Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the statutory authority to set phase-out dates for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and to evaluate potential risks posed by proposed ODS substitutes. Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, EPA promulgated regulations to phase…...
We have all seen the social media posts of these high-expansion foam systems discharging, and we watch in amazement at their efficiency in filling an airplane hanger. Some of these videos are from “system testing,” and some are from accidental discharges. But someone always asks the question: Could someone survive inside the foam? Here is…...
ATF Louisville said it has definitively identified the origin of last week’s deadly plant explosion. The investigation led them to the origin of the explosion: Cooking Vessel No. 6 on the South side of the facility. They can say that the vessel failed definitively… it was likely an issue with overpressurization. Some of that vessel…...
This week, a LinkedIn post by Ed Davidson garnered some comments that disagreed with my comments about how the video should be used to show HOW NOT to respond to a fire that is (IMPO) beyond its incipient stage. As I had stated in my comments, some will celebrate the actions of those involved rather…...
A couple of KEY items, reading between the lines: https://www.csb.gov/assets/1/6/cuisine_solutions_investigation_update_-_final_to_publish1.pdf… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Is it OSHA’s intent that Incident Commanders be 24-hour HAZWOPER trained irrespective of their actual working location during an incident, e.g., if they are located off-scene, outside of the contaminated area or far from the incident, and are never actually exposed to the site hazards? OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard does not vary the required training for Incident…...
It never ceases to amaze me how businesses will cut corners in fundamental safety protections. Recently, I came across fire extinguishers that were not “approved” by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). This was discovered during a 5-year REVAL PHA after the facility suffered a failure of one of its extinguishers that caused damage to…...
Is your facility using Building Information Signs for emergency responders? This requirement from the International Fire Code (IFC) is rarely adopted by states, but this is a great thing, especially when coupled with a Knox-Box access. Here is how the Fire Service – Building Information Signs are supposed to look and say… J101.1 SCOPE New…...
OSHA clarifies HAZWOPER training requirements for on-scene Incident Commanders and other positions in the Incident Command System (ICS) and whether previous non-HAZWOPER training can be credited toward the training required by HAZWOPER for Incident Commanders. Here are the four (4) questions OSHA discusses: Is it OSHA’s intent that Incident Commanders be 24-hour HAZWOPER trained, irrespective…...
Overview: A tire blowout occurs after the mechanical failure of the tire or rim assembly at pressures typically around 145 psi. Tires exposed to heat may undergo the process described below and violently explode. Explosive Process: There are three (3) phases leading to a tire explosion: 1. Air pressure inside the tire will rise from…...
This BLEVE occurred on the BR-010 highway in Paragominas, northeast of Pará, Brazil, on July 3, 2024. At least six people were injured, including firefighters and a news crew (July 3, 2024). The news crew suffered second-degree burns but received medical attention at a Regional Hospital and are expected to make full recoveries. The news…...
In April 2023, EPA published a report on the first survey conducted of the State Emergency Response Commissions. The purpose of the survey was to learn how the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act is currently implemented at the state and local levels, as required by the 1986 legislation, as well as its amendments of…...
