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.
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) - Part 2
In our April 2000 article, we detailed what microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is and what it can do to fire protection system (FPS) piping. This is a continuation of our previous...
Reducing Property Losses
In a recent issue of the Record, which is a quarterly publication of FM Global, the system of Exposure Driven Engineering was reviewed. Exposure Driven Engineering Exposure Driven Engineering is a...
Communicating with your Fire Department about your Facility
Within all facilities there are numerous fire protection systems. It is extremely important to have the local fire department familiar with your automatic sprinkler system, gaseous suppression system...
Don't Ever Use the Word Remarkable
September 11th may have been the worst day we will ever live through. Since then we have poured out our emotions with patriotism in defiance of the terrorists that killed over 3,000 civilians and...
New Rules and Regulations for Fire Sprinklers
The 2002 edition of NFPA 25, Inspection Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, contains many changes. Sample Testing Sprinklers Dry type sprinklers should be sample tested...
Protection for Idle Plants
A more recent version of this article topic exists; go there now A facility can be idle for many reasons, such as annual shutdowns, labor strikes and building renovations. When a facility is idle...
Flood Exposures and Mitigation
In last month's article, we dealt with the definitions for severe weather watches and warnings with respect to the upcoming hurricane season in the Northern Hemisphere. One peril that accompanies...
Severe Weather Watches and Warnings
As a reminder, 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...
FM 200 vs. Inergen
Halon was the extinguishing agent of choice used up until the early 1990's. It provided a high level of property protection with very little secondary damage. The Montreal Protocol changed all this....
Back to Basics
"Back to Basics." It may be cliché, but with respect to property conservation, it could be the difference between a fire being controlled or one that completely destroys a building. When a fire...
Legislative Review - State Codes and Standards
In November 2001, Sprinkler Age magazine featured it's fourteenth annual legislative review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations...
ESFR vs. Conventional Sprinklers
ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response) sprinkler systems are designed to achieve fire suppression for a specific type of storage occupancy before the fire becomes fully developed. ESFR heads vary...