Do You Know About: AFCI

The National Electric Code (NEC) first specified Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) be used to protect branch circuits that supply receptacles installed in bedrooms in 1999.  Currently, the 2011 NEC requires combination-type AFCI protection of branch circuits supplying outlets (including hard-wired devices like fans and lights) in most rooms in a house, including living areas, closets, hallways, and more (NEC 210.12).  In most cases, AFCI protection will be provided by installing AFCI circuit breakers instead of normal circuit breakers in the home’s breaker box.  Some exceptions allow AFCI protection at the outlet instead of the panel. 
AFCIs are intended to trip, or disconnect electricity to the attached wiring, if arc current travels, or sparks, from the hot lead of the circuit to the ground or neutral lines. Combination-type AFCI’s add protection against sparks between the ends of a single broken conductor, and has been required since the 2005 NEC.  The determination of whether current flow is due to normal usage of the circuit versus an arc fault is done by signal processing equipment within the AFCI. 

For more of the story see Issue 6 of our Newsletter at www.sealcorp.com/pages.php/newsroom

or contact Brian Haygood, P.E. at 1-800-624-0905 or bhaygood@sealcorp.com for further information.

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Propane Gas Tanks and Grills

Most consumer propane tanks are the 20 lb variety that can be refilled or exchanged and are used most commonly in outdoor grills for open flame cooking.  Many retailers, hardware stores and convenience stores will have tanks to refill or exchange.  They are commonly visible in cages outside the front of these stores. For obvious safety reasons they are stored outside of the structure.  

Re-fillers are required to be licensed and have strict inspection requirements. The 20 pound propane tank has had a few changes over the years to improve safety: Tanks must be hydro-statically pressure tested after a certain number of years.

An Overfill Prevention Device (OPD) is required to prevent filling a propane tank beyond 80% capacity, this is done to ensure that tank does not become liquid full and expel propane out of the relief valve.  The triangular valve design is an external indication that an OPD has been installed.

Effective April 1, 2002 All 4# to 40 # propane cylinders must be equipped with an OPD. If the cylinder is not equipped with an OPD, the cylinder cannot be filled with propane.

Grills have made a few changes over the years to improve their safety, also: The design must be such that multiple tanks cannot be stored inside the grill cabinet. This is to prevent the spare unused tanks from becoming overheated. Overheating can result in over pressurization and expel propane out of the relief valve. The cabinet design can have a barrier or other obstruction, or exclude multiple tanks by volume.

I recently investigated a case where there was no OPD installed, the re-filler overfilled the tank and a spare tank was placed inside the cabinet of a non-compliant grill. The result was an incident where a consumer received severe burns while cooking when the spare tank expelled propane that was then ignited.

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If you are looking for more information, contact or email Gary L. Jackson, P.E., CSP, CFEI, at 800-624-0905.

Issue No. 5 of Our Newsletter Available! Just Click!

OSHA requires Fire-Resistant Clothing for Most Oil and Gas Well Drilling Servicing...

OSHA regulation 1910.132(a) requires Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can include Fire-Resistant Clothing (FRC).  OSHA issued an interpretation on March 19, 2010, which defines the requirements for oil/gas production, drilling, and well servicing operations.

In summary FRC’s are required for drilling in active hydrocarbon zones; however, they are “usually not needed during rig-up and normal drilling…”  FRC’s are required “during well servicing or work-over operations…”  The interpretation should be referenced for more detail.

In general, the industry is aware of the requirement for FRC’s as evidenced by the following references:

To see the list of items visit the below link...
SEAL Consultant No. 2 - October - November - December 2011

If you need more information, contact or email Frank Johnson, CSP, P.E. at 800-624-0905.

Fuel Contamination Breakdown?

If there is water in the fuel system, and the vehicle breaks down, is that a fuel contamination problem? How about particles of dirt in the fuel, or rust in the fuel? In this article, we’ll discuss fuel contamination in general terms. In the next issue, we’ll look at Dodge, Ford, and GM diesel trucks and explain why you have seen more fuel contamination claims in those particular vehicles, and what the manufacturers are doing about it. Water will always be present in fuel. When fuel in the fuel tank is used, air is brought into the fuel tank. If a gallon of fuel leaves, a gallon of air has to replace it, or the fuel tank would collapse. Air contains moisture, or humidity. Just as dew forms on the grass after a cool evening, as the air inside the tank cools, moisture from the air will condense into water droplets that will end up at the bottom of the fuel tank. This can happen in the tanker truck that delivers the fuel, in the underground storage tank from which the fuel is sold, or in the vehicle’s fuel tank. Pilots know all about this. Aircraft are usually filled up with fuel when they land so no air will be left in the tanks to cool overnight. Before each flight, fuel from the bottom of the tanks is drained and inspected so any condensed or contaminating water will be washed out.

For more of the 2 part Article Visit
Sealcorp.com - Newsroom - SEAL Consultant No. 3

Call or email Brian Haygood, P.E. at 1-800-624-0905 for questions and further information.

All-Terrain Vehicles: PAST AND PRESENT

In the late 1960s, Mr. Takeuchi of Honda Motor Company developed a three-wheel gasoline powered vehicle equipped with low-pressure tires.  Primarily intended for utility and snow operation purposes, this vehicle was released for production in 1970.  It was called the US 90 All-Terrain Cycle (ATC), a name that reflected both the general usage and engine size.  This vehicle effectively launched what was to be the beginning of the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) era in the U.S.A.Soon after ATVs hit the market, vehicle upsets, accidents, and injuries began to occur.  The three-wheel design geometry had resulted in a vehicle that would pitch/roll upset easily at very low speeds.  In the early 1980s, the ATV industry evolved substantially with the introduction of four-wheel all-terrain vehicles.  This new vehicle design marked the beginning of the end for the three wheel all-terrain vehicles.

For Complete Article download our Newsletter at
http://www.sealcorp.com/tinybrowser/files/seal_nl_june_2012.pdf

Call or email Mike Burleson, P.E. at 1-800-624-0905 for questions and further information.