Bryan Haywood

NB Part 4 (2021) recognizes RVs venting to a header/manifold and the need for an intervening stop valve

In the 2021 revisions to the National Board Part 4 – Pressure Relief Devices, the code formally recognizes the need for an “intervening valve” on the discharge side of a relief valve.  The code, section 2.5.6 allows this in the following manner:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready...

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Changes to the 2021 Edition of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC)

The 2021 NBIC Draft Edition has been officially approved by the NBIC Committee. The list of major changes found below will appear in the 2021 NBIC.  The four-part set: Part 1- Installation (162 Pages) Part 2- Inspection (402 Pages) Part 3- Repairs and Alterations (312 Pages) Part 4- Pressure Relief Devices (144 Pages) will cost…...

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NEW to 2021 ASME BPVC: Section: XIII – Rules for Overpressure Protection

Much like The National Board did, ASME is now splitting out its relief systems into a new section.  The NB created Part 4 – Pressure Relief Devices in 2017 and now ASME is following suit and has created Section XIII, Rules for Overpressure Protection (available 7/31/21).  This new section in the 2021 edition of the…...

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Upwards and unobstructed, two simple words that cause way too much debate!

For 20 years now, when teaching any of my process safety courses I make the student repeat this three times:  UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED, UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED, UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED.  We do this when we get to the Relief System design basis.  The vents to the atmosphere almost will always be required to be UPWARDS and…...

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Thinking of buying a Hydrogen Powered vehicle?

A few years ago I was asked to participate in a hazard assessment for a manufacturer who wanted to review the procedure for hydrogen-powered vehicles to be freed of hydrogen gas.  I got the feeling very early into this hazard assessment that those in the room knew about an event of some type, but wanted…...

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SPLASH FILLING Hexane leads to explosion (European Process Safety Centre (EPSC)

This is an EXCELLENT 1-page Alert on the hazards of “Splash filling” non-conductive flammable liquids.  SPEED MATTERS, as does process design! To read more on handling non-conductive flammable liquids CLICK HERE… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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EPA issues RMP citations @ power plant (NH3 & $199K)

On January 17, 2020, EPA performed an inspection of the Facility pursuant to Section 112(r) of the CAA, Sections 304-312 of EPCRA, and Section 103 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. Based upon the information gathered during this inspection and subsequent investigation, EPA asserts that Respondent violated certain provisions of the CAA…...

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What the heck is 5-footcandles, why does it matter, and what does it look like?

So in my previous post, we covered the SIZE of the EXIT signs and in this post, I want to cover the “illumination” requirements of these EXIT signs. Simply stated, OSHA and the IBC require the face of the sign to be illuminated to at least 5-foot candles or 54 Lux at ALL TIMES.  Which…...

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Size Matters… ever heard that one before?

Earlier this year we were asked to assist in a site assessment after a tragic accident.  During this assessment, it was hard not to notice all of the brand new exit signs the facility had put up (i.e. stuck up as they were stickers).  These signs were super clean as compared to the rest of…...

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How do we define a “safe employee” and an “unsafe employee”?

Be careful, experience shows that most who read this will find it offensive… Meet “Ed”, he is just a maintenance worker I meet in 1994.  My first impressions of Ed were he was safe (i.e. always followed the safe work practices, always had on his PPE properly, etc.) based on my personal observations.  One day…...

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EPA RMP citations @ chemical manufacturing facility (Cl2 & $100K)

Respondent owns and operates a chemical manufacturing facility that has a chlorine (Cl2) process at the stationary source in excess of the applicable threshold quantity. The chlorine-covered process is subject to the “Program 3” requirements of the Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations and must, among other things, to comply with the Program 3 Prevention Program…...

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Should we allow line break/equipment opening behind a single valve isolation?

I love the Line Break and Equipment Opening (LEO) SWP because it is one of the most hazardous tasks a worker will perform within a covered process AND the fact that there is no OSHA standard dictating how a business manages these risks.  This lack of “OSHA Control” spoon-feeding us safety requirements causes most management…...

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