Papers by Vincenzo Puccia
International journal of safety and security engineering, Jun 24, 2024
This paper presents an innovative method for rapidly assessing building vulnerability, with a foc... more This paper presents an innovative method for rapidly assessing building vulnerability, with a focus on potential threats. The approach begins with a historical analysis and a review of state-of-the-art literature obtained from open sources. Subsequently, a tool is introduced, incorporating weighted parameters related to threat typology and available mitigation elements. Critical issues in the overall building vulnerability analysis are pinpointed through a scenario-based approach. While primary literature references are based on explosive attacks (such as Beirut in the '80 s, Nairobi in the '90 s, Oklahoma City in the '90s, etc.), the method also considers non-conventional weapons such as Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats, along with emerging threats involving direct energy targeting (e.g., Havana Syndrome). The analysis covers six domains: Layout, Structure & Boundary, Technological Plants, In & Out Ways, Cyber, and Building Security Management. Each domain undergoes a comprehensive analysis, identifying threats and developing scenarios and sub-scenarios associated with presumed risks affecting the building. Specific characteristics for each action are identified, with parametric weights assigned to reflect their significance in the overall vulnerability assessment.
Fire risk assessment book (820 pages long) describes: fire risk assessment and management methods... more Fire risk assessment book (820 pages long) describes: fire risk assessment and management methods, national and international standards and guidelines, relevant case studies. Introductions to the volume written by: Raffaele Guariniello (Public Prosecutor for the Thyssenkrupp Fire in Turin), Morgan Hurley (technical director of Society of Fire Protection Engineers), David Yung (international fire risk expert), Prof. Stefano Converso (Università di Roma Tre). Important paragraphs written by Salvatore Tafaro and Vincenzo Puccia (National Fire Corp). The CD Rom attached includes F.R.A.M.E. software by Prof. Erik De Smet (with italian translation). In the book authorized and translated portions of the main guidelines, standards and books (NFPA, SFPE, HSE, VTT, Lees, BSI, ASTM, etc.).
Over the past decade the number of new photovoltaic (PV) system installations has increased sharp... more Over the past decade the number of new photovoltaic (PV) system installations has increased sharply throughout the world. With this growth, the associated risks grew significantly. This included an increase in the number of fire incidents involving PV systems. For example, it is estimated that in Italy alone over 700 fires involving PV systems occurred in 2012. This has drawn the attention of the fire safety community and facility managers. This article will assess some of the fire risks associated with of PV system installations based on fire investigations conducted in Italy.
Photovoltaic (PV) plants have known a steep increase in number and installed power in the last de... more Photovoltaic (PV) plants have known a steep increase in number and installed power in the last decade all over the world. Together with this growth, also associated risks grew significantly. Among these fire risk has caught the attention of the Authorities and of the plant managers due to the high number of fire accidents involving solar plants. It is estimated that in Italy around 600 fires involving solar plants occurred in 2012, with this figure in constant growth. In this paper fire risk assessment of PV installations is presented through several steps. a) Analysis of statistics data related to fire which involved, but not necessary started from, photovoltaic plants in Italy, b) Discussion of the possible dynamics of fire growth and propagation, through theoretical concepts (supported by advanced simulation tools, i.e. CFD fire simulation codes) and case study analysis (in particular fire investigation on the basis of NFPA 921 standard, directly employed during the forensics of ...
Chemical engineering transactions, 2016
Fire Risk Assessment of Photovoltaic Plants. A Case Study Moving from two Large Fires: from Accid... more Fire Risk Assessment of Photovoltaic Plants. A Case Study Moving from two Large Fires: from Accident Investigation and Forensic Engineering to Fire Risk Assessment for Reconstruction and Permitting Purposes Luca Fiorentini*, Luca Marmo, Enrico Danzi, Vincenzo Puccia Tecsa SRL, Via Figino 101, 20016 PEro (Milano), Italy Politecnico di Torino, Cso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy National Fire Brigade, Padova, Italy [email protected]
Along with the strong growth of photovoltaic installations, also the number of fires involving ph... more Along with the strong growth of photovoltaic installations, also the number of fires involving photovoltaic systems has grown. The fire risk analysis due to photovoltaic systems has been taken into strong consideration. About that, three were the most considered issues: 1) PV modules and components fire behavior and characterization; 2) fire ignition related to photovoltaic components; 3) risk of electrocution in firefighting activities in proximity to photovoltaic generators. To protect the firefighter and to respect the environment, the type of fumes and gases that are released into the environment during a fire of a photovoltaic system should also be considered. This paper shows the analysis of the combustion fumes and gases released during the burning of some c-Si PV modules produced with different kind of backsheets and encapsulants
Photovoltaic (PV) modules and any wiring connected to them will be live if they are exposed to li... more Photovoltaic (PV) modules and any wiring connected to them will be live if they are exposed to light. Whenever sufficient voltage is developed by a number of PV modules in series, there is a risk of electric shocks. Higher direct current (DC) voltage may be used in PV systems because it can lead to reduced wiring size and higher inverter efficiency. Nowadays, PV systems are rated up to 1000V DC. Since damaged modules or installations may expose high voltage conductors or live parts, during the rescue operations of the rescue personnel or firefighter, the PV system mast be considered energized if exposed to solar or artificial light. By means of a proper experimental sep-up, the paper shows the behavior of a burning string of 4 PV modules. During the experiments not only the fire rating characteristics are monitored (e.g. Fire reaction, Flame spread, Heat Release Rate, Temperature distribution) but also the electrical output quantities, such as the voltage and current PV output in or...
Over the past decade the number of new photovoltaic (PV) system installations has increased sharp... more Over the past decade the number of new photovoltaic (PV) system installations has increased sharply throughout the world. With this growth, the associated risks grew significantly. This included an increase in the number of fire incidents involving PV systems. For example, it is estimated that in Italy alone over 700 fires involving PV systems occurred in 2012. This has drawn the attention of the fire safety community and facility managers. This article will assess some of the fire risks associated with of PV system installations based on fire investigations conducted in Italy.
Photovoltaic (PV) plants have known a steep increase in number and installed power in the last de... more Photovoltaic (PV) plants have known a steep increase in number and installed power in the last decade all over the world. Together with this growth, also associated risks grew significantly. Among these fire risk has caught the attention of the Authorities and of the plant managers due to the high number of fire accidents involving solar plants. It is estimated that in Italy around 600 fires involving solar plants occurred in 2012, with this figure in constant growth. In this paper fire risk assessment of PV installations is presented through several steps. a) Analysis of statistics data related to fire which involved, but not necessary started from, photovoltaic plants in Italy, b) Discussion of the possible dynamics of fire growth and propagation, through theoretical concepts (supported by advanced simulation tools, i.e. CFD fire simulation codes) and case study analysis (in particular fire investigation on the basis of NFPA 921 standard, directly employed during the forensics of ...
Fire risk assessment book (820 pages long) describes: fire risk assessment and management methods... more Fire risk assessment book (820 pages long) describes: fire risk assessment and management methods, national and international standards and guidelines, relevant case studies. Introductions to the volume written by: Raffaele Guariniello (Public Prosecutor for the Thyssenkrupp Fire in Turin), Morgan Hurley (technical director of Society of Fire Protection Engineers), David Yung (international fire risk expert), Prof. Stefano Converso (Università di Roma Tre). Important paragraphs written by Salvatore Tafaro and Vincenzo Puccia (National Fire Corp). The CD Rom attached includes F.R.A.M.E. software by Prof. Erik De Smet (with italian translation). In the book authorized and translated portions of the main guidelines, standards and books (NFPA, SFPE, HSE, VTT, Lees, BSI, ASTM, etc.).
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Papers by Vincenzo Puccia