We see this from time to time: someone drills a hole in the flammable liquids storage cabinet (a major no-no) and runs a power cord inside the cabinet (another no-no), and this electrical device can pose as an ignition source. So, the 2024 IFC added the following requirement. NOTE: This requirement should NEVER be needed,…...
As we have discussed, the 2024 IFC is more friendly towards these “flammable refrigerants.” One such way the code is friendly towards these flammable gases is in 5003.8.3.5.4 Flammable gas… (emphasis by me)… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
The 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) has a new requirement in Section 608 – Mechanical Refrigeration. An “operational permit” is now required for “mechanical refrigeration systems.” The code does not specify which refrigerants are covered, it just requires the permit to operate a mechanical refrigeration unit or system…… Membership Required You must be a member...
Respondent formerly operated an ammonia refrigeration process at a distribution center and warehouse, maintaining a maximum inventory of the regulated toxic substance anhydrous ammonia at the facility exceeding the threshold of 10,000 pounds. At the Facility, the respondent operated a process, as defined in 40 C.F.R. ยง 68.3, that includes the use, storage, handling, and…...
I have asked for a formal response regarding this change, which was NOT noted in the 2021 edition as a change; however, it is a change in text and application. In the 2018 edition, Chapter 50 stated: Piping, tubing, valves, and fittings conveying hazardous materials shall be designed and installed in accordance with ASME B31…...
If you are a regular visitor to this site, you know I love to use the International Fire Code, which many states adopt in full or in some “revised” langauge as their “state fire/hazmat code”. One particular item that garners a lot of questions and comments is the IFC’s requirement that ALL hazardous materials (those…...
This is another example of entrants not recognizing the space they are entering is a CONFINED SPACE and the actions/work they did turned the confined space into a PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE. Both entrants died and two (2) volunteer FF’s were injured in their attempts to perform rescues at this residential incident. On May 26, 2010,…...
On May 11, 2023, @ 8:04 a.m., an employee working for an oil and gas support services company was found dead. On May 10th, the night before, the employee had instructed his coworkers from other contractors to go home, and he would finish the job. This was the last time anyone had spoken to the…...
This fatal incident displays the CRITICAL role of having procedures for responding to leaks, even “small releases.” 1910.119(n) Emergency planning and response The employer shall establish and implement an emergency action plan for the entire plant in accordance with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.38. In addition, the emergency action plan shall include procedures for…...
Many organizations had a great 2023 in terms of their safety performance. And while I am a huge advocate for celebrating our successes in safety, my support is contingent on one factor… KNOW HOW we achieved our success. Celebrating blind luck is dangerous! Organizations often celebrate sheer luck in safety performance, which sends the wrong…...
OR-OSHA has fined a Portland environmental and emergency services company $118,800 for violating job safety standards designed to protect workers from the potentially deadly hazards of confined spaces. The division cited the employer following an inspection of an incident reported by Portland Fire & Rescue. Oregon OSHA’s July 14, 2023 incident inspection found that two…...
Having spent my entire career in Flame Retardant Clothing, I learned that improper laundering could render the PPE useless, maybe even hazardous to wear. In my time, we always had a contractor launder and maintain our FRC. It was not cheap, but it was necessary to ensure the PPE worked as intended when we needed…...
