Due to the rapid growth of Electronic commerce (E-commerce), the
consumption paradigm is shifting quickly from the offline to the online.
In the past, logistics centers were simply used for storage purposes.
However, they are now being equipped with h...
Due to the rapid growth of Electronic commerce (E-commerce), the
consumption paradigm is shifting quickly from the offline to the online.
In the past, logistics centers were simply used for storage purposes.
However, they are now being equipped with high-end technologies such
as : automation for fast deliveries, enlargement to store the variety of
products that meet the diverse demands of consumers, integration for
effective and safe storage of products, and other smart technologies
related to logistics equipment. As a result of this transformation,
logistics centers are ever more susceptible to fire disasters and is
increasing to become sources of calamities.
This research was conducted for the purpose of finding focal
managerial points of risk factors by analyzing the causes of large fire
disasters in logistics centers that have been repeatedly happening every
year, even with the strong political drive for stringent regulations and
standards. Also, this research, through risk assessment and risk matrix
analysis, seeks to categorize risks according to different stages and
analyze the different factors for fires based on precedent studies and
major case studies.
Through analysis of major fire cases and precedent studies, a total of
49 risk factors could be found. Also, a survey was conducted on
personnels working in logistics centers (including managers of logistics
center construction and development, technicians for operation of logistics
centers) for the purpose of analyzing risk factors based on “Occurrence
Possibility Scale(F), Impact Size Scale(M), Susceptibility Scale(V).”
Relative analysis was conducted to analyze the risk factors, and as a
result, the top 20 risk factors were identified. Based on the influence of
each scale and on the basis of this result, the following focal managerial
points for the construction and development stage, and operation stage
were found for the prevention of fire disasters.
The main risk factor for fire occurrence during the “construction and
development stage” was the「fire occurrence due to use of sandwich
panels with decreased fire proof ability for finishing materials」and 7
other factors. The main risk factor during the “operation stage” was the
「increased personnel casualties due to limited escape routes during
disperse of mass poisonous gases」and 9 other factors. The main risk
factor during “all stages” encompassing both construction and
development, and operation stages was 「fire occurrences due to welding
sparks on the middle heat insulating layer (urethane foam, styrofoam)」
and 4 other factors.
Next, according to the risk matrix analysis, the impact of the effect,
the severity of the occurrence, and the probability of occurrence of the
risks were specified by ranking from the highest of the risks.
Afterwards, the highest of the risks were categorized by “Risk –
Extreme factor, Risk - Very High factor, Risk - High factor, and Risk -
Medium factor.”
Also, the relationship between the scales F(probability),
V(susceptibility), M(impact) were analyzed and the scales F(probability),
V(susceptibility), M(impact) all had a high correlation. Also, it was found
that the consciousness of problems on occurrence were relatively lower
than susceptibility and impact, leading to conclude that education and
training in the industrial site is required increase awareness of the
continuous threat of fire disasters are required.
In conclusion, the high risk factors of fire disasters, that were derived
from this research in the construction and development, and operation
stages, must be managed by risk levels and timely preventive measures
must be set up and finally be managed according to the characteristics
of the logistics centers.