On November 25, 2020, an explosion and fire occurred at an industrial facility in Houston BC. The facility utilizes a system incorporating a large natural gas-fired air heater to dry wood fiber material for the purpose of wood pellet production. The facility had recently been experiencing issues with operating conditions with the dryer system. The…...
Houston BC Pellet Dryer Explosion (Technical BC) Read More »
A forklift operator at an industrial site was filling a liquid propane cylinder on the forklift and also heard a hissing sound. The operator then started the forklift and a flash fire explosion occurred at the forklift and propane dispensing system. The facility is an industrial wood processing plant with a propane dispensing system. Propane-fuelled…...
Incorrect set point of LPG hydrostatic relief valve leads to explosion Read More »
On Thursday, July 5th, 1973 at approximately 1:30 pm, two employees of Droxol Propane were in the process of off-loading the contents of the 127 kl (33,500 gal) railroad tank car into two propane storage tanks. When the valves were opened, one of the connections was discovered to be leaking. One of the employees attempted…...
Kingman, AZ BLEVE (7/5/73) Read More »
Back in June of last year (2020), the city of Wenling in China experienced a tragedy that involved a COLD BLEVE of a flammable liquified pressurized gas tanker truck and a subsequent explosion killing 18 people. We have dashcam footage of the COLD BLEVE and it is “textbook” footage of such an event – we…...
“COLD” BLEVE caught on tape Read More »
As you know, I am a huge fan of the FM Global Data Sheets and I still recommend them to all my clients. If your business is too cheap to buy RAGAGEPs, these Data Sheets are by far your next best options as they are FREE. And in some situations, I actually prefer the FM…...
When trying to assure that people will work in a safe environment, it is imperative to understand how a building is intended to be used. The code classification system for buildings is therefore based upon how the building is intended to be used. The safety of building occupants cannot be assured if only the construction…...
Fire Code, Building Code, Mechanical Code and Occupancy Classifications Read More »
We often get asked: Do I neet to install a gas detector in the room? Well, it’s pretty easy in my state, as in most cases we have dealt with, the state fire/HAZMAT code required it. The code includes basic requirements for ALL gas detection systems and covers: construction documents, equipment, power connections, emergency and…...
When is a “gas detection” or “oxygen depletion alarm” system required? Read More »
A few years ago I was asked to participate in a hazard assessment for a manufacturer who wanted to review the procedure for hydrogen-powered vehicles to be freed of hydrogen gas. I got the feeling very early into this hazard assessment that those in the room knew about an event of some type, but wanted…...
Thinking of buying a Hydrogen Powered vehicle? Read More »
Years back a facility had to apply for a “Special Permit” (example of a permit at link) to get an exemption for their HAZMAT Attendance requirements and then it was very specific to the loading/unloading station and came with many caveats. Now 49 CFR 177.834 has this exception built into the standard and it reads:…...
Unloading hose(s) can eliminate the HAZMAT Attendance requirements Read More »
This past week I learned that what used to be allowed only under a “special permit” is now part of the regulation for unloading (and loading) HAZMATs. It was very popular during my time as a safety/PSM manager and all my plants applied for and received the DOT Special permit(s) to unload both Railcars and…...
Unloading HAZMATs with video monitoring and PSM/RMP Read More »
I have always wanted to do this for my own use and over the pandemic, I took the time to compile a breakdown of some of the hazardous materials my clients have into Highly Toxic and Toxic so as to be clear which design requirements apply to which hazardous materials (HAZMATs). For some of these…...
Lists of Lists for “Highly Toxic” and “Toxic” hazardous materials (IFC, IMC, IBC) Read More »
Anhydrous Ammonia is NOT a toxic nor highly toxic gas, as defined by the International Fire Code (IFC). But if it is not managed as a “toxic,” how do we manage our ammonia gas? The IFC actually puts Anhydrous Ammonia in the…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready...
How does the IFC and IMC classify Anhydrous Ammonia? Read More »
