Possible Combustible Dust Explosion Leaves Many Questions Unanswered
An investigation is still open, leaving many questions unanswered, in a manufacturing plant explosion and facility collapse that killed two people and injured 10 others. The incident occurred on January 20, 2014 at the…
CSB Releases Preliminary Findings – West, Texas Fertilizer Explosion was Preventable
After a year-long investigation, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released its preliminary findings in the ammonium nitrate (AN) fire and explosion that occurred at West Fertilizer in West, Texas. Last April’s tragedy…
May is Building Safety Month!
May is Building Safety Month! Founded by the International Code Council in 1980, Building Safety Month is a public awareness campaign that reinforces the need for adoption of modern, model building codes, a strong and efficient…
2012 Life Safety Code – What can you Expect to See in Georgia?
In our blog last week, Georgia State Fire Marshal, Dwayne Garriss, shared the history of the state fire code. This week, Dwayne will share with us why the state made the decision to move to the 2012 Life Safety Code and a few…
We recently had the…One Year Later: The West, Texas Tragedy
On April 17, 2013, the town of West, Texas was in the midst of a devastating tragedy, when a fire and massive explosion demolished West Fertilizer Company, causing the deaths of 15 people and injuring approximately 200 others.…
Dale Hansen Appointed Principal on the NFPA Technical Committee on Fundamentals of Combustible Dust
Harrington Group is pleased to…
Inside the Eglin Air Force Base Foam Accident
By Jeff Harrington, CEO and Founder of Harrington Group, Inc. High expansion foam (HEF) is used as an efficient and highly effective fire suppression technique, particularly within locations that pose a high risk for fuel…
Another Great Learning Opportunity for Fire Protection Engineers
Calling all Fire Protection Engineers and Fire Safety Professionals! There are less than two weeks to register for the 10th Annual SFPE Greater Atlanta Chapter Fire Safety Conference. This informative conference will be held…
Lights, Camera, Activate! The Truth about How Most Sprinklers Activate
So many movies and TV shows are guilty of highlighting myths that pertain to fire protection systems. I saw one of the most common myths when I recently watched the movie “White House Down” with Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx.…
How Can Fire Protection Engineers Help Avoid Costly Mistakes?
If you have ever been involved with the design and construction of new facilities or renovating existing buildings, you are well aware that the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. Or, simply said, things don’t always…
Fire Prevention Tips for Wood Pellet Plants
My last blog discussed the dangers of wood pellet plant facilities and included an overview of several recent incidents. Today, I would like to review a few fire prevention tips for wood pellet plants. The process of…
What Lesson Can We Take From Massive Brazil Sugar Fire?
In October, a massive fire ignited approximately 180,000 tons of sugar and tore through six warehouses at Copersucar, one of Brazil’s, and the world’s, largest sugar operations. The fire was said to have started in a conveyor…
What Can Plant Managers Do to Help Emergency Responders Prevent Combustible Dust Explosions?
By Dale C. Hansen, P.E. Combustible dust explosion risks are one of the current “hot issues” being addressed by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)…