This recent event is an excellent example of why vessels have Minimum Design Metal Temperatures (MDMT) and what can happen when they are exceeded. It also is a nice example of how API RP 579-1 / ASME FFS-1, Fitness-For-Service standard can be used to ensure a vessel is fit for continued service. On January 22, 2018, […]
The French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS) conducted a study to examine how anhydrous ammonia would behave under a number of different release sceanrios. The main aims of this study were: to analyse the risks represented by facilities using quantities of ammonia of up to a few dozen tonnes to complete knowledge on the
I am not quite sure why they did this, but the ICC decided that the requirements for “leak detection” and “emergency shutoff” for high hazard gases and liquids ONLY apply when the “maximum allowable quantity per control” area is exceeded. This was done by moving these requirements from Section 5003 where they applied to any quantity
Due to the potential environmental impact, there has been a shift to consider use of natural refrigerants, which have a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) than traditional fluorocarbon based refrigerants. One type of natural refrigerant are hydrocarbons (e.g. propane), which are classified as Class A3 refrigerants per ASHRAE Standard 34. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a charge limit
This week the CSB issued their report and video on the Kansas WRONG CHEMICAL – WRONG TANK incident. The CSB found that over the years a number of injuries have occurred as a result of similar incidents involving inadvertent mixing during unloading. PHMSA reviewed serious incident data involving bulk loading and unloading of hazardous materials transported via highway
This week the state of Oregon removed the prohibition of citizens fueling their own vehicles at gas pumps; leaving the state of New Jersey as the sole state that prohibits their citizens from pumping their own gas. Here is an excellent article explaining how these prohibitions began in New Jersey. But the reaction of the
In 2007 the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) revised their standard #34 to include a new Flammability Classification called “2L” Refrigerants. This new class is based on burning velocities and their lower pressure rise when they are ignited. The IFC 2018 Edition has caught up and now includes some specific requirements and exemptions for
In our line of work, we come across some real doozies when it comes to fire protection arrangements. One of the more common issues we come across is the obstruction of sprinkler heads. Since 1980 OSHA has required that we maintain our storage at least 18″ below any sprinkler head. 1910.159(c)(10) Sprinkler spacing. The employer
I am working on a code evaluation project, and the client had a different interpretation (more strict) that I did so I reached out to the Ohio Fire Marshal to settle the discussion. The question arose as to how much flammable solid(s) can one store without having to raise the occupancy classification to an “H.” TABLE 307.1, Maximum
The state and federal political climate is just crazy these days! We now have one of our original 13 colonies claiming they have a constitutional right to manage their state EPCRA program as they see fit and not how Federal EPA believes it should be managed and how their own 2015 Manual said it was to
The 2017 Ohio Fire Code has been validated by JCARR and will become effective on Dec. 15. The 2017 version of the Ohio Fire Code is essentially the International Code Council’s 2015 International Fire Code with the incorporation of certain relevant provisions of that code. Education opportunities on the new code will be available in spring 2018. Except as
