In the most extensive Code revision since 1993, the 2010 NFPA 72’s scope and organization have expanded beyond the core focus on fire alarm systems to also include requirements for mass notification systems used for weather emergencies; terrorist events; biological, chemical, and nuclear emergencies; and other threats. This wider coverage is reflected in a new Code title: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

New chapter on Emergency Communications Systems responds to today’s concerns.

In addition to updated rules for in-building fire emergency voice/alarm communications systems, this new chapter includes first-time provisions for:

• Risk analysis requirements for the design of mass notification systems (MNS)
• In-building MNS
• Wide-area MNS for locations such as college campuses and military bases
• Distributed recipient MNS to communicate with targeted individuals or groups
• In-building radio enhancement systems
• Area of refuge for two-way emergency communications systems

Other major revisions and additions that increase protection affect:

• Circuits and pathways — A new chapter combines existing and new requirements and consolidates basic wiring rules and circuit performance into one location.
• Voice intelligibility — Revised installation and testing provisions plus an extensive new Annex with detailed guidance for testing
• Signaling for the deaf and hard of hearing — Improved safety in sleeping areas includes new rules that mandate low-frequency signaling for those with mild to severe hearing loss, and tactile as well as visible signaling for those with profound hearing loss.
• Smoke detector placement — Updated spacing and placement requirements for level beamed ceilings and new spacing requirements for sloped beamed ceilings

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Radiation protection instrumentation – Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments – Part 1: General principles

This standards addresses the instruments and associated methods for measuring isotopes 220 and 222 of radon and their subsequent short-lived decay products in gases. Helps to define type tests which have to be conducted in order to qualify these instruments.

Available in printed and PDF version.

IEC 61577-2

Radiation protection instrumentation – Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments – Part 2: Specific requirements for radon measuring instruments

Specifies the main performance characteristics of instruments intended for measurement of airborne radon volume activity, their specific method of testing and documentation requirements. Is to be used with IEC 61577-1.

Available in printed and PDF edition.

IEC 61577-3

Radiation protection instrumentation – Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments – Part 3: Specific requirements for radon decay product measuring instruments

Describes the specific requirements for testing instruments intended for measuring the activity concentration of airborne radon decay products and/or the volume potential alpha energy. Covers test procedures, radiation characteristics, electrical, mechanical, safety and environmental characteristics as well as identification certificates.

Available in printed and PDF edition.

IEC 61577-4

Radiation protection instrumentation – Radon and radon decay product measuring instruments – Part 4: Equipment for the production of reference atmospheres containing radon isotopes and their decay products (STAR)

IEC 61577-4 concerns the System for Test Atmospheres with Radon (STAR) needed for testing, in a reference atmosphere, the instruments measuring radon and RnDP. Provides guidance for those facing problems associated with the production of equipment for setting up reference atmospheres for radon and its decay products.

Available in printed and PDF edition.

API Recommended Practice 580 provides users with the basic elements for developing, implementing and maintaining a risk-based inspection (RBI) program. It provides guidance to owners, operators, and designers of pressure-containing equipment for developing and implementing an inspection program. These guidelines include means for assessing an inspection program and its plan. The approach emphasizes safe and reliable operation through risk-prioritized inspection. A spectrum of complementary risk analysis approaches (qualitative through fully-quantitative) can be considered as part of the inspection planning process. RBI guideline issues covered include an introduction to the concepts and principles of risk-based inspection for risk management; and individual sections that describe the steps in applying these principles within the framework of the RBI process include:

• understanding the design premise;
• planning the RBI assessment;
• data and information collection;
• identifying damage mechanisms and failure modes;
• assessing probability of failure;
• assessing consequence of failure;
• risk determination, assessment and management;
• risk management with inspection activities and process control;
• other risk mitigation activities;
• reassessment and updating;
• roles, responsibilities, training and qualifications;
• documentation and record-keeping.

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API Recommended Practice 576 describes the inspection and repair practices for automatic pressure-relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industries. As a guide to the inspection and repair of these devices in the user’s plant, it is intended to ensure their proper performance. This publication covers such automatic devices as pressure-relief valves, pilot-operated pressure-relief valves, rupture disks, and weight-loaded pressure-vacuum vents.

The scope of this RP includes the inspection and repair of automatic pressure-relieving devices commonly used in the oil and petrochemical industry. This publication does not cover weak seams or sections in tanks, explosion doors, fusible plugs, control valves, and other devices that either depend on an external source of power for operation or are manually operated. Inspections and tests made at manufacturers’ plants, which are usually covered by codes or purchase specifications, are not covered by this publication.

This publication does not cover training requirements for mechanics involved in the inspection and repair of pressure-relieving devices. Those seeking these requirements should see API 510, which gives the requirements for a quality control system and specifies that the repair organization maintain and document a training program ensuring that personnel are qualified.

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This recommended practice (RP) supplements API 570 by providing piping inspectors with information that can improve skill and increase basic knowledge and practices. This RP describes inspection practices for piping, tubing, valves (other than control valves), and fittings used in petroleum refineries and chemical plants. Common piping components, valve types, pipe joining methods, inspection planning processes, inspection intervals and techniques, and types of records are described to aid the inspector in fulfilling their role implementing API 570. This publication does not cover inspection of specialty items, including instrumentation and control valves.

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API Recommended Practice 572 covers the inspection of pressure vessels. It includes a description of the various types of pressure vessels (including pressure vessels with a design pressure below 15 psig) and the standards for their construction and maintenance.

RP 572 also includes reasons for inspection, causes of deterioration, frequency and methods of inspection, methods of repair, and preparation of records and reports.

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Sixth edition of API Std 2000 was published in November 2009 by API. It adopts international standard ISO 28300 into API.

This International Standard covers the normal and emergency vapour venting requirements for aboveground liquid petroleum or petroleum products storage tanks and aboveground and underground refrigerated storage tanks, designed for operation at pressures from full vacuum through 103,4 kPa (ga) [15 psig]. Discussed in this International Standard are the causes of overpressure and vacuum; determination of venting requirements; means of venting; selection, and installation of venting devices; and testing and marking of relief devices.

This International Standard is intended for tanks containing petroleum and petroleum products but it can also be applied to tanks containing other liquids; however, it is necessary to use sound engineering analysis and judgment whenever this International Standard is applied to other liquids.

This International Standard does not apply to external floating-roof tanks.

This edition of API Std 2000 is the identical national adoption of ISO 28300:2008, Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries-Venting of atmospheric and low-pressure storage tanks.

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In November 2009 American Petroleum Institute (API) published third edition of API 570.

API 570 covers the inspection, rating, repair, and alteration procedures for metallic and FRP piping systems and their associated pressure relieving devices that have been in-service.

The intent of this code is to specify the in-service inspection and condition-monitoring program that is needed to determine the integrity of piping. That program should provide reasonably accurate and timely assessments to determine if any changes in the condition of piping could possibly compromise continued safe operation.

API 570 was developed for the petroleum refining and chemical process industries but may be used, where practical, for any piping system. It is intended for use by organizations that maintain or have access to an authorized inspection agency, a repair organization, and technically qualified piping engineers, inspectors, and examiners.

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Available for immediate download (PDF), printed edition usually shipped in 1-2 days.