Food Safety

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Food Safety

November 15, 2024
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Overdoor, France, ca. 1825; | Smithsonian Design Museum

Education communities have significant food safety responsibilities.  Risk gets pushed around global food service counterparties; a drama in itself and one that requires coverage in a separate blog post.*

Since 2013 we have been following the development of food safety standards; among them ANSI/NSF 2: Food Equipment one of a constellation of NSF food safety titles whose provisions cover bakery, cafeteria, kitchen, and pantry units and other food handling and processing equipment such as tables and components, counters, hoods, shelves, and sinks.  The purpose of this Standard is to establish minimum food protection and sanitation requirements for the materials, design, fabrication, construction, and performance of food handling and processing equipment.

It is a relatively stable standard; developed to support conformance revenue for products.  A new landing page seems to have emerged in recent months:

https://www.nsf.org/testing/food

You may be enlightened by the concepts running through this standard as can be seen on a past, pre-pandemic agenda:

NSF 2 Food Safety 2019 Meeting Packet – Final Draft

NSF 2 Food Safety 2019 Meeting Summary – August 21-22 Ann Arbor NSF Headquarters

NSF 2 Food Equipment Fabrication Agenda – FEF – TG – 2021-01-12

Not trivial agendas with concepts that cut across several disciplines involving product manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance.  We find a very strong influence of organizations such as Aramark and Sodexo.   More on that in a separate post.

Ranchview High School Cafeteria / Irving, Texas

This committee – along with several other joint committees –meets frequently online.  If you wish to participate, and receive access to documents that explain the scope and scale of NSF food safety standards, please contact Allan Rose, (734) 827-3817, arose@nsf.org.   NSF International welcomes guests/observers to nearly all of its standards-setting technical committees.   We expect another online meeting hosted by this committee any day now.

Keep in mind that all NSF International titles are on the standing agenda of our Nourriture (Food) colloquia; open to everyone.  See our CALENDAR for the next meeting.

University of Indiana

Issue: [13-113] [15-126]

Category: Facility Asset Management, Healthcare, Residence Hall, Athletics

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Tracey Artley, Keith Koster, Richard Robben

*See “Food Safety Risk Management: Evidence-Informed Policies and Decisions, Considering Multiple Factors, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations”


LEARN MORE:

ANSI Blog | Changes to NSF 2 Food Safety Equipment Standard

NSF International Food Safety 2018 Meeting Summary – 2018-08-22 – Final Draft

2017 Food Code | US Food & Drug Administration

Hygiene Requirements For The Design Of Meat And Poultry Processing Equipment

ARCHIVE: NSF 2 Food Safety

Oxford College Student Center

November 14, 2024
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Emory University Facilities Management

 

Standards Georgia

Inglenook

Transfer Equipment

November 12, 2024
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Today at the usual hour we review the switch assemblies commonly found in educational settings for sustaining power continuity.  This technology can be viewed as a system of devices or as an assembly of equipment.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Electrician University:

Electrical transfer equipment refers to devices and systems used to transfer electrical power from one source to another, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply. This equipment is essential in various applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Some common types of electrical transfer equipment include:

  1. Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS):
    • Automatically transfers the load from the primary power source to a backup power source (such as a generator) during a power outage.
    • Ensures continuous power supply without manual intervention.
  2. Manual Transfer Switch (MTS):
    • Requires manual operation to transfer the load from the primary power source to a backup power source.
    • Used in situations where automatic transfer is not necessary or desired.
  3. Static Transfer Switch (STS):
    • Uses solid-state components to transfer the load between two power sources without any mechanical movement.
    • Provides fast and reliable power transfer, often used in data centers and critical applications.
  4. Bypass Isolation Transfer Switch:
    • Allows maintenance or testing of the transfer switch without interrupting the power supply to the load.
    • Provides a bypass path for the power during maintenance.
  5. Load Transfer Panels:
    • Distributes power from multiple sources to various loads, managing the transfer of power to ensure stability and reliability.
  6. Generator Transfer Switch:
    • Specifically designed for transferring power between the utility grid and a generator.
    • Ensures that the generator can supply power during outages and isolates it when the main power is restored.
  7. Dual Power Automatic Transfer Switch (DPATS):
    • Used in systems with dual power sources to automatically transfer the load between them.
    • Ensures redundancy and reliability in power supply.

These devices are crucial in maintaining the stability and reliability of power systems, especially in environments where power continuity is critical, such as hospitals, data centers, and industrial facilities.


FREE ACCESS: NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

The National Electrical Code covers Uninterruptible Power Supplies primarily in Article 480, titled “Storage Batteries,” and Article 700, titled “Emergency Systems.”

Here are the relevant sections:

  1. Article 480 – Storage Batteries: This article addresses the installation and maintenance of batteries, including those used in UPS systems. It provides guidelines for battery enclosures, ventilation, and connections to ensure safe operation.
  2. Article 700 – Emergency Systems: While this article focuses on emergency power systems, it includes provisions that can apply to UPS systems used as part of these systems. It covers installation, maintenance, and operational requirements to ensure reliable emergency power.
  3. Article 701 – Legally Required Standby Systems: Similar to Article 700, this article covers systems that must provide power during emergencies but may not require the same level of reliability. UPS systems used in these applications must comply with the relevant provisions.
  4. Article 702 – Optional Standby Systems: This article covers standby power systems that are not legally required but are installed for convenience or operational continuity. It includes guidelines for the installation and maintenance of UPS systems used in these applications.
  5. Article 705 – Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources: This article provides guidelines for systems that include UPS as part of interconnected power sources, such as those in renewable energy setups.
  6. Article 708 – Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS): This article addresses power systems required to support critical operations. UPS systems used in these applications must meet stringent reliability and operational requirements.

For specific details, refer to the current edition of the NEC as it contains the exact language and requirements for compliance.

The History of Elevators

November 12, 2024
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Colin_Campbell_Cooper%2C_Hudson_River_Waterfront%2C_N.Y.C.jpg

The first recorded public use of an elevator was in 1743, in a private residence in France. It was created by a French scientist and inventor named Louis-François Dauprat. However, this early elevator was not used for public transportation or in a commercial building.

The first practical passenger elevator was invented by Elisha Graves Otis, an American industrialist and inventor, in 1852.  The Otis elevator used a safety device known as a “safety brake” or “safety hoist,” which prevented the elevator from falling in case the hoisting cable broke at a five-story building in New York City in 1857, known as Haughwout Building.

This invention revolutionized vertical transportation, allowing for the construction of taller buildings and changing the way people live and work in urban areas.

Elevators & Lifts

“Elevator Man”

The earliest installation of a passenger elevator in a university building in the United States was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  In 1861, Otis Brothers & Co., the company founded by Elisha Graves Otis, installed the first passenger elevator on a university campus in the Rogers Building at MIT. The Rogers Building was a three-story structure that housed laboratories, classrooms, and offices for faculty and students. The installation of the passenger elevator provided vertical transportation within the building, making it more convenient for people to move between floors.

This early installation marked an important milestone in the history of vertical transportation on college and university campuses, and it paved the way for the adoption of elevators in other educational institutions as they expanded in size and height over time.

 

International Building Code: Chapter 27 Electrical

November 12, 2024
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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§ 2701.1 Scope.  The provisions of this chapter and NFPA 70 shall govern the design, construction, erection and installation of electrical components, appliances, equipment and systems used in buildings and structures covered by this code.  The International Fire Code, the International Property Maintenance Code and NFPA 70 shall shover the use and maintenance of electrical components, appliances, equipment and systems.  The International Existing Building Code and NFPA 70 shall govern the alteration, repair, relocation, replacement and addition of electrical components, appliances, or equipment and systems.

CHAPTER 27 ELECTRICAL

Workspace / ICC

Red, White and Blue Smoothie

November 11, 2024
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University System of Maryland | $12.225B

Strawberries

Blueberries

University of Maryland Extension

Standards Maryland

The choice of red, white, and blue in national flags often carries historical, cultural, and political significance. Here are some reasons why various nations have chosen these colors:

  1. Historical Connections:
    • United States: The colors were chosen for their flag in 1777 and have been interpreted to symbolize valor (red), purity (white), and justice (blue). The colors were influenced by the British Union Jack.
    • France: The Tricolour flag adopted during the French Revolution represents liberty (blue), equality (white), and fraternity (red).
    • United Kingdom: The Union Jack combines elements from the flags of England (red and white), Scotland (blue and white), and Ireland (red and white).
  2. Cultural and Political Significance:
    • Russia: The flag’s colors were adopted from the Dutch flag, symbolizing pan-Slavism (red for bravery, blue for faithfulness, and white for honesty).
    • Netherlands: The Dutch flag’s colors (originally derived from the Prince’s Flag) have historical roots, symbolizing the struggle for independence and liberty.
    • Czech Republic and Slovakia: Both countries use red, white, and blue to represent their Slavic heritage.
  3. Influence and Inspiration:
    • Chile, Costa Rica, and Panama: These countries were influenced by the colors and symbolism of other flags (e.g., the French and American flags) during their independence movements.
    • Australia and New Zealand: Both countries incorporate the Union Jack in their flags, reflecting their colonial history with the United Kingdom.
  4. Symbolism:
    • Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia: The colors are traditional pan-Slavic colors, representing freedom and national unity.
    • Iceland and Norway: The colors reflect their historical and cultural ties to other Scandinavian countries.

The exact reasons can vary, but often the colors reflect a mix of historical alliances, cultural heritage, and political ideals.

 

Solar Photovoltaic Energy Systems

November 10, 2024
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Technical Committee 82 of the International Electrotechnical Commission is charged with preparing international standards for the full length of the solar energy power chain  The span of the power chain includes the light input, the cell itself, and the fittings and accessories to the end use (utilization) equipment.

Strategic Business Plan of IEC Technical Committee 82

The United States is the Global Secretariat for TC 82 through the US National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (USNA/IEC) administered by the American National Standards Institute(ANSI).  Standards Michigan is a long-standing member of ANSI since our “standards journey” began at the University of Michigan in 1993.

The USNA/IEC and participates in its standards development processes; typically collaborating with global research and application engineers in the IEEE Industrial Applications Society and the IEEE Power and Energy Society.   To advance its agenda for lower #TotalCostofOwnership for US real asset executives and facility managers Standards Michigan also collaborates closely with subject matter experts who contribute to, and draw from, the knowledge base in the IEEE Education and Healthcare Facilities Committee (E&H).

The IEC permits public commenting on its draft standards; though you will need to establish login credentials:

IEC Public Commenting

Your comments will be reviewed by the IEC National Committee of the country you live in, which can decide to propose them as national input for the final draft of the IEC International Standard.  This approach makes it easier for individual nations to participate in IEC standards development processes because the resources that national standards bodies need to administer participation resides in Geneva and is managed there.  

“The Eclipse of the Sun in Venice, July 6, 1842” | Ippolito Caffi

We collaborate with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee which has its own platform to tracking commenting opportunities:

IEEE E&H/USNC/IEC Workspace

As of this posting, no interoperability redlines have been released for public consultation.   In large measure, IEC titles contribute to a level playing field among multi-national electrical equipment manufacturers so we should not be surprised that there are no redlines to review.   When they are released we place them on the agenda of the IEEE E&H Committee which meets 4 times monthly in European and American time zones.

Log in to the E&H Committee meeting

Issue: [18-240]

Category: Electrical Power, Energy Conservation

Contact: Mike Anthony, Jim Harvey, Peter Sutherland


LEARN MORE:

[1] US Commenters must route their comments through the USNA/IEC.

[2] Many product and installation standards are developed by the Association of Electrical Equipment and Medical Imaging Manufacturers (NEMA): CLICK HERE

[3]  NEMA comparison of NEC and IEC electrical safety standards

Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research

 

 

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