Okay, I know that the US has, as a whole, been resisting switching over to the metric system (a real shame in my opinion). But still — you’d think that the Department of Homeland Security would be a little more informed than they appear to be…
Is there a particular type (brand) of duct tape that citizens should buy? The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends using duct tape with a minimum thickness of 10 millimeters (0.01 in). What is the most effective type of plastic sheeting? FEMA recommends using plastic sheeting with a thickness of 10 millimeters (0.01 in.). For reference, commercially available sheeting is typically sold at 0.7, 1, 1.2, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6 and 10 millimeters. But, keep in mind that any type of plastic sheeting, even heavy trash bags, can be better than nothing. […] What is the science behind the recommendation to seal off rooms? Duct tape was tested as part of a study on chemical protective clothing materials. In this study, it was concluded that duct tape provided at least a temporary seal against permeation by simulants of common chemical agents, including GB, VX, mustard and pesticides. Depending on the chemical agent, duct tape resisted permeation for 3 ½ hours to more than 24 hours. The study tested duct tape of 10 mil (0.01 in.) thickness. Plastic sheeting was tested as part of a test using live chemical warfare agents conducted at the Chemical Defense Establishment in Porton Down, England in 1970. Agents tested included H and VX. Sheeting of various thickness was tested, including 2.5 millimeters (0.0025 in.), 4 millimeters (0.004 in.), 10 millimeters (0.01 in.) and 20 millimeters (0.02 in.).
<
p>For the curious, using Google’s handy dandy little calculation function, here’s the real numbers:
- 2.5 millimeters = 0.0984251969 inches
- 4 millimeters = 0.157480315 inches
- 10 millimeters = 0.393700787 inches
- 20 millimeters = 0.787401575 inches
Of course, maybe I’m working from the wrong assumption. Maybe the Government just needs to smack Google around and tell them to get their math right…
(via Rick)
“Disco Inferno (Soul Solution)” by Lauper, Cyndi from the album Disco Inferno (1999, 7:52).
CJ
Brandon
Tim Who?
ندى
5 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.
What? Questioning Homeland Security? If you’re not careful you may wind up with a couple millimeter’s worth of plastic wrap around you and a whole roll of duct tape over your mouth.
How dare you question Homeland Security? Don’t you know they’re doing this for your safety? For your security? For the security of the Homeland? Gheesh! Next they’ll want us to take our shoes off to get on airplanes and arresting us because our bookmarks have weights on the ends (whoops, they DO that now…..)
You just like to get us all excited and in a snit, don’t you?
Didn’t some state legislature come up with a new value for pi once?
Perhaps the only way the U.S. will really go metric is to redefine the metric system. 1000 grams per pound, here we come…
shakes head I guess the schools really do need reform, eh?
20 mm thick ducttape? Wow. I wonder how huge the actual roll is.
And yes, some state wanted to legally define pi as exactly 3, to prevent farmers from cheating on their taxes when they reported the volume of their silos, or something like that.
Maybe it would be a good idea to require anyone running for office to take a test. Something like a SAT test with different parts. (all scores made public)
I’m sorry, you did well on the math section but you failed the common sense section. Now you cannot run for office for 5 years. Unless you retake the test and score an 80% or better on the common sense section.
It wouldn’t keep all the idiots out of office but it might thin their ranks out a bit.