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Home Economics

February 14, 2025
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Today at 16:00 UTC we review the standards, codes, regulations and best practice literature for the safety and sustainability of facilities for teaching skills needed for supporting families.

Inglenook

Salutariness | Fashion

Commercial Kitchens

Life Safety Code

Electrical Safety

Energy Standard for *Sites* and Buildings

Current Issues and Recent Research

What the University of Michigan has done to reduce the life cycle cost of the real assets of educational settlements in the USA

LIVE: Trinity FM

February 14, 2025
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“When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign,

that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.”

Jonathan Swifit, Trinity College graduate

 

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Ireland

Voice Communications Devices for Use by Emergency Services

February 14, 2025
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The frequency differences between public safety radio and public broadcasting radio are mainly due to their distinct purposes and requirements.

  • Public safety radio operates on VHF and UHF bands for emergency services communication These radio systems are designed for robustness, reliability, and coverage over a specific geographic area. They prioritize clarity and reliability of communication over long distances and in challenging environments. Encryption may also be employed for secure communication.
  • Public broadcasting radio operates on FM and AM bands for disseminating news, entertainment, and cultural content to the general public.  These radio stations focus on providing a wide range of content, including news, talk shows, music, and cultural programming. They often cover broad geographic areas and aim for high-quality audio transmission for listener enjoyment. Unlike public safety radio, public broadcasting radio stations typically do not require encryption and prioritize accessibility to the general public.

Standard on Fire and Emergency Service Use of Thermal Imagers, Two-Way Portable RF Voice Communication Devices, Ground Ladders, and Fire Hose, and Fire Hose Appliances

NFPA 1930 is in a custom cycle due to the Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan (consolidation plan) as approved by the NFPA Standards Council.  As part of the consolidation plan, NFPA 1930 is combining Standards NFPA 1801, NFPA 1802, NFPA 1932, NFPA 1937, and NFPA 1962.

Firefighter radio communication faces several special technical challenges due to the nature of the environment they operate in and the criticality of their tasks. Here are some of the key challenges:

  1. Interference and Signal Degradation: Buildings, debris, and firefighting equipment can obstruct radio signals, leading to interference and degradation of communication quality.
  2. Multipath Propagation: Radio signals can bounce off surfaces within buildings, causing multipath propagation, which results in signal fading and distortion.
  3. Limited Bandwidth: Firefighter radio systems often operate on limited bandwidths, which can restrict the amount of data that can be transmitted simultaneously, impacting the clarity and reliability of communication.
  4. Noise: The high noise levels present in firefighting environments, including sirens, machinery, and fire itself, can interfere with radio communication, making it difficult for firefighters to hear and understand each other.
  5. Line-of-Sight Limitations: Radio signals typically require a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver. However, in complex urban environments or within buildings, obstructions such as walls and floors can obstruct the line of sight, affecting signal strength and reliability.
  6. Equipment Durability: Firefighter radio equipment needs to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including high temperatures, smoke, water, and physical impacts. Ensuring the durability and reliability of equipment in such conditions is a significant challenge.
  7. Battery Life: Prolonged operations in emergency situations can drain radio batteries quickly. Firefighters need reliable battery life to ensure continuous communication throughout their mission.
  8. Interoperability: Different emergency response agencies may use different radio systems and frequencies, leading to interoperability issues. Ensuring seamless communication between various agencies involved in firefighting operations is crucial for effective coordination and response.
  9. Priority Access: During large-scale emergencies, such as natural disasters or terrorist attacks, communication networks may become congested, limiting access for emergency responders. Firefighters need priority access to communication networks to ensure they can effectively coordinate their efforts.
  10. Training and Familiarity: Operating radio equipment effectively under stress requires training and familiarity. Firefighters must be trained to use radio equipment efficiently and effectively, even in challenging conditions, to ensure clear and concise communication during emergencies.

National Institute of Standards & Technology

Testing of Portable Radios in a Fire Fighting Environment

Radio Spectrum for the Internet of Things

February 14, 2025
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“Wireless Telegraphy” 1899|Guglielmo Marconi

 

Analysis of the FM Radio Spectrum for Secondary Licensing of Low-Power Short-Range Cognitive Internet of Things Devices

Derek T. OtermatIvica KostanicCarlos E. Otero

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Florida Institute of Technology

 

Abstract. The analysis presented in this paper indicates that the FM radio spectrum is underutilized in the areas of the continental United States that have a population of 100000 or less. These locations have vacant FM radio spectrum of at least 13 MHz with sufficient spectrum spacing between adjacent FM radio channels. The spectrum spacing provides the required bandwidth for data transmission and provides enough bandwidth to minimize interference introduced by neighboring predicted and unpredicted FM radio stations and other low-power short-range Internet of Thing (IoT) devices. To ensure that low-power short-range IoT devices maintain reliable communications vacant radio spectrum, such as the FM radio spectrum in these areas, will need to be used through cognitive radio.

CLICK HERE to order complete paper.

Related:

Northwestern University: Internet of Things and Edge Computing

Duke University: Edge Computing

National Institutes of Health: Design of Edge Computing Online Classroom Based on College English Teaching

MaternityMetrix

February 14, 2025
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Related:

University of British Columbia: SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION TO PARENTHOOD WITH ONLINE SEX AND RELATIONSHIP KNOWLEDGE PILOT STUDY

Founder of Maternity Metrix, Dr. Akkeneel Talsma

Floor & Pathway Safety

February 13, 2025
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“Weather is fate”

Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu

“Road to Versailles at Louveciennes” 1869 Camille Pissarro

Today and its Slip and Fall season everywhere. Accordingly, at the usual hour, we review best practice literature for the safety and sustainability of the surfaces beneath our feet; with special focus on the risk aggregation in educational estates.

Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 433 U.S. 350 (1977)

Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces


Related coverage:

Heat tracing is a process used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels in order to prevent freezing, maintain process temperature, or ensure that products remain fluid and flow through the system properly.

Heat tracing works by using an electric heating cable or tape that is wrapped around the pipe or vessel, and then insulated to help retain the heat. The heating cable is connected to a power source and temperature control system that maintains the desired temperature by regulating the amount of heat output from the cable. Heat tracing is commonly used in industrial applications where temperature control is critical, such as in chemical plants, refineries, and oil and gas facilities.

There are several types of heat tracing, including electric heat tracing, steam tracing, and hot water tracing, each of which have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The selection of the appropriate type of heat tracing depends on the specific application and the required temperature range, as well as factors such as cost, maintenance, and safety considerations.

The literature for snow and ice management (and enjoyment) produced by these standards-setting organizations:

Accredited Snow Contractors Association

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASTM International

FM Global

Destructive Deep Freeze Strikes Cold and Hot Regions Alike

Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers

Electrical Heat Tracing: International Harmonization — Now and in the Future

International Code Council

International Building Code: Chapter 15 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures

National Electrical Contractors Association

National Fire Protection Association

Winter is Coming: Is Your Facility Protected? (Holly Burgess, November 2022)

National Electrical Code: Articles 426-427

National Floor Safety Institute

Snow and Ice Management Association

Underwriters Laboratories

Manufacturers:

Chromalox Electrical Heat Tracing Systems Design Guide



It is a surprisingly large domain with market-makers in every dimension of safety and sustainability; all of whom are bound by state and federal regulations.

Join us at 16:00 UTC with the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.


There have been several recent innovations that have made it possible for construction activity to continue through cold winter months. Some of the most notable ones include:

  1. Heated Job Site Trailers: These trailers are equipped with heating systems that keep workers warm and comfortable while they take breaks or work on plans. This helps to keep morale up and prevent cold-related health issues.
  2. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs): ICFs are prefabricated blocks made of foam insulation that are stacked together to form the walls of a building. The foam insulation provides an extra layer of insulation to keep the building warm during cold winter months.
  3. Warm-Mix Asphalt (WMA): WMA is a type of asphalt that is designed to be used in colder temperatures than traditional hot-mix asphalt. This allows road construction crews to work through the winter months without having to worry about the asphalt cooling and becoming unusable.
  4. Pneumatic Heaters: These heaters are used to warm up the ground before concrete is poured. This helps to prevent the concrete from freezing and becoming damaged during the winter months.
  5. Electrically Heated Mats: These mats are placed on the ground to prevent snow and ice from accumulating. This helps to make the job site safer and easier to work on during the winter months.

Overall, these innovations have made it possible for construction crews to work through the winter months more comfortably and safely, which has helped to keep projects on schedule and minimize delays.

Somewhat related:

Butter

February 13, 2025
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Snow Load Calculator

February 13, 2025
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“Among famous traitors of history one might mention the weather.”

Ilka Chase, The Varied Airs of Spring

 

Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE/SEI 7-22)

ASCE Hazard Tool

Quick & Dirty Snow Load Calculator

Call for public proposals for the 2028 edition

Structural Design

 

 

Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces

Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls

February 13, 2025
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“Winterlandschaft” | Aert van der Neer (1655)

The mission of the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) is to aid in the prevention of slips, trips-and-falls through education, research, and standards development.  NFSI provides a wide range of services including independent product testing and certification, educational training, and standards development.   Its consensus product library is linked below:

Our Standards

We track several NFSI products for the education facility industry; one of which is linked below:

B101.6 STANDARD GUIDE FOR COMMERCIAL ENTRANCE MATTING IN REDUCING SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS.

At the moment the 2012 edition linked above appears to be the current version.   User-interests in the education facility industry — custodial mangers and staff, for example –are encouraged to communicate directly with Russell Kendzior at NFSI, P.O. Box 92607, Southlake, TX 76092, (817) 749-1700, [email protected].

Brigham Young University

There are several accredited standards developers in this space and our algorithm tracks them all.  We place this product suite on the standing agenda of our monthly Interior Fixture & Hygiene online meeting; open to everyone.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page to log in.

Issue: [18-193]

Category: Risk Management, Interior Fixtures & Hygiene, Facility Asset Management

Colleagues:  John Lawter, Richard Robben

 


More:

Floor Safety

NFSI Board of Directors Terminates Relationship with ANSI, January 31, 2020

 

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