TOPIC:
Extinguishing Fires through Reliability
INSTRUCTOR(S):
-
Spencer de Klerk is the General Supervisor of Waste Processing and Conversion for the City of Edmonton, where he oversees the processing of over 100,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually. Spencer has extensive experience in maintenance management, with a focus on enhancing operational reliability and minimizing downtime. He has led the implementation of strategies to address challenges such as the increase in fires caused by improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries. This includes optimizing waste processing operations to identify and remove hazardous materials, implementing preventative maintenance strategies, and collaborating with suppliers to introduce various technologies that protect rotating equipment.
DETAILS:
One (1) hour presentation, including up to 15 min. Q&A
DESCRIPTION:
The Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) has experienced a significant increase in fires caused by improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries since 2020. This issue affects facilities across many jurisdictions. These fires pose a significant threat to the reliable operation of rotating equipment (e.g., shredders, conveyors, and sorting systems) that are critical to waste processing. To address this, the City of Edmonton Waste Services division implemented a multi-faceted approach focused on enhancing operational reliability and minimizing downtime through proactive fire prevention. This presentation will detail how the EWMC optimized its waste processing operations to identify and remove potentially hazardous materials from rotating equipment, resulting in an 83% reduction in fires.