Gas leaks can be a big problem. Unattended gas leaks can not only compromise school safety, but also put faculty and students at risk. Whenever there’s a leak, there’s a danger of fire (or even explosion) from the tiniest of ignition sources, including sparks from static electricity that you may not notice. Gas must be shut off to prevent a catastrophic explosion or fire, but most organizations are crippled without their gas supply and need emergency gas leak repair.
Your school community plays a vital role in natural gas safety by knowing the signs of a natural gas leak. An easy way to detect a gas leak is by the distinct, sulfur-like, rotten egg odor that is emitted. This odorant is added to make gas detection easier. You may also hear hissing, whistling or roaring sounds coming from underground or from a gas appliance. Be aware of dirt spraying into the air, continuous bubbling in a source of standing water, as well as dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area. Natural gas is a clean and safe solution. However, in order to keep this fossil fuel safe, proper maintenance of gas lines, valves and regulators is a must. The moment you suspect a gas leak at your school, you should immediately call your gas company or MBS Engineering for an inspection. What to do when a gas leak is detected:
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Gas leaks are a serious business—especially when it comes to your large facility like a hospital or a school campus. But natural gas is necessary for things like heating, cooking, and even electricity. So it’s important to be educated about natural gas. And part of that education is knowing how you can make your facility safer for all the people using it—from your employees to your customers.
At MBS Engineering, we specialize in fast, efficient gas leak detection and repair. When your natural gas pipes are properly maintained and routinely inspected, it helps prevent gas leak emergencies. Regular inspections and service by MBS Engineering will not only save your facility money on repairs and maintenance, but they will improve the capacity and extend the life of your equipment, lower your utility bills and increase the productivity of your workforce. Ongoing maintenance is the first step toward keeping your facility safe from natural gas leaks. Another important component in gas leak safety and prevention is the installation of seismic valves. In California, earthquakes occur often. Sometimes they’re small, sometimes they’re large, and throughout history there have been some that have been catastrophic. But natural gas safety planning with Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valves (SGSOV) is a simple but effective way to ensure your facility doesn’t experience a gas fire following an earthquake. These valves are designed with earthquakes, accidents and other events of impact in mind. Regulators are another important component of facility gas systems. The job of a regulator is to control an incoming higher gas pressure down to a desired lower gas pressure to feed downstream equipment and processes. But issues with faulty regulators can cause problems including venting of gas out of relief vents and lock up issues. The MBS Engineering Maintenance Program verifies outlet pressure set points on all regulators and recommends replacements for any gas regulators that are experiencing issues. Finally, Manual Shut Off Valves allow an easy way to shut off and isolate gas lines within your gas system. If they are not properly maintained, these valves can cause big safety issues. Manual shut-off valves, if not regularly exercised or moved, can become corroded and frozen over time. Also, in some situations, you may find that a property has only one location for gas shut-off, near the main gas meter. This could be in an inaccessible location or at a far end of a property and could result in increased danger in the event of an emergency. But MBS Engineering can inspect and exercise all valves within the system and make any recommendations for valve replacement needed. Whatever safety component is needed to make your facility safer, MBS can help. We provide skilled contractors who take pride in their work. From construction projects to retrofit, renovations and improvements, we want to help keep you safe. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you make your facility safer. Unlike hurricanes and some other environmental threats, earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning. Nevertheless, if your school districts are in an earthquake prone region, there are measures you can take to reduce the chance of injury, property damage, and disruption at your school. These activities require preparation-- to be effective, they must be done before earthquakes occur.
Make Sure your Building is Up to Seismic Code Make your school buildings safer to be in during earthquakes and more resistant to earthquake damage and disruption. Depending on when and how they were engineered, built, and furnished, existing school buildings may have weaknesses that make them more vulnerable to earthquakes. Secure Non-Structural Items Any nonstructural items that are not effectively anchored, braced, reinforced, or otherwise secured could become safety hazards and property losses in an earthquake. Pipes Must be Earthquake-Proof Did you know natural gas contributes to 25% of fires after an earthquake? Unattended gas leaks can not only compromise school safety, but also put faculty and students at risk. Whenever there’s a leak, there’s a danger of fire (or even explosion) from the tiniest of ignition sources. Gas must be shut off to prevent a catastrophic explosion or fire. Gas can be shut off manually, but these valves can be difficult to access in the event of a sudden earthquake and usually can’t be reached in time by your faculty. If your school is located near natural gas pipelines, make sure to hire a professional to install seismic shut-off valves in order to prevent a gas explosion caused by an earthquake. React Safely All students and school personnel should learn what to do in the event of an earthquake. Earthquake safety training for staff and students should emphasize safe places to "drop, cover, and hold on" and safe locations to rendezvous when it is safe to evacuate. Periodic earthquake drills should be held to give students and staff opportunities to practice what they have learned and condition themselves to react spontaneously and safely when the first jolt or shaking is felt. Earthquakes should be thoroughly integrated into the school's emergency preparedness, response, and recovery planning. Schools have the capacity to inform, empower and motivate the citizens of tomorrow; they have the unique opportunity to broaden awareness and understanding of earthquake hazards and reduce the risks that these threats pose to the community. MBS Engineering is proud to serve the California school community. Need a seismic shut off valve installed at your school? We're here to help - give us a call at (925) 406-3546 or visit our website for more information. Gas leaks can pose a serious threat to the safety of your facility--especially those where people expect safety, like schools and hospitals. Nevertheless, natural gas is an efficient and essential commodity used in our everyday life for cooking, heating, and powering electricity. In order for natural gas to be a safe and reliable resource, regular maintenance of gas systems and pipes is key. Ensure the safety of your facility with a complete gas systems audit.
What is a Gas Systems Audit? MBS starts by reviewing your gas map or by mapping out your facilities gas system. We provide a detailed report of all of the gas system assets such as Seismic Valves, Gas Regulators, and Manual Shut-off Valves, detailing your assets’ conditions, model numbers, and locations. Our thorough report gives you a clear picture of your facility and peace of mind to expect your systems will function accordingly. Why do I need it a Gas Systems Audit? All facilities should do an annual audit of their gas equipment in order to catch any leaks before they become a problem. Corrosion and deficiencies of older gas systems can easily go undetected for long periods of time. Even more modern systems need a bi-annual inspection for safety. Maintenance Saves Money Regular inspections and service saves your business money on repairs. Maintenance will also extend the life of your equipment and decrease your energy bills. MBS Engineering prevents expensive problems and repairs by inspecting, evaluating, and maintaining your equipment to keep it running optimally. Gain Peace of Mind By getting a gas systems expert to inspect your facility, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing your everything is in working order. Our goal is to ensure our client’s mechanical systems operate reliably at all times. MBS offers tailored maintenance programs that are designed specifically for each client. We are a specialty contractor who can safely tackle the most complex problems and provide effective solutions. Ready to schedule your bi-annual inspection? Contact the experts at MBS now. It is always better to be proactive than reactive in order to prevent high risk issues like gas leaks. If left unattended, they can lead to catastrophic property damage, as well as put your employees and the public in danger. All facilities should do an annual gas leak survey in order to catch any leaks before they become a problem.
Old pipes need to be inspected Gas line corrosion and leaks can can easily go undetected for a long period of time. Proper maintenance of gas lines, valves and regulators is imperative. Immediately call for an inspection the moment you suspect a leak. MBS Engineering offers a yearly maintenance service to keep your property protected from any gas-related issues caused by outdated or aging gas systems. Let Your Senses be Your Guide An easy way to detect a gas leak is by the distinct, sulfur-like, rotten egg odor. This odorant is added to make gas detection easier. You may also hear hissing, whistling or roaring sounds coming from underground or from a gas appliance. Be aware of dirt spraying into the air, continuous bubbling in a source of standing water, as well as dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area. Testing for Leaks is Essential Natural gas leaks are the most dangerous consequence of earthquakes; they are notorious for starting deadly fires and explosions. Whenever there’s a leak, there’s danger of a fire or explosion from the tiniest of ignition sources, including undetectable static electricity. Conducting an annual Gas Leak Survey will minimize the risk of earthquake-related explosions, particularly in earthquake prone areas. Whether you suspect a leak, need a known leak repaired or need maintenance services, you're in good hands with our team of expert technicians. Our Gas Maintenance Program is a yearly Auditing, Testing and Reporting service for your property’s gas system that identifies, tests and prevents gas related issues caused by aging or obsolete equipment. It covers your gas system assets and outlines recommendations for training, maintenance or repair to keep your gas system performing efficiently and safely. Earthquakes are a very real problem in California. Perhaps that’s why the month of December was dubbed Earthquake Safety Month. According to the National Safety Council, California has seen the strongest earthquakes nationally—though strong earthquakes have happened in other countries. And that’s why if you live in California, it’s important to know the basics of earthquake safety to protect yourself, your coworkers, and your family. Because they’re hard to predict, it’s impossible to be fully prepared when an earthquake strikes. But there are a few things you can do ahead of time including:
At MBS Engineering we’ve installed thousands of automatic gas shut-off valves to the manufacturer's specification throughout the state of California. And we can help you, too. To learn more about Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valves give us a call. We’re happy to start a conversation with you. A New Year is on its way. And in 2018, the professionals at MBS want to encourage you to use clean energy. And we have the perfect solution for your business. Microturbines are the most effective form of clean energy that is achievable today. Did you know that efficiencies of over 80% are achievable with Microturbines? This is because of the waste heat recovery component of the systems. What else can microturbines do? We’re glad you asked.
About Microturbine Systems Microturbine systems, like those installed by the professionals at MBS, can cut your energy bills up to 100%. Plus, you may also lower your gas bill. Generating reliable power, microturbines offer consumers 24/7 uninterrupted power supply. This allows you to do away with costly and noisy polluting diesel or gas-powered backup generators. Microturbine energy also gives you the quickest return on investment of any energy system on the market. In some cases, your initial investment can be recovered in under 2 years. Are They Safe? But are microturbines safe? Yes. Microturbines are CARB certified. This means that they’re good for the environment. Also they boast the lowest emissions of any carbon fuel generation. Systems are flexible and easy to scale in the future, with new microturbines easily added to the existing sequence when your business needs to grow. And they’re compact compared with solar and wind generation systems. Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels. At MBS, our systems use gas that is already being consumed for heating and cooling to generate electricity with microturbines, while the byproduct—hot air—is channeled into heating and cooling applications. At MBS we specialize in microturbine system design for facilities where power is critical, including hospitals, data centers, schools, colleges and libraries. Contact us today to learn more about installing microturbines in 2018. Seismic shut off valves (SSOVs) are an essential part of an effective gas safety plan. When an earthquake hits, there is little in your control as far as mitigating damages go. Installing shut-off valves is one of the most simple yet effective ways to ensure you won’t experience a gas fire after an earthquake. Before installing SSOVs at your facility, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to make an informed decision. Below are the most important factors to consider when choosing a seismic shut off valve.
Price The cost of the valve is going to vary from $450 to $10,000 based on the type and size of the valve, as well as the installation requirements and the company installing it. If a valve needs to be welded on then the installer must be a certified welder. Models will also differ based on the orientation in which you install them (horizontal, vertical up, vertical down). Earthquake Valve Requirements In order to choose the right valve size and manufacturer, contact your local Department of Building and Safety to find out their earthquake valve requirements. Depending on where you live, different areas will have varying requirements, exceptions, and a list of approved devices. Where to Buy a Valve You can purchase a Seismic Valve at supply retailers or licensed plumbing contractors. MBS Engineering can also suggest valves that we have experience with and recommend highly--such as “The California Valve” by Pacific Seismic Products, or Little Firefighter Automatic Shut Off Valve. Hire an Expert You should hire a qualified professional to install the earthquake -on your facility’s line. Your local utility company will not install an earthquake for you. MBS has installed over 100,000 seismic shut-off valves throughout the state of California, so we have the experience, knowledge, and team of experts to manage the installation process from start to finish, no matter how simple or complex the project. Give us a call at (925) 905-8212. We’d be happy to share our knowledge with you! California experiences approximately 10,000 earthquakes every year. Most of them are so small that they are not usually felt. Only several hundred are greater than magnitude 3.0, and only about 15-20 are greater than magnitude 4.0. However, recent geological research shows that California is due for another big one. With several faults cutting through the San Francisco Bay Area, predicting the next catastrophic earthquake becomes a question of when and where, not if.
The Forecast According to the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, scientists found that four faults have built up enough seismic strain to create destructive earthquakes. These include the Hayward Fault, Rodgers Creek Fault, Green Valley Fault and the Calaveras Fault. Each of these faults are all a part of California’s San Andreas Fault that spans 800 miles. These four faults pose such a serious threat because they lie under major cities and infrastructure, where most people live. Scientists think that a devastating earthquake in California in the next 10 years is a near certainty, at or above 99%, according to the “Third Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast" or UCERF3. Tom Jordan, director of the Southern California Earthquake Center said, "people in Southern California should realize that the next 20 years are likely to be much more seismically active.” What You Can Do In high risk earthquake zones, seismic shut-off valves are indispensable; they protect facilities and businesses from gas fires by stopping gas flow at the exterior of a facility when an earthquake of significant magnitude occurs. Earthquake damages compounded by gas line explosions are so prevalent that natural gas contributes to one of every four fires after an earthquake. Many facilities have emergency plans that include manual shut-off valves. However, in the event of a sudden earthquake, these valves are hard to get to and usually can’t be reached in time by your staff. Even small, nearly undetectable earthquakes can result in natural gas leaks and damage to gas piping. Installing seismic shut off valves will significantly decrease the chance of a fire or explosion and prevent damage to structures. Who Can You Call? Bi-annual gas line inspections along with seismic valves can help protect your facility from the danger of deadly gas leaks caused by earthquakes. MBS Engineering has installed over 100,000 seismic valves throughout the Golden State, so we have the experience, knowledge and skills to become your go-to company for all natural gas-related needs including gas leak detection, repairs, seismic gas shutoff valve installations, new construction, and more. Want to learn more about protecting your business fromearthquake related disasters? Give us a call (925) 406-3546 or visit our website. We’re here to help. Many hotels choose natural gas as an energy source because it is powerful, reliable and economical. They use it primarily for water heating, cooking and space-heating. These utilities must provide fast, efficient and consistent delivery in order to keep guests comfortable. Below are the most beneficial natural gas features for hotels.
Natural gas a dependable energy source. The hospitality industry is in the business of making guests as comfortable as possible, so it’s important to have a dependable energy source for comfort utilities, like space and hot water heating. Hotels need to have everything working at all times in order to provide comfort for their guests. Since gas pipelines connect directly to the property, they won’t experience any service disruptions. It is more cost-efficient than electricity for certain utilities. Natural gas is an affordable heating option. In the U.S., large hotels (those larger than 8,000 square feet) spend an annual average of $1.05/sf2 on electricity and $0.25/sf2 on natural gas. According to Éric Paquette, co-owner of Impéria Hôtels et Suites, “When it comes to heating and hot water, nothing can beat [natural gas] performance and profitability. Clients get a better level of comfort, and we are more than happy with the lower energy costs.” Because of its efficiency and dependability, natural gas is the perfect solution for hotels. Natural gas produces heat faster than electricity Hotels and guests benefit from:
Kitchens and laundries can be the most energy-intensive areas by square footage. Natural gas in commercial kitchen appliances allows for:
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