9/1/15

PR Newswire

 

9/14/15

By Ian Bitterlin
Datacenter Dynamics

Oxygen makes up 21 percent of the atmosphere at Sea Level.  OK, so there is no point arguing the toss, OSHA (the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration) says that people can't work in oxygen levels lower than 19.5 percent and that's the end of the conversation.  

Breathing masks required?

You can use oxygen reduction to prevent fires in for 'unoccupied' spaces or areas that are infrequently visited - such as museum archives - but you would have to equip the personnel with oxygen masks etc. In explanation of the 19.5 percent limit OSHA uses quite alarming language:

"Human beings must breathe oxygen ... to survive, and begin to suffer adverse health effects when the oxygen level of their breathing air drops below [19.5 percent oxygen]. Below 19.5 percent oxygen ... , air is considered oxygen-deficient. At concentrations of 16 to 19.5 percent, workers engaged in any form of exertion can rapidly become symptomatic as their tissues fail to obtain the oxygen necessary to function properly (Rom, W., Environmental and Occupational Medicine, 2nd ed.; Little, Brown; Boston, 1992). Increased breathing rates, accelerated heartbeat, and impaired thinking or coordination occur more quickly in an oxygen-deficient environment. Even a momentary loss of coordination may be devastating to a worker if it occurs while the worker is performing a potentially dangerous activity, such as climbing a ladder. Concentrations of 12 to 16 percent oxygen cause tachypnea (increased breathing rates), tachycardia (accelerated heartbeat), and impaired attention, thinking, and coordination (e.g., Ex. 25-4), even in people who are resting."

 
Read the rest of the story here.

9/18/15

By Ian Garden
MD RigDeluge Ltd

I am pleased to announce Tyco have acquired the exclusive global rights to manufacture, distribute and install RigDelugeŽ Concentric Flow Technology™ and Free Flow Nozzle Technology™.

RigDelugeŽ is an Aberdeen based innovation specialist focused on delivering efficiency and safety for the Oil and Gas Industry.

The official announcement was made at the eastern hemisphere's largest Oil and Gas production and exploration event - Offshore Europe 2015 on 10th September 2015.

Read the full article here.

 

8/25/15

Industry Today

Passive fire protection (PFP) is integral to any structural fire safety measures. Structural fire protection, compartmentation, opening protection, and fire stopping barriers are the four major areas where passive fire protecting measures are generally implemented. Passive fire protection materials are used in accordance to building code and fire code enacted by local governing bodies.

Rise in construction activities in Saudi Arabia is estimated to boost demand for passive fire protection materials in the region in the next eight years. Additionally, increase in the number of rig counts in the Middle East is anticipated to drive the passive fire protection materials market in the region in the next few years. However, stringent governmental regulations over emission of volatile carbon compounds (VOCs) are projected to hamper market growth. Furthermore, long time taken to test products is likely to impede the passive fire protection materials market. Technological and product innovation are anticipated to provide immense opportunities to manufacturers operating in the passive fire protection materials market.

Read the full story here.

 

8/25/15

Industrial Distribution

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Ferguson Fire & Fabrication announced the acquisition of Central Pipe & Supply's Mobile, AL business in an asset transaction completed Aug. 24. Ferguson Fire & Fabrication will operate its business from the former Central Pipe & Supply location in Mobile, AL and the existing management team and all associates will remain in place.

Atlanta, GA-based Central Pipe & Supply was founded as a fabricator serving the fire protection market in 1998 by David Elkins and Steve Sheppard. The company began with one welding machine, one threading machine, one grooving machine and zero inventory. Today, it has more than tripled in size and has become the leading independent fire protection supplier in the Mobile market.

Read the rest of the story here.

 

9/14/15

Australian Mining

An accidental fire is a very real threat to offshore oil and gas operations, something that can come about without warning and escalate rapidly. The demanding conditions of the upstream oil and gas segments provide unique challenges to ensure safety is assured.

The 2006 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in which 11 were killed and dozens more injured was an example of insufficient fireproofing and the devastating consequences.

For this reason, the structural elements of oil and gas rigs need to be able to withstand the effects of fires, to minimise the likelihood of structural collapse. In order to protect steel structures against fires in oil and gas applications, steel must be fireproofed with passive fire protection (PFP) coatings that have been fire tested to adhere to standards.

Click here to read the entire story.

 

 

9/16/15

By Dave Greber, News 4 Reporter
WIVB.com

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The foam used by firefighters to extinguish gasoline fires is similar to chemicals used in fire suppression systems at gas stations. But more importantly, those systems give fire companies - especially volunteers like Cheektowaga - critical time to save lives should a fire break out at the pumps.

That could change, however.

"Unfortunately, there's a bone-headed decision made by the state of New York by the Fire Prevention unit and the Building Codes Council that we're calling on them to change," said Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo."This proposal, which has progressed too far already, will force our state to take a large step backwards, putting fueling station customers and their neighbors at risk."

The process is already underway, Kennedy said. The proposal received an initial vote for passage during the Code Council's Aug. 19 meeting, which moved it into the mandated public comment period.

Read the full story here.

9/15/15

By PR Newswire

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- The following is a notification from UL that the fire sprinklers identified below bear counterfeit UL Certification Marks for the United States and Canada. The fire sprinklers have not been evaluated by UL to the appropriate Standards for Safety. It is unknown if the fire sprinklers comply with any safety requirements.

Although the fire sprinklers bear "TYCO" on the wrench boss and the thermo bulbs are marked "JOB F5", the fire sprinklers were not manufactured by or for Tyco and the thermo bulbs were not manufactured or labeled by Job, GmbH., affiliates or agents.

Name of Product:   
    
Upright T-ZSTZ-15
Upright TY3151
Pendent TY3251

For more information, including pictures, click here.

 

9/12/15

By Elaine Thompson
Telegram & Gazette Staff

WORCESTER - Fourteen people were taken to the hospital with minor respiratory problems Saturday after they were blanketed with a dry fire suppression chemical following a Dumpster fire at a Summer Street gas station.

The Fire Department was called to Al Prime at 81 Summer St. shortly after 2 p.m. for a report of a building fire.

District Fire Chief Samuel W. Richesson said firefighters found a fire in a Dumpster next to the gas station. An employee had activated a dry-chemical fire suppression system. The yellow chemical "had blanketed about 20 people getting gas, walking and at the convenience store," said District Fire Chief Richesson.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

 

9/3/15

FSSA

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND -- Annually, the Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) Educational Foundation provides financial support to outstanding young students connected with the fire protection industry in an effort to assist them in meeting the ever-rising cost of a college education.

To qualify for an FSSA Educational Foundation Scholarship, candidates must have graduated from high school or its equivalent before Jul. 1 of the year in which they will use the scholarship. Scholarships will only be awarded to students who will be participating in the fire protection programs at accredited colleges and universities. Students already enrolled in college are also eligible to apply. Awards are made on the basis of candidates' academic success, interest, special abilities, financial need and other factors.

From among all of the outstanding candidates that submitted applications, the FSSA Educational Foundation awarded five scholarships to the following individuals:

    $5,000, in name of Jim Boyer, to Breanne Thompson, University of Maryland College Park
    $5,000, in the name of Chuck Hooper, to Taylor Bateman, California Polytechnic Institute
    $3,000 to Selena Chin, University of Maryland College Park
    $3,000 to Chad Lannon, University of Maryland College Park
    $1,000 to Peter Raia, University of Maryland College Park

Click here to read more about the winners.

The FSSA Educational Foundation is supported by contributions and grants from individuals, companies and business groups in the fire protection industry. All monies received are used 100 percent for scholarships. Contributions are tax-deductible and can be made in recognition of special events or in memory of a loved one. Single contributions of $25,000 or more will be honored by an annual scholarship named after the contributor. Contributions should be sent to FSSA headquarters at 3601 E. Joppa Rd., Baltimore, Maryland, 21324.

 

• Where is UTC Headed?
• Tyco Stock Price Revised Downward
• Siemens to Cut CO2 by 50% 
• Chemours Slashes Dividend 
• 3M Stock Climbs 
• Boeing to Open Manufacturing Facility in China

3M calls for removing FM200 and Ecaro from EPA SNAP List!