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Where does ASME B31.3 specifically require a Hydrostatic Relief Valve (HRV)
Unfortunately, the code is not as clear as I would like, and I do get a lot of pushback when I encounter high-expansion fluids in hazardous-materials piping. I deal with a lot of liquids that are Highly Toxic, Flammable, and some that are both, which also have a high coefficient of expansion. So, in this article, I hope to explain why B31.3 requires HRVs on some piping and why the code actually requires...
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Wrong Chemical - Wrong Tank (Cl2)
A chemical gas leak at a Water Plant resulted in three people being transported to the hospital. The leak was a result of a chemical reaction of the chemical “alum” being mistakenly added to two tanks of bleach, creating chlorine gas. At around 2 p.m., the Portage County Hazardous Materials Team responded to an incident at the plant. At 2:49 p.m., they issued a shelter-in-place warning...
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Fail-Safe Engineered System?
Under certain conditions, the IFC allows “Fail-Safe Engineered Systems” in lieu of “emergency backup power” for safety-critical systems such as ventilation, treatment, or temperature control systems. The code states: 5004.7.2 Fail-safe engineered systems. Standby power for mechanical ventilation, treatment systems and temperature control systems shall not be required where...
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Top 10 OSHA Cases in the History of OSHA
Seven (7) of the Top 10 OSHA citations were in General Industry; Three (3) were in construction. Of the Top 10 citations, ALL were issued in 2010 or earlier, dating back to 1989. Process Safety, Flammable Liquids, and Combustible Dusts drive the top four (4) citations ($114,251,500) The three (3) construction cases totaled $23,230,000 … HomeRead More »
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Another coworker starts a commercial grinder while a worker is performing servicing and maintenance (4 fingers amputated)
We see this all the time, although many folks think it is rare – why I am not sure, as this scenario is 100% why OSHA promulgated the Energy Control Standard in 1989, to PREVENT someone from energizing a machine/equipment while someone is performing servicing/mainteance on it. On Jan. 29, 2026, a worker was tasked with cleaning a commercial grinder. A co-worker stepped on the machine’s foot-control...
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CISA and Partners Urge Hardening Automatic Tank Gauge Systems
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—hereafter referred to as “the authoring organizations”—are...
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N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues a stop-sale order on "Ignik TapRack 4" brand Refillable Propane System
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a stop-sale order for the Ignik TapRack 4 Refillable Propane System. This device failed to meet several safety standards enforced by the department’s Standards Division. Manufacturers and distributors will have six months to remove these products from retail locations. Online sales shall include a note that these products are not...
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The two-word phrase "at least" carries a huge impact in safety
I have discussed the phrase “at least” in 39 articles I have posted over the 30 years of SAFTENG’s existence. Most of my references are to process safety matters, but it is also widely used in OSH standards and codes. And still today, it is as big a “trap” as it was when I started my professional safety career in 1993. For example, two (2) of the RAGAGEPs I spend a...
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Is it an issue when one (1) threaded rod/bolt is longer than the others when on a flange?
Yes, having threaded rods of inconsistent lengths on a single flange is a mechanical integrity concern. While it may seem like a minor aesthetic issue, it directly impacts the ability to achieve a secure, uniform pressure boundary. Why Inconsistent THREADED Rod/Bolt Lengths are a Problem … HomeRead More »
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"Weep Holes" are not just for draining rainwater
In an early post this morning, I discussed the need for “rain caps” and “weep holes” on our Pressure Safety Relief systems. And a dear friend and great ChemE reminded me that “weep Holes” are not just for draining rainwater. For example, this week I was working with an NH3 client, and I must state that NH3 gas can absolutely condense into liquid in the vent discharge...
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Do I need a "weep hole" at my PSV discharge if I have a "rain cap" on the end of my vent lines/discharge piping?
Yes, we still need to consider drainage at the low point of our discharge piping, even with a “rain cap”. While a rain cap is designed to deflect direct vertical precipitation from entering the discharge lines/piping, it is not a hermetic seal. Over time, moisture can still enter the discharge piping through condensation, wind-driven rain, or melting frost/snow. Looks look at ASME Section...
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An explosion in the dryer system injured three workers
During a maintenance shutdown at a wood pellet plant, three workers employed by a mill machinery service company were working at the mill to clean the burner. The workers were standing at the opening of a burner door when an explosion occurred in the dryer system. The three workers were knocked backward by the force of the explosion and suffered burn injuries. … HomeRead More »
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