FACULTY OF SCIENCE School of Safety Science SESC9121 FIRE AND EXPLOSION Session 2, 2006
School of Safety Science - Course Outline - 2006 Contents: 1 Information about the Course 3 2 Staff Involved in the Course 4 3 Course Details 4 4 Rationale and Strategies Underpinning the Course 5 5 Course Schedule 6 6 Assessment Tasks and Feedback 7 7 UNSW Academic Honesty and Plagiarism 8 8 Additional Resources and Support 9 9 Required Equipment, Training and Enabling Skills 9 10 Course Evaluation and Development 10 11 Administration Matters 11 12 Specific Assessment Information 12 13 Assignment cover sheet 20
School of Safety Science - Course Outline - 2006 3 1. Information about the Course Year of Delivery 2006 Course Code SESC 9121 Course Name Academic Unit Level of Course Fire and Explosion School of Safety Science Postgraduate elective course Units of Credit 6 UOC Session(s) Offered S2 Assumed Knowledge, Prerequisites or Corequisites Location and Time SESC9201 Short Course held 25 th -27 th September, D10 G02 Number of Weeks 3 days plus assessable tasks Commencement Date Monday 25 th September, 2006 Assessment Graded Pass/Fail NOTE: Students should be aware of the University s policy on plagiarism (see also Section 7) and academic misconduct (see Administration matters, Section 11 and www.myunsw.edu.au). Study Mode Time Attendance Over session Short course Attendance Non attendance On campus Off campus Web Special Details N/A
4 2. Staff Involved in the Course Staff Role Name Contact Details Consultation Times Course Convener* Dr. Tony Green a.green@unsw.edu.au Arranged by email Additional Teaching Staff Lecturers & Facilitators: *Note: The course convener should be contacted first regarding all aspects of course administration. Other teaching staff should be contacted only if your question relates specifically to the content of the course which they teach. 3. Course Details Course Description This short course introduces students to the principles of combustion in fire and explosion processes and their management. The first day deals with the fire provisions of the building code of Australia and assessment of the fundamental fire properties of solids, liquids and gases. The second day deals with control of industrial fires, including the transport and storage of flammable liquids and gases, process plant hazards, ignition control and other prevention strategies. The third day discusses fire protection and then explosion prevention and control. Student Learning Outcomes At the end of this course it is anticipated that students will be able to: Explain the requirements of legislation affecting fire and explosion risks in buildings, industry and the bush. Identify the nature of different fire and explosion hazards including the ability to assess material properties to characterize the hazard. Gain an understanding of the fire and explosion process to allow adequate decisions on appropriate forms of prevention and protection Students will also get experience in: Working in groups Preparing safety reports
5 Graduate Attributes Developed in this Course Science Graduate Attributes Select the level of FOCUS 0 = NO FOCUS 1 = MINIMAL 2 = MINOR 3 = MAJOR Activities / Assessment 1. Research, inquiry and analytical thinking abilities 2. Capability and motivation for intellectual development 3. Ethical, social and professional understanding 3 Students will need to research hazards and control strategies, as well as the appropriate standards and/or legislation to complete the assignments 3 The whole course is designed to facilitate intellectual development and encourage further learning 3 Ethics and social responsibility are a key concept in safety and risk management, and thus should be implicitly conveyed throughout the course. 4. Communication 3 Students will develop communication skills by preparing their reports and through group discussion. 5. Teamwork, collaborative and management skills 0 6. Information literacy 2 Students will have to use the library to find information for the assessments assignment Other attributes N/A Professional accreditation attributes Level of Material Delivered N/A The course builds on material presented in SESC9201 and demonstrates the use of a range of tools and strategies across different applications of fire and explosion risks. These techniques are emphasized and taught in depth through the use of case studies which is reinforced by the requirements in the three assessment tasks. The competencies will be tested through the assignments. Major Topics (Syllabus Outline) Risk Management of fire and explosion. Fire provisions of the BCA and related legislation, Fundamental fire properties of solids, liquids and gases, Fire and Explosion prevention and protection Relationship to Other Courses within the Program This course is an elective course in the Master of Safety Science and Master of Industrial Safety.
6 4. Rationale and Strategies Underpinning the Course Rationale for learning and teaching in this course, i.e., How this course is taught? The School of Safety Science is committed to excellence in learning and teaching. Accordingly, courses are taught in ways that are intended not only to provide information and skills, but also to engage and challenge students, and to use the experience that our students already have (since many of our postgraduate students are already working in safety-related fields), to enrich the learning experience. The opportunity to practice and develop analytical and critical thinking skills is important in our courses, and this and other course learning outcomes are supported through the multiple teaching modes and assessment practices employed within the School. Teaching Strategies and how they support learning outcomes Several different methods are used in the course to assist in achieving student learning outcomes. These include the use of case studies and examples from the building, chemical and process industries or related fields (e.g., bushfire management), class discussion on these cases and in-class activities related to performing a risk assessment. Some of these skills will be useful for the assignments, which also assesses the extent to which students can prepare a report that would be suitable for management use. The use of group work directly impacts on building teamwork skill, which are essential in most professions. Application of material to industry is an essential part of the course, in that it is hoped that following the course, students can see the importance of safety and risk management, and have some tools to consider and manage fire and explosion risks more effectively when they reach the workplace. Also, in the area of fire and explosion certain basic knowledge is required (e.g., what one must do to eliminate ignition sources, comply with the legislation and regulations, what is unsafe and why etc). Basic knowledge of hazards and the law is tested through the assignments.
7 5. Course Schedule Week Date & Time Lecturer Topic Assignment and Submission dates (see also 'Assessment Tasks & Feedback') Week 9 Monday 25 th September, 9am 5 pm Dr. Tony Green Risk Management of Fire and Explosion, Fire Provisions of the building code, Fundamental fire properties of gases, solids and liquids and their assessment, Bushfire hazard assessment Tuesday 26 th September 9am 5 pm Wednesday 27 th September 9 am 5pm Storage and Transport: DG code and AS1940, Bleve Hazard Assessment, Ignition, Prevention Fire Protection, Explosion Protection Assignment 1 Monday 9 th October 5 pm Assignment 2 Monday 23 rd October 5 pm Assignment 3 Monday 6 th November 5pm *NB: As stated in the UNSW Assessment Policy: one or more tasks should be set, submitted, marked and returned to students by the mid-point of a course, or no later than the end of Week 8 of a 14-week session'
6. Assessment Tasks and Feedback 8 Task % of total mark Assessment Criteria Assignment 1 30 Demonstration of knowledge of the relevant legislation 10% Demonstration of an understanding of the nature of the hazard 5% Demonstration of an understanding of the precautions for prevention 5% Demonstration of an understanding of the controls for fire protection 5% Presentation in report form 5% Assignment 2 30 Site and process description 5% Demonstration of an understanding of fire initiation and development 10% Demonstration of an understanding of material and process hazards assessment 15% Date of Feedback Release Submission WHO WHEN HOW 25 th September 25 th September Monday 9 th October 5 pm Monday 23 rd October 5 pm Dr. Tony Green Dr. Tony Green Within 3 weeks of submission Within 3 weeks of submission Written comments Written comments Assignment 3 40 Scope of Work 5% Identification of Hazards 8% 25 th September Monday 6 th November 5pm Dr. Tony Green Within 3 weeks of submission Written comments Assessment of Risk 8% Proposed Controls 8% Other Issues Arising 6% Presentation 5%
9 7. UNSW Academic Honesty and Plagiarism What is Plagiarism? Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or work of another as one s own. *Examples include: direct duplication of the thoughts or work of another, including by copying material, ideas or concepts from a book, article, report or other written document (whether published or unpublished), composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, web site, Internet, other electronic resource, or another person s assignment without appropriate acknowledgement; paraphrasing another person s work with very minor changes keeping the meaning, form and/or progression of ideas of the original; piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole; presenting an assessment item as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part in collusion with other people, for example, another student or a tutor; and claiming credit for a proportion a work contributed to a group assessment item that is greater than that actually contributed. For the purposes of this policy, submitting an assessment item that has already been submitted for academic credit elsewhere may be considered plagiarism. Knowingly permitting your work to be copied by another student may also be considered to be plagiarism. Note that an assessment item produced in oral, not written, form, or involving live presentation, may similarly contain plagiarised material. The inclusion of the thoughts or work of another with attribution appropriate to the academic discipline does not amount to plagiarism. The Learning Centre website is main repository for resources for staff and students on plagiarism and academic honesty. These resources can be located via: www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism The Learning Centre also provides substantial educational written materials, workshops, and tutorials to aid students, for example, in: correct referencing practices; paraphrasing, summarising, essay writing, and time management; appropriate use of, and attribution for, a range of materials including text, images, formulae and concepts. Individual assistance is available on request from The Learning Centre. Students are also reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one of the identified causes of plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow sufficient time for research, drafting, and the proper referencing of sources in preparing all assessment items. * Based on that proposed to the University of Newcastle by the St James Ethics Centre. Used with kind permission from the University of Newcastle Adapted with kind permission from the University of Melbourne.
10 8. Additional Resources and Support Text Books Course Manual Required Readings Additional Readings Recommended Internet Sites Societies Computer Laboratories or Study Spaces None prescribed. An Introduction to Fire Dynamics, Dougal Drysdale, 2 nd addition, John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0-471-97291-6 is a useful text. There will be no course manual. Pdf files of the notes will be given as a CD at the start of the short course. None prescribed None prescribed (may be advised in individual lectures as appropriate) www.workcover.nsw.gov.au www.austlii.edu.au http://www.nohsc.gov.au Other sites will be given as appropriate in the lectures. NFPA, SFPE ( and their handbooks), IAFSS Students are able to use computers and study spaces in the UNSW library, see http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/web/using/computer-on.html 9. Required Equipment, Training and Enabling Skills Equipment Required None Enabling Skills - training which maybe required to complete this course Students are expected to have completed ELISE and LILT prior to commencing subjects in Safety Science. These programs can be found at the UNSW library website. Students may also find other resources available through UNSW library helpful (see Education and Training at http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/) Students are encouraged to make use of the UNSW Learning Centre, for guidance with writing assignments, referencing and several other academic skills (www.lc.unsw.edu.au)
10. Course Evaluation and Development 11 Evaluative feedback is sought regarding this course using UNSW s Course and Teaching Evaluation and Improvement (CATEI) process. Student feedback is taken seriously, and is used in improving courses in subsequent years. Some lecturers also seek other means of evaluation of their courses. Student involvement in this process is appreciated, and is an essential part of ensuring our courses continue to be improved. The information below conveys how feedback has helped to shape and develop this course. Mechanisms of Review Last Review Date Comments or Changes Resulting from Reviews Major Course Review 2005 Content material was updated and different lecturers became involved in delivery of course material. Several different units of content were added, including safety culture, OHSMSs, psychological hazards. This was done in consultation with Faculty from The Department of Aviation in order to avoid duplication of content between SESC1580 and other courses offered by Aviation. CATEI 2005 This evaluation was conducted in 2005, but results have not yet been received. Student Focus Group This means of evaluation has not been used. Other 2005 Informal feedback from students at the end of the course generally showed most were happy with how the course proceeded.
11. Administration Matters 12 Academic Governance In addition to reading the guidelines provided in this course profile, students should read the School of Safety Science s Academic Governance document, which is available at the School s web page www.safesci.unsw.edu.au. This document contains information regarding School assessment policy, late penalties, appeals and grievances, and staff expectations of students, and what students can expect from staff. Assignment Submissions The coversheet for assignments can be found on the School website and must be attached to all assignments (www.safesci.unsw.edu.au and LINK) Occupational Health and Safety Information on OHS is available on the Schools Website, as well as in the Academic Governance document Examination Procedures Equity and Diversity See Academic governance document and www.my.unsw.edu.au Those students who have a disability that requires some adjustment in their teaching or learning environment are encouraged to discuss their study needs with the course convener prior to, or at the commencement of, their course, or with the Equity Officer (Disability) in the Equity and Diversity Unit (9385 4734 or www.equity.unsw.edu.au/disabil.html). Issues to be discussed may include access to materials, signers or note-takers, the provision of services and additional exam and assessment arrangements. Early notification is essential to enable any necessary adjustments to be made. Information on designing courses and course outlines that take into account the needs of students with disabilities can be found at: www.secretariat.unsw.edu.au/acboardcom/minutes/coe/disabilityguidelines.pdf Grievance Policy Students should first discuss problems with the course convener. If this is not possible, then the following people are available to help or pursue a complaint. School Contact Faculty Contact University Contact Dr. Amanda Hayes a.hayes@unsw.edu.au Tel: 9385 4200 See also Academic governance document and myunsw.edu.au Dr Noel Whitaker Associate Dean (Education) n.whitaker@unsw.edu.au Tel: 9385 7930 or Dr Ian McFarlane Associate Dean (Student Affairs) i.mcfarlane@unsw.edu.au Tel: 9385 6122 Graduate Research School Tel: 9385 2969 University Counselling Services Tel: 9385 5418
13 12. Specific assessment information (see general information in section 6) Assignment 1 The attached diagram shows the layout of a workshop that is used for spray painting of motor vehicles. The room is approximately 16m square and is built on the back of a larger workshop with a spray paint booth and paint storage and mixing area as shown. The paints that are used are a mixture of class 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 flammable liquids in 1 litre to 4 litre tins. Additional liquid fuel sources include a 20 litre drum of thinners. Prepare a report for the owner of the premises on the fire risks and the precautions that should be applied to prevent fire from occurring and the controls that should be put in place for fire protection. Note that this will involve researching the requirements of the legislation and standards that are applicable to this situation. The assignment is worth 30% of the total marks. 16 m Paint Store and Mixing Room Spray Booth 16 m Roller door to outside Roller door to outside Roller door to other workshop
Assignment 2 14 Choose a chemical or process site in your neighbourhood. You will need the owner s or operator s permission to obtain information about the site and this will require explaining what you are doing and why you need the information. If you need to contact the course authority for this, do so. If you cannot find a site, then the course authority has a site that can be used for the exercise. Provide an overview of the site and what processes are used. Discuss how fire and explosion can be initiated on the site and how it will spread. Assess the nature of these hazards from a material and process perspective. The assignment is worth 30% of the overall mark. Assignment 3 Based on Assignment 2 develop a fire survey for the site. This should be in report form with recommendations to the owner or operator. Identify the risks from fire and explosion and discuss the controls that you would use to reduce and mitigate the risk, particularly in relation to passive prevention and protection measures that can be designed into the site or within the management system and active measures that are also needed for the site. Discuss any other issues arising. The assignment is worth 40% of the overall mark
15 The University Of New South Wales School of Safety Science Sydney NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA Assignment Cover Sheet Please fill in all the details requested on this form, and attach it to your assignment Office Use Only Date Received Student ID Last name First name Course code Session Year Date submitted 2006 Assignment Topic number: Declaration I declare that this assessment item is my own work, except where acknowledged, and has not been submitted for academic credit elsewhere, and acknowledge that the assessor of this item may, for the purpose of assessing this item: reproduce this assessment item and provide a copy to another member of the University; and/or communicate a copy of this assessment item to a plagiarism checking service (which may then retain a copy of the assessment item on its database for the purpose of future plagiarism checking). I certify that I have read and understood the University rules in respect of Student Academic Misconduct. Signed (if submitting electronically, enter your full name and e-mail address in place of signing) Date