What are spray dryers? Spray drying is a method of rapidly drying a liquid mixture or slurry into a dry powder using a hot gas. Spray dryers are often used in the food, pharmaceutical and…
Read More Category: Technology, Equipment and Systems
The telecommunications industry evolved over the past 20 years from electromechanical to digital to server-based switching systems. Similarly, the telephone company’s central office equipment has significantly changed over the past 20 years. Years ago, there…
Read MoreThe amount of data exchanged occurring every minute is mind-boggling. Worldwide data centers are the engine which drives this data exchange. Cloud computing which we hear a lot about today is typically performed in large…
Read MoreThe use of rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries continues to grow in electronic products, automobiles (EV) and energy storage systems (ESS). This is due to their high energy density and decreasing cost. A battery ESS can…
Read MoreTransformers can be either dry type or fluid filled. In this article, we will talk about fluid filled transformers and, in particular, the types of testing that should be conducted on the fluid or oil …
Read MoreConstruction and installation of renewable energy systems and power generation plants is becoming more common worldwide for both environmental and financial reasons. Obviously, renewable energy plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using…
Read MoreTransformers are one of the most, if not the most, critical piece(s) of equipment found at a facility. While power and distribution transformers are reliable and have low failures rates, the critical nature of these…
Read MoreThe large numbers of food factories and warehouses worldwide will continue to climb in the coming years. These food facilities have similarities in their construction that may put them at increased fire risk. Risk factors…
Read MoreRising concern over cybersecurity is being driven by high-profile data breaches and the growing realization that potential revenue losses from cyber risks can rival those of business interruptions and natural disasters. The scale of cyber…
Read MoreMattresses have been around in some form or other since the dawn of civilization. However, it is only in the 20th Century that mattresses evolved becoming something much more than merely a cloth sack filled…
Read MoreThis article will be limited to sawmills which receive raw logs, cut the logs producing green lumber, kiln dry the stuck lumber, and plane and dress the dry lumber to specified dimensions. Many of the…
Read MoreDavid William Horton was born June 6, 1955. David William Horton, resident of San Diego since 1986, passed away on August 10, 2017. He had battled small cell cancer of the prostate since November 2017.…
Read MoreThe benefits of an Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM) program at an industrial or commercial facility are well known. In our January 2005 article “Electrical Testing,” we explained that deterioration of electrical equipment is normal, but…
Read MoreThere are significant property loss prevention hazards that occur during the construction of a building. The challenge is having active manual or automatic protection and detection available as soon as possible. In most cases, automatic…
Read MoreThe following is an updated review of the fire hazards of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels. Previous Risk Logic articles from January 2015 and January 2014 still apply but new data has entered the field of…
Read MoreWith the advent of today’s electronics devices comes a new power source: rechargeable lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries. The technology of Li-ion batteries packs a decided punch in that the power to weight ratio (power density)…
Read MoreEmergency generators are used to maintain electrical power to facilities and equipment considered important and/or critical to continued plant operations. They may be found in occupancies such as data processing, molten materials, communications switching, medical…
Read MoreThe following is a synopsis of the new FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 1-15 “Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Panels.” This is a new data sheet, issued in July 2014 with October 2014 revisions.…
Read MoreDamage to fire protection equipment can occur during winter weather and in all regions. It happens in areas where freezing temperatures are common and in areas where temperatures are typically moderate with freezing temperatures not…
Read MorePhotovoltaics (PV) is the generation of electrical power by conversion of solar radiation directly to electricity through the photovoltaic effect exhibited by semiconductor materials. Initial costs to produce PV panels remain relatively high, but as…
Read MoreOn a regular basis we look at our previous articles and, when sufficient changes occur, we update them for our readers. Sometimes it’s due to new technology, sometimes to loss history and sometimes to look…
Read MoreDriver 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 list. But what about…
Read MoreThey go by many names – computer rooms, server rooms, main distribution frame (MDF) rooms, data centers, electronic data processing (EDP) centers, information technology (IT) equipment rooms, etc.; but, no matter what you call them,…
Read MoreMetal 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 (discussed in our February 2011 article). In this…
Read MoreCommercial 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 essentially as heat pumps, removing the heat from…
Read MoreFreeze-ups can cause damage to your site’s buildings, operations and fire protection equipment. Here are some basic items that can help prevent and control that damage. Have a winterization plan in place. Review it well…
Read MoreInformation technology equipment/systems include computers and peripheral support such as memory, programming, records, storage, and human activities. Guidance can be found in NFPA 75-2009 “Standard for the Protection of Information Technology Equipment,” which forms the…
Read MoreThe use of natural gas is very common in most industrial and commercial buildings. The gas can be used for process and/or heating. Natural gas is highly combustible, and various precautions are needed to ensure…
Read MoreIn 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 toxicity hazard. Your main concern…
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…
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