• Title/Summary/Keyword: Existing Exposure

Search Result 404, Processing Time 0.027 seconds

A Review and Analysis of the Thermal Exposure in Large Compartment Fire Experiments

  • Gupta, Vinny;Hidalgo, Juan P.;Lange, David;Cowlard, Adam;Abecassis-Empis, Cecilia;Torero, Jose L.
    • International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
    • /
    • v.10 no.4
    • /
    • pp.345-364
    • /
    • 2021
  • Developments in the understanding of fire behaviour for large open-plan spaces typical of tall buildings have been greatly outpaced by the rate at which these buildings are being constructed and their characteristics changed. Numerous high-profile fire-induced failures have highlighted the inadequacy of existing tools and standards for fire engineering when applied to highly-optimised modern tall buildings. With the continued increase in height and complexity of tall buildings, the risk to the occupants from fire-induced structural collapse increases, thus understanding the performance of complex structural systems under fire exposure is imperative. Therefore, an accurate representation of the design fire for open-plan compartments is required for the purposes of design. This will allow for knowledge-driven, quantifiable factors of safety to be used in the design of highly optimised modern tall buildings. In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art experimental research on large open-plan compartment fires from the past three decades. We have assimilated results collected from 37 large-scale compartment fire experiments of the open-plan type conducted from 1993 to 2019, covering a range of compartment and fuel characteristics. Spatial and temporal distributions of the heat fluxes imposed on compartment ceilings are estimated from the data. The complexity of the compartment fire dynamics is highlighted by the large differences in the data collected, which currently complicates the development of engineering tools based on physical models. Despite the large variability, this analysis shows that the orders of magnitude of the thermal exposure are defined by the ratio of flame spread and burnout front velocities (VS / VBO), which enables the grouping of open-plan compartment fires into three distinct modes of fire spread. Each mode is found to exhibit a characteristic order of magnitude and temporal distribution of thermal exposure. The results show that the magnitude of the thermal exposure for each mode are not consistent with existing performance-based design models, nevertheless, our analysis offers a new pathway for defining thermal exposure from realistic fire scenarios in large open-plan compartments.

A Study on Occupational Environment Assessment Strategies for Respirable Particulate Matter at Coal-Fired Power Plants (석탄화력발전소 호흡성분진 작업환경 평가 전략 사례에 관한 연구)

  • Eun-Seung Lee;Yun-Keun Lee;Dong-Il Shin
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
    • /
    • v.33 no.3
    • /
    • pp.375-383
    • /
    • 2023
  • Objectives: Coal-fired power plants feature diverse working conditions, including multi-layered employment structures and irregular work cycles due to outsourcing and non-standardized tasks. The current uniform occupational environment measurement systems have limitations in accurately assessing and evaluating these varied conditions. This study aims to propose alternative measurement and assessment strategies to supplement existing methods. Methods: Major domestic coal-fired power plants were selected as the study targets. To prepare for the study and establish strategies, work processes were identified and existing occupational environment measurement results were compared and analyzed. The study proceeded by employing three strategies: specific exposure groups (SEGs) measurement, continuous monitoring, and supplementary measurements, which were then compared and discussed. Results: Previous exposure index evaluations (5,268 cases) indicated that crystalline silica, a type of respirable particulate matter, had detection limits below the threshold (non-detectable) in 82.6% (4,349 cases) of instances. Exposures below 10% of the exposure limit were observed at a very low concentration of 96.1%. Similar exposure group measurements yielded results where detection limits were below the threshold in 38.2% of cases, and exposures below 10% of the limit were observed in 70.6%. Continuous monitoring indicated detection limits below the threshold in 12.6% of cases, and exposures below 10% of the limit were observed in 75.6%. Instances requiring active workplace management accounted for more than 30% of cases, with SEGs at 11.8% (four cases), showing a higher proportion compared to 3.0% (four cases) in continuous monitoring. For coal dust, exposures below 10% of the limit were highest in legal measurements at 90.2% (113 cases), followed by 74.0% (91 cases) in continuous monitoring, and 47.0% (16 cases) in SEGs. Instances exceeding 30% were most prevalent in SEGs at 14.7% (five cases), followed by legal measurements at 5.0% (eight cases), and continuous monitoring at 2.4% (three cases). When examining exposure levels through arithmetic means, crystalline silica was found to be 104.7% higher in SEGs at 0.0088 mg/m3 compared to 0.0043 mg/m3 in continuous monitoring. Coal dust measurements were highest in SEGs at 0.1247 mg/m3, followed by 0.1224 mg/m3 in legal measurements, and 0.0935 mg/m3 in continuous monitoring. Conclusions: Strategies involving SEGs measurement and continuous monitoring can enhance measurement reliability in environments with irregular work processes and frequent fluctuations in working conditions, as observed in coal-fired power plants. These strategies reduce the likelihood of omitting or underestimating processes and enhance measurement accuracy. In particular, a significant reduction in detection limits below the threshold for crystalline silica was observed. Supplementary measurements can identify worker exposure characteristics, uncover potential risks in blind spots of management, and provide a complementary method for legal measurements.

Development of the Inter-tidal Exposure Duration Formulae Using Tidal Harmonic Constants (조화상수를 이용한 조간대 노출시간 추정공식 개발)

  • Jeong, Shin Taek;Cho, Hongyeon;Ko, Dong Hui
    • Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
    • /
    • v.24 no.5
    • /
    • pp.319-325
    • /
    • 2012
  • A new formulae for the estimation of the exposure duration in the inter-tidal zone are developed. The exposure duration is one of the most important factors influencing the habitat distribution of the benthic organisms. The formulae can estimate the exposure duration only using the four major tidal harmonic constants available in almost coastal areas. It is easier than the existing method using the frequency analysis of the hourly tidal elevation data. The estimation results by using the formulae suggested in this study are compared with the value by using the observed tidal elevation data analysis in the west coast, Korea. The mean RMS (root-mean squared) errors ranged form 0.8 to 1.4%. It can be used to simply estimate the accurate exposure duration in the region not having the longterm hourly tidal elevation data.

Research for Detailed Technical Standards of Exposure Pipe (노출배관의 세부 기술기준 연구)

  • Kang, Byung-IK;Park, Woo-Il;Yim, Sang-Sik;Jo, Young-Do
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
    • /
    • v.22 no.3
    • /
    • pp.13-19
    • /
    • 2018
  • The exposed pipe requires higher durability because is directly contacted with the outside air unlike the buried pipe. For this purpose, clear detailed technical standards are essential in the design and construction of piping systems. However, the existing technical standards were not able to evaluate the durability considering the characteristics of piping, so many questions were raised in the field. Therefore, through the present study, the existing detailed technical standards are revised to propose measures to secure the durability of exposed piping.

Comparison of In-Plane Measurement of Phase-Shifting with Time-Average Method (위상이동법과 시간평균법의 면내변위 측정 비교)

  • Kim, Kyoung-Suk;Kim, Dong-Iel;Jung, Hyun-Chul;Kang, Ki-Soo;Lee, Chan-Woo;Yang, Seung-Pil;Jarng, Soon-Suck
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
    • /
    • v.16 no.10
    • /
    • pp.53-58
    • /
    • 1999
  • Even I the Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry(ESPI) method that measure the strain of object within wavelength of light is less visibility than Holographic Interferometry(HI) method, the merits of application, convenience and time-save have made the method practical in industry. However, the existing ESPI methods that are based on dual-exposure, real-time and time-average method have difficulties for accurate measurement, due to irregular intensity and shake of phase. Recently, in order to solve this problem, phase shifting method have been proposed. In this method, the path of reference light in interference is shifted to make improvement in distinction and precision. But this method includes too many noise, caused by the problem of relationship between object and phase. Therefore, a method to reduce noise muse be introduced. In this paper, least square fitting method is proposed. As results, the phase-map is influenced by precise phase shifting and current of notes and speckle pattern obtained by phase shifting method is improved on the existing method driven from time-average method.

  • PDF

Health risk assessment by CRPS and the numerical model for toluene in residential buildings

  • Choi, Haneul;Kim, Hyungkeun;Kim, Taeyeon
    • KIEAE Journal
    • /
    • v.17 no.5
    • /
    • pp.33-41
    • /
    • 2017
  • Purpose: Indoor air quality in residential buildings needs to be evaluated over the long term. In previous research, there has been an attempt to perform the health risk assessment of pollutants by using numerical models as a method of long-term evaluation. However, the numerical model of this precedent study has limitations that do not reflect the actual concentration distribution. Therefore, this study introduces the CRPS index, constructs a numerical model that can reflect the concentration distribution, and then presents a more accurate health risk assessment method using it. At this time, the pollutants are toluene, which is a typical material released from building materials. Method: CRPS index was applied to existing numerical model to reflect concentration distribution. This was used to calculate concentrations at adult breathing area and to use them for exposure assessment in a health risk assessment. After that, we entered adult data and conducted a health risk assessment of toluene. Results: The non-carcinogenic risk of toluene was calculated to be 0.0060. This is 5% smaller than the existing numerical model, meaning that it is more accurate to predict the pollutant risks. This value is also lower than the US EPA reference value of 1. Therefore, under the conditions of this study, long-term exposure of adults to toluene has no impact on health.

Pregnant and Childbearing-age Women's Knowledge and Awareness of Human Mercury Exposure Risks in Korea (우리나라 임신부와 가임기 여성의 인체 수은 노출 위험 인식과 지식)

  • Kim, Yu-Mi;Seo, Jeong-Wook;Choi, Sung-Yong;Woo, Kuck-Hyeun;Oh, Inbo;Kim, Yangho;Kim, Byoung-Gwon;Hong, Young-Seoub
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
    • /
    • v.43 no.6
    • /
    • pp.447-456
    • /
    • 2017
  • Objectives: Pregnant women and those of childbearing age are a well-known sensitive population for human mercury exposure. Therefore, this study was conducted to reveal and enrich basic information for effective risk communication to reduce the adverse health effects of mercury exposure. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 432 women aged 19-44 years, recruited conveniently from three different regions (Busan, Ulsan, and Gumi City). Questionnaires were developed by referring to the existing literature and through expert meetings. They consisted of questions on knowledge and awareness of mercury exposure risks, health information literacy, and relevant information. Results: The rank of perceived mercury health risk score was 5 out of 16 environmental risk factors, and 41.7% of participants thought that even a very little mercury could lead to an adverse health effect. Although 90.3% of participants had knowledge that childbearing age women must pay attention to fish intake, only 38.9% of participants knew the national fish intake guidelines for pregnant women. Conclusions: Although risk perception and knowledge of pregnancy-specific features of mercury were relatively high, the national fish intake guidelines were still not well recognized. It could be an effective strategy to provide evidence-based and targeted information articulated by professionals using internet based communication channels.

Deposition Characteristics of Atmospheric PCBs Depending on Exposure Periods Using Pine Needles (소나무 잎을 이용한 대기 중 PCBs의 노출기간별 침착특성)

  • Yeo, Hyun-Gu;Cho, Ki-Chul;Choi, Min-Kyu;Kim, Tae-Wook;Chun, Man-Young
    • Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
    • /
    • v.28 no.8
    • /
    • pp.836-842
    • /
    • 2006
  • Pine needle samples(1 year, 2 year, 3 year old) were collected in Seoul and Ansung to investigate the deposition characteristics of atmospheric PCBs depending on exposure periods. Total PCBs concentration of pine needle samples in Seoul and Ansung showed 2,429, 1,198 pg/g DW(dry weight), respectively. PCB homologs concentration of pine needle samples decreased with increasing chlorine-substituted compounds. It showed that higher chlorine- substituted compounds in existing particle phase compared to lower chlorine-substituted compounds existing in gaseous phase were difficult to accumulate lipids of the pine needles samples. The results of regression analysis between exposure periods in the atmosphere and concentration of total PCBs measured in pine needles at two sites showed significant levels($R^2>0.94$, p<0.01), which implies that atmospheric PCBs accumulated on pine needles with positive linearity depending on exposure periods in this study. Therefore pine needle samples can be used as passive air sampler(PAS) for monitoring air contamination for a long time in different sites.

The Health Hazard Evaluation Program by NIOSH (NIOSH의 건강유해도 평가 프로그램)

  • Jeong, Jee Yeon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
    • /
    • v.10 no.1
    • /
    • pp.147-159
    • /
    • 2000
  • The NIOSH health hazard evaluation program (HHE program) was created in response to the mandate to determine the toxic effect and potential health hazard of workplace exposure, which is found in Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, A primary benefit of HHE program is its ability to provide current health hazard data to employers and employees, which assists them in identifying solutions to occupational health and safety problems in their workplaces, The HHE program also stimulates research in the development and review of sampling methods and diagnostic tests and may prompt additional exposure assesment efforts and toxicological and epidemiological studies. HHE projects also provide human exposure-toxicity data that are used to asses the validity of existing occupational health standards and to support criteria for new standards of recommendation, The HHE request is classified into four categories: 1) category 1: As a administratively invalid, 2) category 2: These are valid requests for which a site visit is not essential to an appropriate response, 3) Category 3 : These are valid requests for which a site visit is necessary for an adequate evaluation, 4) These are valid request which present a complex problem or an opportunity for research, To carry out HHE program one or methods of investigation might be used: 1) direct observation and evaluation of production processes and employee work practices 2) employees exposure level and air contamination level 3) medical test or physical examinations of employees 4) private, confidential interviews with employees 5) review of employer's record of injuries and illness, employee exposure data, medical tests and job histories. After investigation and analysing the data, NIOSH issues a final report, giving finding and recommendation.

  • PDF

Attention Behavior to Mobile Content: Focusing on Exposure and Involvement of Pikicast Content (모바일 콘텐츠에 대한 주목 행동: 피키캐스트 콘텐츠의 노출과 관여 행동을 중심으로)

  • Kim, Eun-Mee;Park, Hyun-Ah;Ihm, Jeniffer So-Young
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
    • /
    • v.17 no.7
    • /
    • pp.12-21
    • /
    • 2017
  • In this study, we divided attention to mobile contents into two dimensions (i.e., exposure and involvement), and explored the characteristics of and the relationship between the attention behaviors, using contents data from Pikicast. First, this study investigated the relationship between exposure and involvement in order to examine whether double-jeopardy effects appear in mobile contents as well. In addition, we examined how different attention behaviors differ according to platform and subject attributes(i.e., soft and hard). As a result, we found that there was a positive correlation between exposure and involvement in mobile platforms. Also, we found that the attention behaviors, especially sharing behaviors, were different in each platform. In terms of subject attributes, the attention indices such as the number of comments and sharing, which were immediate responses, were related to the soft content, whereas the attention indices such as the consumption time and the complete-read rate were related to the hard content requiring cognitive effort.This study is meaningful to understand the essence of the attention behavior in the mobile environment from a content - oriented perspective rather than the most existing research with a user - centered perspective.