It has grown tiresome, but it remains a teachable moment, to debate “engineers” who want part of ASME/NBIC to be the gospel and other parts not so much. The ammonia refrigeration industry just can’t seem to grasp the critical need in their “Common PRV Header Design” v.s. having more “holes in the roof” (as they…...
The National Board on “intervening valves” in the PRV path (Car Seal) Read More »
Recently I was asked if “torquing” threaded pipe is required by code. I answered the inquiry by referring the client to ASME B1.20.1-2013, which states: 1.4 Sealing (NPT and NPSC Only)…1.4.3 Tightening Torque.Due to application-specific variables such as materials, wall thickness, operating pressures, etc., no guidance is given in this Standard regarding joint-tightening torque. However,…...
Threaded Piping Connections and Hazardous Materials Read More »
Another incident where the lack of respect for static electricity and flammable atmospheres results in severe injuries. A Teflon bristle brush generates a lot of static electricity; coupled with the low flashpoint of Naptha (73F) and we have a serious hazard. At 5:30 a.m. on February 24, 2020, an employee, 42, was scrubbing interior surfaces…...
FACT: Most flammable liquid vapors have a Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) of less than 1 millijoule (mJ). Most of us do not even feel static which is less than 15 mJ. So the amount of energy necessary to ignite most flammable vapor atmospheres is not even observable by humans. At 6:15 p.m. on October 30,…...
Switch Loading + Static Electricity = Fatal Burns Read More »
At 2:45 p.m. on May 31, 2024, Employee #1, 39, was performing welding work on a diesel fuel tank. During the welding process, an explosion occurred, resulting in the employee’s fatal injuries. The explosion was caused by overpressure inside the tank, which caused metal parts to be ejected. Emergency services responded to the scene, but…...
Welding on Diesel Tank results in fatality Read More »
The 2024 IFC does a nice job of defining our options for work areas where compressed gases that are ASPHYXINATS are stored or used. A client wanted to use Argon, Nitrogen, and Helium in their Labs, and we were asked if this posed a hazard. We took the “inherently safe design” option first, which is…...
INERT GASES – Ventilation and/or Detection? Read More »
This video is an excellent visual of the expansion ratio of Liquified Natural Gas. During a transfer, a ship broke free and stretched the hose until it broke. It was all captured on cellphone video…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
LNG Hose Failure during Ship-to-Ship Transfer (Video) Read More »
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is issuing this safety advisory notice to request that consumers, retailers, shippers, and DOT-regulated entities ensure their cylinders containing hazardous gases are in compliance with the hazardous materials regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts 171-180) by verifying their cylinders are marked in accordance with a DOT specification or…...
On October 17, 2007, a wiring employee came to a press brake to get more pieces from Employee #1, a press operator. Employee #1 turned and put down a piece, collapsed to the floor, and experienced convulsions. The wiring employee panicked and asked the laser operator for help. The laser operator cleared the area. As…...
Inert Gases pose serious hazards when not managed properly Read More »
At 8:30 a.m. on May 24, 2018, Employee #1, 45, set up a booth representing the control laboratory for a safety day event at the plant, which involved approximately 1,000 employees, visitors, and vendors. Employee #1 wanted a fog effect at the booth to attract visitors. Employee #1 made plans to have coworker #1 get…...
When the “Safety Day” does not go as hoped! (N2 in a “flammable safety can”) Read More »
On July 12, 2024, an employee, 74, at a campground resort was attempting to add sodium hypochlorite to a bulk supply container to recharge the swimming pool. The employee added sodium hypochlorite to a container of sulfuric acid and was overcome by the vapors generated by the mixture. The employee was killed due to the…...
WRONG CHEMICAL – WRONG TANK (Hypochlorite to Sulfuric Acid= Cl2) Read More »
With Ohio being a state that allows recreational marijuana use, the construction of marijuana facilities has begun. The Fire Marshal in the state of Colorado created a task force to deal with the hazards of these facilities in CO. Using the International Fire, Building, and Mechanical Codes, they wrote an excellent document called Marijuana Facility…...
Marijuana Facility Guidance Read More »
