We Buy and Sell Halon

3M Novec 1230 Clean Agent Fire Suppression

2012-01-27T08:36:00.000-05:00

15,000 fire extinguishers removed from planes worldwide after Welsh factory owner's fraud

2012-01-14T20:38:00.001-05:00

15,000 fire extinguishers removed from planes worldwide after Welsh factory owner's fraud

by Elwyn Roberts
Jan 13 2012

A MAN who sent shockwaves through the global airline industry by supplying substandard gas to onboard fire extinguishers has been jailed for two and a half years.

More than 15,000 fire extinguishers were removed from planes worldwide because of Eric Andrew Lyon, 47.
His actions sparked a huge investigation and led to the changing of guidelines for the production of fire extinguishers and fire suppressant systems in aircraft in Britain, Europe and in America.
And at the time his actions were discovered it was believed he had put the lives of thousands of aircraft passengers at risk.

Mold Crown Court heard the halon gas Lyon supplied for fire extinguishers was not up to a required standard and that he had altered certificates.
The gas had to be 99% pure but Lyon changed analyses certificates when his samples failed to meet that high standard. Some were later found to be as low as 60%.
The gas, recycled by Lyon at his company Lyontech Engineering Ltd at Flints Manor Industrial Estate, was used by manufacturers at home and abroad in 2007, 2008 and the start of 2009.
The court, sitting in Chester, heard the gas was no longer manufactured because of its harmful effects to the ozone layer.
It was not used in everyday fire extinguishers but because of the importance of being able to prevent catastrophes in the air it was used in airplanes under strict guidelines.
When the fraud was discovered it sent shockwaves throughout the aircraft industry and aviation safety authorities worldwide.
Prosecutor Wyn Lloyd Jones told the court that while Lyon had admitted a s390,000 fraud upon his customers, the seriousness of the case outweighed the high value.
There was a substantial breach of trust in this case. Because the gas was being supplied to the airline industry there was at the very least a real risk that public safety could have been compromised, he said.
The motive was greed and profit.
Lyon, of Oakmount House, Northop Country Park, near Mold, admitted 25 fraud offences and was jailed for 2.5 years.
Judge Niclas Parry told him: By your activity, you caused the potential withdrawal of aircraft from service both in this country, in Europe and in the USA.
You caused emergency directives regarding the recall of safety equipment to be issued worldwide.
It has subsequently transpired that the breaching of the regulations may not have had such an impact upon public safety as had initially been feared.
That knowledge is important for the sake of future passenger confidence.
But the reality is that at the time you were offending you could not have been certain of that and you continued to ignore the risk regardless.
The judge said Lyon had s operation was close to being to a monopoly because of his expertise and said he abused that position in a systematic, sophisticated fraud achieved with total disregard for the potential risk to public safety.
It beggars belief that a man of your experience in such a specialised activity acted in such a cavalier fashion, showing utter disregard for the potential consequences, the judge said.
Lyon was not charged with any airline safety offences following an investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority.
It was passed to North Wales Police who carried out a fraud investigation.
But the Aviation Regulation Enforcement Department of the CAA had carried out a full investigation into the risk to flight safety caused by fire.
Halon was a highly effective fire suppressant widely used in the aircraft industry and it was estimated that about 15,000 fire extinguishers had to be replaced because the gas was outside specification.
Following tests in America it had been found that gas with a 90% purity was just as effective as that with 99%.
But Mr Lloyd Jones said the defendant did not know that at the time and some of the purities in the gas he supplied were far less than that.
The probe by the CAA, the European Aircraft Safety Agency and the Federal Agency in America meant thousands of extinguishers were recalled and replaced by compliant products.
Paul Abraham, defending, said his client denied his actions were down to greed.
He was not supplying a product that was rubbish to make money, he said.

US Air flight makes emergency landing at Yeager Airport

2012-01-13T08:22:00.000-05:00

Posted: Jan 12, 2012 6:24 PM ESTUpdated: Jan 12, 2012 6:24 PM EST

By Kevin Howell, Assistant News Director

CHARLESTON -

An emergency landing by a US Airways Express flight Thursday morning at Yeager Airport in Charleston.

Experts told 13 News the regional jet had a leak in the cargo hold -- Halon, which is used in fire suppression systems. That meant the plane had to get down and get to a stop on the tarmac in a hurry.

"I saw the crash and rescue vehicles and I kinda knew it was more than just an indication in the cockpit," said passenger Tim Banasiak, of Clarksburg.

"I heard the little ding thing come on and the lady stood up and said we were having some complications that we were gonna have to land here," said Angela Laboeuf, of Dixon, Tenn. "And then as soon as we landed they kept saying just everybody get off everybody get out. And they told us to leave our stuff, but naturally I grabbed mine."

The flight was originally headed from Nashville to Washington, D.C. And although the airport was closed for a short time, no flights were delayed.

The passengers were rebooked on other planes.

How to use a fire extinguisher - Courtesy of FEMA

2012-01-10T12:45:00.001-05:00

National Association of Fire Equipment Deals (NAFED) eAlerts

2012-01-06T10:12:00.000-05:00

2011-2012 Compensation & Benefits Survey Is Here!

Use this invaluable resource as a benchmark for your compensation and benefits program. Download the form to order your copy today.

Reminder: Don't Forget Your Dues!

The deadline for 2012 dues was on January 1, 2012. Those who do not pay their dues within 30 days net, by January 31, 2012, will have their membership suspended. Don't let your dues lapse--send your payment in today!

Board Nominations Still Being Accepted

NAFED will hold its election for open board of director positions in the first quarter of 2012. Please send nominations in by January 31, 2012. Open seats include:
Region One Director, presiding over Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
Region Five Director, presiding over Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Region Seven Director, presiding over Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Director-at-Large

Only self-nominations will be accepted. Please address all nominations (or questions) to Danny Harris at NAFED headquarters. Call (312) 461-9600 or e-mail dharris@nafed.org.

Information to include with nomination:
Name of nominee (your name)
Name of company
Contact information (address, telephone, fax, e-mail address)
Motivation for nomination
Background statement (bio/CV, relevant achievements)
Current affiliations, additional contact info

Term of office: The term of office is three years, beginning May 15, 2012.

Responsibilities: Regional directors are the official NAFED representatives in each region of North America. In this capacity, regional directors represent the association in matters pertaining not only to their own regional matters, but also concerning association activities of a national scope. All directors should have an awareness of the industry, national and regional issues and concerns, and the internal operation of the association. Responsibilities include the following items and activities:

·Conducting regional business meetings at sectional conferences and moderating the actual election of a successor.
·Serving as a moderator at sectional conferences.
·Serving on NAFED’s board of director committees and other association committees.
·Conducting membership drives or contacting potential members within the designated region.
·Submitting reports to headquarters on any local meetings and activities, especially legislation.
·Increasing support, attendance, and activities of all members in national NAFED functions.
·Actively seeking candidates for replacement at end of term.
·Serving as a contact point for member concerns in the designated region.
·Authoring at least one article for Firewatch! magazine during term of office.
·Attending two board of director meetings each year: one in the fall and one in conjunction with the annual meeting.
·Appointing and monitoring the activities of NAFED’s state/provincial representatives.

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Training

Certification Prep--Portables
Wichita, KS
January 24, 2012

Certification Prep--Pre-Engineered
Wichita, KS
January 25, 2012

Certification Prep--Portables
Lawrenceville, NJ
February 29, 2012

Certification Prep--Pre-Engineered
Lawrenceville, NJ
March 1, 2012

2012 Conference Registration Is Now Open

Looking to attend our Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or New Orleans conference? Online registration is now open.

Australia Tax on HFCs - To: Alliance Members

2012-01-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA)

2012-01-03T17:02:00.000-05:00

Two quick start-of-the-year reminders that will be of particular interest to the fleet, transportation and/or operations managers of FSSA companies:
1. Today (January 3, 2011), new federal regulations go into effect prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in interstate commerce. According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, “Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses.” Further, employers “that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000.” To view this new rule promulgated by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),Click Here.

To review a helpful FMCSA document titled “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)–Ban on Hand Held Cellular Phones,” Click Here

The new regulation follows the promulgation in September 2010 by FMCSA and last February by PHMSA of regulations banning texting by drivers operating CMVs. To view the texting ban rule which went into effect on October 27, 2010, Click Here.

2. HOURS OF SERVICE REGULATIONS:
Driving hours for commercial truck drivers are regulated by Federal “hours of service” (HOS) rules administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DoT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). On December 27, 2011, FMCSA issued a Final Rule enacting a number of changes to the HOS rules which will affect companies who operate their own truck fleets and those who utilize the services of for-hire motor carriers. The most notable changes to the HOS rules include the following:
**Drivers must take a 30-minute break at least once in an 8-hour on-duty period.
**The 34-hour re-start period must include at least two 1:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. periods.
**Use of the 34-hour re-start period is limited to once per week.
**The definition of “on-duty time” is changed to exclude: (1) Up to 2 hours in the passenger seat of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) if that 2-hour period immediately precedes or follows an 8-hour period in a sleeper berth; and (2) All time resting in a parked CMV.
The compliance date for the new definition of “on-duty time” is February 27, 2012; the compliance date for the bulk of the new rule’s provisions is July 1, 2013.
These changes to the HOS rules do not go as far as FMCSA had proposed on December 29, 2010 in its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. It is important to note that no changes are made to the daily driving limit (11 hours) or driving “window” (14 hours), the 60-hour (in 7 days) or 70-hour (in 8 days) on-duty limits, or the limited exemption for drivers who return to the same place of business at the end of each daily tour of duty. However, the effect of these new regulations will nonetheless be widely felt. According to FMCSA, “FMCSA’s new HOS final rule reduces by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week” from “82 hours within a seven-day period … to 70 hours.” (See FMCSA’s December 22, 2011 press release announcing the changes to the HOS regulations.)
To view the new Hours of Service rule and/or several helpful documents related to it, please go to the FMCSA website.

To see a summary of the differences between the current HOS Rule and the new HOS final rule, go to:
New Hours-of-Service Final Rule

2012 ARFF Chief’s & Leadership School February 5-8, 2012 – St. Petersburg, FL

2012-01-03T14:33:00.000-05:00

A Partnership in Education & Training

The ARFF Working Group and the AAAE are pleased to announce the 6th Annual cooperative program since the formation of the ARFF Training Alliance! Due to the overwhelming success of past programs, the ARFF Training Alliance will once again conduct the ARFF Chiefs & Leadership School, February 5-8, 2012 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park Hotel, St. Petersburg, Florida.

There is still time for “Early Bird” Registration (1/15/12). Don’t delay!

February 5-8, 2012

St. Petersburg Hilton Carillon Park Hotel

Hotel Reservations can be made by calling 727-540-0050 or on-line at St. Petersburg Hilton Carillon Park. ROOM BLOCK ENDS JANUARY 12, 2012 – MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

On-Line Registration is available for Attendees and Exhibitors. If you are paying by credit card, check or Purchase Order… you can register on-line today. To register by fax or mail a complete Seminar Brochure and Exhibitor/Sponsorship Brochure is also available.

A draft Schedule of Events is now available

For Attendees, a unique opportunity to network with ARFF Shift Officers, ARFF Commanders, Deputy Chiefs and Fire Chiefs, as well as others from airports around the country and world.

For Exhibitors, don’t miss this opportunity to support the ARFF Training Alliance and market your products and/or services to the leaders and decision makers in the aviation fire fighting industry. Sponsorships are also still available! Please help us continue to provide a premier educational opportunity for airport Fire Chiefs from around the world.

Summary of Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

2012-01-03T12:40:00.000-05:00

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mark Your Calendars!

2011-12-21T15:15:00.000-05:00

The year's "Main Event" for fire protection & life safety professionals is just six months away

With the exhibition floorplan over 90% sold, hundreds of industry suppliers are in position to meet an international audience of professionals who buy, specify, service or install fire & safety systems, equipment and supplies in buildings & facilities of every kind.

Exhibit Information

Who Will be Attending

Who Should Exhibit

Why Exhibit

Who Will Be Attending

Thousands of motivated, dedicated professionals will be in Las Vegas next June to learn about fire, building, & electrical codes and see the latest products & technologies for protecting their facilities, and the people who occupy them.

2011 Audience Demographics

*Attendance in Boston was 4,431

68 countries and all 50 US states were represented (16.4% came from outside the US)

Job Function

*Fire Protection Engineer - 13.5%
*Engineer - 11%
*Manager / Administrator - 9.5%
*Owner / President /CEO - 9%

Industry / Business
*Fire Protection - 31%
Consulting - 16%

*Contractor/Installation - 13%
*Fire Service / EMS - 12%
*Government - 11%
*Electrical - 10%

Purchasing Authority

*Approve - 27%
*Specify - 14%
*Recommend - 29%

Review complete 2011 attendee demographics in the 2012 Exhibit Prospectus.

Who Should Exhibit

If you sell fire protection, electrical or life safety products, this event provides a priceless opportunity to meet face-to-face with thousands of qualified sales prospects and position your brand & your company among the industry leaders.

Product Interest

(Percentages exceed 100 due to multiple product interests)

Alarm / Detection Systems - 52%

Building Construction Materials - 22%

Education / Training - 29.5%

Electrical Equipment / Service - 22%

Extinguishers / Foams / Exiting Products - 36%

Fire Department Equipment / Services - 20%

Hazmat Handling & Storage - 14%

Pumps / Controls / Valves - 32%

Security Products / Services - 24%

Signaling Systems - 27.5%

Sprinklers / Sprinkler Systems - 41.5%

Other - 15%

For more event details, download the 2012 exhibitor prospectus.

Review the current floorplan and evaluate available locations. Or contact Paul Niemiec at
630-271-8210.

See the current list of exhibiting suppliers.

Why Exhibit

The Power of Trade Show Marketing

Exhibiting at the NFPA Conference & Expo is one of the most dynamic sales and marketing tools available to you. Here are a few reasons:

1. Trade shows provideyou with many new sales prospects in a concentrated period of time.
2. Trade shows are a comparison-shopping medium
3. The expo gives you an opportunity to demonstrate the solutions you offer.
4. Your industry event is the ideal relationship-building environment.
5. Participation in the NFPA Conference & Expo positions your company at the forefront of your industry.

Demonstrate that your company is a full partner in the progress, development and future of fire protection, life & electrical safety.

If you sell products for fire protection, security, electrical or life safety, NFPA media and

events should be the foundation of your marketing plan.

Sincerely,

Paul Niemiec
ROC-NFPA LLC
NFPA Conference & Expo
Tel: 630-271-8210
pniemiec@rocexhibitions.com

RemTec Opens QA Facility in China

2011-12-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

RemTec International has opened a Quality Assurance Facility in Shanghai, China for refrigerants.

"Our new Quality Assurance Program is designed specifically for refrigerants and fire protection agents packaged in cylinders or bulk tanks," says Patti Ellingson, Rem Tec's director of wholesale distribution.

"This program was initially designed as a solution to the moisture and unsaturated issues coming out of China, but has turned into a solution for the industry, as we are seeing 'fake' refrigerants and other major issues coming out of China," Ellingson says. The lab will be based at the Shanghai Aohong Chemical Company.

"In order to provide the focus needed to make the RemTec/Aohong quality control program a success, we have asked Patti Ellingson to take the lead on the implementation and development of this program," says Ron Marcus, Rem Tec business development manager.

"We will continue to work toward structuring the sales transactions between Aohong and our high volume key customer groups. Patti will work to facilitate these transactions between the parties," Marcus says.

Ellingson reports the China lab is a mirror image of Rem Tec's U.S. lab facility, and are testing and operating under the same AHRI protocols as Rem Tec's AHRI-700 certified lab at its Bowling Green, OH facility.

The Rem Tec program offers strict Quality Controls throughout the entire process to ensure the product prior to shipping.

For additional information on the program, contact Patti Ellingson at patti.ellingson@remtec.net or call 419/575-9490

The Rem Tec Quality Assurance Process is described below

Prior to Filling & Packaging
Cylinder/Tanks:

· Cylinders/tanks are inspected to ensure all are U.S. DOT approved, and meet RemTec’s moisture, particulate and vacuum requirements.

· All used cylinders are inspected. Maintenance is performed according to customer and regulatory requirements, including valve refurbishment.

Labeling:
Labeling templates are compared to production packaging to ensure it is in compliance with the customer’s and regulatory requirements, including all U.S. Customs regulations.
Packaging is inspected for any damage. Damaged packaging is replaced.

Pre-Fill and Filling Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance Testing:

· The first disposable refrigerant cylinder that is filled is sampled and immediately tested to assure that it meets AHRI-700 standards, including unsaturates. If there are deficiencies, corrective action is taken and laboratory tests are repeated until all standards are met.

· Filled cylinders are randomly tested throughout the filling process (no less than one cylinder for every 100 cylinders filled).

· Bulk shipments of refrigerants and fire protection agents are individually tested in accordance with applicable industry standards.

· Once filling is completed, a Certification of Compliance is issued for each packaged shipment, or bulk tank.

After Filling:

· Packaging is again inspected for any damage. Damaged packaging is replaced.

Container Packing:

· Unless otherwise specified cylinders are shrink wrapped on pallets and packaged in 20’ containers in accordance with international maritime shipping requirements.
Inter Modal approved brace and blocking are used to secure the contents as required.

Shipping documents are inspected and include:

· Bill of Lading

· Certificate of Conformance

· Export Permit

· Proforma Invoice

· Country of Origin Certificate

· MSDS

Customer Service
• RemTec International Bowling Green, Ohio, USA and RemTec’s West Coast Sales Office in Camarillo, California.

Visit www.remtec.net for complete contact information.

ASTM D7673-10 Standard Specification for Halon 1211

2011-12-15T16:36:00.000-05:00

HARC Meeting December 1, 2011 Orlando, Florida

2011-12-05T12:14:00.000-05:00

Below are some excerpts from the HARC Meeting presentation.

Safety first when handling and/or shipping any cylinder!

2011-12-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

Two men were injured in Danville, Virginia, when a halon cylinder they were unloading became a projectile. It's not clear why they had possession of the cylinder, but according to GoDanRiver.com the cylinder came from a fire suppression system (likely Halon 1301) that was dismantled in 1993. Some disturbance occurred and the pressurized Halon was released. The cylinder hit the two men as it propelled through the air. Firefighters found the men lying on the ground, and they were sent to the hospital and treated. Always handle every cylinder as if it were full and pressurized!!! Safety First!

NFPA Board extends President Shannon’s contract

2011-11-30T07:53:00.000-05:00

November 29, 2011 – The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Board of Directors has extended President James M. Shannon’s term for an additional two years. Shannon will remain in the position through June 2014, two years beyond his previous contract which was set to end in June 2012.

“The Board is delighted that Jim agreed to extend his tenure as President until June 30, 2014,” said Tom Jaeger, NFPA Chairman of the Board. “NFPA is in the midst of implementing an aggressive strategic plan and we look forward to working with Jim and the leadership team as they continue to make NFPA an even greater organization.”.

Shannon was scheduled to complete his second five-year term in June 2012. Prior to becoming President, he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel having begun his employment at NFPA in 1991.

Shannon said, “I have been honored to work at NFPA for the last twenty-one years and to serve as President for the last ten. While I had expected to retire from NFPA next June, I am excited at the prospect of working with the staff, the Board, our volunteers and members over the next two and a half years as we implement our new strategic plan and continue our work to improve fire and life safety across the globe.”

During his tenure, Shannon has expanded the influence of NFPA through several key NFPA advocacy initiatives including: home fire sprinklers, fire-safe cigarettes, wildfire issues and electric vehicle safety training.

Prior to his work at NFPA, Mr. Shannon was Massachusetts Attorney General (1987-1991) where he was known as a staunch consumer and civil rights advocate. He was a Senior Partner in the Boston offices of Hale & Dorr (1985-1987) and was a member of the United States House of Representatives (1979-1985) where he served on the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Shannon earned his BA degree at Johns Hopkins University and his JD at George Washington University School of Law.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

National Association of Fire Equipment Dealers (NAFED) DOT Training

2011-11-29T08:40:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to sign up before the end of the year for your DOT training. They are offering training in New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois and California. Click the link to register!

http://www.nafed.org/calendar/

FSSA Presents Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Challenges at SFPE

2011-11-28T09:08:00.000-05:00

Members of FSSA’s technical committee recently prepared and presented a review of emerging fire protection issues in data centers that employ hot aisle/cold aisle containment techniques.

In response to requests from FSSA installer members, the technical committee set about to itemize the numerous fire protection challenges posed by various methods of containing hot and cold air in a data facility.

Technical committee members Steve Carter, Jeffery Kidd, John Spalding and Paul Rivers developed and presented a review of their findings at the resent Society of Fire Protection Engineers annual meeting held in Portland, Oregon this past October.

Their presentation highlighted five main challenges that hot asile/cold aisle containment system pose to fire protection systems:

Obstructions
Inadequate automatic obstruction removal
Multiple areas of containment
High temperatures
High airflow velocities

Additional information and details about FSSA’s continuing awareness on this issue will be presented at FSSA’s upcoming 30th annual meeting in Rancho Mirage, California on February 25 – 28, 2012. For more information visit www.fssa.net.

What We Are Thankful For.....

2011-11-21T15:56:00.000-05:00

RemTec International is thankful for our employees going above and beyond this year when it comes to those in need. We are proud to share this letter with you to show our gratitude to our family here at RemTec for being so generous even in this down economy.

‘Africa wants solar powered fridges cheap’

2011-11-17T09:20:00.000-05:00

By Ackel Zwane

AFRICA wants the solar powered refrigerators currently being developed in the wake of efforts to eradicate ozone depleting substances, these being some of the harmful gases traditionally used in the fabrication of refrigerators.
Participants attending the 15th Joint Meeting of Ozone Officers Network for Africa (ODSONET/AF) at the Monomotapa Crowne Plaza hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe, felt the current estimated costs at about 1 500 Euros (approximately E13 500) fell way over what residents of the continent would ever afford.

The refrigeration project, however, is still at pilot stages with Palfridge in Matsapha Swaziland being one of the manufacturers after funding was made available through cooperation with Giz, the German cooperation agency. Most technical aspects of the project are coordinated through Solarchill.

The issue of affordability also took centre stage when members of the African network of journalist attached to ODSONET also felt there was need for a breakdown of the transfer of technologies. They were also concerned whether the knowhow would remain in Africa and be used by the Africans to produce the fridges for their own benefit. The concern also went to cover the use of local materials instead of importing.

Alvaro Zurita of Giz, however, said it was not possible to produce entire fridges without importing certain components.
He further referred to the case of Swaziland when he explained to journalists that Palfridge was among the local companies to benefit from the Terminal Phase-out Management Programme (TPMP) of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), these being gases that are phased out as per the dictates of the Montreal Protocol.

Other countries where the solar project is piloted are Kenya and Columbia. It is hoped that funding would be secured for all countries wishing to produce them.

The more companies involved in the production of the refrigerators the lower will be the cost per unit and thus affordable to Africa. Swaziland is represented by Ozone Unit Officer in the Swaziland Environmental Authority, Thabile Dlamini who delivered the country report on the status of Swaziland in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

About the Montreal Protocol

n In 1985, the Vienna Convention established mechanisms for international co-operation in research into the ozone layer and the effects of ozone depleting chemicals (ODCs). 1985 also marked the first discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole.

n On the basis of the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was negotiated and signed by 24 countries and by the European Economic Community in September 1987. The Protocol called for the Parties to phase down the use of CFCs, halons and other man-made ODCs.

n After a series of rigorous meetings and negotiations, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was finally agreed upon on September 16, 1987 at the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.

Clean Agent System Bottle Inventory for Under 100#

2011-11-16T14:52:00.000-05:00

Ozone Depletion A Bigger Deal Down Under

2011-11-16T12:55:00.000-05:00

The Earth’s thinning ozone layer is synonymous with a singing and dancing seagull named Sid — at least it is in New Zealand and Australia.

“This time of year there is a huge push to ‘Slip, Slop, Slap,’” says Hamish Talbot, a native New Zealander. These publicly funded commercials implore people to “slip” on a t-shirt, “slop” on some sunscreen and “slap” on a hat.

All this protection is necessary because New Zealand’s location in the Southern Hemisphere puts it very close to the “ozone hole” that forms over the South Pole at this time every year. The ozone is so thin in this part of the world that the weather report on the nightly news includes five-minute sunburn alerts.

Ozone is Earth’s natural sunscreen. The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, or stratosphere, absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. In the 1980s, scientists discovered that manmade chemicals destroy ozone to the point where an actual ozone hole occurs.

The good news is that this hole isn’t getting any larger.

“In fact, we have definitive evidence to show that these manmade chemicals are decreasing,” says Paul Newman, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s chief atmospheric scientist.

These chemicals, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), peaked in the year 2000 and began coming down due to actions taken to save the protective ozone layer beginning in the1980s. That’s when nearly 200 nations agreed to the Montreal Protocol, which strongly regulates ozone-depleting chemicals.

Scientists believe that about 80 percent of the chlorine molecules in the stratosphere are due to human-produced chemicals. Halogens such as chlorine and bromine, which are mainly responsible for chemical ozone depletion, come from chlorine-containing CFCs, which were commonly used as aerosols and in refrigerators, and bromine-containing halons, which were used in fire suppression, among other uses. Originally thought to be harmless, scientists discovered that these chemicals travel into Earth’s stratosphere. Once there, ultraviolet radiation splits the CFCs or halons apart, and the chlorine and bromine containing molecules can then react with ozone, ultimately tearing away at the ozone layer.

Even though CFCs are now regulated, Newman cautions that they have a long lifetime.

“In 2100, CFCs will still be 20 percent more abundant in the atmosphere than they were in 1950. So while it’s not getting any worse, it won’t get better fast.”

A complication to this chemistry is cold temperatures.

“Surface temperature doesn’t affect ozone, but it is extraordinarily cold about 70,000 feet above Antarctica,” Newman says.

At that altitude, clouds form in the polar regions that enable a chemistry to occur that doesn’t happen anywhere else. “These clouds are made up of water, nitric acid and sulfuric acid,” Newman says. These clouds kick start the process by releasing chlorine from a chemically inactive form into a form that can catalytically destroy ozone. With a little bit of sunlight to energize the reactions, a chlorine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules.

“So you need CFCs for the chlorine, really cold temperatures for the clouds, and a little bit of sun. That’s the recipe for the ozone hole,” Newman says.

While it is very hard to predict year-to-year stratospheric temperatures, scientists have been able to measure the success of ozone protection efforts for more than 40 years using NASA satellites. Data records began with the NASA Backscatter UltraViolet (BUV) Instrument on Nimbus-4 in 1970. By 1979, scientists were able to measure the size of the ozone hole using NASA’s Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS). The record continued with the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), supplied by the Netherlands and Finland on the NASA Earth Observing System satellite Aura.

“At first scientists made predictions that chlorine was destroying the ozone, and we indeed found that it was happening,” Newman says. “Now the challenge is to confirm that our predictions of ozone recovery are playing out as we said they would.”

Researchers will continue to collect ozone data with the launch of the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), scheduled for Oct. 28. Aboard NPP is the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS), a new design consisting of two ozone-measuring instruments. The ‘limb profiler’ views the edge of the atmosphere from an angle to help scientists observe ozone at various levels above the Earth’s surface, including the protective ozone layer in the stratosphere. The other instrument is “nadir-viewing,” meaning it looks down from the satellite, measuring the total amount of ozone between the ground and the atmosphere.

NASA satellite data and models predict that the ozone hole will not return to pre-1980 levels for decades. In the meantime, Newman says OMPS will continue the data record into the future — and additional ozone-monitoring instruments are already planned for after NPP.

“We need to really care about the ozone because it is our natural sunscreen. UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, cause cataracts, suppresses the immune system, impact crops, and contribute to degradation of materials,” says Newman.

While OMPS and other instruments will continue to monitor the health of our ozone layer, the fact that it will take a long time for our atmosphere to recover from the damage caused by CFCs, means that Sid the Seagull will keep on singing “Slip, Slop, Slap” — warning people to spend less time outside and more time under a floppy hat.

USA & Netherlands. Sea-Fire 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid at METS

2011-11-16T12:50:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, 09 November 2011

Sea-Fire continues to be a leader in the development of highly effective and environmentally responsible extinguishing systems. The most recent leap forward is its use of 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. The halon and CO2 replacement has virtually no Global Warming Potential (GWP), is non-toxic and won't harm delicate electronics.

"GWP has moved to the forefront as a major environmental concern," said Sea-Fire president Ernie Ellis. "In the 1990s, Sea-Fire addressed ozone depletion with FM-200. Novec 1230 also has zero ozone depletion potential, but a GWP of just one. Compared to halon's atmospheric life span of 300 years, Novec 1230's is only 5 days.

"More and more countries, authorities and consumers require or opt for environmentally sound products," Ellis continued. "Sea-Fire is committed to supplying best-of-class solutions to our agents, distributors and dealers throughout the world."

Novec 1230 interrupts fire at the molecular level by removing heat to the point where it is extinguished. According to 3M, the fluid has the highest heat capacity of any commercially available halon alternative. It can be used on combustible material, electrical and flammable liquid fires.

Completely safe, Novec 1230 is perfect for protecting staff-occupied areas such as engine or pump rooms, and communication or control centers. Non-corrosive and electrically non-conductive, it vaporizes quickly. Novec 1230 won't damage computers or sensitive equipment such as radar and sonar. Unlike foams and powders, the extinguishing agent is clean, leaving behind no residue to clean up.

Sea-Fire offers Novec 1230 in pre-engineered systems protecting areas from 0.7 to 42.5 cu. m, as well as custom applications for spaces up to 495.5 cu. m. Requiring smaller and lighter cylinders than CO2 systems, storage and handling is easy and efficient.

Complying with strict global standards, Novec 1230 certifications include RINA, DNV, USCG, ABS and all major international approvals. It will be available worldwide with no environmental restrictions.

Novec 1230 was designed to avoid being subject to phase-outs. To this end, 3M backs its product with a unique 20-year Blue Sky Warranty. If Novec 1230 is banned from or restricted in use as a fire protection agent due to ozone depletion potential or global warming potential, 3M will refund the purchase price of the fluid.

Editor's Note: Sea-Fire will host a press event and reception to launch Novec 1230 at METS in Amsterdam, on Wednesday, November 16 at 4pm in Sea-Fire booth 2.208.

Replacing Halon in Fire Protection Systems: A Progress Report

2011-11-14T09:04:00.000-05:00

By Robin Bennett, Hazardous Material Leader, Product Development. Environmental Performance Strategy

The aerospace industry has been working to find effective replacements for halon
in airplane fire-extinguishing and suppression systems since production of the chemical
was banned in 1994. industry has conducted extensive research on halon alternatives,
but fully replacing the chemical will require multiple regulatory approvals and the
cooperation of all stakeholders. Click Here to read more

Courtesy of www.boeing.com

RemTec at the SFPE Conference (Society of Fire Protection Engineers)

2011-11-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

See what RemTec's Tank Refurbishing Department Can Do!

2011-11-08T10:17:00.001-05:00

RemTec can refurbish any cylinder in almost any condition! Check it out!

RemTec's Clean Agent System Bottles Inventory

2011-11-08T10:15:00.002-05:00

International golfers for Pan Gulf event

2011-10-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

OVER 100 golfers from around the world will be taking part in the Pan Gulf Golf Day at Awali Golf Club on October 14.

The event, which is being held in cooperation with Pan Gulf Industrial Systems, will consist of two competitions.

The first, teeing off in the early morning, will be a strokeplay tournament comprising more than 100 entrants. It will also act as a KPAO (Kingsbury, Pinhey, Ayto, O'Sullivan) qualifier, the final of which will be held at Awali Golf Club in April next year.

The other is an invitational Stableford competition. Scheduled to tee off at around midway, around 20 invited golfers from the US, Australia, Bahrain and the rest of the GCC will be in the fray.

Both tournaments will be played over 18 holes along Awali Golf Club's sand course.

Amateurs

The players taking part are all amateurs. They will be vying for attractive cash prizes in each competition, with additional awards for the day's various side competitions also to be given out, such as a Harley Davidson motorbike for the first player to sink a hole-in-one.

"The main aim of our Pan Gulf Golf Day is for everyone to have a good time out on the golf course and to make some money for charity," event organiser Martin Allison told the GDN yesterday.

Part of the event's proceeds will be donated to the Think Pink charity.

Following the day's play, there will be live music featuring the Gruesome Twosome band and a dinner.

The Pan Gulf Golf Day's main sponsors are Remtec and Chemetron; while other sponsors are Notifier, Autronica, Stahl, Nalco, DNH Speakers and ATP.

CALSAFE 2011 in Beautiful Monterey Bay, CA

2011-10-10T09:09:00.000-04:00

Phl to start ODS phaseout

2011-10-05T12:55:00.000-04:00

By Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government will finally start to put an end to the use of harmful substances that deplete the earth’s ozone layer by 2013.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje announced the other day that a freeze order on the importation of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) more than a year from now.

He said the ban on ozone-depleting substances (ODS) is pursuant to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, to which the Philippines is a signatory.

“Starting 2013, we are putting a cap on the importation of HCFC to 2,644 metric tons (MT) — the country’s average import of HCFC from 2009 to 2010,” Paje said.

From the base level of 2,644 MT, the HCFC import will be gradually reduced by 10 percent, to 2,3796 MT by 2015; 35 percent to 1,718.6 MT by 2020; then 67.5 percent, to 859.3 MT in 2025.

Paje said that from 2030 to 2039 the DENR would allow the import of the substance to only 66.1 MT annually, representing 2.5 percent of the base level, for the continued use of the servicing sector.

HCFCs are a group of ODS controlled by the Montreal Protocol and comprise the last of eight ODS groups to be phased out pursuant to the Protocol.

The other ODS that have already been phased out in the country include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 11, 12, 113, 114, halon 1301 and 1211, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroforms.

HCFC consumption in the Philippines is attributed to HCFC-22, more commonly known as R-22, HCFC-141b, HCFC-123 and blends of HCFC-225.
HCFCs are commonly used as substitutes for CFCs in the foam blowing, refrigeration, fire extinguishing, solvent and servicing sectors.
Of these HCFCs, Paje said the DENR will prioritize the phaseout of HCFC-141b because it has the most ozone-depleting potential (ODP) of 0.11 as compared with HCFC-22 or R-22 with an ODP of .055 only, HCFC-123 with 0.02 and HCFC blends, from .025 to .033.
He said phaseout would initially cover the foam sector, particularly the polyurethane rigid foam in appliances, panels and sprays.
A total of 364.34 MT of HCFCs is projected to be phased out under the project, which is being implemented by the DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Paje said a total of $2.26 million was granted to fund the project from Japan and the Multilateral Fund.

Clean Agent-Halon - How to use a fire extinguisher training

2011-10-05T12:37:00.000-04:00

Arctic ozone loss at record level

2011-10-03T09:34:00.000-04:00

By Richard BlackEnvironment correspondent, BBC News

Ozone loss over the Arctic this year was so severe that for the first time it could be called an "ozone hole" like the Antarctic one, scientists report.

About 20km (13 miles) above the ground, 80% of the ozone was lost, they say.

The cause was an unusually long spell of cold weather at altitude. In cold conditions, the chlorine chemicals that destroy ozone are at their most active.

It is currently impossible to predict if such losses will occur again, the team writes in the journal Nature.

Early data on the scale of Arctic ozone destruction were released in April, but the Nature paper is the first that has fully analysed the data.

"Winter in the Arctic stratosphere is highly variable - some are warm, some are cold," said Michelle Santee from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

"But over the last few decades, the winters that are cold have been getting colder.

“Start Quote

Why [all this] occurred will take years of detailed study”

Michelle SanteeJPL

"So given that trend and the high variability, we'd anticipate that we'll have other cold ones, and if that happens while chlorine levels are high, we'd anticipate that we'd have severe ozone loss."

Ozone-destroying chemicals originate in substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that came into use late last century in appliances including refrigerators and fire extinguishers.

Their destructive effects were first documented in the Antarctic, which now sees severe ozone depletion in each of its winters.

Their use was progressively restricted and then eliminated by the 1987 Montreal Protocol and its successors.

The ozone layer blocks ultraviolet-B rays from the Sun, which can cause skin cancer and other medical conditions.

Longer, not colder

Winter temperatures in the Arctic stratosphere do not generally fall as low as at the southern end of the world.

Ozone destruction takes place within polar stratospheric clouds, with chlorine the main culprit

No records for low temperature were set this year, but the air remained at its coldest for an unusually long period of time, and covered an unusually large area.

In addition, the polar vortex was stronger than usual. Here, winds circulate around the edge of the Arctic region, somewhat isolating it from the main world weather systems.

"Why [all this] occurred will take years of detailed study," said Dr Santee.

"It was continuously cold from December through April, and that has never happened before in the Arctic in the instrumental record."

The size and position of the ozone hole changed over time, as the vortex moved northwards or southwards over different regions.

Some monitoring stations in northern Europe and Russia recorded enhanced levels of ultraviolet-B penetration, though it is not clear that this posed any risk to human health.

While the Arctic was setting records, the Antarctic ozone hole is relatively stable from year to year.

This year has seen ozone-depleting conditions extending a little later into the southern hemisphere spring than usual - again, as a result of unusual weather conditions.

Chlorine compounds persist for decades in the upper atmosphere, meaning that it will probably be mid-century before the ozone layer is restored to its pre-industrial health.

"Greenwashing" - and how to avoid it.

2011-09-28T15:51:00.000-04:00

Article by Jennifer Woofter: Strategic Sustainability Consulting.

"The Coalition for Responsible Fire Protection began in 2010 as a healthy discussion about how to balance environmental sensitivity with the need to preserve life and property. many large firms now expect or even demand more environmentally responsible products and systems, which will reflect and support their own environmental commitments. While small steps have been taken to "green" the fire protection industry, to date the Coalitiion believes it has been a mostly cosmetic exercise." ..... to read more click here!

Climate Crisis - The 21 Gigatonne Time Bomb (Nature Inc)

2011-09-22T09:13:00.000-04:00

THE 21 GIGATONNE TIMEBOMB: Broadcast in May 2011 on BBC World News to 300 million homes this programme explores the much-neglected issue of what to do about the super-greenhouse gases?

Under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, CFCs and other so-called ozone-depleting chemicals are outlawed, but their Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacements – while harmless to the ozone layer – are powerful greenhouse agents.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change fully one fifth of the greenhouse effect by midcentury will be ascribed to these ozone-friendly but "super greenhouse gases" used in refrigeration and air conditioning.

There are alternatives – principally hydrocarbons - commercially available now (but also ammonia, carbon dioxide and water), but in some countries, they are considered a fire hazard, and are restricted. Many countries allow their usage provided safety standards are followed.

Meanwhile companies such as Dupont are developing a new generation of refrigerants, such as R-1234yf, that they claim have an minimal impact on climate change and are only "mildly flammable" (overlooking extremely toxic combustion byproducts including the lethal hydrogen fluoride).

But they are not yet commercially available, and will be far more expensive than hydrocarbons and high GWP HFCs when they come to market. Different countries have different stances on how to deal with HFC issue. This documentary examines this interesting story from different perspectives.

http://vimeo.com/23345397

Aviation Takes Action on Ozone and Climate Protection

2011-09-22T09:08:00.000-04:00

Montreal, 16 September 2011 At their working group meeting last month, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer heard from the Protocol's Halons Technical Options Committee (HTOC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on yet another successful step in phasing out halons in fire extinguishers on aircraft.
Halons are among the most potent destroyers of the stratospheric ozone layer and are also potent greenhouse gases. Phasing out halons used in fire extinguishers on aircraft has been a difficult challenge because of their effectiveness in fire fighting that in turn helps to increase the safety of passengers. However, in 2003 the Parties to the Montreal Protocol asked the Ozone Secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its technical experts to begin to work with ICAO to look into the possibility of modifying the regulatory requirements that mandate the use of halons on new aircraft without compromising the health and safety of airline passengers.

Thanks to the assistance of the Halon Technical Option Committee (HTOC), ICAO has amended two of its technical Annexes containing standards related to aircraft operations and airworthiness. Both Annex 6 - Operation of Aircraft - and Annex 8 - Airworthiness of Aircraft - have been amended to include a related environmental requirement.

"This was a landmark agreement that resulted from successful collaboration between two multilateral agreements, one for ozone protection and the other for international aviation. The Parties to the Montreal Protocol have been focusing their attention on enhancing collaboration and synergies with other international agreements and regimes. The Parties can be proud that the Montreal Protocol has again managed to contribute to both ozone and climate protection, this time through synergy in civil aviation sector, said Marco Gonzalez, the Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat.

"The agreement to phase out halons was another step forward by the Organization to further strengthen the ability to minimize the impact of air transport operations on the environment. The assistance of the HTOC and UNEP to reach this agreement was instrumental in realizing this achievement, and we look forward to continuing this important inter-agency cooperation to better serve the international community," said ICAO's Secretary General, Raymond Benjamin.

"The progress made by ICAO is important for the ozone layer protection. It is also significant as it demonstrates the commitment of ICAO to the environmental protection. For the first time an operative annex to the Chicago Convention was changed to respond to an environmental concern. This is a win-win for the ozone layer and civil aviation. The United States congratulates the HTOC, ICAO and the Ozone Secretariat, said Cindy Newberg, Chief of the Alternatives and Emissions Reduction Branch of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

ICAO will continue to monitor the research and development of halon alternatives to ensure that the target dates can be met and will follow up on research into a viable halon alternative for cargo area fire extinguishing systems.

"We note that there is still much to be done to make sure that alternatives are identified and can be effectively used, to develop a viable path forward for cargo bays, and ensure that it does not become necessary to pursue use of the essential use provisions to support civil aviation on-going needs. We encourage the HTOC and Ozone Secretariat to continue to work with ICAO," added Ms. Newberg.

"[We] would like to thank the HTOC in particular for its ongoing work with ICAO bodies in supporting the reductions in mandating the use of halons in new air frames. We would also like to thank the ICAO Secretariat for facilitating this excellent outcome and can agree that HTOC can continue its work as needed with ICAO bodies," said Annie Gabriel from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities of Australia.

Notes to Editors:
Nearly three decades ago, atmospheric scientists warned that the annual appearance of the Antarctic ozone hole and the probability of increasing depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer had serious consequences for all life forms. This came after discoveries in the mid-1970s that some man-made chemicals could destroy ozone, resulting in increased ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth.

Although ozone is a small component of the atmosphere, the ozone layer plays a vital role in shielding life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation from the sun. Human exposure to UV-B is known to increase the risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and a suppressed immune system. UV-B exposure can also damage terrestrial plant life, single-cell organisms and aquatic ecosystems.

The evidence that human activities were destroying the stratospheric ozone layer was compelling. Emissions of certain man-made chemicals used in many products such as the halons used as fire extinguishants in aircraft were reaching the stratosphere, between 10-16 kilometres and up to 50 kilometres above the Earth's surface, and destroying ozone molecules. With the appearance of the ozone hole, many countries joined efforts for the first time to combat this global environmental threat. All countries of the world have ratified the landmark international environmental treaty, the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Parties to the Montreal Protocol are committed to eliminating production of ozone-depleting substances by meeting specific phase-out deadlines.

ICAO is specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 190 Member States.

For free broadcast-quality multimedia supporting this press release, please visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/UNEP. If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please email journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com."

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September 11, 2001

2011-09-11T12:15:00.000-04:00

We will always remember those that were lost on this day and those that have since lost their life protecting our freedom and rights.

Proud To Be American!

RemTec has a QR Code!

2011-08-23T15:49:00.002-04:00

Explosion blamed on improper handling of extinguisher

2011-08-19T14:01:00.000-04:00

By GoDanRiver Staff

The Danville Fire Marshal’s office has finished its investigation of a reported “explosion of a cylinder” that took place Monday night at 1072 Riverside Drive and ruled the incident an accident.

When the call first came in at 6:40 p.m., it was reported that a stove exploded. When firefighters arrived, they found two injured people — Ray Hairston and Terence Burton — lying on the loading dock of the building, which Hairston was using for storage, Richard Guill, assistant fire marshal, said.

The men were taken to Danville Regional Medical Center, where Burton was treated and released. Hairston was transferred to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with “severe by not life-threatening injuries,” a news release from Guill stated.

A third person, Lawrence Terry, avoided injury by jumping off the loading dock.

Guill said he and Fire Marshal Shelby Irving investigated the incident and discovered the explosion actually occurred when part of fire extinguishing system, fully loaded with a “clean agent fire suppression gas known as Halon” was activated.

Guill said the men were unloading the cylinder, which had been dismantled from a fire suppression system in 1993.

The cylinder — meant to be attached to a wall and remain there while a hose attached to it dispensed the Halon — was triggered and began hissing.

The cylinder, fueled by the pressurized Halon, then rocketed across the loading dock and hit both Hairston and Burton as it flew into the building.

The Fire Marshal’s office ruled the accident was caused by improper handling of the cylinder, and warns citizens to handle fire extinguishers following these guidelines:

» pressurized cylinders are extremely hazardous if improperly handled;

» never assume a cylinder is empty;

» treat all cylinders as if they are fully charged; and

» failure to follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions may result in serious injury or death, and property damage.