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This article discusses emerging trends in fire-rated glazing and their impact on sustainable construction practices. Fire-rated glass is an essential building material that is classified and regulated by the Building Code. New innovations in fire-rated glazing allow for larger sizes and longer fire protection, while also providing solar control and energy efficiency. The article explains the categories of fire-rated glass products, including fire-protective and fire-resistive glazing, and their respective performance capabilities. It also highlights the importance of fire codes and compartmentalization in preventing the spread of fires in buildings. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the challenges faced by the U.S. Army's Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program, which aimed to enhance artillery range and capability. Topics include the initial goals and progress of the ERCA prototyping effort, the technical issues encountered with the 58-caliber cannon barrel, and the ongoing development and future plans to address these challenges while leveraging successful advancements in ammunition technology.

The article discusses the efforts of valve manufacturers towards leak-free valves. Topics mentioned include identification of manufacturers that valves designed with lower emissions have the potential to reduce explosion, provision of extra-deep stuffing boxes with fine finishes and standard packing materials in valves, and the fire-test standards for valve design.

The article discusses the design of pressure vessels and how they can improve operations and profitability. Topics include the need to avoid fireproofing and flanged joints inside the skirt to prevent the collapse of the equipment, the use of code API 2510A, Section 5.8.2.2, to support the covering skirt openings, and the adequate size of the process nozzle at bottom of the vessel.

The article discusses the various strategies that are being used for relief rate calculations of wetted vessels during a fire. Information pertaining to relief rate calculation, measuring latent heat, finding the maximum required area of a pressure release valve (PRV) during a fire, and the relief rate calculation for unwetted equipment is presented.

The author cites some problems with the American Society of Testing and Materials' (ASTM) E-119 "Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials," and argues that the fire tests should be upgraded. Topics discussed include synthetic materials and their associated heat release rates, ventilation effects of an actual fire, and the assumption that a fire always starts on the outside of the assembly.

Gas turbine combined cycle power generation (GTCC) is clean and highly efficient and accounts for a large proportion of power generation today. Therefore, for the realization of a CC2-free society, it is important to use hydrogen for large power generation gas turbines on a largescale. Mitsubishi heavy industries (MHI) group successfully passed a firing test using a 30 percent hydrogen mix in volume. This result achieved a 10 percent reduction in CO2 emission. In addition, MHI group has announced a project in the Netherlands to convert a 440MW natural gas GTCC to 100 percent hydrogen combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) standards for public transportation. Importance of the standards to public transportation safety; Cause of fire and toxic fumes; Standards for optical smoke density; Necessity of fire tests. INSETS: SAFETY FIRST;PREVENTING POLYURETHANE-FED FIRES.

The article discusses that the building owners should care about commissioning and integrated testing practices that ensure that technical experts are involved in all phases. It mentions that the commissioning process is becoming more common in commercial construction, and in many jurisdictions.

A calendar of events for the defense industries in the U.S. to be held from June to November 2009 is presented which includes Defense Systems Acquisition Management Course (DSAM) in Colorado, Live Fire Test & Evaluation Conference in Maryland and Pacific Operational Science and Technology Conference & Exhibition in Hawaii.

The article focuses on supporters of a lateral-load resisting system of tied dual-plate wall modules field-filled with concrete to celebrate including the New York City Dept. of Buildings has granted permission to use the system, dubbed Speed-Core to steel frames with reinforced-concrete cores.

The article announces the National Intitute of Standards and Technology's release of a supply of a specially designed cigarette used as an ignition source for measuring the inflammability of soft furnishings.

The article informs that the structural steel of the World Trade Center's Twin lowers was stripped of its fireproofing by debris from the aircraft impact and weakened by the resulting fires, eventually causing the towers to collapse. Many experts familiar with the Twin Towers' design are not surprised by the findings of the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). But they are worth noting, say sources, because both structural engineers and fire experts have questioned whether the design by Skilling Helle Christiansen Robertson in some way contributed to the collapse. According to S. Shyam Sunder, NIST's lead investigator for the study, an ordinary office fire would likely have resulted in burnout, not collapse.

Aluflam has successfully completed fire testing of its aluminum door and window systems for the North American market. Originally developed and proven in Europe, the Aluflam system is comprised of custom-extruded and-filled aluminum framing combined with a clear, wire-free glass laminate. The glass is supplied by Vetrotech Saint-Gobain of Auburn, Washington.

Reports on the ballistic missile testing in the United States. Test firing of missiles from USS Ohio and USS Louisiana; Firing of four Trident I submarine-launched ballistic missile; Deployment of six Ohio-class Trident I submarines.

Editorial. Discusses the oversight by senior United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials regarding the American Society of Testing and Materials flammability standards for aircraft thermal and acoustic insulation. The harm caused by insulation fires; How the FAA failed to act on warnings from a 1995 fire on an MD-11; How fire and smoke are among the leading causes of death in aircraft accidents.

The article focuses on Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Design No. D982 fire tests which fueled dispute over structural-steel floor assemblies. Topics discussed include result of tests sponsored by American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the use of D982, and confusion over unrestrained and restrained assemblies. Comments from AISC president Charles J. Carter and technical services manager John A. Dalton are also presented.

The article discusses two-hour fire testing passed by mass timber assembly Framework Tower in Portland, Oregon. Topics discussed include comment from Thomas Robinson, founding principal of LEVER Architecture firm, regarding the test; David Barber of firm Arup, regarding the test that composed of glue-laminated-timber (GLT) beam-to-column assembly and grant for the test from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in partnership with Softwood Lumber Board and the Binational Softwood Lumber Council.

The article reports on the installation of cross-laminated timber (CLT) deck for a McDonald's restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, and concern of Chicago Fire Dept. (CFD) for the success of this project. It highlights the fire testing designed by the National Research Council Canada (NRC). Comments from Richard Edgeworth, deputy fire commissioner for the CFD-BFP, are also included.

The article reports that mass timber groups have adjusted product certification standards to require the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) with structural adhesives following fire test results showing better fire performance. Topics discussed include the International Code Council's updating of its 2021 model International Building Code and International Residential Code and analysis of the CLT showing fire regrowth due to a glue line failure caused by elevated temperatures.

This section offers news briefs relating to fire fighting in the U.S. as of February 2014. ASTM International is working to develop the ASTM WK37414 "Test Method for Flammability and Resistance of Eaves and Horizontal Projections to Fire Penetration." Russ Gown, first assistant chief of the Factoryville Fire Department of Pennsylvania collapsed and died at the fire scene on November 20, 2013.

The article offers information on the corrosion-related research started by The University of Queensland's corrosion group. It mentions the development of methods for measuring the corrosion rate in a synthetic body fluid. It notes the examination of stress corrosion cracking in magnesium (Mg) alloys. It also emphasizes the exposure of Mg-alloy specimen to flame to investigate its flammability.

The article offers information on the aerosol flammability testing offered by inspection, product testing and certification company Intertek Group PLC to the European standards and standards of Great Britain.

The article offers information on a series of burn tests conducted by the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage, New York, with composite liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. These tests aim to provide knowledge as to how these new cylinders would behave under fire conditions. Composite cylinders have been used in Europe for a decade and are now being introduced in the U.S. These cylinders are designed with a two-piece casing, and are also corrosion-free. The tests conducted were nonscientific in nature and intended to provide a rough time to failure.

The article discusses behavior of the World Trade Center's twin 110-story towers. Structural and fire experts are gratified but not surprised by the latest" interim" findings of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on the behavior of the World Trade Center's twin 110-story towers after the buildings were attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. NIST has concluded, after completing most of its indepth, US dollar 16-million investigation, that the towers would likely have withstood the heat of the jet-fuel-triggered fires had the hijacked planes and the debris from impact not knocked off the sprayed-on fireproofing.

Focuses on the development of Specification Test Standard for Flammability of Industrial Fluids to better evaluate the flammability potential of industrial fluids by the Factory Mutual Research. Evaluation of the broad spectrum of industrial fluids; Use of the test results to calculate overall spray flammability parameter. INSET: Sealing test rig aims at cylinders.

Reports the problem on funding the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures/Common Missile Warning System (ATIRCM/CMWS) in the U.S. Issuance of Program Budget Decision 161; Description of ATIRCM/CMWS; Completion of live-fire tests.

Reports on standards issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission for flame test methods. Assistance to manufacturers and consumers for assessing flammability characteristics of products.

Discusses the test to validate the hypothesis that dryer lint can spontaneously heat, a phenomenon that has been observed by some fire investigators. Test procedure; Findings.

The article reports on the approval of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) International Committee with the ASTM E2726/E2726M, Test Method for Evaluating the Fire-Test-Response of Deck Structures to Burning Brands that covers the protection of outside parts of structures during fires.

The article focuses on the 2012 edition of Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, which was released by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971. It says that the standard requires ensemble manufacturers to comply with potential burns testing requirements under attachments such as logos and trim. It mentions that W. L. Gore & Associates has worked with garment manufacturers to develop a stored energy (STE) test baseline.

The article explores the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) on interior and exterior of structures which is allowed by the International Code Council's (ICC) International Building Code (IBC). Reference is made to Chapter 8 of IBC regarding fire test standards and Chapter 26 on the need to have an ICC-sanctioned label for passing the fire tests. It also highlights several ways to develop FRP components to conform with the flame spread and smoke-obscuration requirements.

The article reports on the first firing trial of Astute submarine Great Britain's next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. It is stated that the first-of-class Astute submarine discharged 10 dummy torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles from its torpedo tubes. It is also noted that further test firings will take place before Astute leaves Barrow in 2008.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including the death of Tom Brennan, editor of "Fire Engineering" journal, the "Pride and Ownership" webcast given by Chief Rick Lasky of Lewisville, Texas on August 23, 2006 at www.fireengineering.com and "Fire Tests on Composite LPG Cylinders," by Dennis M. Murphy and Eugene Pietzak in the July 2006 issue.

Lists companies in the United States that manufacture flammability test equipment. Includes Blue M Electric; Tarlin Scientific Inc.