The Electromagnetic Ballistic Hazards Faced by Fire Service Officers While on Duty
Aim: Static magnetic fields (SMF) can cause metal (ferromagnetic) objects to move and thus pose a serious hazard for the utilities and the people who are close to the source of strong SMF. These kinds of electromagnetic hazards are identified as “flying objects” or “ballistic hazards”. The aim of this study was to analyse the conditions in which electromagnetic ballistic hazards can occur during the operations of Fire Service officers (rescue, firefighting, reconnaissance/inspection and evacuation drills) and also to test personal firefighter equipment and rescue equipment for SMF susceptibility. Project and methods: SMF susceptibility was tested for both personal firefighter equipment and fire-engine rescue equipment. The equipment to be tested was selected based on study visits to fire and rescue departments, and on the basis of interviews with firefighters, and also based on an analysis of the laws governing the functioning of the State Fire Service, as well as commonly available training materials. Both the personal firefighter equipment and fire-engine rescue equipment were subjected to experimental testing for SMF susceptibility. A ferrite permanent magnet with a minimum remanence of 0.37 T was used for the testing. Field testing involved the observation of the magnet’s location, with the magnet located unconstrained within a distance of 5-10 cm from the tested firefighter equipment. Results: We have found that personal firefighter equipment is only moderately susceptible to SMF, while pieces of rescue equipment show higher susceptibility. Furthermore, we have concluded that strong SMF sources, such as, especially, magnetic resonance imaging scanners and spectrometers, magnetic grippers and separators, might pose ballistic hazards in their surroundings, causing, for instance, damage to the equipment, bodily injuries, or even death. Firefighters engaging in operations near magnetic resonance imaging scanners or spectrometers are very likely to be exposed to these kinds of hazards (usually in medical centres and research institutes), since the immediate deactivation of the SMF of these devices is impracticable in emergencies, as it requires complex procedures to be followed. Conclusions: The Regulation of the Ministry of the Interior governing the safety of firefighters on duty does not specify any safety requirements for operations in the proximity of strong SMF sources. The identification, signage and elimination of hazards should be discussed during firefighters’ training and exercises.