Facility Issues Nuggets (2008/09 GUIDE)
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Assess Building Air Protection
Ready America provides extensive information on building air protection. In some emergencies microscopic particles may be released into the air. For example, earthquakes often can release dust and debris into the air. A biological attack may release germs that can make you sick. And a dirty bomb can spread radioactive particles. Many of these things can only hurt you if they get into your body. A building can provide a barrier between contaminated air outside and people inside, but there are ways to improve building air protection.
Depending on the size of the building and the design and layout of the Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system, there may be simple steps building owners and managers can take to help protect people from some airborne threats. If you rent or lease your space, speak to the building owners and managers about HVAC maintenance. Ask if there are options for improving building air protection.
Here are some topics you should consider:
www.ready.gov/business/protect/airprotection.html
Protect Your Company’s Physical Assets
In addition to emergency planning, there are steps you can take to both safeguard your company and secure your physical assets. Ready America’s series for business contains valuable information in the following categories:
www.ready.gov/business/protect/index.html
Physical Security Tips
Security guru Kevin Beaver offers helpful advice on various physical security topics. You may need to do a quick third-party registration to access certain ones.
Articles
Podcasts
www.principlelogic.com/physical.html
ASSE Offers Business Resumption Safety Tips Following August Storms
To help communities and businesses affected by the recent storms resume operations safely, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and its members, occupational safety, health and environmental professionals, offer the following business resumption safety tips.
ASSE President Warren K. Brown, CSP, ARM, CSHM, noted that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for business resumption following a disaster, however, businesses should do a hazard evaluation and assessment performed by a safety and health professional and consider following these suggested tips:
EMERGENCY PLANNING & PROCEDURES: Ensure that there is a clear path of egress for the evacuation of employees, fire extinguishers are operable and that checks for damage and serviceability are made to see if any fire extinguishers were used during the disaster. If damage is found, they should be replaced immediately. Following a disaster a company should review and update its emergency plan. Review and distribute the emergency procedures plan to employees as they return to work. Designate a place for employees to gather once out of the building or a phone number they should call following an emergency so that all can be accounted for and safely. Frequently update the emergency contact list.
EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS – Find out if your employees are safe. If any employees were injured consider assisting them: communicate this with your employees and follow your company emergency action plan. Once you have learned the facts involving any damage your staff or business may have sustained, evaluate the next steps and communicate your plan with your employees, emergency personnel (city, state and federal), and the community you do business in, your customers, vendors and other organizations you work with.
STRUCTURAL SECURITY: Have a qualified professional evaluate the structural integrity of the building or facility.
SAFE ENTRY: Contact the proper government agencies to get approval to resume occupancy of the building. Do not enter a facility or building unless the proper clearances have been attained for everyone’s safety.
CLEAN-UP SAFETY: Implement your clean-up and business resumption processes in a safe and healthful manner. Provide training in proper selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your employees and yourself such as eyewear, gloves, and dust mask/respirators for cleaning.
FOLLOWING A FLOOD: After a flood FEMA suggests -- listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink; avoid floodwaters which may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage and may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines; avoid moving water; be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded as roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car; stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company; return home or to your business only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so; stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters; use extreme caution when entering buildings as there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations; service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible as damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards; and, clean and disinfect everything that got wet as mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT: Make sure the atmosphere in the workplace environment is tested for asbestos and other chemical/toxic agents. Air quality is a key concern when restarting business operations.
VENTILATION: Have vents checked to assure water heaters and gas furnaces are clear and operable. Dust and debris can stop or impede airflow decreasing its quality and healthfulness. Safely start-up heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which includes prior inspection of power lines before energizing and pressurizing of the systems. Test your systems now after inspection or have a qualified specialist do so. It is suggested that one blow cold air through HVAC systems first, as opposed to warm air, as it can help prevent the growth of mold in duct systems.
INTERIOR, EXTERIOR EXPOSURES: For interior spaces, ensure no wall or ceiling materials are in danger of falling. If such exposures do exist, the work environment is not ready for occupancy. Check for cracked windows and outside building materials, as these could fall onto pedestrians at any time -- now and in the future.
PROTECTION EQUIPMENT: For fire and smoke alarms it is important to assure that these have been cleaned and tested before allowing occupancy of the building. If such systems are wired into other systems ensure that they are still compatible and work in an efficient and effective manner. Thorough inspection of fire-fighting systems such as sprinkler and chemical equipment functions is a must.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY: Have checks made of electrical systems, computer cables and telecommunications' equipment to ensure they are still safe and there is no danger of exposure to electricity. Wiring inspections should be conducted from the outside in to ensure all wiring and connections are not in danger of shorting out due to water damage from rain or fire-fighting efforts.
USE EXISTING FEDERAL GUIDELINES: Utilize existing start-up guidance materials provided by government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), www.fema.gov and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), www.cdc.gov/niosh.
HEALTH/SANITATION ISSUES: The general facility sanitation systems should be inspected and tested to guard against potential employee exposure to toxic agents. Food sanitation should also be an issue. Any unused food should be discarded. If the workspace has a kitchen, inspect oven hoods and other ventilation devices to ensure they are not clogged and are working efficiently.
OFFICE FURNITURE: Inspect the furniture to ensure it can withstand expected loads and usages. Ensure that binder bins (storage devices screwed or bolted to railing systems on walls and panels) have not become unstable due to water damage. Inspect office equipment to ensure it is level, stable, and cannot tip over.
LIGHTING: Make sure there are adequate illumination levels for employees. Emergency lighting should be checked to ensure it operates and functions in the correct manner.
SOLID/HAZARDOUS WASTE REMOVAL: Broken glass, debris, or other materials with cutting edges should be safely gathered and disposed of immediately. Ensure that such materials can be disposed of before collection to avoid creating even bigger hazards for both employees and the public. Solid waste disposal will be an issue, especially if hazardous waste is involved. Evaluate waste disposal issues prior to beginning clean-up operations to ensure it can be properly disposed of.
POWER CHECKS: If there is no access to electricity on the site, do not use fueled generators or heaters indoors. Ensure that there are no gas and sewer leaks in your facility. You will need to check with your local utilities for information regarding power, gas, water, and sewer usage.
CHECK MAINFRAMES: If your facility has mainframe computer applications - see that lines and cabling for chiller systems are checked to avoid chemical leak out.
MACHINE INSPECTIONS: Inspect the condition of the drain, fill, plumbing, and hydraulic lines on processes and machines. It would be prudent to have plumbing lines evaluated and tested in order to detect any hazardous gases.
SURFACES: Make sure flooring surfaces are acceptable and free from possible slips, trips and falls - the second leading cause of on-the-job deaths in the U.S. ANSI standard A1264 - protection of floor and wall openings is a good starting point.
TRANSPORTATION: If employees will be on the road, check on the condition of the roads, make sure they are safe. For example, downed power lines could be a major hazard. Transportation accidents continue to be the number one cause of on-the-job fatalities in the U.S Although the roadway is not a closed environment and roadway conditions cannot be controlled, employers can take steps to protect their employees by assigning a management team member, such as the occupational safety and health professional, to set and enforce a comprehensive company driver safety policy; enforce mandatory seat belt use; not require workers to drive irregular hours or far beyond their normal work hours or to conduct business on a cell phone while driving; and, developing work schedules that allow employees to follow hours-of-service regulations. Also, adopt a structured vehicle maintenance program and provide vehicles with the highest levels of occupant protection.
Information courtesy of ASSE. Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the oldest and largest safety society and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 32,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety health and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education. More information on contingency preparedness can be found at www.asse.org/newsroom.
From OSHA: Keeping Disaster Site Workers Safe During Cleanup and Recovery Operations
Here are some of the resources you will find on the OSHA site:
Hazards and Controls for Disaster Recovery Operations
Activity Sheets include hazards and controls for floodwater removal, building assessment, utility restoration, building assessment, demolition, debris management, and others.
The activity sheets are grouped into six categories. Each activity sheet contains a brief overview of the activity; a list of safety and health hazards and recommended engineering controls, work practices, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE); additional applicable training needs; and references to other potentially applicable activity sheets and reference materials.
Building Assessment, Restoration and Demolition
Waste/Debris Removal and Reduction
Infrastructure Repair and Restoration
Community Support and Public Health Services
Before proceeding to any activity sheet, users are strongly encouraged to first review the page, Employer/Employee Responsibilities. These documents are integral in understanding and using the information contained in each activity sheet.
Portable Air Conditioners Offer IT Cooling Solutions
Excessive heat generation in dedicated server rooms is a growing issue, as companies increasingly use smaller servers with faster processors. Also, as IT facilities add more gear, the heat load often exceeds cooling capabilities. Replacing or adding to installed cooling systems can be expensive.
Even companies that have sufficient cooling may temporarily need other solutions. When installed cooling systems fail or have to be turned off for maintenance, it can be costly to have a redundant system just for these situations. An often-overlooked alternative is the use of portable air conditioning equipment – the same type of equipment used for emergency cooling. Portable A/C equipment can offer an easier, more affordable alternative that can be installed almost anywhere, often within minutes. Following are a few recommended guidelines for selecting portable cooling equipment:
Information courtesy of Clark Michel, Atlas Sales & Rentals, Inc. For more information call (800)972-6600 or visit www.atlassales.com
New OSHA Web Resources for Flood and Tornado Cleanup & Recovery
Structural and Non-Structural Mitigation Measures
California’s earthquake readiness campaign provides resources to protect buildings and their contents
Secure Your Building
This section focuses on the structure (floor/ceiling/walls) and elements not part of the structure but considered part of the building such as electrical systems or mechanical systems such as heating, water, etc. Since many buildings have weaknesses; the good news is they can be earthquake strengthened. The site includes a list of common building problems and solutions.
Determine your building problem(s), prioritize how and when to fix them, and GET STARTED. Refer to the sources listed on each page. Need help? Consult the guide on "How to Hire Someone to Help" such as a qualified professional contractor or engineer.
Secure Your Stuff
Earthquake safety is more than minimizing damage to buildings. To "secure your space," reduce the risk of injury and damage by securing the contents of your home and workplace. In the Northridge earthquake, 55% were injured due to unsecured building contents such as toppling bookcases and billions of dollars were lost. You should secure anything: 1) heavy enough to hurt you if it falls on you, or; 2) fragile or expensive enough to be a significant loss (financially or emotionally) if it's damaged.
START NOW taking simple actions to protect you and your family. Move heavy objects to lower shelves then look for other items that may be hazardous in an earthquake. Need help with larger projects? Consult the guide on "How to Hire Someone to Help".
To link to the mitigation guidelines:
www.daretoprepare.org/secure_your_building.html
IBHS on YouTube
The Institute for Business & Home Safety offers home protection videos on YouTube as an additional resource to homeowners and small business owners to help protect their property from natural and man-made disasters. Check out YouTube IBHS features to help you prepare for wildfires, hurricanes, earthquake, tornados and much more.
www.disastersafety.org/videos/
Helpful Resources from ASIS Security Toolkit
ASIS website is always a favorite of ours. You will find security resources galore.
State by State Building Code Information
The Institute for Business & Home Safety has an amazing new resource. Building codes and standards regulate the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. They help protect the health, safety and general welfare of a building's users. And now, you can get the latest building code information for various parts of the U.S. simply by clicking on an online map.
Get the latest building code information from around the country
FMLink’s Facilities Management News
Check this site regularly for facility issues related to emergency preparedness, emergency power, disaster recovery, fire protection etc. The site contains articles, surveys, trends, best practices and much more. It is free with a simple registration. Two good articles you may want to read:
From FEMA -- Mitigation Best Practices Portfolio
In the wake of disasters, people often wonder whether there is a way to protect both people and property from such devastating losses. The answer is a resounding "YES!" Mitigation is the way to provide that protection. Hazard mitigation means taking action to reduce or prevent future damage, preferably before a disaster strikes.
www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/bestpractices/index.shtm
Security Convergence -- Logical Security & Physical Security
In a recent benchmark report published by the Aberdeen Group, VP and Research Director Derek E. Brink provides insight and recommendations for integration of organization’s logical security infrastructure and physical security infrastructure. This study facilitates an enterprise-wide view of security risk. Over 140 worldwide organizations from a diverse set of industries contributed to this study. The research shows that companies with top performance have gained the business benefits of better security, sustained compliance, faster response times, lower total cost, and improved collaboration between their logical and physical security teams.
www.isc365.com/Logical_Physical_Security_Convergence_All_Leading_To_One.aspx
Public Safety Wins with New Storm Shelter, Safe Room Construction Standard
A new set of construction guidelines will increase public safety for people evacuated to storm shelters and those who use safe rooms in their homes during hurricanes and tornados.
The International Code Council/National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard, offers new guidelines for community shelters and residential safe rooms. It also consolidates previous references published by NSSA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross. One feature of the new standard increases minimum wind resistance requirements in the event of rare but strong storms.
www.iccsafe.org/news/nr/2008/0829storm.html
Transformerless UPS
The influx of new data processing and communications equipment has yielded data centers with increased processing power and higher-density form factors, yet poses challenges for data center managers whose uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) are incompatible with the subsequent change in power loads. Previously, large and expensive components such as input inductors or harmonic filters were needed for a UPS to be effective. As technology has matured to support improved value without sacrificing reliability, the transformer-free UPS, which does not contain power line frequency magnetics (transformers or inductors), has emerged as the leading solution for data centers. The transformer-free UPS offers reliable power at a lower weight, is easily accessible for everyday use and service and is scalable to meet future demands.
The transformer-free UPS is typically only 25 percent of the weight and occupies 60 percent of the footprint of a legacy UPS design, which can save thousands in shipping and installation costs. The transformerless UPS is also energy-efficient which ultimately saves on power costs, even if the UPS is not running at full capacity. Efficiency at 50 percent load capacity is almost the same as it would be at 100 percent capacity.
Companies striving to be environmentally-friendly may want to avoid large transformers if possible. Iron and copper, materials are that are expensive and non-renewable, make up much of the composition of transformers. Also, the building process of transformers often involves dipping them in an environmentally hazardous, chemical varnish and baking them in an oven, emitting harmful fumes. While UPS products still contain some copper and iron, the elimination of the transformer significantly decreases the energy required for production and supports the “green” nature of the product.
By delivering the same power quality with a smaller footprint, transformer-free topology can bring improved performance and value to an organization.
Courtesy of Ed Spears and George Oughton, Eaton Corporation, www.eaton.com/powerware
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