Recently a fire district posted a video of a HIT occurring on a gasoline storage tank at a residence in Alaska. In their posting, they called the event a BLEVE and technically speaking we can see (as I show below) that this event was NOT a BLEVE. A Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) is…...
A safety feature(flanged connection)failure in a refrigeration system released 10 to 20 lbs of ammonia intended to be contained. The ammonia refrigeration system is designed to operate at 250 Psig. The system uses welded or flanged connections to connect components such as compressors, condensers, evaporators, and liquid receivers. Piping and fittings including flanges, different types…...
PSM/RMP covered processes that operate above 15 psi will have relief valves to protect pressure containing components such as vessels, piping, pumps, compressors, etc. It is standard practice that these relief valves get changed out at least every five (5) years or so; please follow your RAGAGEP and/or the RV manufacturer instructions for specific change/test…...
A baseline of every 5 years is recommended; however, there are some critical exceptions that would require more frequent inspections. And if the process is CLEAN (e.g., Non-Fouling), we could go 10 years WHEN the manufacturer permits. Here is a breakdown of these frequencies, using API 576 and NB Part 4…. Membership Required You must...
ASME B31.3 does not permit the use of an “ASME Section V Pressure Change Test” as a substitute for the mandatory leak testing requirements (hydrostatic, pneumatic, or initial service leak test) defined in Chapter VI of the B31.3 Code. Why It Cannot Be Used as a Substitute:… Membership Required You must be a member to...
Sorry, I have not seen any actual citations or details of how this incident occurred, but I will update if I get anything. A chemical supplier and an Ingredients’ facility have been fined $1 million each for violating the federal Clean Air Act when a cloud of toxic chlorine gas was released over Atchison, Kan.,…...
Today, the EPA’s RMP Info Center published the following guidance on the REVISED emergency coordination activities in the RMP Rule. The Risk Management Program regulations require owners and operators of stationary sources to coordinate their response needs ANNUALLY, or more frequently if necessary, with local emergency planning and response organizations (40 CFR §68.93(a)). Are stationary…...
UPDATED 6/4/2020 with an FR face-covering item. (NOT an endorsement!) Westex UltraSoft® FR Face Mask 7oz. Westex UltraSoft® 88% Cotton / 12% High Tenacity Nylon Sizes: Regular Colors: Orange (OR) Style: FR9805 Source: https://rascofr.com/product-category/face-covering/ Last week the good folks are DuPont opened a can of proverbial worms that about a dozen of us have been…...
5705.3.7 Rooms or buildings for quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area.Where required by Section 5705.3.5.3 or 5705.3.6.1, rooms or buildings used for the use, dispensing, or mixing of flammable and combustible liquids in quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area shall be in accordance with Sections 5705.3.7.1 through 5705.3.7.6.3…. Membership...
Date of incident: March 2014 Notice of incident number: 2014155400035 Employer: Heavy equipment manufacturer Incident summary Two workers were bending aluminum tubing as they assembled a decanting post, a metal pipe structure used to decant liquid natural gas from tanks. Another worker was pressure testing a nearby decanting post to identify leaks. An explosion occurred…...
These were found as I was doing a design spec for a new NH3 Supply Business. These items are directly from the owner’s manual and were presented to the engineering firm after a “debate” on the reliance on Excess Flow Valve(s). These are about the three best manufacturer’s rules for EFVs I have ever seen! …...
We have discussed the requirements for welder certification and their documentation, pressure and leak testing and its documentation, but the one area that I have not covered yet is the documentation of the Welding Inspector(s). As we have said, the certified (“coded”) welder makes the weld(s) and then BEFORE any testing, a certified welding inspector…...
