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Ice Cream at the Rock
“The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream”
— Wallace Stevens
The invention of ice cream, as we know it today, is a product of historical evolution, and there isn’t a single individual credited with its creation. Various cultures and civilizations throughout history have contributed to the development of frozen treats resembling ice cream.
One of the earliest records of frozen desserts can be traced back to ancient China, where people enjoyed a frozen mixture of milk and rice around 200 BC. Similarly, ancient Persians and Arabs had a tradition of mixing fruit juices with snow or ice to create refreshing treats.
In Europe, frozen desserts gained popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, and it was during this time that the more modern version of ice cream, made with sweetened milk or cream, began to take shape. During this period, ice cream became more widely accessible and enjoyed by the nobility and upper classes.
MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
To produce ice cream on a commercial scale, several key pieces of infrastructure and equipment are necessary. The specific requirements may vary depending on the production capacity and the type of ice cream being produced, but the basic infrastructure typically includes:
- Manufacturing Facility: A dedicated space or building is needed to house all the production equipment and storage facilities. The facility should comply with local health and safety regulations and be designed to maintain the required temperature and hygiene standards.
- Mixing and Blending Equipment: Industrial-scale mixers and blending machines are used to mix ingredients like milk, cream, sugar, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and flavorings. These machines ensure that the mixture is homogenized and consistent.
- Pasteurization Equipment: To ensure product safety and extend shelf life, ice cream mix needs to be pasteurized. Pasteurization equipment heats the mixture to a specific temperature and then rapidly cools it to destroy harmful microorganisms.
- Homogenizers: Homogenizers help break down fat molecules in the ice cream mix to create a smoother and creamier texture.
- Aging Vats: The ice cream mix is aged at a controlled temperature for a specific period, which allows the ingredients to fully blend and improves the ice cream’s texture.
- Freezers: Continuous freezers or batch freezers are used to freeze the ice cream mix while incorporating air to create the desired overrun (the amount of air in the final product). Continuous freezers are more commonly used in large-scale production, while batch freezers are suitable for smaller batches.
- Hardening and Storage Room: Once the ice cream is frozen, it needs to be hardened at a lower temperature to achieve the desired texture. Storage rooms are used to store finished ice cream at the appropriate temperature until distribution.
- Packaging Equipment: Equipment for filling and packaging the ice cream into various containers, such as cartons, tubs, or cones.
- Quality Control and Laboratory Facilities: A dedicated area for quality control testing, where ice cream samples are analyzed for consistency, flavor, and other characteristics.
- Cleaning and Sanitation Systems: Proper cleaning and sanitation systems are essential to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination.
- Utilities: Adequate water supply, electrical power, and refrigeration capacity are critical for ice cream production.
προμηθέας 300
Today we run through recent action in fire safety best practice literature. Even though fire safety technologies comprise about 2-4 percent of a new building budget, the influence of the fire safety culture dominates all aspects campus safety; cybersecurity of public safety communication technology for example.
A small sample of the issues we have tracked in the past: (2002-2023). Items in RED indicate success in reducing cost with no reduction in safety (i.e. successful rebuttal, typically market-making by incumbents)
- Limiting vendor lock-in (promote interoperability) in building additions.
- Limiting the tendency to lowball first cost in order to achieve vendor lock-in later in the facility life-cycle
- Dormitory kitchen fire safety
Fire Safety of University Dormitory Based on Bayesian Network
- Clarification of mixed-occupancy classifications (occupant loading)
- Fixed interval (rather than risk-informed) inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm and protection system components
- Fire alarm system upgrades during renovation
Gamification Teaching in School Fire Safety
- Mixed zone and addressable alarm system wiring
- Wireless initiation devices
- Integrated fire protection systems (NFPA 3&4)
- Portable fire extinguishers (NFPA 10)
Hospital Evacuation under Fire
- Alarm system re-set procedures
- Sprinkler system coverage for animals in research
- Scalability of fire safety professional certification
- Sprinklering of off-campus student housing
- Advocating central (or campus district) fire pump systems
One of the newer issues to revisit over the past few years is the fire safety of tents. Many colleges and universities are setting up large commercial tents outside buildings (within range of Wi-Fi) for students to congregate, study and dine. We are also seeing back and forth on fire safety in theatrical performance venues in the International Code Council building safety catalog.
We approach these titles with an eye toward driving risk-informed, performance requirements that reduce risk and cost for the user interest; while recognizing the responsibility of competitor stakeholders. It is not a friendly space for the user-interest who seeks to optimally resolve the competing requirements of safety and economy. Vertical incumbents completely dominate this domain.
Relevant NFPA Titles:
NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
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- Public Input Closing Date: June 1, 2023
NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®
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- Public Comment Closing Date: May 31, 2023
NFPA 75 Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment
NFPA 76 Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities
NFPA 92 Standard for Smoke Control Systems
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- Public Comment Closing Date: January 4, 2023
International Code Council Group A 2021/2022 Code Cycle
Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
More
NFPA Report: Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities and Barracks
ASTM Committee E0% on Fire Standards
Why do Humans Stare at Fire? : Scientific aspects of primal magic of fire
Fire Safety
“Creation of humanity by Prometheus as Athena looks on”
Fire safety leadership usually finds itself involved in nearly every dimension of risk on the #WiseCampus; not just the built environment but security of interior spaces with combustibles but along the perimeter and within the footprint of the education community overall.
The Campus Fire Marshal, for example, usually signs the certificate of occupancy for a new building but may be drawn into meetings where decisions about cybersecurity are made. Fire protection systems coincide with evacuation systems when there is no risk and both may be at risk because of cyber-risk.
The job description of a campus fire safety official is linked below offers some insight into why fire safety technologies reach into every risk dimension:
University of California Santa Cruz Office of Emergency Services
University of Tennessee Emergency Service Training
The development of the highest level fire safety consensus product in the world is led by the British Standards Institute, under the administration of the International Standardization Organization, with Committee E05 on Fire Standards of ASTM International as the US Technical Advisory Group Administrator. The business plan and the map of global participants is linked below:
BUSINESS PLAN ISO/TC 92 Fire safety EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The consensus products developed by TC 92 are intended to save lives, reduce fire losses, reduce technical barriers to trade, provide for international harmonization of tests and methods and bring substantial cost savings in design. ISO/TC 92 standards are expected to be of special value to developing countries, which are less likely to have national standards. As with all ISO standards, the TC 92 consensus product is a performance standard suitable for use in prescriptive regulations and provide for a proven route to increased fire safety.
We do not advocate in this standard at the moment; we only track it. The International Fire Code and the Fire Code have been our priorities since 2006. The fire safety space is well populated with knowledgeable facility professionals because conformity budgets in the fire safety world — i.e. the local or state fire marshal — usually has a budget. When you have a budget you usually have people keeping pace with best practice.
We encourage our colleagues in the United States on either the business or academic side of the education facility industry to communicate directly with ANSI’s ISO Team and/or the ASTM Contact: Tom O’Toole, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 Phone: (610) 832-9739, Email: totoole@astm.org
We maintain this title on the agenda of our periodic Global and Prometheus colloquia. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.
Issue: [19-104]
Category: Fire Safety, Fire Protection, International
Contact: Mike Anthony, Joe DeRosier, Alan Sactor, Joshua Elvove, Casey Grant
More:
The Challenges of Storage and Not Enough Space, Alan Sactor
International Fire Code
2024 International Fire Code | Free Access
Crosswalk: NFPA Fire Code and ICC International Fire Code
Not to worry, I have a permit. pic.twitter.com/SUp9ztTH2g
— Emily Laudin (@EmilyLaudin) August 4, 2024
2024 GROUP A PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE I-CODES based on Committee Action Hearings October 2024
2024 GROUP A PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE I-CODES
2024/2025/2026 ICC CODE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
ICC BCAC | Comments to be presented at October Hearings
Noteworthy Proposals:
IFC 1010.27 Locking arrangements, PDF page 252
IFC 1020.2 Corridor Fire Resistance Ratings. PDF page 356
IFC 915 More Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems, PDF page 1156
IBC 917 Mass notification for Group E occupancies, PDF page 1176
IFC 5701 More Process Hazard Analysis, PDF page 1571
The transcript (Complete Monograph) of Committee Actions should be available by September 5th.
Committee Action Hearings on Proposed Changes: October 23-31 Long Beach, California
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“A Square with Imaginary Buildings” | Hendrik van Steenwijck (1614)
“Waking Effectiveness of Alarms for Adults Who Are Hard of Hearing” 2007 Victoria University, Australia
Health Facilities: Navigating IBC and NFPA differences
Posted February 14, 2023
Free access to the latest edition of the IFC is linked below:
Following the ICC Group A revision cycle public consultation on the 2024 International Fire Code will begin. The ICC will announce the development schedule sometime in 2022.
We limit our resources simply tracking the proposals that run through Group E (Educational) and Group I (Institutional) occupancies in the Group A suite with closer attention to the state they are adopted whole cloth or with local exceptions. In many cases, IFC adoption by state and local authorities is delayed by one or more previous code revisions. This delay in adoption may be necessary in order for jurisdictions to evaluate the impact of changes upon the region under their authority.
Public safety budgets historically support the local and state fire marshal and his or her staff. The revenue stream of many trade associations originates from membership, conference attendance, training and certification enterprises that service the public sector stakeholder. Manufacturer sponsorship of trade association conferences is noteworthy.
Unless there is an idea, or proposed regulation that has run off the rails (either in terms of rigor or cost increase) — we place fire safety in the middle of our ranking of priorities. With gathering pace, we find many fires safety goals being met with electrotechnologies where we place our highest priority.
Click on image for more information. The map is updated by expert agencies frequently so we recommend a web search for an update.
Significant code changes rarely happen within a 3-year cycle so it is wise to follow ideas as they travel through the agendas of technical committees through several cycles as administered by the Fire Code Action Committee.
The ICC posts the transcripts of public proposals, technical committee responses to public proposals, public response to the technical committee response and the final balloting in a fair and reasonable fashion as can be seen in the transcripts linked below:
2021 International Fire Code Proposed Changes
2021 International Fire Code Public Comment Agenda
A search on the terms “classroom” or “school” in any of the documents above offers granular insight into the trend of current thinking. We find fire extinguishers placement a perennial concern across several standards suites. You will note the careful consideration of proposals for use of the mass notification systems, now integrated into fire alarm systems and their deployment in active shooter situations.
The transcripts reveal detailed understanding and subtlety.
“The Country School” | Winslow Homer
There are many issues affecting the safety and sustainability of the education facility industry. We add value to the industry because of our cross-cutting perspective on the hundreds of “silos”created by the competition (and sometimes cooperation) among accredited, consortia and open-source standards developers. We have the door open every day at 11 AM Eastern time to enlighten understanding of them all. We also host a breakout teleconference every month to drill into the specifics of standards action on fire safety for the real assets of school districts, colleges and universities. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting.
Finally, we persist in encouraging education industry facility managers (especially those with operations and maintenance data) to participate in the ICC code development process. You may do so by CLICKING HERE.
The ICC Group B Code Meetings will be hosted soon and open to the public:
The Group B tranche is largely focused on energy, structural, residential and existing building concepts but all of the titles cross-reference the IFC in some way so it is wise to follow how the concepts re-arrange and cross-reference themselves with each cycle.
Issue: [16-169]
Category: Architectural, Facility Asset Management, Space Planning
Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Casey Grant, Joshua Evolve, Marcelo Hirschler
More
2021/2022 ICC CODE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
FINAL ACTION RESULTS ON THE 2018 PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODES – GROUP A
2018 GROUP A PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE I-CODES COLUMBUS COMMITTEE ACTION HEARINGS
2018 GROUP A PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA | INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
2018 GROUP A PUBLIC COMMENT AGENDA | INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
2018 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ACTION HEARINGS ON THE 2018 EDITIONS OF THE GROUP A INTERNATIONAL CODES
Healthcare Organization Management
Open consultations:
VF_40_2025_-_Re-allocation_of_ISO_TC_304_ | Comments due July 17th
ISO_DIS 20364 Pandemic Response Standard Draft Open for Public Consultation Comments due July 1
ISO Healthcare Management Comments on Smart Hospital Standard due January 15
Send Mike a message to coordinate comments
“Une leçon clinique à la Salpêtrière” 1887 André Brouillet
Many large research universities have significant medical research and healthcare delivery enterprises. The leadership of those enterprises discount the effect of standards like this at their peril. It is easy to visualize that this document will have as transformative effect upon the healthcare industry as the ISO 9000 series of management standards in the globalization of manufacturing.
Standardization in the field of healthcare organization management comprising, terminology, nomenclature, recommendations and requirements for healthcare-specific management practices and metrics (e.g. patient-centered staffing, quality, facility-level infection control, pandemic management, hand hygiene) that comprise the non-clinical operations in healthcare entities.
Excluded are horizontal organizational standards within the scope of:
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- quality management and quality assurance (TC 176);
- human resource management (TC 260);
- risk management (TC 262);
- facility management (TC 267), and;
- occupational health and safety management (TC 283).
Also excluded are standards relating to clinical equipment and practices, enclosing those within the scope of TC 198 Sterilization of health care products.
This committee is led by the US Technical Advisory Group Administrator —Ingenesis. The committee is very active at the moment, with new titles drafted, reviewed and published on a near-monthly basis,
DPAS ballot for ISO PAS 23617- Healthcare organization management: Pandemic response (respiratory) —Guidelines for medical support of socially vulnerable groups – Comments due 16 October
[Issue 14-99]
Contact: Lee Webster (lswebste@utmb.edu, lwebster@ingenesis.com), Mike Anthony (mike@standardsmichigan.com), Jack Janveja (jjanveja@umich.edu), Richard Robben (rrobben1952@gmail.com), James Harvey (jharvey@umich.edu), Christine Fischer (chrisfis@umich.edu), Dr Veronica Muzquiz Edwards (vedwards@ingenesis.com)
Category: Health, Global
More
ISO Focus Special Issue on Healthcare
ISO/TC 48 Laboratory equipment
ISO/TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems
ISO/TC 198 Sterilization of health care products
Four years ago Mom made a surprise visit to the ‘Hyacinth Chen School of Nursing’. Was always her dream that young women, especially from poor families, fulfil theirs to become nurses. The students were ecstatic to actually see a lady they only knew as a painting on the wall. pic.twitter.com/LBHHCLVhKy
— Wayne Chen (@wcchen) June 1, 2022
- The American National Standards Institute — the Global Secretariat for ISO — does not provide content management systems for its US Technical Advisory Groups. Because of the nascent committee, inspired by the work of Lee Webster at the University of Texas Medical Branch needed a content management system, we have been managing content on a Google Site facility on a University of Michigan host since 2014.Earlier this spring, the University of Michigan began upgrading its Google Sites facility which requires us to offload existing content onto the new facility before the end of June. That process is happening now. Because of this it is unwise for us to open the content library for this committee publicly. Respecting copyright, confidentiality of ISO and the US Technical Advisory Group we protect most recent content in the link below and invite anyone to click in any day at 15:00 (16:00) UTC. Our office door is open every day at this hour and has been for the better part of ten years.
Readings: The “30-30” Rule for Outdoor Athletic Events Lightning Hazard
Thunderstorm | Shelter (Building: 30/30 Rule)
The standards for delaying outdoor sports due to lightning are typically set by governing bodies such as sports leagues, associations, or organizations, as well as local weather authorities. These standards may vary depending on the specific sport, location, and level of play. However, some common guidelines for delaying outdoor sports due to lightning include:
- Lightning Detection Systems: Many sports facilities are equipped with lightning detection systems that can track lightning activity in the area. These systems use sensors to detect lightning strikes and provide real-time information on the proximity and severity of the lightning threat. When lightning is detected within a certain radius of the sports facility, it can trigger a delay or suspension of outdoor sports activities.
- Lightning Distance and Time Rules: A common rule of thumb used in outdoor sports is the “30-30” rule, which states that if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is less than 30 seconds, outdoor activities should be suspended, and participants should seek shelter. The idea is that lightning can strike even when it is not raining, and thunder can indicate the proximity of lightning. Once the thunder is heard within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, the delay or suspension should be implemented.
- Local Weather Authority Guidelines: Local weather authorities, such as the National Weather Service in the United States, may issue severe weather warnings that include lightning information. Sports organizations may follow these guidelines and suspend outdoor sports activities when severe weather warnings, including lightning, are issued for the area.
- Sports-Specific Guidelines: Some sports may have specific guidelines for lightning delays or suspensions. For example, golf often follows a “Play Suspended” policy, where play is halted immediately when a siren or horn is sounded, and players are required to leave the course and seek shelter. Other sports may have specific rules regarding how long a delay should last, how players should be informed, and when play can resume.
It’s important to note that safety should always be the top priority when it comes to lightning and outdoor sports. Following established guidelines and seeking shelter when lightning is detected or severe weather warnings are issued can help protect participants from the dangers of lightning strikes.
There are various lightning detection and monitoring devices available on the market that can help you stay safe during thunderstorms. Some of these devices can track the distance of lightning strikes and alert you when lightning is detected within a certain radius of your location. Some devices can also provide real-time updates on lightning strikes in your area, allowing you to make informed decisions about when to seek shelter.
Examples of such devices include personal lightning detectors, lightning alert systems, and weather stations that have lightning detection capabilities. It is important to note that these devices should not be solely relied upon for lightning safety and should be used in conjunction with other safety measures, such as seeking shelter indoors and avoiding open areas during thunderstorms.
Reliability Analysis for Power to Fire Pumps
Reliability Analysis for Power to Fire Pump Using Fault Tree and RBD
Robert Schuerger | HP Critical Facilities (Project Lead, Corresponding Author)
Robert Arno | ITT Excelis Information Systems
Neal Dowling | MTechnology
Michael A. Anthony | University of Michigan
Abstract: One of the most common questions in the early stages of designing a new facility is whether the normal utility supply to a fire pump is reliable enough to “tap ahead of the main” or whether the fire pump supply is so unreliable that it must have an emergency power source, typically an on-site generator. Apart from the obligation to meet life safety objectives, it is not uncommon that capital on the order of 100000to1 million is at stake for a fire pump backup source. Until now, that decision has only been answered with intuition – using a combination of utility outage history and anecdotes about what has worked before. There are processes for making the decision about whether a facility needs a second source of power using quantitative analysis. Fault tree analysis and reliability block diagram are two quantitative methods used in reliability engineering for assessing risk. This paper will use a simple one line for the power to a fire pump to show how each of these techniques can be used to calculate the reliability of electric power to a fire pump. This paper will also discuss the strengths and weakness of the two methods. The hope is that these methods will begin tracking in the National Fire Protection Association documents that deal with fire pump power sources and can be used as another tool to inform design engineers and authorities having jurisdiction about public safety and property protection. These methods will enlighten decisions about the relative cost of risk control with quantitative information about the incremental cost of additional 9’s of operational availability.
CLICK HERE to order complete paper
Mushroom Coffee
University of Miami Net position: 2023 $7.774B | Map | Facilities & Operations
Mushroom coffee (Michigan State University), a blend of coffee and medicinal mushroom extracts like lion’s mane and chaga, has gained traction on college campuses due to its perceived health benefits and social media buzz. Students, often seeking alternatives to high-caffeine drinks, are drawn to its lower caffeine content—about 40-60 mg per cup compared to 95 mg in regular coffee—reducing jitters while maintaining focus.
Claims of enhanced cognition, immunity, and stress relief resonate with health-conscious Gen Z, fueled by ancient medicinal traditions and trendy marketing. Campus coffee shops and online retailers make it accessible, though its higher cost (often $20-$40 for 30 servings) is a drawback for budget-conscious students.
Despite limited scientific backing for health claims, the earthy taste and functional appeal align with the wellness culture, making mushroom coffee a niche but growing staple among students balancing academics and self-care
Today marks the 6th annual #UMiami Giving Day—a 24-hour celebration of Cane spirit and community-driven impact! https://t.co/lPeita8GE6 pic.twitter.com/baw677wMRX
— University of Miami (@univmiami) April 3, 2025
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwB pic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
— USPTO (@uspto) July 13, 2023
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