Forensic Engineers and Consultants

Archive: Fires & Explosions

Water Removal In Windows and Doors – Part 1: Weep Holes

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In architecture, the word fenestration is used to encompass the windows and doors in a building. During my twelve-year career as a design engineer in the fenestration industry, water infiltration resistance (I.E., stopping leaks) consumed almost as much time in the test lab as pressure or impact testing. During the life of typical exterior fenestration products, every driven rain is a test of the product’s water evacuation system. Most windows and doors handle water without much homeowner input, but poor, clogged or covered water drainage systems can allow moisture into the structure, where damage to flooring, walls, and molding may occur. Poor water infiltration resistance also increases the humidity in a living space. Read More

Safety Hazards in Waterjet Cutting

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Waterjet cutting machines (often simply called ‘waterjets’ in the industry) are essentially platforms that use ultra-high pressure water to manufacture cut parts with accuracy as high as .001 inch. They can cut materials ranging from glass and stone to steel and even plastics. Such machines can cost under $1.00 per minute to run, even including labor. Waterjets are some of the most versatile cutting tools available today. They produce virtually no heat-affected zone. They also use CNC (computer numerically controlled) programs, which allow continuously variable speeds for different edge conditions and cut quality. The waterjet dissipates heat, and the jet stream minimizes harmful chemical vaporization from cut materials. Small and mid-sized companies throughout the U.S. depend on these powerful tools to manage all sorts of custom two-dimensional cuts.

But waterjets present unique hazards to the manufacturing environment. The following challenges require special attention: Read More

Machinery Directive VS Machinery Regulation – A Notable Change

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In 2023, the new European Machinery Regulation was published which replaces the 2006 Machinery Directive.  The 2023 Machinery Regulation is slated to be entered into force and application on January 20, 2027.  A number of changes and/or clarifications are included in this new Machinery Regulation, not the least of which is the definition for “substantial modification.” Read More

WARREN Welcomes Mechanical Engineer Brian Tenace, M.S.M.E., P.E.

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Brian’s Areas of Expertise Include:

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How Fire Alarm Information Can Fill in a Loss Puzzle

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Did I lose you in the title? Fire alarms! Ah, those mysterious systems required by, discussed in, and described by hundreds of pages of sometimes baffling and circular code text. They can be intimidating to think about. Have you considered that these mysterious red boxes could have information helpful in a loss? Let me describe why it could be advantageous to have a knowledgeable person to check out the fire alarm system after a loss, and not just for fires. Just as an airplane’s black box may hold information Read More

The Potential Leak in Your Kitchen Cabinet – Flexible Supply Connectors

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One of the more innovative products to emerge on the plumbing scene in the past 20 years or so (in my opinion) is the flexible supply connector.  A lot of people have seen but probably not paid much attention to them under their sink or perhaps from the toilet supply valve to the toilet tank.  Most have Read More

More HVAC Equipment Changes on the Way

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The United States Department of Energy (DOE) finalized energy efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces in late 2023.  These new standards are slated for implementation in late 2028.  The last time the DOE raised the efficiency rating of gas furnaces was in 2007, when the minimum efficiency for gas fired furnaces was raised from 78% to 80% efficient.

Let’s look at what efficiency means in this context.  In simple terms, Read More

Safety Distance in Machine Safeguarding

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Hazard can be defined as a potential source of harm.  Machine safeguarding seeks to protect people from these potential sources of harm.  Often distance from a hazard will play a key role in providing a means of protection.

One would often think of distance as it relates to the location of a barrier guard from a hazard.  ANSI B11.19, Performance Criteria for Safeguarding, defines safety distance as “the distance a safeguard is installed from a hazard such that individuals are not exposed to a hazard.”  An example from ANSI B11.19 of the recommended distance of a slotted opening in a barrier guard from a hazard is shown Read More

The Life of a Smoke Alarm – How A Decade Flies!

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A smoke alarm milestone birthday party!

No kidding, I’m passionate about fire protection!  To prove it, I could tell you stories about the damage I have seen from various failures from freezes to fire pump cooling to what happens when a fire hydrant’s weep holes are clogged…. But instead, I will tell you about smoke alarms!

Although it’s still new in my head, my home just turned 10 years old. The decade has seen the replacement of two household appliances and at least one HVAC repair… now what? A paint and décor refresh?  Maybe, but that’s not what the fire protection engineer is thinking! It’s time to replace the smoke alarms! Read More

In Cahoots – Interconnections of Fire Protection Systems with Ancillary Equipment

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Fire protection is an expanse that I am both fascinated by and passionate about. To prove it, I could show you my sprinkler collection… the old ones, the new ones, the sizes, the features!  But instead, I will share some information to show you the relationship between fire protection systems and other systems that you may have never thought about!

Fire protection, suppression, and alarm systems often do not act alone. They can be in cahoots with life safety systems or other equipment or building systems to mitigate fires and help firefighters. Many, but not all, of these functions are associated with fire alarm systems. Many, but not all, of these functions are customary and expected. Some of these functions will automatically reset when the alarm or system is reset, but not all! Read More

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