On August 4, 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the Port of Beirut in Lebanon accidentally exploded, killing more than 200 people, injuring over 6,000 and causing miles worth of structural damage.…
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Tire manufacturing is a complex process, but can be broken down into three main processes: tire preparation, tire production and tire building. Preparation includes fabric cord manufacturing, bead and belt steel cord manufacturing and Banbury…
Read MoreAircraft hangars are primarily used for either aircraft assembly or maintenance. In this article, we will just focus on maintenance (or servicing) hangars. The hazards of maintenance hangars can be fairly obvious. Aircraft are assumed…
Read MoreNearly everyone has some experience in a casino. Whether you are a high roller playing your favorite table game, playing the penny slots, or just driving down Las Vegas Boulevard as a tourist, you have…
Read MoreThe textile industry can generally be divided into two manufacturing process; raw fiber to yarn production and yarn to finished garments production. Both types of textile manufacturing pose similar fire and property damage hazards. Raw…
Read MorePrinting Operations can be divided into four production processes: Letterpress Printing, Silk Screen Printing, Gravure Printing and Lithographic Printing. All types of printing production pose similar fire and property damage hazards, mainly separation and ventilation,…
Read MoreThe following is an update to our May 2019 technical web article “Protection and Approvals for Combustible Plastic Ductwork.” The removal of dust, smoke, and fumes is a critical part of many industrial and commercial…
Read MoreWhat Is A Dust Hazard Analysis? As defined in NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust (2019 edition), a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) is a systematic review to both identify and evaluate the…
Read MoreMost people are aware that organic materials such as flour and sugar dust can cause large explosions. However, many types of metal dust are also explosive. Aluminum, bronze, magnesium, silicon and zinc can all have…
Read MoreEvery day we touch something made from paper. The box we got our internet order in, the paper you put in the printer, the carton your cereal is in and so many other items. Paper…
Read MoreThe removal of dust, smoke, and fumes is a critical part of many industrial and commercial operations. Any damage occurring to critical process ductwork can halt operations and result in property damage as well as…
Read MoreThe National Electric Code (NEC) or NFPA 70 defines hazardous locations as those areas where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or…
Read MoreThe Department of Transportation (DOT), NFPA and FM Global are very different in how they classify flammable, combustible & ignitable liquids. NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, is updated on a three year cycle…
Read MoreThe only notable change in July 2014 to FM Global Data Sheet 7-32, Ignitable Liquid Operations, is additional information for arranging ignitable liquid processes, handling, and use operations to stop liquid flow automatically and isolate…
Read MoreIntroduction The following article is written as a simple primer of VCE phenomenon and criteria. The intent is to discuss some basic concepts and terminology, while excluding highly technical and mathematical concepts. A Vapor Cloud…
Read MoreYou might have noticed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been making a shift in labeling requirements for chemicals. The new system is the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and…
Read MoreYou may have a wet or dry chemical system in the hoods above cooking equipment in your kitchen. Both of these systems should be tested at least semi-annually by a service technician per NFPA 17A,…
Read MoreProcessing, 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 create an explosive atmosphere that could be ignited by tramp…
Read MoreYou 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 guidance on how these tanks…
Read MoreBetween March 2010 and now, FM Global has made two revisions to this Data Sheet. In September 2010 the following revisions were made: In July 2011, the following revisions were made: Risk Logic, Inc. can…
Read MoreIn March of 2010, FM Global made several significant changes to this Data Sheet. The changes were made on their part in an effort to further minimize damage from fire, water and smoke based upon…
Read MoreWhen trying to determine what liquids need to go into your flammable liquids room, you may be tempted to use the flammable liquid labels that are on some of the liquid containers. However, this mistake…
Read MoreYou may be trying to determine if you have any flammable or combustible liquids that need any special protection to be stored in your facility. Your first instinct may be to use flammable labels on…
Read MoreThe January 2008 revision to this data sheet resulted in significant changes. This data sheet was completely rewritten. Some changes were minor while others resulted in significant modifications to sprinkler designs needed for several commodities.…
Read MoreUsing flammable liquids presents some unique and difficult fire protection challenges. Depending on the specific material, there is the possibility of generating vapors which can easily ignite – or explode. As a general rule, it…
Read MoreIn our July 2006 article, we described methods for lowering the risk of a fire after an earthquake. One portion of the article discussed ways to protect piping used to transfer flammable liquids and gases,…
Read MoreYou have moved the fuel, burned it, generated the steam to drive the generator and sent the power on its way. You might think you are in good shape if you have addressed the fire…
Read MoreWhat is Static Electricity Static electricity is one of the prime ignition sources in flammable liquid dispensing operations. Similar to rubbing things together, liquid flow can cause electrons to move from one atom to another.…
Read MoreMany processes involve pressurized combustible oil in hydraulic systems. When such fluids are inadvertently released due to a break or leak in hoses and pipe systems an atomized spray can result which is easily ignited…
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