An inglenook is an intimate space typically found beside a fireplace. Inglenooks often have built-in seating or benches, providing a comfortable spot for people to gather around the warmth of the fire. Originally inspired by cooking, but over time, they became more functional as spaces for relaxation, reflection, reading and socializing.
Today at the usual hour we examine that state of best practice literature for their safety and sustainability,
The codes, standards and guidelines that track accepted best practice:
ASME
ASME B31.9 – Building Services Piping
ASME B31.8 – Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
ASTM
ASTM E2726 – Standard Terminology Relating to Chimneys and Ventilation Systems
ASTM E2558 – Standard Test Method for Determining Particulate Matter Emissions from Fires in Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Many accommodations such as dormitories, fraternities and sororities have working fireplaces — wood burning and natural gas. Community spaces such as student unions, libraries and recreation spaces also have fireplaces as a central feature.
The purpose of NFPA 211 is to reduce fire hazards by discovering and promulgating best practice for the safe removal of flue gases, the proper installation of solid fuel-burning appliances, and the correct construction and installation of chimneys, fireplaces, and venting systems. The current 2019 Edition is linked below:
The 2024 has been released. To guide our inquiry into safety and sustainability concepts for the 2027 Edition we like review the developmental transcripts of previous edition:
Public comment on the First Draft of the 2027 Edition will be received until June 3, 2025. We encourage facility managers to recommend improvements to this standard by setting up a (Free) NFPA account the link 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:
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
Opening and operating a small coffee shop in Texas requires adherence to various codes and standards to ensure safety, legality, and quality service. Students get a front row view of the competing requirements of safety and economy even before the cafe atmospheric and economic viability make their passion a going concern.
1. Business Licenses and Permits:
Business License: Obtain a general business license from your local city or county authority. Requirements and fees vary by location.
Certificate of Occupancy: This certifies that your building complies with zoning laws and is safe for occupancy. It’s typically issued after necessary inspections.
Food Handler’s License: All employees involved in food preparation or service must obtain this certification within 60 days of employment.
Seller’s Permit: Required for businesses selling tangible goods subject to sales tax. You can register for this permit through the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
2. Health and Safety Regulations:
Texas Food Establishment Rules: These rules outline standards for food safety, including employee hygiene, equipment sanitation, and food handling procedures.
County and City Health Department Regulations
Featured Texas Coffee School Coffeepreneur®: @TheHiveJavaLounge #WomensHistoryMonth Zoraida Dobard was an educator with no prior experience in the coffee industry. She decided to follow her passion and create a space that resonated with her. pic.twitter.com/t5xBs1Assh
Building Codes: Ensure compliance with local building codes, which cover structural integrity, electrical systems, plumbing, and fire safety.
Zoning Regulations: Verify that your chosen location is zoned appropriately for a food establishment.
Accessibility Standards: Adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements to ensure your facility is accessible to all patrons.
4. Additional Considerations:
Signage Permits: Obtain permits for exterior signs, as many municipalities have regulations governing signage size, lighting, and placement.
Waste Disposal: Comply with local ordinances regarding waste management, including grease disposal and recycling.
Insurance: While not a code or standard, securing appropriate insurance (e.g., general liability, property, and workers’ compensation) is crucial for protecting your business.
There’s enough “content” in the foregoing list of considerations to meet the requirement for an Associates Degree at any community college.
Starting and running a privately held coffee shop within a building located in the campus proper — think the franchise chains like Starbucks — is another layer of complexity in our session on Joint Use Agreements.
During Women’s History Month, we want to celebrate our female Coffeepreneurs®! Danika Young is the owner of Creative Bean Coffee, a family-oriented coffee shop in Rapid City, South Dakota. She opened her coffee business in June 2022, first from a mobile trailer for events. pic.twitter.com/6ckYJvSeqW
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Natural gas systems are deeply integrated into educational settlements: providing fuel to district energy plants, hospital backup power systems, hot water systems to residence halls and kitchens to name a few. The AGA catalog is fairly stable; reflected in the relative reliability of the US natural gas distribution network. Still, the door is open for discovering and promulgating best practice; driven largely by harmonization with other standards and inevitable “administrivia”. The current edition is dated 2024 and harmonizes with NFPA 54.
Poster showing benefits of gas lighting and heating (Italy, 1902)
Why did WTI Crude oil price crash?
1) Because America’s main WTI oil storage is in Cushing in Oklahoma state. Cushing was at 77% capacity on April 17th. Storage would be full by May 1st week. Cushing is landlockded and 800 km from sea. So storing oil on a ship is not possible. pic.twitter.com/Ye2h8XI3jB
Most school districts, colleges, universities and university-affiliated health care systems depend upon a safe and reliable supply of natural gas. Owing to safety principles that have evolved over 100-odd years you hardly notice them. When they fail you see serious drama and destruction.
One of the first names in standards setting for the natural gas industry in the United States is the American Gas Association (AGA) which represents companies delivering natural gas safely, reliably, and in an environmentally responsible way. From the AGA vision statement:
“….(AGA) is committed to leveraging and utilizing America’s abundant, domestic, affordable and clean natural gas to help meet the nation’s energy and environmental needs….”
We do not advocate in natural gas standards at the moment but AGA standards do cross our radar because they assure energy security to the emergent #SmartCampus. We find AGA standards referenced in natural gas service contracts (for large district energy plants, for example) or in construction contracts for new buildings. As with all other energy technological developments we keep pace with, improvements are continual even though those improvements are known to only a small cadre of front line engineers and technicians.
Public consultation on the 2027 National Fuel Gas Code closes June 4, 2024.
You may obtain an electronic copy from: https://www.aga.org/research/policy/ansi-public-reviews/. Comments should be emailed to Betsy Tansey [email protected], Secretary, ASC GPTC Z380. Any questions you may have concerning public reviews please contact Betsy Tansey ([email protected]) as well.
University of Michigan Central Heating Plant
We meet online every day at 11 AM Eastern time to march through technical specifics of all technical consensus products open for public comment. Feel free to click in. Also, we meet with mechanical engineering experts from both the academic and business side of the global education community once per month. See our CALENDAR for our next Mechanical Engineering monthly teleconference; open to everyone.
Issue: [19-27]
Category: Energy, Mechanical, Risk Management
Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Richard Robben, Larry Spielvogel
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/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
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