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Ned Paine - Amerex Founder, Leader, Industry Titan, Passes |
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Ned Paine was a longtime business and community leader in Trussville. Submitted photo
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7/24/15 By June Mathews Tribune Interactive TRUSSVILLE - Longtime Trussville businessman and civic leader Edgar K. "Ned" Paine has died after a lengthy illness. He was 92. Paine founded Trussville's Amerex Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of fire extinguishers, with partner George Baureis in 1971. Baureis died in 1992; Paine retired in Sept. 1999, selling the company to McWane Inc. a few weeks later. It remains the city's largest employer. "He had an amazing impact on 500 employees," said former employee Peter Reich, who was hired by Paine fresh out of college and traveled for its international division for several years. "I went to work every single day anxious to hear what was going to come out of his mouth. He was brilliant. He was honest, ethical and kind. But he was the most challenging man, and he challenged me every step of my career." Click here to read the full obituary.
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FAA Releases Blockbuster Aviation Replacement Study |
12/1/14 Halon Replacement Aviation Rulemaking Committee Halons are the principal fire-extinguishing agent used onboard aircraft because of their unique fire extinguishing properties. Due to their detrimental effect on the earth's ozone layer, their production (not use) was banned through the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that has been ratified by every country in the world. Under the Protocol, halon ceased to be produced in developed countries in 1994, and in developing countries in 2010. As no new halon is being produced, the supply of previously produced halon is finite and will eventually run out. While residual supplies are being used or held for use in key areas including civil aviation, military, oil and gas, and other critical fire protection applications, their use in civil aviation represents the largest source of future demand for halons. Until alternatives are certified and implemented, commercial aircraft will continue to need halon to meet current fire protection requirements. Specifically, halons are used in lavatory bottles, handheld extinguishers, engine nacelles and auxiliary power units (APUs), and cargo compartments. While the supply of stockpiled and recycled halon currently meets demand, over the 30-40 years needed to support the existing fleet the risk of supply chain disruptions and contamination of the reserves increases significantly. In addition, at some point in the future the scarcity induced price of halon will reach a level where the use of halon will no longer be economically viable. As that timeframe approaches and the cost increases due to reduced supply, the risk of sales of contaminated halon presents a growing concern. Read the rest of the article here. |
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Boeing Warns Airlines - Halon Ineffective Against Lithium Battery Fires |
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This file frame grab from video, provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shows a test at the FAAs technical center in Atlantic City, N.J. Boeing, one of the world's two largest aircraft makers, warned its passenger airline customers on July 17, 2015, that flying bulk shipments of lithium-ion batteries can cause fires capable of destroying the planes. the guidance sent to airlines around the globe urged that they not carry the batteries as cargo "until safer methods of packaging and transport are established and implemented," Boeing spokesman Doug Alder told The Associated Press in an email. (FAA, via, File)
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7/20/15 By Joan Lowy Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Boeing, one of the world's two largest aircraft makers, warned its passenger airline customers on Friday that flying bulk shipments of lithium-ion batteries can cause fires capable of destroying the planes. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration also issued a statement acknowledging that testing it has "conducted on the transport of lithium batteries has indicated that it presents a risk." The guidance sent to airlines around the globe urged that they not carry the batteries as cargo "until safer methods of packaging and transport are established and implemented," Boeing spokesman Doug Alder told The Associated Press in an email. Read the full story here.
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Boeing Explains Decision |
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In 2013, the FAA Technical Center tested fire suppression of 5000 lithium batteries on a former FedEx Express Boeing 727. (Photo: FAA)
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7/22/15 By Bill Carey AIN Online Boeing's recent guidance to passenger airlines advising that they not carry lithium-ion batteries in their cargo holds stems from the recommendations an industry-wide group has presented to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It recognizes that fire suppression systems as currently certified cannot stop a fire involving bulk quantities of the batteries, said Boeing's technical safety chief for fire protection. Speaking on July 22 at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) air safety forum in Washington, D.C., fire protection system specialist Douglas Ferguson described the process that led Boeing to send a "multi-operator memorandum" to airlines several days earlier. The memorandum advises against transporting bulk shipments of the rechargeable batteries used in many consumer devices until safer methods of packaging and shipping are developed. A number of U.S. airlines have already stopped such shipments. Click here to read the full article.
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FAA Warning Raises More Questions About Boeing Batteries |
7/27/15 By Paul Chesser National Legal and Policy Center It appears - two years after Boeing had fire incidents from installed lithium ion batteries that shut down deliveries of its vaunted Dreamliner 787 - that its "solution" to "vent" heat and flames outside the aircrafts has prevented any catastrophes, so far. But it hasn't alleviated concerns about the batteries' physics and makeup. Last week Boeing issued a warning to its airline customers to not carry bulk shipments of lithium-ions because if they catch fire or overheat, they're unstoppable. A spokesman told the Associated Press that the manufacturer has advised airlines not to transport the batteries "until safer methods of packaging and transport are established and implemented." Likewise, the FAA simultaneously stated that its research has found that carriage of lithium ion batteries "presents a risk." Click here to read the full story.
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Financial News - Earnings Reports for UTC, Tyco, Siemens, DuPont, 3M, and Honeywell
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DuPont, Honeywell Slam Chinese Imports of Refrigerants and Fire Suppression Agent
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6/2515 Cooling Post A coalition of US-based manufacturers and other interested parties have filed an anti-dumping petition on Chinese refrigerant imports. A previously unheard of group - the American Hydrofluorocarbon Coalition - has today filed an anti-dumping duty petition charging that unfairly traded imports of certain HFC blends and components from China are causing material injury to the US domestic fluoro-chemicals industry. The petition was filed concurrently with the United States Department of Commerce and the United States International Trade Commission. Click here to read the full story.
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UTC Sells Sikorsky to Lockheed for $9 Billion |
![](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs122/1102928001775/img/384.jpg?a=1121762151531) 7/20/15 By Andrea Shalal Reuters Lockheed Martin Corp said Monday it would buy Black Hawk maker Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies Corp for $9 billion, cementing Lockheed's dominance in weapons making. Lockheed will also review the possible sale or spin off of $6 billion in other information technology and services businesses. The Pentagon's largest supplier called Sikorsky a "national icon" and said the net cost of the deal was around $7.1 billion, taking into account tax benefits. Lockheed also reported higher earnings and revenue for the second quarter. Click here to read the rest of the story.
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Unions Threaten DuPont, Chemours Over Safety |
8/6/15 By Jeff Mordock The News Journal Unions representing DuPont and Chemours employees have threatened to pursue regulatory actions against the companies, saying their safety experts have been barred from reviewing plant conditions throughout the country. In a letter to the CEOs of both companies, the United Steelworkers and International Chemical Workers Union Council say DuPont refused to allow health and safety experts to correct "hazardous conditions" at its plants. According to the letter, DuPont only granted union safety experts access to its plants after an order from the National Labor Relations Board and those facilities were not even inspected by the experts until one year after the initial request. Click here for the full story.
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China Develops Fire Suppression Missiles
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The undated photo shows a fire truck equipped with 24 missiles, developed by China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp (CASIC). [Photo: ceweekly.cn]
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7/28/15 CRIEnglish.com China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp (CASIC), the country's largest missile manufacturer, has developed a new missile to put out fire in tall buildings. Special fire trucks equipped with the missiles made their debut in the just-concluded Civil-military Integration Development Exhibition of Technology and Industry for National Defence this July. According to China Economic Weekly, the accurate system allows long-distance fire extinction in buildings above 100 meters high. Click here to read the rest of the article.
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Mehoe Provides Safe Haven With Automatic Fire Suppression System
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Submitted photo
Mehoe Enterprise Inc. in Carleton Place offers an affordable automatic fire suppression system for homes - the Haven. The team behind the operation, from left: chief financial officer Volundur 'Wally' Thorbjornsson, chief operating officer Michael McManus, founder and chief executive officer Matthew Perry and marketing director Shawn Pringle.
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7/14/15 By Tara Gesner Carleton Place Almonte Canadian Gazette Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with the Haven, an automatic fire extinguisher from Mehoe Enterprise Inc. in Carleton Place. The brainchild of Arnprior volunteer firefighter Matthew Perry, the Haven discharges a heat-activated MSDS-safe super-fine mix of ABC dry chemical (finer than baby powder) at operating temperatures of 57 C (135 F). "At this temperature there is a fire in your house," Perry said. Perry put the Haven concept to pen and paper three years ago, and after reaching out to someone he trusted - longtime friend Michael McManus - Mehoe Enterprise Inc. was formed. Click here to read the entire article.
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UTC Continues Management Shakeup |
7/28/15 By Harriet Jones WNPR The executive in charge of United Technologies Corp's building systems business, Geraud Darnis, is leaving the company in the latest management change under new CEO Greg Hayes. As president of UTC Building and Industrial Systems, Darnis has been overseeing divisions including include Otis elevators and Carrier climate control systems. The 55-year-old Darnis will retire in January after a more than 30-year career at the company. The news comes less than a week after UTC cut its 2015 profit outlook for the third time this year. Click here to read the full article.
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Non-pressurized Fire Extinguisher Introduced by Flame Guard USA | ![](http://files.ctctcdn.com/feab1abc001/177c35b8-09b7-455b-ba22-61bcebabc8b9.jpg?a=1121762151531) 7/14/15 Send2Press Newswire LAKE BARRINGTON, Ill. -- Flame Guard USA, a leader in Fire Suppression Innovation, officially released its new Fire Extinguisher product line, X-Tinguish�. The X-Tinguish fire extinguisher is the World's only non-pressurized fire extinguisher. The units are patented and are a powerful tool that can be used for all walks of life including home, car, boat, motorcycle, industry and for commercial use. How do they work? In simple terms, fill a balloon with air and then let the air out. The elasticity of the balloon itself forces the air out. Now, make the balloon out of space age silicone, increase its thickness and fill it mechanically. Add a cutting edge release system, a plastic bottle and there you have it. The New X-Tinguish� Fire extinguisher utilizes maximum stored potential energy to unleash its suppressant via a release of kinetic energy. The World's First and only non-pressurized fire extinguisher, X-Tinguish�. Click here to read the rest of the article. |
DuPont Praises EPA Decision on HFCs |
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Tyco Fire Protection Products Introduces Mobile App |
8/2/15 Fire Engineering Tyco Fire Protection Products (TFPP), in the total fire suppression solutions industry, has introduced a mobile app that streamlines the process of selecting a portable fire extinguisher. The easy-to-use ANSUL RED LINE app offers a customized experience for a wide range of markets, including aviation, marine, POG, metal processing, mining, industrial, transportation and utility. Users simply identify the market, application and hazard to suit the need, and the app scours a comprehensive catalog of extinguishers from 5 to 350 pounds in fire classes A through D, and recommends the appropriate extinguisher for maximum protection. Click here to read the full article.
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DuPont Concludes Chemours Spin-off - Day 1 Video |
While you've probably heard a bit about Chemours in the last few months as they separated from DuPont, here is a video directly from their President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Vergnano.
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NFPA Introduces NFPA 652 Combustible Dust Standard |
7/27/15 Powder/Bulk Solids Every year, destructive and deadly dust-related fires and explosions affect a wide range of industries around the world. In the United States alone, 50 combustible dust accidents occurred between 2008 and 2012. To manage the dust-related fire, flash fire, and explosion hazards in industries that use dust collection and handling equipment, or have processes that may generate combustible dust, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) introduces the first-time NFPA 652: Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust. This important new Standard serves a wide variety of industries including chemical, wood processing, metals, and agricultural. Click here to read the full article.
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Halotron Wheeled Unit a Winner! Update/Photos |
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An 80B (200 ft2) UL pan fire test taken at
AMPAC Halotron test field in Cedar City, Utah
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July 2015 AMPAC Halotron There has been significant recent progress in optimization of UL listed Halotron I wheeled units which has resulted in increased effectiveness, stream reach, and coverage under NFPA standards. The first UL listed Halotron I wheeled units were available in 1999. The recent development efforts have focused upon hardware optimization with fire testing occurring at AMPAC's fire test facility in Cedar City, Utah. This work resulted in significantly higher UL Class B ratings and hardware optimization on multiple units that provide longer hose lengths and longer stream reach. The hose length for all UL listed 150 lb. wheeled extinguishers is now 50 ft. This is a full 25% longer than the 40 ft. hose used on selected models previously. Click here to see the rest of this article.
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7 Fire Safety Tips for Manufacturers |
8/3/15 By Bill Adamopoulous Manufacturers' Monthly Manufacturers are looking to minimize inconsistencies across sites and capitalize on the economies of scale associated with using one national fire protection provider. As part of a centralized approach, the management of fire safety processes and systems is shifting. Category managers are overseeing the appointment and management of a fire protection provider, while plant managers are responsible for the day-to-day supervision of fire safety procedures on site. Click here to read the rest of the story.
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Is It FM200 or Is It Novec? |
Don't try this on your ship! Gauge and label say Novec. Collar ring says FM200.
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Most Popular Stories from June 2015 |
These are the stories in our last issue that got the most clicks. If you haven't already, check them out!
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