Quantitative Risk Analysis – How to Prevent Incidents like the Explosion in West, Texas

Posted by Dr. A.R. (Tony) Cartolano in Industry Regulations - May 08, 2013

The recent incident in Texas has prompted us to think about understanding the risks associated with operating a facility handling hazardous materials, and how to prevent these types of incidents.  (Current estimates reveal that the facility contained as much as 54,000 pounds of toxic anhydrous ammonia, and reported to the Texas State Health Services Department that it possessed 270 tons of ammonium nitrate.)[1]

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Industrial Real Estate – the Importance of Local Communities

Posted by Matt Boynton in Industrial Real Estate - March 12, 2013

In several blog posts, we have discussed the importance of a variety of factors when purchasing or leasing industrial real estate.  Previous posts focused on topics like code requirements and the appropriateness of the building for industrial use, such as multi-tenancy, zoning restrictions, etc.  However, another significant factor in evaluating industrial real estate is the local community. The experience of a local company, while trying to relocate, highlights the challenges and pitfalls of heavy industry companies trying to relocate in facilities in a new community.

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Massachusetts Now Requires New Permit to Process Hazardous Material, starting in 2013

Posted by Jennifer Savage in Industry Regulations - January 25, 2013

In February of last year, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services enacted regulation 527 CMR 33 regarding the processing of hazardous material.  This new regulation was developed in response to incidents of fire and explosion in Middleton in 2011, Danvers in 2006, and Leominster in 2005, all of which involved the processing of hazardous materials. 

The new regulation means that any business which processes hazardous materials (in addition to storing them) will need a permit to continue to do so, beginning this year.  It categorizes users into five categories with Category 5 (highest volumes) having the most requirements for permitting, while Category 1 (lowest volumes, vessel capacity less than or equal to 2.5 gallons) does not require a permit although users are still responsible for compliance.  The permits must be renewed annually and are issued by the local fire department.

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Local companies taking advantage of existing manufacturing spaces

Posted by Matt Boynton in Industrial Real Estate - November 20, 2012

In previous posts, we’ve noted the significant benefits a manufacturer can take advantage of by relocating into an existing manufacturing space.  Three recent news stories provide good examples of manufacturers proving this point.

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Good Manufacturing Practices: Complexities in Clean Room Standards

Posted by Bob Hubert in General - October 31, 2012

The United States and European Union both attempt to control the safe testing and manufacture of medical devices and pharmaceutical products through Good Manufacturing Practices or GMPs. In general, these practices adhere to two primary ideas:

• Manufacturing processes should be clearly defined and controlled. All critical processes are validated to ensure consistency and compliance with specifications that the manufacturer has developed for the product.
• Manufacturing processes are controlled, and any changes to the process are evaluated before they are changed. Changes that have an impact on the quality of the product (the drug, or medical device) are carefully evaluated.

However, these GMPs are not nearly as helpful or as straightforward as they seem.

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