• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2020

Purpose: This study evaluated aggressive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) by understanding various exposure routes of acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, the risk factors causing acute cardiovascular, and neurological toxicity caused by poisoning. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted based on the medical records of 417 acute CO poisoning patients who visited the emergency care unit from March 2017 to August 2019. The exposure routes, HBOT performance, age, sex, medical history (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, heart failure), intentionality, loss of consciousness (LOC), intake with alcohol or sedatives, and initial test results (carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), troponin-I, electrocardiography, echocardiography, brain MRI) were examined. Comparative analysis of the clinical information was conducted between the groups that showed acute cardiovascular toxicity and neurological toxicity, and groups that did not. Results: Among 417 patients diagnosed with acute CO poisoning, 201 cases (48.2%) were intentional, and charcoal briquette was the most common route (169 patients (40.5%)). Two hundred sixteen cases (51.8%) were accidental, and fire was the most common route (135 patients (32.4%)). The exposure route was more diverse with accidental poisoning. Three hundred ninety-nine patients were studied for acute cardiovascular toxicity, and 62 patients (15.5%) were confirmed to be positive. The result was statistically significant in intentionality, LOC, combined sedatives, initial COHb, HTN, and IHD. One hundred two patients were studied for acute neurological toxicity, which was observed in 26 patients (25.5%). The result was statistically significant in age and LOC. Conclusion: Active HBOT should be performed to minimize damage to the major organs by identifying the various exposure routes of CO poisoning, risk factors for acute cardiovascular toxicity (intentionality, LOC, combined sedatives, initial COHb, HTN, IHD), and the risk factors for acute neurological toxicity (age, LOC).

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.259-268
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• 2022

Electric shutters for buildings are being developed in Korea and abroad on a regular basis and can be used in different types of buildings such as company buildings and fire stations, etc. However, the fall risk factors induced by a variety of functions of building electric shutters require safety control. We reviewed the technological trends and legal standards in Korea and abroad, analyzed incident cases, and identified fall risk factors requiring control. We inspected all the building electric shutters in Korea based on the fall risk factors. As a result, we identified 91 noncompliance cases, in 69 percent of all 132 locations. In this study, backed by the inspection results, we suggest a check list to prevent the fall of building electric shutters to ensure safety and conduct verification using a focus group interview.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.9-16
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• 2016

Buried pipe system is subject to leak or rupture due to internal and external defects with age. Especially, if the pipeline is designed for pressurized gas, the leak can wreak a devastating on its surrounding area. The current method of setting up underground gas pipeline is based on OGP criteria of applying one tenth of the inner pipe pressure. The criteria is applied irrespective of their burial depth or pipe's properties. At times, even the whole safety measures are totally ignored. Considering the magnitude of possible damage from a gas leakage, a precise analytical tool for the risk assessment is urgently needed. The study was conducted to assess possible scenarios of gas accidents and to develop a computer model to minimize the damage. The data from ETA was analyzed intensively, and the model was developed. The model is capable of predicting jet fire influence area with comprehensive input parameters, such as burial depth. The model was calibrated and verified by the historic accident data from Edison Township, New Jersey, the United States. The statistical model was also developed to compare the results of the model in this study and the existing OGP model. They were in good agreement with respect to damage predictions, such as radiation heat coming from 10 meters away from the heat source of gas flame.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2019

This study is to identify the heat vulnerability area as represented by heat risk factors which could be attributable to heat-related deaths. The heat risk factors were temperature, Older Adults(OA), Economic Disadvantage(ED), Accessibility of Medical Services(AMS), The population Single Person Households(SPH). The factors are follow as; the temperature means to the number of days for decades average daily maximum temperature above $31^{\circ}C$, the Older Adults means to population ages 65 and above, furthermore, the Economic Disadvantage means to the population of Basic Livelihood Security Recipients(BLSR), the Accessibility of Medical Services(AMS) means to 5 minutes away from emergency medical services. The results of the analysis are showed that the top-level of temperature vulnerability areas is Dong, the top-level of vulnerability OA areas is Eup, the top-level of AMS vulnerability is Eup. Moreover, the top-level of vulnerability ED area appears in the Eup and Dong. The result of analysing relative importance to each element, most of the Eup were vulnerable to heat. Since, there are many vulnerable groups such as Economic Disadvantage, Older Adults in the Eup. We can be figured out estimated the number of heat-related deaths was high in the Eup and Dong by the data of emergency activation in the Chungcheongnam-do Fire Department. Therefore, the result of this study could be reasonable.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.83-90
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• 2020

This study conducted a risk assessment using the HyKoRAM program created by international joint research. Risk assessment was conducted based on accident scenarios and worst-case scenarios that could occur in the facility, reflecting design specifications of major facilities and components such as compressors, storage tanks, and hydrogen pipes in the hydrogen charging station, and environmental conditions around the demonstration complex. By identifying potential risks of hydrogen charging stations, we are going to derive the worst leakage, fire, explosion, and accident scenarios that can occur in hydrogen storage tanks, treatment facilities, storage facilities, and analyze the possibility of accidents and the effects of damage on human bodies and surrounding facilities to review safety.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.57-64
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• 2015

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems are broadly used for onshore and offshore fire accidents because of excellent performance and low cost. However, there is risk with carbon dioxide systems, which have caused many injuries and deaths by suffocation associated with industrial and marine fire protection applications. In this study, a numerical analysis was performed to predict the fire suppression characteristics of a carbon dioxide system in the compressor room of ships. A double protection safety system is suggested to prevent suffocation accidents from carbon dioxide extinguishing systems. Four scenarios were selected to study the variation of the heat release rate, maximum temperature, a $CO_2$ and $O_2$ mole fraction, and fire suppression characteristics with the carbon dioxide system. The importance of proper design is suggested for a ventilation system in the compressor room of ships.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2019

Recently, due to global warming, the trend shows an increase in number of lightning strikes which increase risk regarding industry infrastructures. Especially in case where the lightning strikes infrastructures including refinery, petorchemical plant facilities or storage tanks, it can cause power failures, electrical machine malfunction and damage which can lead to fire explosion and multiple calamities. Therefore, detailed case studies must be conducted through a systematic research regarding lightning strike accidents in order to understand its mechanism and devise preventive measures. This paper aims to study cases of explosion regarding waste water storage tanks in refineries and petrochemical plants in order to analyze its root cause and provide preventive measures for avoiding lightning related incidents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.35-42
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• 2023

This study analyzed the current and temperature characteristics of major components of an induction motor during normal and abnormal operations as functions of the difference in the rated capacities of medium and large-sized motors widely used in industrial settings. The temperature rise equation of the induction motor winding was derived through locked-rotor operation experiments and linear regression analysis. When the ambient temperature is 40 ℃, the time to reach 155 ℃, the temperature limit of the insulation class (F class) of the winding of the induction motor, was confirmed to be 48 seconds for the 2.2 kW induction motor and 39 seconds for the 3.7 kW induction motor. This means that when the rated capacity is large or the installation environment is high temperature, the time to reach the temperature limit of the insulation class during locked-rotor operation is short, and the risk of insulation deterioration and fire is high. In addition, even if the EOCR (Electronic Over Current Relay) is installed, if the setting time is excessively set, the EOCR does not operate even if the normal and locked-rotor operation of the induction motor is repeated, and the temperature limit of the insulation grade of the winding of the induction motor is exceeded. The results of this study can be used for preventive measures such as the promotion of electrical and mechanical measures for the failure of induction motors and fire prevention in industrial sites, or the installation of fire alarm systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.38-43
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• 2024

Recently, with the expanding market for electronic devices and electric vehicles, secondary battery usage has been on the rise. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly popular due to their fast charging times and lightweight nature compared to other types of batteries. A secondary battery consists of four components: anode, cathode, electrolyte, and separator. Generally, the positive and negative electrode materials of secondary batteries are composed of an active material, a binder, and a conductive material. Acetylene Black (AB) is utilized to enhance conductivity between active material particles or metal dust collectors, preventing the binder from acting as an insulator. However, when recycling waste batteries that have been subject to high usage, there is a risk of fire and explosion accidents, as accurately identifying the characteristics of Acetylene Black dust proves to be challenging. In this study, the lower explosion limit for Acetylene Black dust with an average particle size of 0.042 ㎛ was determined to be 153.64 mg/L using a Hartmann-type dust explosion device. Notably, the dust did not explode at values below 168 mg, rendering the lower explosion limit calculation unfeasible. Analysis of explosion delay times with varying electrode gaps revealed the shortest delay time at 3 mm, with a noticeable increase in delay times for gaps of 4 mm or greater. The findings offer fundamental data for fire and explosion prevention measures in Acetylene Black waste recycling processes via a predictive model for lower explosion limits and ignition delay time.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.41-46
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• 2011

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the causes of accidents related to the 3 phase 170 kV gas insulated switchgear of a power system collected from accident sites to secure data for the prevention of similar accidents and provide important points of view regarding diagnosis for the prevention of accidents involving gas insulated switchgears. The analysis results of the causes of accidents involving gas insulated switchgears showed deformation of the manipulation lever installed at the S-phase, disconnection of the insulation rod connection, melting of the upper conductor, a damaged tulip, damage to the lower spacer and the spacer at the breaker, etc. It is believed from this result that the potential for accidents has expanded due to accumulated energy as a result of repeated deterioration. The carbonization depth of a GIS was formed near the screw (T2, T3) used to secure the lower pole of the S-phase tulip. It is not known what has caused the screws to be extruded and melted. However, it is thought that an unbalanced electromagnetic force, micro-discharge, surface discharge, etc., have occurred at that point. In addition, even though 16 years have passed since its installation, there was no installation defect, act of arson, accidental fire, etc. General periodical inspection and diagnosis failed to find the factors causing the accidents. As a system contained in a closed metal container, it has a high risk factor. Therefore, it is necessary to design, install and operate a GIS in accordance with the standard operational procedure (SOP). In addition, it is necessary to apply conversion technology for periodical SF6 gas analysis and precision safety diagnosis. It is expected that tracking and managing these changes in characteristics by recording the results on the history card will provide a significant accident prevention effect.