Protection for Storage
There are several factors that go into determining sprinkler system adequacy. The main steps are to determine what is being stored, the storage arrangement present, and the distance between this...
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
You 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...
Natural Gas and Gas Piping
The 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...
Changes to FM Global Data Sheet 8-9 "Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities" (2008)
The 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...
Handling Flammable Liquids
Using 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...
Seismic Considerations for Flammable Gas Piping
In 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...
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...
Fire Protection in Electric Generating Stations
You 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 hazards associated...
Static Electricity Control in Flammable Liquid Dispensing
What 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...
Aerosols
What are Aerosols? Aerosols are grouped into Levels 1, 2 and 3. Level 1 aerosols are predominately water-based (a good example is shaving cream) and their fire hazard is about the same as ordinary...
Electrical Testing
The electrical demands in industrial or commercial buildings vary from simple lighting and heating requirements for an office building to major on-site power distribution centers for a steel mill,...
Cooling Towers
Cooling towers are very common in commercial/industrial occupancies. They may be used to for air conditioning needs or for process cooling for certain types of production equipment. Towers used for...