Expertise
Safety and performance of concrete silos, particularly older silos, are often a concern to owners and operators of heavy industrial processing facilities. Blowout of silo walls and / or partial collapse of concrete silos are not uncommon. This article summarizes factors that contribute to concrete silo failure and defines methods to avoid instances that may […]
ARC FLASH RISK ASSESSMENTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL TOOL FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE Exposure to electricity in the workplace killed an average of three people per week in 2018, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.[1] This number doesn’t include the thousands of serious but non-fatal electrical injuries that occur every year. […]
VAA hosted several high school students at its Minneapolis office for a job shadow experience. The firm’s technical staff provided an in-depth look at a multidiscipline soybean processing plant and answered students’ questions about engineering career paths, college courses and more. The students learned about each discipline (civil, structural, mechanical and electrical) and saw the […]
Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska is hosting the KMPG Women’s PGA Championship for the first time. With a long tradition of hosting major championships, Hazeltine was a natural choice for the tournament, which focuses on empowering women on and off the golf course. Almost 10 years ago, VAA provided civil and structural engineering services […]
THREE CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTALLING A GROUND PILE Increasing crop yields per acre, inconclusive trade talks and low commodity prices slow the movement of corn and grain, leaving elevator owners to consider how best to add storage capacity while minimizing costs and protecting their product. Installing a temporary storage system (commonly known as a ground pile) […]
DESIGNING BUILDINGS FOR SNOW LOADS Looking out a window after a heavy snowfall, it’s easy to find beauty in a freshly covered landscape – frosted trees in a peaceful blanket of white. Driving across the plains of Minnesota after a snowfall, it’s easy to see the power of nature partially burying fences and roadways as […]
WHAT IS A DHA? A Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) is a systematic review to identify and evaluate potential fire, flash fire, or explosion hazards associated with the presence of one or more combustible dusts and combustible particulate solids in a process facility. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) now requires DHAs to be performed on […]
Let’s Go Local: The 2018 CAN Sculpture Reinvigorating a section of the Mississippi Riverfront, August Schell Brewing Company (Schell’s) recently relit the iconic Grain Belt Beer sign. Both Schell’s and Grain Belt boast local longevity with over a century of Minnesota history and business. Known for industry innovations and introducing craft beers to the Midwest […]
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 50 combustible dust accidents occurred in the United States alone between 2008 and 2012. To continue improving and reducing hazard risk in agricultural facilities, the NFPA reviews and updates their guidelines every three years. The latest, 2016 edition of NFPA 652 Standards for Combustible Dust introduces the […]
To conclude VAA’s three-part series on the changing NFPA 652 guideline, we focus on a few compelling reasons to start moving your facility toward compliance. The continued development and updates of the NFPA guidelines are, at least in part, developed as a result of past, unaddressed facility hazards. As a preventative measure and code improvement, […]
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