This is a follow-up to our November 2020 article on the development of fluorine free firefighting foams, Comparison Testing of the New “Fluorine Free” Firefighting Foams. AFFF: Aqueous film forming foam For over half a…
Read More Category: Other Fire Protection/Suppression Systems
Water alone is typically not effective in controlling or extinguishing fires involving low flash point ignitable liquids. As a result, foam/water mixtures, utilizing Class B firefighting foams referred to as Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF)…
Read MoreHigh pressure hydraulic, gear and bearing lubrication and rolling fluids are used to operate rolling mills that process primary metals. Mill rolls are driven by large several thousand horsepower motors. Rolling mills are computer controlled…
Read MoreIndustrial fryers are used in the food industry to produce all kinds of pre-cooked foods and snacks including french fries, chicken wings and tortilla chips just to name a few. Large fryers can contain up…
Read MoreKidde recently identified a potential product safety issue related to certain models of its fire extinguishers. As a result, the company is voluntarily recalling these extinguishers. The recall involves 134 models of Kidde fire extinguishers…
Read MoreFire stopping materials are used to retain the integrity of fire rated construction by maintaining an effective barrier against the spread of flame, smoke, and hot gases through penetrations in fire rated walls and floor…
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 MoreDuring inspections of electrical rooms, property loss prevention engineers should determine how much of a presence there is of “grouped power cables.” There are no clear definitions or criteria as to what amount of cables…
Read MoreBackground 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. Water mist appeared in…
Read MoreThe following summary provides guidance in assessing the thoroughness of inspection, maintenance and cleaning activities for equipment and systems related to commercial cooking equipment. Commercial Cooking Equipment Recommended Inspection, Maintenance and Cleaning Schedule Equipment /…
Read MoreBromochloroflourocarbons (Halons) were developed in the 1930s. Halon is low in toxicity, non-flammable, non-corrosive and very compatible with many materials. Halon has thermodynamic and physical properties that make it ideal as a fire extinguishing agent…
Read MorePortable fire extinguishers can be a first line of defense in the early stages of a fire. With proper training, they can be very effective is preventing a small fire from growing rapidly out of…
Read MoreIt is common to find pre-engineered extinguishing systems in commercial cafeterias. These systems serve to suppress grease and oil fires in fryers, grills, hoods, and exhaust plenums. In the past dry chemical extinguishing agents were…
Read MoreAlthough fires in air preheaters (ap’s) of US power plants are infrequent, the result can be extensive damage and downtime of several months. Here, we consider steps that can be taken to minimize the incidence…
Read MoreHalon 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. The Montreal Protocol…
Read More