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.
SPRINKLER PROTECTION IN NON-STORAGE OCCUPANCIES
FM Global Data Sheet 3-26, Fire Protection Water Demand for Nonstorage Sprinklered Properties, is used to determine sprinkler system designs and hose demands for non-storage occupancies, which are...
Vapor Degreasers
Metal cleaning can be performed through spraying/immersion in solvents, corrosive solutions and vapor degreasers, through mechanical cleaning, and, by heating treating in oil or molten salt baths...
Automatic Sprinklers, Heat/Smoke Vents and Draft Curtains
Our previous articles in October 2004 and August 2006 touched on the subject of the need for heat and smoke vents in fully sprinklered facilities. We wrote about engineering and fire testing...
Automatic Sprinklers and High-Volume Low Speed Fans - What to Do?
HVLS fans were originally used in Australia in the dairy industry to help keep humidity low for the cattle. When the original design was introduced in Australia, it was mandatory for the HVLS fans to...
RMS Windstorm Model - Version 11.0 Secondary Modifiers Changes
Risk Management Solutions, Inc. (RMS) specializes in developing probabilistic models of catastrophes. These catastrophe (CAT) models are developed using detailed databases of highly localized...
Fire/Booster Pump Testing
The term fire pump is often used to describe both a fire pump and a booster pump. While the pumps themselves can be the same in both instances, the terms describe different arrangements. A fire pump...
Preparing for Winter Weather
A common misconception is that property losses due to winter weather only occur in regions where harsh winters are the standard. Actually, areas that don't usually have severe weather suffer larger...
Ammonia Refrigeration Systems
Commercial ammonia refrigeration systems are widely used throughout various industries, but are used primarily in the food industry to help prolong shelf life. All refrigeration systems operate...
Hurricanes and Severe Windstorms
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 in the Northern Hemisphere. Windstorm is the second highest cause of property loss after fire. Recent severe windstorms have proven that buildings and...
PROTECTING IDLE PROPERTIES - Part 2
A more recent version of this article topic exists; go there now. Vacant facilities need loss prevention consideration just as much as full-functioning ones, and in many cases perhaps more so. Empty...
Flue Spaces
You might have heard someone mention flue spaces for rack storage, and wondered what flue spaces are and why they are needed. Flue spaces are clear lines of sight from the floor up to the ceiling...
Automatic Sprinklers In Buildings
One of the most effective fire protection elements in buildings is automatic sprinklers. When sprinklers cover an area of fire origin, they operate in 95% of all reported structure fires that are...