Fires at waste disposal and recycling facilities have long been a part of everyday life. The risks posed by batteries and rechargeable batteries that are not disposed of properly continue to rise and are causing headaches for recycling companies. The Müller-Guttenbrunn Group relies on automatic fire-extinguishing systems, regular fire drills and public awareness campaigns.
Where large quantities of waste materials are collected, sorted and processed, the risk of fire lurks around almost every corner and in every hall. Despite the utmost care and sophisticated sorting procedures, a wide variety of materials come into contact with one another on conveyor systems, in shredders or during storage. This makes it all the more important to identify potential sources of fire at an early stage and to be able to respond within the shortest possible time in the event of an emergency.
Small batteries, big danger
One of the most common sources of danger is incorrectly disposed-of batteries, which are overlooked during sorting despite the utmost care being taken. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly dangerous, as they can generate intense heat and catch fire if damaged, subjected to pressure or short-circuited.
Detecting it before it escalates
Test of the fire protection system at MGG Metrec
The Müller-Guttenbrunn Group has been working intensively on the issue of fire safety for many years. As early as 2014, a fire alarm system was installed in the electronic waste shredding hall at MGG Metrec in Amstetten. In 2019, the system was supplemented with an automatic fire-extinguishing system, representing an investment of around 175,000 euros. The system is designed to automatically detect an emerging fire and begin fire-fighting operations immediately. It uses a mixture of water and foam. A suitably sized water supply enables the system to operate for around 30 minutes. This means the system can intervene before the fire brigade arrives and prevent, or at least limit, the fire from spreading further. At MGG Polymers in Kematen, internal fire drills are also carried out regularly.
Prevention rather than just extinguishing
However, effective fire safety does not begin with the fire-extinguishing system alone. Equally crucial are the careful handling and storage of materials, regular inspections of technical equipment, and staff vigilance. Clear safety procedures and a heightened awareness of potential hazards help to identify risks at an early stage. Regular in-house drills also ensure that staff react correctly should a fire break out. To date, these measures have prevented the situation from getting any worse.
Photos of the MGG Polymers company fire department during fire drills:
