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Safety Basics: Fire Exits & Egress

In 1911, 146 workers were killed within 18 minutes at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City after a fire broke out and they were unable to escape due to locked exit doors. As you can imagine, this tragedy helped pave the way for improved safety codes and other regulations across the country.

MSD’s written emergency action plan (EAP) is reviewed during orientation and with employees who have transferred into a new role. It is also available for review on the employee portal. For a fire emergency, the plan covers evacuation procedures, accounting for evacuated employees, aiding employees with disabilities and visitors, emergency contact numbers, and the means of alerting employees in case of an evacuation.

Fire Exit & Egress Information to Know:

• Maintain two means of egress.
• Exit doors shall be side hinged and open outward.
• Exit doors must be unlocked – employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge.
• Never block fire exits, exit routes, or stairwells.
• Keep means of egress free of all obstructions and impediments.
• Ensure exits are marked by a readily visible sign.

Whether you are at work, visiting a restaurant, or attending an event be sure to review exit route maps or scan for exit signs so you are prepared to evacuate in case of an emergency.

Safety Always!

Vicki Dix

Our grand opening in Cincinnati, Ohio last month was nothing short of the best experience and we wanted to share a big thank you to all our sponsors, partners, clients, and food trucks that helped us celebrate.

MSD entered a partnership with the Dayton Foodbank in April 2021to aid in the construction of a new aquaponic greenhouse to grow leafy greens during the winter months. This was the next step of their on-going urban farm expansion.

Services Preformed:

• Ran water line to new greenhouse.
• Installed Backflow & pressure reducing valve for water line in headhouse/mech room
• Provided gas pipe greenhouse
• Provided and installed first and second stage heaters
• Provided exhaust venting
• Provided and installed single wall exhaust flue
• Provided air intakes for heaters
• Provided and installed exhaust fan
• Provided and installed a control damper
• Provided and installed fixed louver with bird screen

When I first heard about the project, I was excited for the opportunity to partner with a great local organization, the Dayton Foodbank, on this project that the surrounding community needed. We knew that we needed to find a way to help keep costs as low as possible while making sure we were able to get the new greenhouse operational as quickly as possible, without sacrificing quality, in order to help the Dayton Foodbank focus their resources where it is needed, on helping the community.

Doesn’t sound too hard…Right? This was not such an easy task as the material lead-times and cost were escalating on the heels of the COVID pandemic. Our first concern was getting the material for the 300’ of underground gas piping and getting the heaters (which had months of leadtime) in our possession and installed before the winter months set in. So, we got to work. MSD partnered up with some of our vendors who put their best foot forward, and they were able to not only help expedite getting material, but they also went above and beyond to help with providing us with cost savings that we were able to
pass along to the client.

Due to this support and hard work, we were able to finish ahead of schedule to allow enough time for the client to install their 800 aquaponic grow channels and get the aquaponic system up and running before the winter months came. With this greenhouse complete the client can produce 100,000 heads of lettuce year-round to help Dayton and the surrounding communities combat food shortages. MSD is grateful to be a part of such a unique project in its hometown community and making strides to help end hunger.

Lettuce beet hunger together!

John Hess
Project Manager

I am extremely dangerous when mishandled. I have enough energy, when released, sufficient to propel myself three-quarters of a mile in height. I have the potential to become a rocket attaining a speed of over 30 miles per hour in a fraction of second. What am I?

I am a compressed gas cylinder.

Compressed gases can be toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive, or inert. Toxic gases can result in a poisonous atmosphere, flammable and reactive gases can result in fires and explosions, and inert gases can quickly displace oxygen causing asphyxiation. If a cylinder falls or is knocked over, it can easily crush feet and cause property damage. If a neck of a pressurized cylinder should be broken off, the energy released would be sufficient to propel the cylinder to over three-quarters of a mile in height. A standard 250 cubic foot cylinder pressurized to 2,500 PSIG can launch like a rocket reaching a speed of over 30 miles per hour in a fraction of a second after venting from the broken cylinder connection.

It is important to understand the gas you are working with, how to safely handle, and store compressed gas cylinders – here are some of the general rules:

Identify the contents of the cylinder by reading its label, reviewing the corresponding safety data sheet (SDS), and protecting yourself with any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). Visually inspect cylinders for leaks, bulging, defective valves, evidence of physical abuse, fire or heat damage, pitting, rusting or corrosion before each use. Remove damaged cylinders from use.

When moving a gas cylinder, keep it in an upright position, ask for help or use a cylinder cart. Never move or lift a cylinder by its protective valve cap. Never drop, roll, roughly handle or allow a cylinder to strike another violently. Remove regulators, close valves, and secure protective caps on cylinders prior to moving, unless secured on a cylinder cart.

Store cylinders upright in a well-ventilated area and properly secure to prevent tipping, falling, or rolling. Don’t store cylinders in area exposed to excessive temperature increases, physical damage, or tampering. Never store cylinders near exits, stairways, or in a means of egress. Always remove regulators and place valve protectors on gas cylinders when not in use. Separate oxygen containers from fuel-gas containers and combustible materials such as oil and grease, by a minimum distance of 20 feet, or by a  noncombustible barrier. Noncombustible barriers must be at least 5 feet high having a fire-resistance rating of at least 30 minutes. Keep storage areas free from sources of ignition, and smoking/vaping is prohibited.

Always practice compressed gas cylinder safety and leave the rocket launches to Elon Musk.

Safety Always!

Vicki Dix

MSD, Inc brought home an Award of Excellence for the Wayne Hospital HVAC & Piping project. Another eagle has come home to roost.

The Award for Excellence honors the skill and expertise of our employees and MSD is recognized for exceeding expectations in innovation and quality. In the photo accepting the award is Rex Pitsinger, Project Manager for Wayne Hospital, Justin Ingram, Sheet Metal Foreman for the Wayne Hospital project, and Randy Metcalf, Plumbing/Piping Superintendent.  Thank you to everyone who worked on the project.

In addition, we received an Award of Merit for the Dayton Foodbank Greenhouse project. While this was a smaller project for us, it was a big win for the Dayton area. The 6,000 sq ft building is equipped with an aquaponics system so that they may grow plants year-round. In the photo accepting the award is Ben McKay, Plumbing Foreman for the Foodbank Greenhouse project, John Hess, Project Manager for the Foodbank Greenhouse, and Randy Metcalf.

This year we nominated Ben McKay and Justin Ingram for the Craft Professional of the Year, but while they did not receive an award, MSD still recognizes the amount of effort and attention to detail that they deliver on all their projects. Thank you, Ben and Justin.

#cincinnati #dayton #columbus

We asked out team members to let us know what they were most thankful for this holiday season. Read some responses below!

I am thankful for my son and husband, they are my reason to get up daily and keep going. – Tori Sherrock

Thankful for Family, and the opportunity to work with so many amazing people, committed to exceeding our client’s expectations,  and impacting our communities in a positive manner! -Nick Davis

I am thankful for my family, my friends, and my incredible fiance. 2021 has given me so many things to be thankful for. – Carlee Kremer

Thankful for physical, emotional, and spiritual health. – Dennis Garber

I am thankful for my wife, family, and great friends, I’m thankful to live in a free country with so many opportunities that allows me to have so much in my life. – Mike Workman

I am so thankful for my sons, also known as great dannios, my beautiful girlfriend, the Christmas tree being up, and spending time with friends and family while navigating this wild thing called life! – Brian Bafford

I’m grateful to have a wonderful family, friends, co-workers, and clients. – Joe Thacker

I believe I am most thankful for my family, health and working with everyone at MSD, Inc. – Randy Rose

Cool-weather is coming but that doesn’t mean you need to be stuck indoors. The Five Rivers MetroParks Ice rink will be open starting Friday Nov. 26^th and is a great way to have fun with family & friends. Don’t worry about staying comfortable as the Warming Zone by MSD will keep you toasty while getting checked in for the days fun.

Don’t be cooped up this winter, get out and enjoy all the great adventures that our Five Rivers MetroParks has to offer. https://www.metroparks.org/things-to-do/ice-skating/