"There is no guaranteed protection against missile or drone debris impacts as well as fires that may arise at energy facilities. However, it is quite possible to reduce damage through a combination of active and passive fire protection measures," he states.
According to the expert, it would be prudent to establish a special government commission in the near future to audit the readiness of energy enterprises for the winter season in general, and specifically to assess the availability of necessary fire protection measures.
In particular, this includes the presence of passive fire protection systems that can contain the spread of flames, as well as ensuring the capability for personnel evacuation. The use of fire-retardant materials for building finishes is also crucial. Additionally, enterprises should be equipped with autonomous firefighting systems that can operate even during a blackout, the expert emphasizes.
There is also a pressing need to equip critical infrastructure facilities with modern fire protection equipment that is already available on the global market.
According to Lyubchenko, Ukrainian enterprises require wireless remote fire control systems. There is also a need for specialized equipment within explosion-proof enclosures—systems that can extinguish fires in electrical cabinets, at mobile communication stations, and in transportation. It is essential to ensure that most enterprises, including large energy facilities such as nuclear power plants, are equipped with autonomous fire protection systems for control panels.
This equipment is manufactured by companies from Italy, the UK, and Germany. To acquire it, enterprise leaders and owners should seek government support, notes Lyubchenko.