I was recently involved with an organization that had an issue with overpressuring a 330-gallon plastic tote during their evacuation of their HHC/EHS for process work. So we had a nice discussion about the DIFFERENCE between “draining” and “venting”. The chemical in question is normally a “gas” but is stored as a liquid under pressure…....
These sleeves/pouches are a really handy tool for managing work permits. SDSs, etc., while making them highly visible. In my facilities, we used contractor work permits to control entry, scope of work, and exit for our covered processes. But most contractors had to obtain additional safe work permits for their specific work. And most of…...
As we have discussed before, this old saying is one that has stuck with me from the mid-1990’s when I learned it a process piping course. Catchy phrase – easy to remember. And I still use it, although my 2023 post made it clear it may be a thing of the past. So I asked…...
A little trick you can use when you think you have come across a misaligned flange. No special tools needed, just the key to your house! We recently came across this flange during a process walkdown and pointed it out. Some folks wanted to debate whether it was misaligned. I was 100% confident it was…...
3-way valves have grown in popularity over the past 10-15 years, as they have begun to find their way into relief systems. Today, codes allow “relief trees” to be used, so Pressure Safety Valves can be changed out without emptying and degassing the vessel. The 3-way valve is the means by which the PSV is…...
If you can’t tell, I am having a ball playing with these AI systems. And to be honest, my numbers were a bit more conservative than Gemini and Grok, but darn, they were excellent answers that are SOLID nonetheless. These AI tools may make amazing tools for PRE-PLANNING for Pool Fires and FOAM INVENTORY needs…....
My question: How much water flow in GPM is necessary to cool a 1,000 gallon LPG tank that is involved in a pool fire to prevent it from experiencing a BLEVE? Their answer… Google Gemini is learning who I am! Given your work with SAFTENG.net, you likely know that while 55 GPM is the “engineering”…...
Yes, there are two (2) types of BLEVEs, and much like the myth that BLEVE’s only happen to Pressure Vessels with liquified flammable gases, COLD BELVEs account for nearly 25% of all BLEVEs. So what is the difference between the two? Super GROK explains it better than I could… A BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor…...
I am not sure who, where, and when this dirty little lie began, but we have been seeing an incorrect application of NFPA 70, 500.7(K) Detection System for Flammable Gases, item (3) Interior of a Building or Enclosed Space. It seems businesses are looking for any way out of having an electrically classified area and many are…...
We routinely find facility siting issues when LPG Tank(s) and Flammable Liquid Tank(s) are located in the same area. OSHA, NFPA, IFC, etc., all require a separation distance between the two (2) types of tanks. This is ALL about preventing a setup for a BLEVE, as a pool of flammable liquid finding its way under…...
An ammonia system at an industrial food processing facility over-pressured, activating one of its overpressure safety relief valves. Ammonia was released into the atmosphere for approximately eight (8) minutes until the refrigeration compressor was manually shut down by disconnecting the supply power, and the pressure in the system was reduced. INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS… Membership Required You...
Department of Labor finds New Mexico company wrongfully fired inspector who raised concerns during gas pipeline installation at Oklahoma site OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered a New Mexico-based inspection company to reinstate and compensate a terminated worker who reported safety concerns during the installation of a natural gas pipeline in…...
