As the experts begin their investigation into the tragedy, I was curious about whether the Co-Gen facility on site played a role. So, using some aerial images, I pieced together the scene as best I could from the accident image and drone footage. This is just how I do my scene examination when my services […]
I recently was helping a client with some questions regarding their CAT 1B Flammable Refrigerant Process and was surprised to see that the “new” MAQ for these refrigerants is 10,000 pounds. Add the footnote exceptions, and we could have 30,000 pounds of this flammable refrigerant in a single fire area, either in “storage” or in
You just knew it was a matter of time before I did this. It took me only 4 revisions to get to this final product. It is NOT perfect, but it is an ACCURATE rendition of how they must be built/installed. The second infographic was me asking the question in a different way and it
Yes, we can absolutely max out the Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs) for multiple different hazard classes within a single control area and still avoid triggering a Group H (Hazardous) occupancy. However, there is also a major caveat regarding how those materials are categorized and whether they pose overlapping physical or health hazards. Here is how
5703.6.8 Piping supports have three (3) recognized methods to protect piping that may be exposed to a “pool fire”. First lets look at the code language: 5703.6.8 Piping supports. Piping systems shall be substantially supported and protected against physical damage and excessive stresses arising from settlement, vibration, expansion, contraction or exposure to fire. The supports
NFPA 496 (Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment) is one of the most powerful engineering tools available for hazardous locations, but it is also one of the most abused standards for HAZLOCs. Like the Combustible Gas Detection System (CGDS) provisions in NFPA 70, NFPA 496 allows a facility to install ordinary, non-classified
In NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code / NEC), the use of a Combustible Gas Detection System (CGDS) is a highly specialized engineering provision. It essentially acts as a “get out of jail free” card—or more accurately, a reclassification tool—for specific industrial locations. When you install a qualified CGDS, the NEC allows you to lower the
Auto-Refrigeration & Flashing and Cold Ambient Exposures We see around a half dozen pressure vessels in a “service” they were not initially designed for. There are literally hundreds of excuses as to why we find these issues, but they are simply excuses. It was not uncommon for us to find a PV in an NH3
NTSB’s historical investigations into major gas and hazardous liquid pipeline ruptures continue to shape current rulemaking tracking. PHMSA has been actively reviewing the established Potential Impact Radius (PIR) calculation methodologies used in integrity management programs. The review aims to determine whether current mathematical models accurately account for human response data, rapid-ignition variables, and modern accident
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
I took these pics for those who may have never seen a FAILED leak test using a “bubble solution”. We have discussed the “sensitivity testing” using the bubble test method many times, as it’s the most common method. I have been using the brand SNOOP my entire career and highly recommend it. (an unpaid endorsement)
We have another tragic example of how dangerous hot work is on used (even new) containers when proper precautions are not taken. This event seriously injured the three (3) workers in Ankara, Turkey, in February 2024. Members can download the video from the video library.
