Authors :
Biruk Demessie Girmu
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 9 - September
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/sjkuuazn
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/mrxpaeym
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep416
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Abstract :
Fire suppression remains a critical concern for households, industries, and municipalities. Traditional agents such
as halons, phosphate powders, and foams have been effective, but they pose risks related to toxicity, environmental damage,
and cost (Babrauskas, 2003; UNEP, 2020). This paper introduces a conceptual framework for sustainable fire suppression
technologies derived from limestone (CaCO3), emphasizing their potential to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective
alternatives to conventional extinguishers. The proposed approach highlights the conversion of limestone into calcium
hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), creating a dual suppression mechanism: thermal absorption, chemical
neutralization, and oxygen displacement.
The study integrates a review of existing suppression methods, the thermodynamics of limestone transformations, and
a proposed methodology for production and testing. The framework aligns fire safety with green chemistry and circular
economy principles (Anastas & Warner, 2000), while case-based reflections demonstrate potential applications across cement
plants, residential complexes, transportation, and electrical systems. Key strengths such as abundance, affordability, and
sustainability are discussed alongside limitations, including storage challenges and CO2 handling risks.
The findings suggest that limestone-derived suppressants could reshape material engineering by advancing sustainable
mineral applications, optimizing particle properties for enhanced performance, and promoting industrial reuse of CO2.
While conceptual in nature, this work establishes the foundation for future research involving experimental validation,
nanostructured formulations, hybrid systems, and real-world trials.
Keywords :
Fire Suppression, Calcium Hydroxide, Carbon Dioxide, Limestone, Sustainability, Material Engineering, Circular Economy.
References :
- Anastas, P. T., & Warner, J. C. (2000). Green chemistry: Theory and practice. Oxford University Press.
- Babrauskas, V. (2003). Ignition handbook. Fire Science Publishers.
- Boynton, R. S. (1980). Chemistry and technology of lime and limestone (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
- Chen, X., Xu, Y., Li, Z., & Liu, J. (2021). Bio-based fire retardants: Current trends and future perspectives. Progress in Organic Coatings, 151, 106041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2020.106041
- Drysdale, D. (2011). An introduction to fire dynamics (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
- Kaczmarek, M. (2018). Carbon dioxide as a fire suppression agent: Benefits and limitations. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 28(1), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042391517739752
- Liu, Y., Zhang, H., & Sun, J. (2020). Performance and residue analysis of dry chemical extinguishing agents. Fire Safety Journal, 113, 102978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2020.102978
- Morgan, A. B., & Wilkie, C. A. (2014). Flame retardant polymer nanocomposites. John Wiley & Sons.
- Qian, L., Guo, C., & Wang, Y. (2019). Advances in nanomaterial-based fire retardants. Materials Today, 23, 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2018.11.001
- Seow, J. (2013). Firefighting foams with perfluorochemicals—Environmental review. United Nations Environment Programme.
- Sharma, R., & Prasad, B. (2019). Thermal decomposition of calcium hydroxide: Kinetics and applications. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 138(1), 441–450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-019-08123-5
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020). Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer: 2019 assessment report of the Scientific Assessment Panel. UNEP.
Fire suppression remains a critical concern for households, industries, and municipalities. Traditional agents such
as halons, phosphate powders, and foams have been effective, but they pose risks related to toxicity, environmental damage,
and cost (Babrauskas, 2003; UNEP, 2020). This paper introduces a conceptual framework for sustainable fire suppression
technologies derived from limestone (CaCO3), emphasizing their potential to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective
alternatives to conventional extinguishers. The proposed approach highlights the conversion of limestone into calcium
hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), creating a dual suppression mechanism: thermal absorption, chemical
neutralization, and oxygen displacement.
The study integrates a review of existing suppression methods, the thermodynamics of limestone transformations, and
a proposed methodology for production and testing. The framework aligns fire safety with green chemistry and circular
economy principles (Anastas & Warner, 2000), while case-based reflections demonstrate potential applications across cement
plants, residential complexes, transportation, and electrical systems. Key strengths such as abundance, affordability, and
sustainability are discussed alongside limitations, including storage challenges and CO2 handling risks.
The findings suggest that limestone-derived suppressants could reshape material engineering by advancing sustainable
mineral applications, optimizing particle properties for enhanced performance, and promoting industrial reuse of CO2.
While conceptual in nature, this work establishes the foundation for future research involving experimental validation,
nanostructured formulations, hybrid systems, and real-world trials.
Keywords :
Fire Suppression, Calcium Hydroxide, Carbon Dioxide, Limestone, Sustainability, Material Engineering, Circular Economy.