Emergency Response

The 15-Year Service Life Debate for Composite Cylinders (SP 16320)

The most significant friction point involves PHMSA and SCBA Fully Wrapped Carbon-Fiber Reinforced (CFFC) aluminum-lined cylinders on Special Permit 16320 and the use of Modal Acoustic Emission (MAE) testing to extend the life of composite cylinders. Fully Wrapped Carbon-Fiber Reinforced (CFFC) aluminum-lined cylinders have a 15-year service life. PHMSA has investigated and granted limited special…...

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FRC must be the outer layer – NYLON Hi-Vis vest are a problem

In today’s workplaces, it’s hard to find a large business that does not require Hi-Vis Vest/Workwear. What is not hard to find is a business with HAZLOCs where workers are required to wear FRC but are wearing nylon Hi-Vis vests OVER their FRC. I am all for making workers more visible to powered industrial trucks…...

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How often do SCBA cylinders need to be “topped off” to ensure they stay above 90% full?

The amount of breathing air consumed during a monthly SCBA functional test (often referred to as the “monthly inspection” or “flow test”) varies slightly by manufacturer and the specific depth of your inspection/testing SOP. However, for a standard 30-minute/45-cubic-foot cylinder, you can estimate the usage based on the required NFPA 1852 checks…. Membership Required You...

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Gemini+ answers the mystery behind the 2216 psig cylinder pressure

A question I have asked for years, starting back in the late 1980’s when I began wearing SCBAs. I have asked this question to dozens, maybe hundreds of people, way smarter than me, and everyone was stumped. So today I had a lengthy discussion on SCBAs and the question was asked of me again. So…...

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Chemical hoses aren’t the only hoses needing annual inspection and pressure testing!

I have written over a dozen posts explaining the code requirements for annual inspection/testing of our chemical hoses. But in the world of PSM/RMP, there is another hose that requires annual inspection and testing… The primary standard requiring fire hose to be service-tested annually is NFPA 1962, Standard for the Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing,…...

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A FREE TOOL/Resource every safety pro should have in their toolbox – CGA Handbook of Compressed Gases

Did you know? The Compressed Gas Association’s Handbook of Compressed Gases is now available online — completely FREE and publicly accessible. Access it here:  https://handbook.cganet.com For decades, the Handbook has served as a trusted reference for professionals across the industrial, medical, food, beverage, specialty gas, and hydrogen sectors.  Now, CGA has transformed this essential resource into…...

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Visual Quiz – Incidental Release or one requiring an Emergency Response

I get it, it’s a 19-second video, and it will probably stir more questions than responses, but this topic is one that needs MUCH discussion. I have made this page FREE for anyone who wishes to chime in. A couple of items to consider: So what say you? We can discuss this in the comments…...

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The scienece behind “Scrubbing NH3 in water”

Throughout my career, I have been taught that to safely “scrub” 1 pound of NH3, 1 gallon of water is required. I have firsthand experience in this ratio working. So I decided to ask Google Gemini+ to explain this ratio. Looking back at IIAR-2, when we sized a Diffusion Tank for PSV discharge(s), it was…...

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Why we want to ALWAYS Hydrostatically Test our chemical hoses vs. Pneumatically Testing

As I have written many times, our bulk chemical transfer hoses MUST be part of an Inspection and Testing Program. These tests follow the same logic as pressure testing piping, and Hydrostatic Testing is far safer than pneumatic testing. So I asked Google Gemini+ to show me the difference in failure energies to demonstrate this…...

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The history of H2S’s IDLH Limit

The Evolution of the Hydrogen Sulfide IDLH: From Lethality to Escape Impairment The history of the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) value for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) reflects a critical evolution in industrial safety. It highlights a shift from focusing purely on survival to understanding the physiological “tipping points” that prevent a worker from…...

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The history of Br’s IDLH Limits

The Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) history for bromine follows a trajectory similar to that of chlorine, though the data pool has historically been smaller, leading to greater reliance on comparative toxicology…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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The history of Cl2’s IDLH Limits

The Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) value for chlorine has been subject to significant reevaluation since its inception in the 1970s. The history reflects a transition from an early consensus on occupational safety to more rigorous, data-driven toxicological assessments…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a...

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