Global statistics shows that the number of cars worldwide is increasing every year, leading to an increase in the number of worn-out tyres, for which efficient and safe recovering is a problem. There exists a variety of technologies that help get raw materials from recovering worn-out tyres or use them as a source of energy. Recovery of worn-out tires is an urgent necessity worldwide. In accordance with the European Union Directive 1999/31/EC, burial of refuse tyres is prohibited and as an alternative they would have to be recycled. On the one hand, the increasing pace of industrialization is causing ecological problems; while on the other, worn-out tyres are valuable raw materials. A case analysis study-assessment of environmental impact of the performance process of a tyre recovering plant in Lithuania (hereinafter-the object)-was performed. For the object assessment, qualitative and quantitative data acquired by experts during inspection were used. In the study, the authors assess and analyze the impact of potential technogenic risks of the object processes on the environment and population. The aim of the research is to perform risk identification, assess potential consequences and determine their amount. On the basis of the data acquired at the object the authors of the study find out what shortcomings exist in the process of recovering of worn-out tyres, what is the actual situation in the safety system at the object and what are the environmental consequences of emergency situations. The main hazards are caused by the risk of tyre fire, because such fire is very difficult to extinguish and harmful smoke is released as a result of combustion thus contaminating the atmosphere with substances harmful to the environment and human organism. Tyres are combustible material, additional hazards include ecotoxic effects. It was found that at 100-metre distance from the epicenter during fire of the tyre housing concentration was 1.07•10-7 %. Thus, dangerous consequences for people within 100 meters at the ground level are not associated with dangerous concentration of carbon monoxide.

Lightning safety in private and public buildings is a seriously evaluated issue that requires an appropriate and safe long-term solution to protect property from destruction during or due to the consequences of a lightning strike. Relatively easy-to-replace home appliances such as a TV-set or a vacuum cleaner, larger and more expensive appliances such as a heat pump, alarm system or antennas can be damaged from a lightning strike. The aim of the study is to explore the ways of lightning protection in buildings and to develop recommendations for its effective use. Lightning protection is part of a set of electrical assembly and fire protection measures of property, which are performed during construction or renovation of property and the installation thereof is determined by the regulatory framework of the Republic of Latvia. Over time, two types of lightning protection systems have been developed: the classic or passive lightning protection system, which, if hit by lightning, captures and drains the electrical charge generated by lightning to the ground, and the active lightning protection system, which attracts the electricity generated by lightning with energy generated by itself and then drains the charge to the ground. Consequently, both lightning protection systems can be considered to have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is necessary to assess the choice of the most appropriate protection system on a case-by-case basis, also taking into account the criteria such as the complexity of the building project, the size and accessibility of the protected area and the cost of each individual site.

No abstract

The study is related to the improvement of the safety methodology for the application of dangerous chemical substances and the development of binding action and response algorithms for officials of the State Fire and Rescue Service, who first arrive at the sites of the event with the presence of dangerous chemical, biological, radioactive and explosive substances. The safety methodology is intended to quickly provide the primary information needed to the rescue team in the context of action at the site, which will allow for the possible negative effects and risks to the environment to be minimised as soon as possible and more effectively. The examination of the regulatory enactments determining the responsibility of the services and the regulatory documents governing action revealed the limits of the cooperation and responsibility of the services, as well as the division of functions in response to events with the hazardous substances as well as the assessment of the internal regulatory enactments of the services involved in cooperation, allowing for a better assessment of their resources and capacity in the event of an emergency. Also, the manuals, instructions and action algorithms of the European services were evaluated, which were taken into account, tested and used in cooperation between different services in the event of an emergency with dangerous substances. Based on the results of the study, an instruction was developed which included primary information necessary for the head of rescue works, in the context of action at the site, which would allow for the earliest and more efficient reduction of the potential adverse effects and risks to the environment caused by the event. The instruction will be included in the training course programme for the preparedness of fire rescuers and future rescue managers, which will significantly facilitate not only the implementation of the work process but also improve the quality of the training process of the College of Fire Safety and Civil Protection according to modern competencies.