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.
Exterior Walls, Foam Insulating Materials, and Property Risk Considerations
Potential for irony exists when the scales tip from prudent efforts to conserve building energy with insulating materials only to discover they have become a fuel source for hostile fire. Since the...
Changes to NFPA 20
The use of fire pumps for fire protection is certainly not new - the initial NFPA Technical committee to establish uniform guidelines for proper and effective installation of fire pumps dates back to...
Plastics In Construction
Plastics are increasingly being used in construction for their relatively low cost compared to other materials and as well as energy savings as an insulation material. Their use presents other...
Hailstorms
Facts about Hailstorms: Hail develops during most mid-latitude thunderstorms, often melting before reaching the ground. Hail forms in the updraft of a thunderstorm with stronger storms producing...
19th Annual Legislative Review
In the November 2006, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its 19th annual legislative review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations...
Changes in NFPA 13
The recent release of the 2007 edition of NFPA 13 brought with it various changes with respect to general protection for Class I – IV commodities and miscellaneous occupancies. Organization of the...
Water Mist Technology
Background Steam flooding as a fire extinguishing medium is a predecessor of water mist that was introduced in the early 1900's. These early applications included oil refining and wood drying kilns....
Ammonia Refrigerated Warehouses
In our discussion of Ammonia refrigerated warehouses, we should begin with an understanding of what we are dealing with. ANSI/ASHRE-15 classifies Ammonia as a Group 2 Refrigerant - prominently a...
Building Safeguards During Construction
During the construction, alterations or demolition of a building, the potential risk from fire is usually greater than when the building is fully occupied and functional. As work progresses, the...
Engineering and Fire Testing Research versus Building Codes Requirements for Smoke and Heat Venting in Fully Sprinklered Warehouses
The fire protection engineering industry views smoke and heat venting in warehouse type occupancies as a waste of money and a hindrance to the performance of an automatic sprinkler system. Why do...
Lowering the Chance of Fire After an Earthquake
In previous articles we discussed earthquake protection for fire protection systems. We now turn the discussion from maintaining the ability to control a fire to lowering the chances of a fire or...
Commercial Cooking Equipment
The following summary provides guidance in assessing the thoroughness of inspection, maintenance and cleaning activities for equipment and systems related to commercial cooking equipment. Commercial...