Fires In Enclosed Car Park
March 8, 2009
Fires in car parks are fortunately quite rare, but, although there have been few deaths or injuries recorded to date in the UK, there are concerns regarding new and emerging risks from modern cars and alternative fuels.
It is essential that the Building Regulations (via Approved Document B (Fire safety) (AD B)) are able to offer the best practicable and proportional guidance for the fire safety and fire protection of buildings which are above, or contain, enclosed car parks. The UK Government’s Communities and Local Government Sustainable Buildings Division have therefore commissioned BRE to carry out a three year project to examine fire spread in car parks.
The basis for the existing guidance in AD B for fire safety strategies in car parks relates to fire initiation and fire growth, and is based on research involving cars whose design is (now) decades old. There is increasing and widespread concern about the effect of modern car design on the ignition and growth of fires (e.g. increasing electrical power, greater use of insulation materials, plastic fuel tanks) and how these fires may spread to other vehicles parked adjacently or nearby; by thermal radiation, direct flame impingement or running fuel fires (from a fuel spill or tank rupture). This concern has been heightened by the increasing numbers of cars powered by alternative fuels such as LPG, and the possibility of cars using hydrogen.
Source: http://www.bre.co.uk
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Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)
February 13, 2009
What is CEPA?
The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) is the first free trade agreement ever concluded by the Mainland of China and Hong Kong. The main text of CEPA was signed on 29 June 2003.
CEPA opens up huge markets for Hong Kong goods and services, greatly enhancing the already close economic cooperation and integration between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
CEPA adopts a building block approach, and the two sides have been working closely to introduce further liberalization measures continually. The agreed liberalization measures for various phases of CEPA are stipulated in the CEPA Legal Text.
CEPA is a win-win agreement, bringing new business opportunities to the Mainland, Hong Kong and all foreign investors. For Hong Kong, CEPA provides a window of opportunity for Hong Kong businesses to gain greater access to the Mainland market. CEPA also benefits the Mainland as Hong Kong serves as a perfect “springboard” for Mainland enterprises to reach out to the global market and accelerating the Mainland’s full integration with the world economy. Foreign investors are also welcome to establish businesses in Hong Kong to leverage on the CEPA benefits and join hands in tapping the vast opportunities of the Mainland market.
Implementation
CEPA covers 3 broad areas:
Trade in goods – All goods of Hong Kong origin importing into the Mainland enjoy tariff free treatment, upon applications by local manufacturers and upon the CEPA rules of origin (ROOs) being agreed and met.
Trade in services – Hong Kong service suppliers enjoy preferential treatment in entering into the Mainland market in various service areas. Professional bodies of Hong Kong and the regulatory authorities in the Mainland have also signed a number of agreements or arrangements on mutual recognition of professional qualification.
Trade and investment facilitation – Both sides agreed to enhance co-operation in various trade and investment facilitation areas to improve the overall business environment.
Source: Trade and Industry Department
The Government of the Hong Kong SAR
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Uses of Chromium
February 6, 2009
In metallurgy, to impart corrosion resistance, create a shiny finish, or increase hardness:
- as an alloy constituent, such as in stainless steel
- in chrome plating
- chromic acid is used in some anodizing processes
As dyes and paints:
- Chromium(III) oxide is a metal polish known as green rouge.
- Chromium salts color glass an emerald green.
- Chromium is what makes a ruby red, and therefore is used in producing synthetic rubies.
- also makes a brilliant yellow for painting
- As a catalyst.
- Chromite is used to make molds for the firing of bricks.
- Chromium salts are used in the tanning of leather.
- Potassium dichromate is a chemical reagent, used in cleaning laboratory glassware and as a titrating agent. It is also used as a mordant (i.e., a fixing agent) for dyes in fabric.
- Chromium(IV) oxide (CrO2) is used to manufacture magnetic tape, where its higher coercivity than iron oxide tapes gives better performance.
- In well drilling muds as an anti-corrosive.
- In medicine, as a dietary supplement or slimming aid, usually as chromium(III) chloride, chromium(III) picolinate, chromium(III) polynicotinate or as an amino acid chelate, such as chromium(III) D-phenylalanine.[7]
- Chromium hexacarbonyl (Cr(CO)6) is used as a gasoline additive.
- Chromium boride (CrB) is used as a high-temperature electrical conductor.
- Chromium(III) sulfate (Cr2(SO4)3) is used as a green pigment in paints, in ceramic, varnishes and inks as well as in chrome plating.
- Chromium(VI) is used in the post Ballard preparation of Gravure (rotogravure) printing Forme Cylinders. By electroplating the metal onto the second coat of copper (after the Ballard skin), the longevity of the printing cylinder is increased.
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NIGHTMARE parking problems
February 1, 2009
NIGHTMARE parking problems could come to an end as plans are put forward to build a commuter car park.
People living in Theydon Bois have not been able to park outside their own front door because of restrictions introduced to prevent commuters leaving cars in the area.
And commuters have been forced to drive into work rather than use the tube because there is nowhere to park their cars.
But a man from Epping could solve all of their problems with his plans to construct up to 280 spaces next to Theydon Bois tube station.
George Dilloway owns the former Old Forester Club land off Abridge road and decided the area would be ideal for a car park.
He said: “The council haven’t provided any options for car parking in the area and at the moment about 60 people are already dumping their cars there illegally everyday because there is nowhere else for them to go with all the double yellow lines. It’s a major problem.”
Mr Dilloway is hoping that Transport for London will agree to open up the entrance to the tube station to make the car park even more accessible for commuters.
He added: “If they expanded the entrance it could be on the same side of the road as the car park.
“It would also help ease the commuter problem in other areas like Epping where parking is also a nightmare. If you’re not there by 6.30am there’s no spaces left.”
The plans were welcomed by residents.
Clive Cooper from Theydon Park Road is unable to park his car outside his home because of yellow line restrictions introduced to stop commuter parking.
He said: “The restrictions prevent us from parking on our road between 10am and 11am. But that means I can’t leave my car there during the day because I can’t very well come home and move it during that time.
“If the car park solves the problem and means that these restrictions can be lifted then it’s a good thing.
“I can’t get the train to work at the moment and have to take the car, it’s nonsense. It’s affecting everyone and has caused so much disruption. Something definitely needs to be done.”
Alison Harvey from Cloverly Road in Ongar used to park in Theydon Bois before the restrictions were put in place.
But she was forced to use a friend’s driveway in Epping to get to work when the yellow lines were introduced.
She said: “I’m on maternity leave now but before I left I couldn’t find anywhere to park and had to use my friend’s drive. I didn’t want to do that forever and I was looking into somewhere else to park when I go back to work.
“It will be great if they do make a car park and will certainly put my mind at rest.”
But not everyone welcomed the plans.
A spokeswoman from Theydon Bois Action Group (TBAG) said: “The business plan for the car park is unsustainable, the car park would be of no benefit to local people, it is too far from the station and it will cause traffic problems on a dangerous stretch of the Abridge Road.
“It will not alleviate parking problems in the village as commuters will continue to park for free on our roads.
“It would have to be lit and the access road stretching uphill will cause a significant loss of openness on the Green Belt.”
People have until January 20 to submit an opinion on the car park application.
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Ford Ends the Parallel Parking Nightmare
February 1, 2009
I avoid parallel parking with every ounce of my being. I haven’t attempted a parallel parking maneuver since drivers’ ed in high school. It’s true! So I was really impressed to learn that Ford is introducing an Active Park Assist feature on the 2010 Lincoln MKS, which will be available in summer 2009.
I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t Lexus already introduce this feature?” Well, yes and no. Ford’s system uses ultrasonic-based sensors and electric power assisted steering to position your car for parallel parking, calculates the optimal steering angle and quickly steers the car into a parking spot with the touch of a single button. This technology is supposed to be a step above the Lexus system which utilizes video cameras to determine how to steer the vehicle. According to Ford execs, the system works faster and more accurately than the Lexus system, and should be less expensive as well.
In addition to helping ease parallel parking woes, the system also increases fuel economy by up to 5 percent while reducing emissions and enhancing performance, compared with traditional steering, Ford says.
“This is technology not for the sake of technology,” said Ali Jammoul, Ford’s chief engineer for chassis engineering and steering systems, “but technology designed to meet the needs and wants of customers.”
If a Lincoln MKS is not in your price range, you will be happy to know that by 2012, Ford plans to fit nearly 90 percent of its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup with this system, putting it within reach for the masses.
Source: http://www.motherproof.com
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