Fire safety requirements for storage of wood chips in open areas

Abstract

To reduce atmospheric pollution and stabilize climate change, governments around the world are developing and implementing various mechanisms to encourage new technology developers, scientists, manufacturers and investors to get involved to the renewable energy market. Biofuel is one of the most widespread renewable energy sources and most of the energy currently produced from biofuel is heat generated by wood chips. One of the main requirements for outdoor storage of wood chips is fire safety requirements. Wood chips may self-heat and ignite for improper composition and improper storage. In this study the fire safety requirements of Europe and other countries for biofuel storage in open areas are reviewed, the experimental data of temperature analysis of wood chip piles in open area are analysed and recommendations for fire safety management are made.