardants to these\u00a0materials helps them meet safety standards and protect their users, since they prevent ignition from inside and out. Professor Rein agrees that bromine is a vital element for fire safety: \u2018(\u2026) I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential\u2019.
\n![\"Consumer](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BFR-in-electronics.jpg\")
![\"IT](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BFR-in-IT.jpg\")
![\"White](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BFR-in-white-goods.jpg\")
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Brominated flame retardants are being added in appliances\u2019 manufacturing process:
\n\n
The European Commission adopted a ban on halogenated flame retardants, which include brominated flame retardants, in the Ecodesign Directive\u2019s requirements for electronic displays on 1 October.
\nUnheard of, says BSEF. This ban goes beyond the scope of the Ecodesign Directive and subordinates RoHS, which should be the vehicle for any substance restrictions such as this one.
\nThe ban is being justified by the EC by stating that these halogenated flame retardants prevent WEEE plastics from being recycled. Well, this is not the case for the entire group of halogenated flame retardants.
\nBSEF, along with the plastics industry and recyclers are (and will be in the future) working on new technologies to address recycling properly. For many years now, it has been possible to recycle products containing brominated flame retardants. In fact, recycled plastics with brominated fire retardants in them, meet the same levels of fire safety as virgin material. No value is lost in the recycling process.
\nIn case recycling a particular product is not possible, we have provided a number of eco-efficient waste management options:
\nRead more about BSEF\u2019s take on this ban in our press release: BSEF objects to ban on halogenated flame retardants in EU ecodesign requirements for electronic displays.
\nIntrigued about the importance of fire safety and flame retardancy?
\nProfessor\u00a0Masaru Kitano of the\u00a0Shukutoku\u00a0University in Japan brought together his experiences, thoughts and views on fire safety and flame retardancy science\u00a0in his book \u2018Introduction to flame retardancy \u2013 Protect your life and property from fire\u2019, and BSEF is proud to have worked on the translation of his book.
\nIt is a highly fascinating book that applies to\u00a0every one\u00a0of us, since fire safety also affects every one of us. Read more about it:\u00a0\u2018Introduction to flame retardancy: the book\u2019.
\n![\"Professor](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/book-flame-retardancy.jpg\")
Professor Kitano\u2019s book is not for sale. If you are interested in reading it, please contact us and we will be happy to send you an exclusive copy!
\nSend your request to letstalkbromine@bsef.org.
\nSOURCES
\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/03/08/response-dr-alexander-morgan-flame-retardants-uk-furniture-increase-smoke-toxicity-reduce-fire-growth-rate-chemosphere-2018-196-429-439/
\nhttps://www.flameretardants.eu
\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/
\nhttps://www.bsef.com/fire-safety/
\nhttps://www.ready.gov/home-fires
\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/
\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/82803/industry-blasts-eu-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays#overlay-strip
\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75831/ecodesign-directives-proposed-halogens-ban-not-a-precedent-eu-says#overlay-strip
\nhttps://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings
The post The role of brominated flame retardants in electric and electronic appliances appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "Fire spreads rapidly: escape time is limited\nAccording to the US Department of Homeland Security a fire can become life-threatening in just 2 minutes. It takes no more than 30 seconds for a small flame to burst into a sizable fire. It is clear that when you are trying to escape a fire, every second counts.\nAccidental fires can start easily by many different reasons: for example\u00a0gas stoves, burning cigarettes, failing electronics \u2026 We all use highly flammable materials\u00a0in our homes, workspaces and public places on a daily basis, but we might not be aware of the risks they present.\nThese materials are especially flammable:\u00a0\n\nElectrical appliances and electronics\nSynthetics and fibres\u00a0such as upholstered furniture, carpets, wall coverings and drapery\nInsulation material\n\n \nThe impact of our electronics addiction on fire safety\nOver time more and more of these materials have become commonplace for all of us. We rely on them in every aspect of our lives. That is especially the case with electrical appliances and electronics. Our dependency on electronics has indeed increased our level of comfort and made our lives easier, but in the same time it decreased fire safety in our homes, offices, factories, public places \u2026\nHow? All kinds of electronics contain a high level of plastics, or polymers. These plastics present a significant fire risk.\nThe figures are clear, yet alarming:\nThe time available to escape from a burning building shortened drastically from 17 minutes in the 70s to even less than 3 minutes in 2015.\u00a0Taking into account the pace of digital evolution, we will be seeing even more electronics in the future – everywhere. Does this mean that in a few years\u2019 time, trying to escape from a burning building will be futile? Do we have to \u2026 embrace our horrible faith in the event of fire?\nLuckily, it won\u2019t go this far if we make use of brominated flame retardants. They make it possible to avoid or slow down the burning process, extending escape time and improving your chances of getting out safely.\nWhy are flame retardants so important?\nFlame retardants are chemicals that are added to materials to slow down the ignition process in case of a fire. In that way they reduce risks of fire, property losses and \u2013 more importantly \u2013 human casualties.\nGuillermo Rein is a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. For our previous newsletter we had an interesting talk with him about fire science and the importance of flame retardants in society. He states that adding flame retardants to plastics \u2018is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics’.\nBromine reduces fire risk in electronics\nAs we already pointed out, electronics and electrical appliances, such as televisions, computers, radios, fridges and washing machines mostly consist of a high volume of plastics, which are highly flammable.\u00a0Ignition may be initiated from both inside the device and from external sources.\n\n\n\nAdding brominated flame retardants to these\u00a0materials helps them meet safety standards and protect their users, since they prevent ignition from inside and out. Professor Rein agrees that bromine is a vital element for fire safety: \u2018(\u2026) I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential\u2019.\nWhere are brominated flame retardants used?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nBrominated flame retardants are being added in appliances\u2019 manufacturing process:\n\nthey can either be added\u00a0when manufacturing the\u00a0polymer materials, or\nwhen manufacturing the printed circuit boards, in which case they react with materials such as epoxy.\n\n \nBan on halogenated flame retardants in electronic display\nThe European Commission adopted a ban on halogenated flame retardants, which include brominated flame retardants, in the Ecodesign Directive\u2019s requirements for electronic displays on 1 October.\nUnheard of, says BSEF. This ban goes beyond the scope of the Ecodesign Directive and subordinates RoHS, which should be the vehicle for any substance restrictions such as this one.\nBrominated flame retardants are recyclable\nThe ban is being justified by the EC by stating that these halogenated flame retardants prevent WEEE plastics from being recycled. Well, this is not the case for the entire group of halogenated flame retardants.\nBSEF, along with the plastics industry and recyclers are (and will be in the future) working on new technologies to address recycling properly. For many years now, it has been possible to recycle products containing brominated flame retardants. In fact, recycled plastics with brominated fire retardants in them, meet the same levels of fire safety as virgin material. No value is lost in the recycling process.\nIn case recycling a particular product is not possible, we have provided a number of eco-efficient waste management options:\n\nincineration with energy recovery,\nprecious metals melting, or\nchemical recycling, which even allows the bromine to re-enter the circular economy as valuable resource.\n\nRead more about BSEF\u2019s take on this ban in our press release: BSEF objects to ban on halogenated flame retardants in EU ecodesign requirements for electronic displays.\nWant to know more about flame retardancy?\nIntrigued about the importance of fire safety and flame retardancy?\nProfessor\u00a0Masaru Kitano of the\u00a0Shukutoku\u00a0University in Japan brought together his experiences, thoughts and views on fire safety and flame retardancy science\u00a0in his book \u2018Introduction to flame retardancy \u2013 Protect your life and property from fire\u2019, and BSEF is proud to have worked on the translation of his book.\nIt is a highly fascinating book that applies to\u00a0every one\u00a0of us, since fire safety also affects every one of us. Read more about it:\u00a0\u2018Introduction to flame retardancy: the book\u2019.\n\nWant your exclusive copy of \u2018Introduction to flame retardancy\u2019?\nProfessor Kitano\u2019s book is not for sale. If you are interested in reading it, please contact us and we will be happy to send you an exclusive copy!\nSend your request to letstalkbromine@bsef.org.\nSOURCES\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/03/08/response-dr-alexander-morgan-flame-retardants-uk-furniture-increase-smoke-toxicity-reduce-fire-growth-rate-chemosphere-2018-196-429-439/\nhttps://www.flameretardants.eu\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/\nhttps://www.bsef.com/fire-safety/\nhttps://www.ready.gov/home-fires\nhttps://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2017/12/07/the-evolution-of-bromine-flame-retardants-towards-brominated-polymers/\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/82803/industry-blasts-eu-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays#overlay-strip\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75831/ecodesign-directives-proposed-halogens-ban-not-a-precedent-eu-says#overlay-strip\nhttps://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings\nThe post The role of brominated flame retardants in electric and electronic appliances appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-12-10T15:55:41+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-11T13:50:52+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/header1.png", "tags": [ "brominated flame retardants", "bromine", "bsef", "fire safety", "flame retardants", "Guillermo Rein", "masaru kitano", "Fire retardancy", "Recycling" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/bsef-around-the-world-bsef-china-takes-part-in-the-2019-international-cpca-shanghai/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/bsef-around-the-world-bsef-china-takes-part-in-the-2019-international-cpca-shanghai/", "title": "BSEF around the World: BSEF China takes part in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai)", "content_html": "From March 19 to March 21, the International Bromine Council (BSEF) participated in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) Show, with the theme of its exhibition stand \u201cFlame Retardant Expert of Printed Circuit Board– TBBPA\u201d.
\nOver 250 visitors dropped by the BSEF booth and nearly 100 participated in our questionnaire.
\nTBBPA is the best choice to ensure PCB to reach the fireproofing grade V0 of UL94. As an important flame retardant substance which can be developing in a continuous way, TBBPA will never constitute a threat to people\u2019s body health and the environment in the major application fields. 90% of TBBPA is used as the reactive fire retardant (producing brominated epoxy polymer) to apply to the printed circuit board of the electronic and electrical appliance. In that process, TBBPA will never exist in its original form through covalent binding or being \u201creacted\u201d to the polymer matrix. As a result, TBBPA hardly has no potential to be discharged to the air. Lower than 20% of TBBPA is used as raw material of brominated low polymer and polymer (covalent binding) and as the additive flame retardant of ABS plastics. In this process, it is sealed in the polymer matrix so that it is not likely for people to contact with it.
\nIn late 2013, Canada published the filtering and assessment report on TBBPA, indicating that TBBPA has a negligible influence on human health. In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the result of a study on the risks of the TBBPA and its ramification exposure to food, showing that \u201cthe amount of the TBBPA exposed to food in the EU will not trigger the concern about health\u201d.
\nAccording to the result of an eight- year risk assessment of the TBBPA issued by the EU in 2008, the TBBPA causes a lower environmental risk which can be controlled.
\nUnder EU RoHS, the European Commission launched an assessment of TBBPA in early 2018 and planned to finish it in late 2019.
\n\n
The post BSEF around the World: BSEF China takes part in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "From March 19 to March 21, the International Bromine Council (BSEF) participated in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) Show, with the theme of its exhibition stand \u201cFlame Retardant Expert of Printed Circuit Board– TBBPA\u201d.\nOver 250 visitors dropped by the BSEF booth and nearly 100 participated in our questionnaire.\nTBBPA is the best choice to ensure PCB to reach the fireproofing grade V0 of UL94. As an important flame retardant substance which can be developing in a continuous way, TBBPA will never constitute a threat to people\u2019s body health and the environment in the major application fields. 90% of TBBPA is used as the reactive fire retardant (producing brominated epoxy polymer) to apply to the printed circuit board of the electronic and electrical appliance. In that process, TBBPA will never exist in its original form through covalent binding or being \u201creacted\u201d to the polymer matrix. As a result, TBBPA hardly has no potential to be discharged to the air. Lower than 20% of TBBPA is used as raw material of brominated low polymer and polymer (covalent binding) and as the additive flame retardant of ABS plastics. In this process, it is sealed in the polymer matrix so that it is not likely for people to contact with it.\nIn late 2013, Canada published the filtering and assessment report on TBBPA, indicating that TBBPA has a negligible influence on human health. In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the result of a study on the risks of the TBBPA and its ramification exposure to food, showing that \u201cthe amount of the TBBPA exposed to food in the EU will not trigger the concern about health\u201d.\nAccording to the result of an eight- year risk assessment of the TBBPA issued by the EU in 2008, the TBBPA causes a lower environmental risk which can be controlled.\nUnder EU RoHS, the European Commission launched an assessment of TBBPA in early 2018 and planned to finish it in late 2019.\n \nThe post BSEF around the World: BSEF China takes part in the 2019 International CPCA (Shanghai) appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:47:45+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-20T09:52:45+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Aroundtheworld.jpg", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "fire safety", "flame retardants", "TBBPA", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/making-electrical-electronic-equipment-safe/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/making-electrical-electronic-equipment-safe/", "title": "Making electrical & electronic equipment safe", "content_html": "The last 20 years have seen a dramatic rise in the amount and variety of electrical and electronic equipment (E&E) in houses, offices and public buildings.
\nBetween 2015 and 2016, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment put on the market increased by 2.9\u00a0% from 9.8 million tonnes to 10.1 million tonnes in the EU.[1]
\nThe proliferation of electronic devices such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, tablets or laptops. has been matched by a bustuing in the use of plastics.
\nWhile these devices make work, living and commercial spaces much more practical, versatile and comfortable, they simultaneously increase the fire risk as many of these polymers can be highly flammable.
\nFor example, electronic appliances can easily ignite or burn rapidly if they are not adequately protected and compliant with high fire safety standards. \u00a0Brominated flame retardant technologies, are helping to address the complex challenges posed by the diversity of materials used in electrical and electronic products.
\n[1]https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Waste_statistics_-_electrical_and_electronic_equipment
\nPlastics are versatile, diverse, mouldable and lightweight, which is why this material is very popular to use in the production of electrical equipment and electronic appliances.
\nThe high volume of plastics in this kind of equipment poses a fire risk. Most E&E devices contain 1 to 9kg of plastic materials; often used in thin sheets and relatively easy to ignite when in contact with internal and external electrical current and heat sources.
\nThat\u2019s why it is very important to if they are being used anywhere near an electrical current as well as other sources of heat or ignition.
\nIncorporating brominated flame retardants (BFRs) into polymers components\u00a0gives flame retardant properties. BFRs can either be added to polymer materials during production or can be reacted with materials such as epoxy used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/5.-Electronics.png\")
Consumers have the right to expect products which are efficient, reliable and safe. For that reason the Flame retardant industry has been committed to developed innovative products that meet the most stringent fire safety requirements. National governments are also attentive to the products that may not meet the fire safety requirements. For example, the UK government recently ordered to recall 500,000 tumble dryers due to fire safety concerns.
Thanks to the presence of brominated flame retardants in electronic devices and electrical equipment, the flammability risk is much reduced.
\nBrominated flame retardants provide the necessary flame retardancy\u00a0to resist both ignition from the inside, as well as ignition from external sources. Two vital requirements that are essential in preventing fire and ensuring human safety.
\nCheck our website if you would like to know more about the benefits of brominated flame retardants in increasing fire safety.
\n\n
SOURCES
\nhttp://bsef.com/
\nhttp://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings
\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75001/proposed-ecodesign-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-under-scrutiny
\nhttp://ecostandard.org/ecos-and-partners-welcome-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays/
The post Making electrical & electronic equipment safe appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "The last 20 years have seen a dramatic rise in the amount and variety of electrical and electronic equipment (E&E) in houses, offices and public buildings.\nBetween 2015 and 2016, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment put on the market increased by 2.9\u00a0% from 9.8 million tonnes to 10.1 million tonnes in the EU.[1]\nThe proliferation of electronic devices such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, tablets or laptops. has been matched by a bustuing in the use of plastics.\nWhile these devices make work, living and commercial spaces much more practical, versatile and comfortable, they simultaneously increase the fire risk as many of these polymers can be highly flammable.\nFor example, electronic appliances can easily ignite or burn rapidly if they are not adequately protected and compliant with high fire safety standards. \u00a0Brominated flame retardant technologies, are helping to address the complex challenges posed by the diversity of materials used in electrical and electronic products.\n[1]https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Waste_statistics_-_electrical_and_electronic_equipment\n\n\n\nBrominated flame retardants in the production process\nPlastics are versatile, diverse, mouldable and lightweight, which is why this material is very popular to use in the production of electrical equipment and electronic appliances.\nThe high volume of plastics in this kind of equipment poses a fire risk. Most E&E devices contain 1 to 9kg of plastic materials; often used in thin sheets and relatively easy to ignite when in contact with internal and external electrical current and heat sources.\nThat\u2019s why it is very important to if they are being used anywhere near an electrical current as well as other sources of heat or ignition.\nIncorporating brominated flame retardants (BFRs) into polymers components\u00a0gives flame retardant properties. BFRs can either be added to polymer materials during production or can be reacted with materials such as epoxy used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards.\nEnsure fire safety\nConsumers have the right to expect products which are efficient, reliable and safe. For that reason the Flame retardant industry has been committed to developed innovative products that meet the most stringent fire safety requirements. National governments are also attentive to the products that may not meet the fire safety requirements. For example, the UK government recently ordered to recall 500,000 tumble dryers due to fire safety concerns.\nThanks to the presence of brominated flame retardants in electronic devices and electrical equipment, the flammability risk is much reduced.\nBrominated flame retardants provide the necessary flame retardancy\u00a0to resist both ignition from the inside, as well as ignition from external sources. Two vital requirements that are essential in preventing fire and ensuring human safety.\nCheck our website if you would like to know more about the benefits of brominated flame retardants in increasing fire safety.\n \nSOURCES\nhttp://bsef.com/\nhttp://pr.euractiv.com/pr/proposed-eu-eco-design-regulation-electronic-displays-ban-halogenated-flame-retardants-casings\nhttps://chemicalwatch.com/75001/proposed-ecodesign-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-under-scrutiny\nhttp://ecostandard.org/ecos-and-partners-welcome-ban-on-halogenated-flame-retardants-in-electronic-displays/\nThe post Making electrical & electronic equipment safe appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:46:02+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-20T10:15:28+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FireSafety-2.png", "tags": [ "bromine", "bsef", "ecoban", "fire safety", "flame retardants", "halogenated flame retardants", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/meet-the-experts-professor-guillermo/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/06/19/meet-the-experts-professor-guillermo/", "title": "Meet the Experts: Professor Guillermo Rein", "content_html": "For this edition of Meet the Experts we spoke with a renowned figure in the field of Fire Science. We talked with Guillermo Rein, professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London.
\nHis ample research and projects focus on fire, heat transfer and combustion. The main purpose of his work is to reduce the worldwide burden of accidental fires and\u00a0protect people, their property, and the environment. He especially enjoys solving multidisciplinary problems combining experimental and modelling techniques.
\nMake sure to read our interview below if you would you like to know more about professor Rein\u2019s expertise and his view on the role and the future of fire safety.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1.-Professor-Guillermo-Rein.png\")
\u00a9 Image by Joe McGory via Imperial College London.
Guillermo Rein gained his years of experience through extensive practice and education: he studied Mechanical Engineering at ICAI Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Ingeniero Industrial, 1999) and also holds an MSc\u00a0(2003) and PhD\u00a0(2005) from the University of California at Berkeley.
\nHe has studied a wide range of fire dynamics topics\u00a0in the built and the natural environments, including pyrolysis, smouldering, fire modeling, wildfires, structures and fire, design methodologies and forecasting techniques.
\nRein is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal Fire Technology and he leads the research group Imperial Hazelab. Moreover, he is an extremely motivated teacher, enthusiastic about the education of the next generation of engineers, and passionate about outreach in engineering.
\nHis work is well-known and has been recognised internationally with various research awards\u00a0including: 2018 SFPE Guise Medal, 2017 The Engineer Collaborate-to-Innovate Prize, 2017 Combustion Institute Sugden Award, 2016 SFPE Lund Award.
\nGuillermo, as a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London, could you tell us what moved you to study and work on this area and what exactly is fire science?
\nI\u2019m a mechanical engineer, both in my bachelor\u2019s degree and my master degree and my PhD. And when I was finishing my PhD I was working at the University of California in Berkeley helping to understand how polymers burn in space, how plastics burn in space, inside a spacecraft, because there is no gravity.
\nAnd when I graduated I thought that was an absolutely fascinating topic: to protect the lives of people and to go to space, to go to Mars. And then I wanted to have an academic career on Earth. So I have my background in mechanical engineering and heat transfer and combustion and chemistry. And I use all that to understand fires on earth, in buildings and forests, so I can protect and help citizens, properties and the environment.
\nFire science is the scientific branch to discover knowledge on how fires behave, how they ignite, how they spread, how they emit smoke and how they can be suppressed. This scientific knowledge is then given to engineers and authorities, who can then use that knowledge to create new technologies, combine it with previous things that they know work or to create new things. And little by little, by combining knowledge and engineering we can create a safer world.\u00a0
\nProf. Isaac Asimov\u00a0(1920-1992) said that \u201cFire is the greatest single discovery in human history\u201d, could you briefly explain to us how you see the progression of fire safety?
\n\u00a0So fire safety engineering is facing a significant number of challenges, but we like to convert these challenges into opportunities. They are all opportunities to do things even better. Things that are on the forefront right now are facades, because of known tragedies that have happened recently. The facade is a very important part of the building and for the last 30 or 40 years polymers/plastics have been integrated into facades to make them even better, lighter, more beautiful and insulating, etc. It has all these incredible benefits, but all polymers have a degree of flammability, all plastics can burn. Some of them are really hard to ignite, although they spread very slowly, some of them are really easy to ignite and they will spread really fast. And it is up to the engineers to manipulate those properties and to choose a polymer in such an amount and to put it in a location in the structure of a fa\u00e7ade or any structure so that flammability is as low as is required for the safety of the people in the building.
\nIn the end, in general, we humans are addicted to plastics to polymers. It is a well-known addiction that has many benefits for society, but it has 2 issues: one is biodegradability (not al polymers can be degraded) and the other one is that all polymers are flammable.
\nFire science is a discipline of knowledge creation that helps engineers to manipulate those properties so they can actually create polymers with lower levels of flammability.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1.-Professor-Guillermo-Rein3.png\")
In the last 20 years there has been a dramatic rise in the amounts of plastics around us and the presence of flammable materials in our homes and appliances. The\u00a0Guardian\u00a0(2017) predicts that plastic production will increase by 40% in the next ten years. Can you tell us the role and the importance of flame retardants in society?
Flame retardants are a variety of components that are \u201cretardant\u201d. Retardancy makes plastic less flammable. There are many ways to achieve this, some of them are more in the scientific realm, some of them are more related to reality and the current industry.
\nAdding flame retardants, which are an additive that is added to the plastic, as it is being manufactured is a specific way to achieve this. Actually it is based on the chemical alteration and the physical properties of the plastic. It is a very important engineering step. Actually it is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics and have them as safe as we need them to be: by adding retardants.\u00a0
\nWhen there is a fire, retardants can act chemically or physically, the two of them are possible. My research in particular is based more on the physical side. When you add new components to the polymer/plastic, they will heat up slower when there is a fire and only ignite later on (you can control how late). And even when they catch on fire, they will burn slowly and when there is time to suppress the fire, it will be easy to suppress. For my specific research I try to modify all these properties physically, but there is also the possibility to modify them chemically: when the polymer starts to ignite, it releases a gas that actually stops the flame from forming further.
\nWe have assisted to an evolution on the various flame retardant technologies. Can you tell us about the findings from research/papers that you are working on and how that data will have an impact in the future of flame retardancy?
\nMy specific research focuses on how to physically alter the properties of plastics so that it heats up slower, ignites later and only allows fire to spread slowly. As we speak I am working with companies that have found value in this way of altering the properties of plastics. The results of my research are being published and read as we speak.
\nI will probably start working soon on composites, the strongest polymer that is known to man, (they are sometimes even stronger than steel). These are used in aerospace, cars, trains and ships. And there is a desire from citizens and engineers to use more of these composites. They are very strong and light, which means there is less fuel consumption, more fuel efficiency and energy savings, less pollution and less environmental impact. All beautiful results because of composites. But because plastic is involved, they always have some degree of flammability. I will be working with companies to decrease that level of flammability so the risk will be as small as when you have a train or a ship made of metal.
\nBromine, due to its characteristics, plays a key role to help meeting fire safety standards. New brominated technologies have been developed such as the Brominated Butadiene-Styrene Block Co-polymer. Can you tell us your views on the benefits of brominated flame retardants?
\nBromine is one of the chemical elements that, when added, can make plastic less flammable. It is a flame retardant that acts chemically, not physically. My expertise is not on chemical flame retardants. But as an engineer I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential. No matter how it is achieved, but decreasing the flammability or having the ability to control the flammability of a polymer to a required level is absolutely essential. And my understanding is that brominated flame retardants do this.\u00a0 \u00a0
\nThe importance of flame retardants is not always understood by the public or the media. Do you think that flame retardants chemistries are undermined? What is your view on Flammability vs. Toxicology?
\nThe worst thing that can happen is to have even more plastics, which is what all the trends are showing, and allow them to be as flammable as they are right now or even more flammable.
\nFire safety engineering is a really tough profession. Because the more we succeed at protecting the citizens, and decreasing fatalities, and decreasing damage and fires, the faster society forgets about us. We practise a profession where people only know that we exist, when we fail. The more we succeed in our field, the more we are forgotten by citizens.
\nA fire hazard is not an opinion, it is an actual fact. So it is absolutely essential that citizens are guided in the process of looking into concerns about toxicology.
\nThere is an ongoing discussion in the UK, US and the European union about a trade-off between flammability and perceived toxicology of some elements that have been added to polymers. And not when the polymer is burning, but even when the polymer is not burning yet. And I as an engineer feel very uncomfortable about a trade-off of two risks, because it is like saying: \u201cBoth are risks, but I want to decrease one, by increasing the other or vice versa\u201d, and that is very dangerous. Because if you don\u2019t approach this trade-off with a full and complete understanding of the consequences of manipulating the risks, then you are taking the wrong decisions. So I would recommend authorities to prevent flammability and toxicology being minimised, without modifying the other. Or that they invest tremendously in fire science and toxicology so that we can figure it out and understand these two risks. And then maybe a trade-off is allowed. \u00a0\u00a0
\nSOURCES
\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein
\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein/cv/GRein_CV.pdf
\nhttp://bsef.com/
\nhttps://www.iawfonline.org/members/guillermo-rein/
\n
The post Meet the Experts: Professor Guillermo Rein appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "For this edition of Meet the Experts we spoke with a renowned figure in the field of Fire Science. We talked with Guillermo Rein, professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London.\nHis ample research and projects focus on fire, heat transfer and combustion. The main purpose of his work is to reduce the worldwide burden of accidental fires and\u00a0protect people, their property, and the environment. He especially enjoys solving multidisciplinary problems combining experimental and modelling techniques.\nMake sure to read our interview below if you would you like to know more about professor Rein\u2019s expertise and his view on the role and the future of fire safety.\n\u00a9 Image by Joe McGory via Imperial College London.\nAuthority in the field\nGuillermo Rein gained his years of experience through extensive practice and education: he studied Mechanical Engineering at ICAI Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Ingeniero Industrial, 1999) and also holds an MSc\u00a0(2003) and PhD\u00a0(2005) from the University of California at Berkeley.\nHe has studied a wide range of fire dynamics topics\u00a0in the built and the natural environments, including pyrolysis, smouldering, fire modeling, wildfires, structures and fire, design methodologies and forecasting techniques.\nRein is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal Fire Technology and he leads the research group Imperial Hazelab. Moreover, he is an extremely motivated teacher, enthusiastic about the education of the next generation of engineers, and passionate about outreach in engineering.\nHis work is well-known and has been recognised internationally with various research awards\u00a0including: 2018 SFPE Guise Medal, 2017 The Engineer Collaborate-to-Innovate Prize, 2017 Combustion Institute Sugden Award, 2016 SFPE Lund Award.\nConversation with a specialist\nGuillermo, as a Professor of Fire Science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Imperial College London, could you tell us what moved you to study and work on this area and what exactly is fire science?\nI\u2019m a mechanical engineer, both in my bachelor\u2019s degree and my master degree and my PhD. And when I was finishing my PhD I was working at the University of California in Berkeley helping to understand how polymers burn in space, how plastics burn in space, inside a spacecraft, because there is no gravity. \nAnd when I graduated I thought that was an absolutely fascinating topic: to protect the lives of people and to go to space, to go to Mars. And then I wanted to have an academic career on Earth. So I have my background in mechanical engineering and heat transfer and combustion and chemistry. And I use all that to understand fires on earth, in buildings and forests, so I can protect and help citizens, properties and the environment.\nFire science is the scientific branch to discover knowledge on how fires behave, how they ignite, how they spread, how they emit smoke and how they can be suppressed. This scientific knowledge is then given to engineers and authorities, who can then use that knowledge to create new technologies, combine it with previous things that they know work or to create new things. And little by little, by combining knowledge and engineering we can create a safer world.\u00a0\nProf. Isaac Asimov\u00a0(1920-1992) said that \u201cFire is the greatest single discovery in human history\u201d, could you briefly explain to us how you see the progression of fire safety?\n\u00a0So fire safety engineering is facing a significant number of challenges, but we like to convert these challenges into opportunities. They are all opportunities to do things even better. Things that are on the forefront right now are facades, because of known tragedies that have happened recently. The facade is a very important part of the building and for the last 30 or 40 years polymers/plastics have been integrated into facades to make them even better, lighter, more beautiful and insulating, etc. It has all these incredible benefits, but all polymers have a degree of flammability, all plastics can burn. Some of them are really hard to ignite, although they spread very slowly, some of them are really easy to ignite and they will spread really fast. And it is up to the engineers to manipulate those properties and to choose a polymer in such an amount and to put it in a location in the structure of a fa\u00e7ade or any structure so that flammability is as low as is required for the safety of the people in the building.\nIn the end, in general, we humans are addicted to plastics to polymers. It is a well-known addiction that has many benefits for society, but it has 2 issues: one is biodegradability (not al polymers can be degraded) and the other one is that all polymers are flammable. \nFire science is a discipline of knowledge creation that helps engineers to manipulate those properties so they can actually create polymers with lower levels of flammability.\nIn the last 20 years there has been a dramatic rise in the amounts of plastics around us and the presence of flammable materials in our homes and appliances. The\u00a0Guardian\u00a0(2017) predicts that plastic production will increase by 40% in the next ten years. Can you tell us the role and the importance of flame retardants in society?\nFlame retardants are a variety of components that are \u201cretardant\u201d. Retardancy makes plastic less flammable. There are many ways to achieve this, some of them are more in the scientific realm, some of them are more related to reality and the current industry. \nAdding flame retardants, which are an additive that is added to the plastic, as it is being manufactured is a specific way to achieve this. Actually it is based on the chemical alteration and the physical properties of the plastic. It is a very important engineering step. Actually it is the most successful way that we have right now to use plastics and have them as safe as we need them to be: by adding retardants.\u00a0\nWhen there is a fire, retardants can act chemically or physically, the two of them are possible. My research in particular is based more on the physical side. When you add new components to the polymer/plastic, they will heat up slower when there is a fire and only ignite later on (you can control how late). And even when they catch on fire, they will burn slowly and when there is time to suppress the fire, it will be easy to suppress. For my specific research I try to modify all these properties physically, but there is also the possibility to modify them chemically: when the polymer starts to ignite, it releases a gas that actually stops the flame from forming further.\nWe have assisted to an evolution on the various flame retardant technologies. Can you tell us about the findings from research/papers that you are working on and how that data will have an impact in the future of flame retardancy?\nMy specific research focuses on how to physically alter the properties of plastics so that it heats up slower, ignites later and only allows fire to spread slowly. As we speak I am working with companies that have found value in this way of altering the properties of plastics. The results of my research are being published and read as we speak. \nI will probably start working soon on composites, the strongest polymer that is known to man, (they are sometimes even stronger than steel). These are used in aerospace, cars, trains and ships. And there is a desire from citizens and engineers to use more of these composites. They are very strong and light, which means there is less fuel consumption, more fuel efficiency and energy savings, less pollution and less environmental impact. All beautiful results because of composites. But because plastic is involved, they always have some degree of flammability. I will be working with companies to decrease that level of flammability so the risk will be as small as when you have a train or a ship made of metal.\nBromine, due to its characteristics, plays a key role to help meeting fire safety standards. New brominated technologies have been developed such as the Brominated Butadiene-Styrene Block Co-polymer. Can you tell us your views on the benefits of brominated flame retardants?\nBromine is one of the chemical elements that, when added, can make plastic less flammable. It is a flame retardant that acts chemically, not physically. My expertise is not on chemical flame retardants. But as an engineer I see bromine as something that helps make plastics less flammable. It has a significant amount of abilities to really decrease flammability, and for me that is absolutely essential. No matter how it is achieved, but decreasing the flammability or having the ability to control the flammability of a polymer to a required level is absolutely essential. And my understanding is that brominated flame retardants do this.\u00a0 \u00a0\nThe importance of flame retardants is not always understood by the public or the media. Do you think that flame retardants chemistries are undermined? What is your view on Flammability vs. Toxicology?\nThe worst thing that can happen is to have even more plastics, which is what all the trends are showing, and allow them to be as flammable as they are right now or even more flammable.\nFire safety engineering is a really tough profession. Because the more we succeed at protecting the citizens, and decreasing fatalities, and decreasing damage and fires, the faster society forgets about us. We practise a profession where people only know that we exist, when we fail. The more we succeed in our field, the more we are forgotten by citizens. \nA fire hazard is not an opinion, it is an actual fact. So it is absolutely essential that citizens are guided in the process of looking into concerns about toxicology. \nThere is an ongoing discussion in the UK, US and the European union about a trade-off between flammability and perceived toxicology of some elements that have been added to polymers. And not when the polymer is burning, but even when the polymer is not burning yet. And I as an engineer feel very uncomfortable about a trade-off of two risks, because it is like saying: \u201cBoth are risks, but I want to decrease one, by increasing the other or vice versa\u201d, and that is very dangerous. Because if you don\u2019t approach this trade-off with a full and complete understanding of the consequences of manipulating the risks, then you are taking the wrong decisions. So I would recommend authorities to prevent flammability and toxicology being minimised, without modifying the other. Or that they invest tremendously in fire science and toxicology so that we can figure it out and understand these two risks. And then maybe a trade-off is allowed. \u00a0\u00a0\nSOURCES\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein\nhttps://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.rein/cv/GRein_CV.pdf\nhttp://bsef.com/\nhttps://www.iawfonline.org/members/guillermo-rein/\n\nThe post Meet the Experts: Professor Guillermo Rein appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-06-19T11:42:55+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-24T13:15:21+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Guillermo_interview_i2.jpg", "tags": [ "bsef", "fire safety", "fire science", "flame retardants", "Guillermo Rein", "Imperial College London", "mechanical engineering", "polymers", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/03/05/bsef-japan-exhibited-automotive-world-2019/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/03/05/bsef-japan-exhibited-automotive-world-2019/", "title": "BSEF Japan exhibited at Automotive World 2019", "content_html": "For the 3rd consecutive year, the BSEF global representative in Japan exhibited at Automotive World 2019 (the Car Lightweight Technology Expo) that took place from the 16th until the 18th January, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.
\nThe “Automotive Lightweight Technology Expo” is a unique trade show featuring all kinds of Components/Materials and Molding/Processing Technologies for automotive weight reduction.
\nDuring the 3-Day conference that counted more than 30 thousand visitors, BSEF Japan had the opportunity to communicate around the many benefits of brominated flame retardant technologies used in the automotive industry and present the multiple solutions for cable electronic applications and interior parts, among others.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BSEF_Newsletter_Q1_2019_Event_Japan.png\")
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Lightweight technologies play a significant role in the improvement of fuel efficiency without giving up enhancing safety and comfort. The trend towards light weighting allowing all means of transport to travel at higher speed and in a more energy-efficient manner, has also heightened the risk of fire.
\nThanks to decades of innovation a wide range of tailor-made flame retardants solutions are in place across the transport industry to address the flammability hazard of materials used in various components.
\nBromine-based solutions provide a critical layer of protection and in recent years have become an invisible component that vastly improves drivers and travellers’ safety.
\n\n
The post BSEF Japan exhibited at Automotive World 2019 appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "For the 3rd consecutive year, the BSEF global representative in Japan exhibited at Automotive World 2019 (the Car Lightweight Technology Expo) that took place from the 16th until the 18th January, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.\nThe “Automotive Lightweight Technology Expo” is a unique trade show featuring all kinds of Components/Materials and Molding/Processing Technologies for automotive weight reduction.\nDuring the 3-Day conference that counted more than 30 thousand visitors, BSEF Japan had the opportunity to communicate around the many benefits of brominated flame retardant technologies used in the automotive industry and present the multiple solutions for cable electronic applications and interior parts, among others.\n\n \nHelping to meet the new challenge: lightweight for greater energy efficiency\nLightweight technologies play a significant role in the improvement of fuel efficiency without giving up enhancing safety and comfort. The trend towards light weighting allowing all means of transport to travel at higher speed and in a more energy-efficient manner, has also heightened the risk of fire.\nThanks to decades of innovation a wide range of tailor-made flame retardants solutions are in place across the transport industry to address the flammability hazard of materials used in various components.\nBromine-based solutions provide a critical layer of protection and in recent years have become an invisible component that vastly improves drivers and travellers’ safety.\n \nThe post BSEF Japan exhibited at Automotive World 2019 appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-03-05T15:12:09+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-04T06:51:17+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BSEF_newsletter_Japan.png", "tags": [ "automotive industry", "bromine", "fire safety", "flame retardants", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/03/05/abichamas-government-relations-brazil/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2019/03/05/abichamas-government-relations-brazil/", "title": "ABICHAMA\u2019s government relations in Brazil", "content_html": "As an electoral year, 2018 was marked by major changes in the political scenario and by a very particular profile in the work of the Legislative and Executive in Brazil. Even though many of the actors were involved in electoral campaigns, the Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) strengthened its relationship with stakeholders and promoted relevant actions.
\nThe Association\u2019s political agenda included activities at the National Congress, such as the participation in the public hearing that discussed the need for periodic inspection in buildings as a measure of fire safety. The meeting was held on November 7th at the Urban Development Committee (CDU) of the House of Representatives. On that occasion, Sylvio do Carmo shared experiences with representatives of the Brazilian Sprinkler Institute, the National Secretariat of Public Safety, the Federal University of Pernambuco, the Fire Brigade of the Military Police of S\u00e3o Paulo and the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro).
\nStill at the Congress, ABICHAMA participated in meetings of the Joint Parliamentary Front of Fire Safety, coordinated by Representative Vicentinho (PT/SP). ABICHAMA was announced as a new member of the Front Advisory Council in April 2018. By 2019, the Front must be relaunched, and new contacts must be established, since the renewal of the Legislative will also be reflected in the renovation of the Front’s composition.
\nIn 2018, ABICHAMA also went to Brasilia to meet with Let\u00edcia Reis, General Coordinator of Environmental Quality and Waste Management of the Ministry of Environment. The results of the meetings of the Working Group on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Brazilian RoHS Rules and the National Chemical Safety Commission (CONASQ) of the Ministry of the Environment were also watched closely.
\nThe president of ABICHAMA also met with Major Tiago Ribeiro, Contributing Officer of National Secretariat of Public Security (SENASP) of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. In all these opportunities, the Association was able to share examples of the relevance of flame retardants in saving lives.
\nIn 2019 it will be important to follow the development of the entire structure of the new government and a renewed Congress to reattach old contacts and build new relations.
\nThe Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) was created in Brazil in 2011, with the mission to increase fire safety in the country. The organization brings together companies that manufacture flame retardants and works to raise awareness among government agencies, the business community and the population about the importance of fire safety. The association is the local representative of BSEF \u2013 The International Bromine Council. In Brazil, ABICHAMA represents Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products and LANXESS.
\nFor more information about ABICHAMA’s activities, please visit: www.abichama.com.br
\nThe post ABICHAMA’s government relations in Brazil appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "As an electoral year, 2018 was marked by major changes in the political scenario and by a very particular profile in the work of the Legislative and Executive in Brazil. Even though many of the actors were involved in electoral campaigns, the Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) strengthened its relationship with stakeholders and promoted relevant actions.\nRaising awareness\nThe Association\u2019s political agenda included activities at the National Congress, such as the participation in the public hearing that discussed the need for periodic inspection in buildings as a measure of fire safety. The meeting was held on November 7th at the Urban Development Committee (CDU) of the House of Representatives. On that occasion, Sylvio do Carmo shared experiences with representatives of the Brazilian Sprinkler Institute, the National Secretariat of Public Safety, the Federal University of Pernambuco, the Fire Brigade of the Military Police of S\u00e3o Paulo and the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro).\nStill at the Congress, ABICHAMA participated in meetings of the Joint Parliamentary Front of Fire Safety, coordinated by Representative Vicentinho (PT/SP). ABICHAMA was announced as a new member of the Front Advisory Council in April 2018. By 2019, the Front must be relaunched, and new contacts must be established, since the renewal of the Legislative will also be reflected in the renovation of the Front’s composition.\nIn 2018, ABICHAMA also went to Brasilia to meet with Let\u00edcia Reis, General Coordinator of Environmental Quality and Waste Management of the Ministry of Environment. The results of the meetings of the Working Group on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Brazilian RoHS Rules and the National Chemical Safety Commission (CONASQ) of the Ministry of the Environment were also watched closely.\nThe president of ABICHAMA also met with Major Tiago Ribeiro, Contributing Officer of National Secretariat of Public Security (SENASP) of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. In all these opportunities, the Association was able to share examples of the relevance of flame retardants in saving lives.\nIn 2019 it will be important to follow the development of the entire structure of the new government and a renewed Congress to reattach old contacts and build new relations.\nAbout ABICHAMA\nThe Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) was created in Brazil in 2011, with the mission to increase fire safety in the country. The organization brings together companies that manufacture flame retardants and works to raise awareness among government agencies, the business community and the population about the importance of fire safety. The association is the local representative of BSEF \u2013 The International Bromine Council. In Brazil, ABICHAMA represents Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products and LANXESS.\nFor more information about ABICHAMA’s activities, please visit: www.abichama.com.br\nThe post ABICHAMA’s government relations in Brazil appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2019-03-05T14:58:44+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-04T06:52:00+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BSEF_newsletter_Abichama.png", "tags": [ "Abichama", "Fire retardancy", "fire retardants", "fire safety", "General news" ] }, { "id": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/10/17/sipp-2018/", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/2018/10/17/sipp-2018/", "title": "ABICHAMA sponsors SIPP 2018 \u2013 The International Seminar of Passive Protection, in S\u00e3o Paulo", "content_html": "Another edition of SIPP \u2013 The International Seminar on Passive Protection took place on August 15 and 16, in S\u00e3o Paulo. The event was attended by national and international experts who debated the current challenges related to fire safety, as well as stimulated the dissemination of knowledge, innovation and technology to the Brazilian market.
\nSponsored by ABICHAMA, BSEF\u2019s representative association in Brazil, the initiative is the result of a partnership between the Brazilian Association for Passive Fire Protection (ABPP) and the Technological Research Institute (IPT) through the Fire and Explosion Safety Laboratory / CETAC LSFEx).
\nThe seminar was divided into four major themes: passive fire protection on fa\u00e7ades; regulation, standardization and professional performance in passive protection; passive protection applied to the internal fstructure, and passive fire protection of the tructures. At the end of each session ? , a round table discussion was organized with the speakers, who responded to the audience’s questions on the presentations.
\nThe seminar took place at the headquarters of Secovi, the Housing Syndicate in S\u00e3o Paulo and was attended by more than 200 people, surpassing the previous edition of the event. ABICHAMA was represented by the president of the association, Sylvio do Carmo.
\n![\"\"](\"https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/nieuwsbrief6-300x168.png\")
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The Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) was created in Brazil in 2011, with the mission to increase fire safety in the country. The organization brings together companies that manufacture flame retardants and works to raise awareness among government agencies, the business community and the population about the importance of fire safety. The association is the local representative of BSEF – The International Bromine Council.
\nIn Brazil, ABICHAMA represents Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products and LANXESS.
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For more information, please visit: www.abichama.com.br
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Do not hesitate\u00a0to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.
\nThe post ABICHAMA sponsors SIPP 2018 \u2013 The International Seminar of Passive Protection, in S\u00e3o Paulo appeared first on Let's talk bromine.
\n", "content_text": "Another edition of SIPP \u2013 The International Seminar on Passive Protection took place on August 15 and 16, in S\u00e3o Paulo. The event was attended by national and international experts who debated the current challenges related to fire safety, as well as stimulated the dissemination of knowledge, innovation and technology to the Brazilian market.\nSponsored by ABICHAMA, BSEF\u2019s representative association in Brazil, the initiative is the result of a partnership between the Brazilian Association for Passive Fire Protection (ABPP) and the Technological Research Institute (IPT) through the Fire and Explosion Safety Laboratory / CETAC LSFEx).\nThe seminar was divided into four major themes: passive fire protection on fa\u00e7ades; regulation, standardization and professional performance in passive protection; passive protection applied to the internal fstructure, and passive fire protection of the tructures. At the end of each session ? , a round table discussion was organized with the speakers, who responded to the audience’s questions on the presentations.\nThe seminar took place at the headquarters of Secovi, the Housing Syndicate in S\u00e3o Paulo and was attended by more than 200 people, surpassing the previous edition of the event. ABICHAMA was represented by the president of the association, Sylvio do Carmo.\n\n \nAbout ABICHAMA\nThe Brazilian Association of Flame Retardant Industries (ABICHAMA) was created in Brazil in 2011, with the mission to increase fire safety in the country. The organization brings together companies that manufacture flame retardants and works to raise awareness among government agencies, the business community and the population about the importance of fire safety. The association is the local representative of BSEF – The International Bromine Council.\nIn Brazil, ABICHAMA represents Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products and LANXESS.\n \nFor more information, please visit: www.abichama.com.br\n \nDo not hesitate\u00a0to share this article, to give your opinion and to start the conversation.\nThe post ABICHAMA sponsors SIPP 2018 \u2013 The International Seminar of Passive Protection, in S\u00e3o Paulo appeared first on Let's talk bromine.", "date_published": "2018-10-17T11:14:57+00:00", "date_modified": "2019-06-04T06:54:17+00:00", "author": { "name": "admin", "url": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0428b8e4964fa7634cc8733194ee5bbe?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://lets-talk-bromine.bsef.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/visual-vlam-1.png", "tags": [ "Abichama", "antimony", "Brazil", "brominated flame retardants", "bromine", "bsef", "fire safety", "SIPP", "Fire retardancy", "General news" ] } ] }