Monthly Technical Articles
Explore our collection of articles written by engineers, for engineers. Categorized based on the COPE approach to assessing risk within a facility, the archives below contain essential information for the development of engineers in our field.
Fiber Reinforced Plastic Panels Used in Construction
Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) panels, sometimes referred to as glassfiber reinforced plastic (GRP) panels, is a composite material made up a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibers are...
Storm Surge
The major hazards associated with hurricanes are: storm surge and storm tide heavy rainfall and inland flooding high winds rip currents tornadoes For coastal areas, storm surge and large...
Legislative Review An Overview of Codes, Standards and Regulations in CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MS, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA and TX
In their November 2012 issue, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations...
Hurricane Sandy and Emergency Preparedness
On Monday October 29, 2012 a Cat 1 (80 mph 1-minute) hurricane made landfall in Atlantic City, NJ. The storm had a very broad windfield with a 1,000 mile diameter of tropical storm force...
Explosion Protection Systems for Combustible Dusts
Processing, handling and storing of combustible dusts within enclosed equipment (i.e., mixers, blenders, mills, separators, cutting tools, holding bins, dust collectors, cyclones, etc.) can easily...
Codes and Standards
What is a Standard? What is a Code? Why do they change so much? If they change, are we protected properly with the old standard we designed to? Codes Codes are consensus documents that are revised...
Elastomeric Insulation
Elastomeric insulation, also known as closed cell foam insulation, is a flexible type of plastic insulation close to the consistency of rubber. It is normally used as insulation for piping and...
Storage Tanks for Flammable Liquids
You may be considering adding one or more tanks that contain ignitable (flammable and combustible) liquids at your facility. FM Global Data Sheet 7-88, Storage Tanks for Flammable Liquids, gives...
Fear vs. Prevention
Two years ago a leading article with a major head line in the USA Today stated "Fierce Hurricane Season Predicted." The article went on to say that an "extremely active" hurricane season was to occur...
Lift Trucks - Choosing the Correct Type and Recommendations for Associated Hazards
Driver and safety training for lift truck operators are very important to industrial plant or distribution warehouse managers and owners for obvious reasons, with personnel safety at the top of the...
NFPA 3 Commissioning and Integrated Test of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
This is a new NFPA recommended practice, as opposed to standard. It outlines a systematic approach to provide documented confirmation that the fire protection and/or life-safety systems, as...
Flood Protection
Recent studies have shown that anywhere from 10 to 25% of facilities can experience flooding. Flood maps can give an indication of the flood exposure for a facility. However, there could be errors in...