Safety Info Posts

Dry Compressed Air is vital to safe equipment operation (USCG)

A recent Coast Guard investigation involving a fire and subsequent loss of propulsion on board an inspected vessel serves as a reminder of safety issues caused by condensate forming in airlines. During the investigation, an underlying issue was discovered that caused condensate to form in airlines that supplied compressed air to the vessel’s air-operated engine…...

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Containment Pallets and their environmental limitations

If you’re an EHS pro, you have certainly seen these devices.  They can add a level of safety for that loss of primary containment (LOPC) incidents or, in some cases, overfill events. image source: eagle manufacturing But these “Containment Pallets” come with some environmental limitations that are required for their safe use…… Membership Required You...

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IFC and pipe labeling… 20 feet (6096 mm) or fraction thereof

The most common RAGAGEP for pipe labeling is ASME A13.1, Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems.  It is referenced in dozens of hazardous material codes, from ICC to NFPA.  In the ICC codes, specifically the International Fire Code (IFC), there is an interesting twist to the requirements for “Compressed Gases (Chapter 53).  ASME is…...

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2024 IFC addresses lithium-ion and lithium metal battery storage

One of the reasons I use the International Fire Code (IFC) for my hazardous materials code over OSHA standards is that the IFC gets updated every three (3) years.  God only knows when OSHA may address lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries.  Also, the IFC and NFPA tend to be closely aligned in their design and practices…...

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Our Hard Hat and cold temps

This weekend, we witnessed football helmets failing upon impact due to the frigid temperatures.  Sadly, these failures were accepted, and play continued!  But this brings about the logical question: How cold can it get before my hard hat (HH) fails when struck by a falling object? Most HH manufacturers will advertise the maximum temperature at…...

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Safety Thought of the Week – Safety is a practice; it is a process

Safe and reliable performance is a process to be guided, not an outcome to be managed. Safety is wisdom. We create safety, or more importantly, we co-create safety in the RELATIONSHIP between workers, planners, managers, and the tasks being accomplished in real-time. None of those components mentioned above involves the scoring and tracking of work…...

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2024 IMC has a new PRV discharge requirement

The 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) has a new Pressure Releif Valve (PRV) discharge requirement that is an interesting desing requirement.  The code has required the PRV “Discharge to a termination point that is readily visible and observable by the building occupants” for many years.  But now, the 2024 edition requires… (emphasis by me)… Membership...

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2024 IFC addresses electrical devices inside Flammable Storage Cabinets

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,…...

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2024 IFC exemptions for CAT 1B flammable gases (those “mildly flammable” refrigerants

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...

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2024 IFC may require Mechanical Refrigeration businesses to obtain an “Operations Permit”

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...

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EPA issues RMP citations @ cold storage warehouse (NH3 & $161K)

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. § 68.3, that includes the use, storage, handling, and…...

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A piping reference change from 2018 to 2021 IFC (B31 to B31.1)

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…...

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