Emergency Response

Can a flammable liquid, that is a liquid at standard temperature and pressure, actually BLEVE?

Yes, absolutely. A BLEVE is not restricted to materials that are gases at standard temperature and pressure (STP), such as propane, butane, or anhydrous ammonia. Any liquid—even non-flammable ones like water, as seen in catastrophic boiler explosions—can BLEVE if the right thermodynamic conditions are met prior to vessel failure.

Today marks the 1-year Anniversary of “The Back Bay Blaze” where UNSAFE Hot Work Practices claimed the lives of two Boston FF’s

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the 2014 Boston Brownstone fire that claimed the lives of two Boston firefighters, Lt. Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy.  The fire was found to have started from welding that took place on a metal handrail in a unit next door.  The 2014 fire was a nine-alarm fire that took place

Crude By Rail Emergency Response 4-Hour Web-based Training

Availability of DHS Crude By Rail (CBR) Emergency Response 4-Hour Web-based Training. Here is the information concerning course content and registration: Course Description — Crude By Rail (CBR) Emergency Response 4-Hour Web-based Training This program is designed for first responders with railroads passing through their jurisdiction. You will learn basic knowledge to respond to incidents

Means of Egress: Handrails (USFA)

  Source: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/coffee-break/cb_fp_2014_49.pdf NOTE:  If you work in the USA, you must also comply with OSHA’s Handrail requirements found in 1910.23(e)(5)(i)… 1910.23(e)(5)(i) A handrail shall consist of a lengthwise member mounted directly on a wall or partition by means of brackets attached to the lower side of the handrail so as to offer no obstruction

Severe Weather Shelter Areas in our EAP

ICC-500, ICC/NSSA Standard on the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, establishesMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS for structures and spaces designated as hurricane, tornado, or combination shelters. The standard addresses the design of such shelters from the perspective of the structural requirements for high wind conditions and addresses minimum requirements for the interior environment during a storm event.

Safety Showers can make great FIRST STAGE DECON station

When I teach Emergency Response courses at fixed facilities I encourage the facility to use their safety showers as their first stage (and often the only stage) of decontamination during an emergency response.  For years, fixed facility personnel attended HAZMAT training with local fire departments where they were taught the traditional 4-6 stage decon line

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