EXCEL DATE AND STATISTICS FUNCTIONS

DATE =     Returns the serial number of a particular date

DATEVALUE =     Converts a date in the form of text to a serial number

DAY =     Converts a serial number to a day of the month

DAYS360 =     Calculates the number of days between two dates based on a 360-day year

EDATE =     Returns the serial number of the date that is the indicated number

of months before or after the start date

EOMONTH =     Returns the serial number of the last day of the month before or after

a specified number of months

HOUR =     Converts a serial number to an hour

MINUTE =     Converts a serial number to a minute

MONTH =     Converts a serial number to a month

NETWORKDAYS =     Returns the number of whole workdays between two dates

NOW =     Returns the serial number of the current date and time

SECOND =     Converts a serial number to a second

TIME =     Returns the serial number of a particular time

TIMEVALUE =     Converts a time in the form of text to a serial number

TODAY =     Returns the serial number of today's date

WEEKDAY =     Converts a serial number to a day of the week

WEEKNUM =     Converts a serial number to a number representing where the week

falls numerically with a year

WORKDAY =     Returns the serial number of the date before or after a

specified number of workdays

YEAR =     Converts a serial number to a year

YEARFRAC =     Returns the year fraction representing the number of whole days

between start_date and end_date

AVEDEV =     Returns the average of the absolute deviations of data points from their mean

AVERAGE =     Returns the average of its arguments

AVERAGEA =     Returns the average of its arguments, including numbers, text

and logical values

BETADIST =     Returns the beta cumulative distribution function

BETAINV =     Returns the inverse of the cumulative distribution function for

a specified beta distribution

BINOMDIST =     Returns the individual term binomial distribution probability

CHIDIST =     Returns the one-tailed probability of the chi-squared distribution

CHIINV =     Returns the inverse of the one-tailed probability of the chi-squared distribution

CHITEST =     Returns the test for independence

CONFIDENCE =     Returns the confidence interval for a population mean

CORREL =     Returns the correlation coefficient between two data sets

COUNT =     Counts how many numbers are in the list of arguments

COUNTA =     Counts how many values are in the list of arguments

COUNTBLANK =     Counts the number of blank cells within a range

COUNTIF =     Counts the number of nonblank cells within a range that meet the given criteria

COVAR =     Returns covariance, the average of the products of paired deviations

CRITBINOM =     Returns the smallest value for which the cumulative binomial

distribution is less than or equal to a criterion value

DEVSQ =     Returns the sum of squares of deviations

EXPONDIST =     Returns the exponential distribution

FDIST =     Returns the F probability distribution

FINV =     Returns the inverse of the F probability distribution

FISHER =     Returns the Fisher transformation

FISHERINV =     Returns the inverse of the Fisher transformation

FORECAST =     Returns a value along a linear trend

FREQUENCY =     Returns a frequency distribution as a vertical array

FTEST =     Returns the result of an F-test

GAMMADIST =     Returns the gamma distribution

GAMMAINV =     Returns the inverse of the gamma cumulative distribution

GAMMALN =     Returns the natural logarithm of the gamma function, Γ(x)

GEOMEAN =     Returns the geometric mean

GROWTH =     Returns values along an exponential trend

HARMEAN =     Returns the harmonic mean

HYPGEOMDIST =     Returns the hypergeometric distribution

INTERCEPT =     Returns the intercept of the linear regression line

KURT =     Returns the kurtosis of a data set

LARGE =     Returns the k-th largest value in a data set

LINEST =     Returns the parameters of a linear trend

LOGEST =     Returns the parameters of an exponential trend

LOGINV =     Returns the inverse of the lognormal distribution

LOGNORMDIST =     Returns the cumulative lognormal distribution

MAX =     Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments

MAXA =     Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments, including numbers,

text, and logical values

MEDIAN =     Returns the median of the given numbers

MIN =     Returns the minimum value in a list of arguments

MINA =     Returns the smallest value in a list of arguments, including numbers,

text, and logical values

MODE =     Returns the most common value in a data set

NEGBINOMDIST =     Returns the negative binomial distribution

NORMDIST =     Returns the normal cumulative distribution

NORMINV =     Returns the inverse of the normal cumulative distribution

NORMSDIST =     Returns the standard normal cumulative distribution

NORMSINV =     Returns the inverse of the standard normal cumulative distribution

PEARSON =     Returns the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient

PERCENTILE =     Returns the k-th percentile of values in a range

PERCENTRANK =     Returns the percentage rank of a value in a data set

PERMUT =     Returns the number of permutations for a given number of objects

POISSON =     Returns the Poisson distribution

PROB =     Returns the probability that values in a range are between two limits

QUARTILE =     Returns the quartile of a data set

RANK =     Returns the rank of a number in a list of numbers

RSQ =     Returns the square of the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient

SKEW =     Returns the skewness of a distribution

SLOPE =     Returns the slope of the linear regression line

SMALL =     Returns the k-th smallest value in a data set

STANDARDIZE =     Returns a normalized value

STDEV =     Estimates standard deviation based on a sample

STDEVA =     Estimates standard deviation based on a sample, including numbers,

text, and logical values

STDEVP =     Calculates standard deviation based on the entire population

STDEVPA =     Calculates standard deviation based on the entire population,

including numbers, text, and logical values

STEYX =     Returns the standard error of the predicted y-value for each x in the regression

TDIST =     Returns the Student's t-distribution

TINV =     Returns the inverse of the Student's t-distribution

TREND =     Returns values along a linear trend

TRIMMEAN =     Returns the mean of the interior of a data set

TTEST =     Returns the probability associated with a Student's t-test

VAR =     Estimates variance based on a sample

VARA =     Estimates variance based on a sample, including numbers, text, and logical values

VARP =     Calculates variance based on the entire population

VARPA =     Calculates variance based on the entire population, including numbers,

text, and logical values

WEIBULL =     Returns the Weibull distribution

ZTEST =     Returns the one-tailed probability-value of a z-test

EXCEL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

New file =     Ctrl + N

Open file =     Ctrl + O

Save file =     Ctrl + S

Move between open workbooks =     Ctrl + F6

Close file =     Ctrl + F4

Save as =     F12

Display the print menu =     Ctrl + P

Select whole spreadsheet =     Ctrl + A

Select column =     Ctrl + Space

Select row =     Shift + Space

Undo last action =     Ctrl + Z

Redo last action =     Ctrl + Y

Exit Excel =     Alt + F4

Spell Check =     F7

Cut =     Ctrl + X

Copy =     Ctrl + C

Paste =     Ctrl + V

Find text =     Ctrl + F

Recalculate =     F9

Move to next cell in row =     Tab

Move to previous cell in row =     Shift + Tab

Up one screen =     Page Up

Down one screen =     Page Down

Move to next worksheet =     Ctrl + Page Down

Move to previous worksheet =     Ctrl + Page Up

Go to first cell in data region =     Ctrl + Home

Go to last cell in data region =     Ctrl + End

Data Region Left =     Ctrl + Left Arrow

Data Region Right =     Ctrl + Right Arrow

Data Region Down =     Ctrl + Down Arrow

Data Region Up =     Ctrl + Up Arrow

Select Whole Data Region =     Ctrl + Shift + 8

Move to Next Sheet =     Ctrl + Page Down

Move to Prior Sheet =     Ctrl + Page Up

Access Drop down menu =     Alt + Down/Up Arrow

Zoom in / out =     Ctrl + mouse scroll

Bold toggle for selection =     Ctrl + B

Italic toggle for selection =     Ctrl + I

Underline toggle for selection =     Ctrl + U

Strikethrough for selection =     Ctrl + 5

Change the font =     Ctrl + Shift + F

Change the font size =     Ctrl + Shift + P

Apply outline borders =     Ctrl + Shift + 7

Remove all borders =     Ctrl + Shift + Underline

Wrap text in same cell =     Alt + Enter

Format cells =     Ctrl + 1

Select font =     Ctrl + Shift + F

Select font size =     Ctrl + Shift + P

Format as number =     Ctrl + Shift + 1

Format as date =     Ctrl + Shift + 3

Format as currency =     Ctrl + Shift + 4

Format as percentage =     Ctrl + Shift + 5

Delete one character to right =     Delete

Delete one character to left =     Backspace

Edit active cell =     F2

Cancel cell entry =     Escape Key

Select entire worksheet =     Ctrl + A

Select entire row =     Shift + Spacebar

Select entire column =     Ctrl + Spacebar

Manual select =     Shift + Arrow Key

Autosum a range of cells =     Alt + Equals Sign

Insert the date =     Ctrl + ; (semi-colon)

Insert the time =     Ctrl + Shift + ; (semi-colon)

Insert a new worksheet =     Shift + F11

FIRE PROOFING

F-I-R-E P-R-O-O-F-I-N-G





Example of spray fireproofing, using a gypsum based plaster in a low-rise industrial building in Vancouver, British Columbia. The plaster provides a layer of insulation to retard heat flow into structural steel to prevent collapse.

Delaminated spray fireproofing at Cambrian College, Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, August 2000.

Pre-mixed fireproofing Plaster stored on construction site, ready to spray onto structural steel.

Applications of FIRE PROOFING

• Structural steel to keep below critical temperature ca. 540 °C
• Electrical circuits to keep critical electrical circuits below 140 °C so they stay operational
• Liquefied petroleum gas containers to prevent a BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion)
• Vessel skirts and pipe bridges in an oil refinery or chemical plant to keep below critical temperature ca. 540°
• Concrete linings of traffic tunnels

HISTORY

Asbestos is one material historically used for fireproofing, either on its own, or together with binders such as cement, either in sprayed form or in pressed sheets, or as additives to a variety of materials and products, including fabrics for protective clothing and building materials. Because the material has proven to be causing cancer in the long run, a large removal and replacement business has been established.

Endothermic materials have also been used to a large extent and are still in use today, such as gypsum, concrete and other cementitious products. More highly evolved versions of these are even used in aerodynamics, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and re-entry vehicles, such as the space shuttles.

The use of these older materials has been standardised in "old" systems, such as those listed in BS4

76, DIN4102 and the National Building Code of Canada.

Alternative fireproofing methods

Among the conventional materials, purpose-designed spray fireproofing plasters have become abundantly available the world over. The inorganic methods include:

• Gypsum plasters
• Cementitious plasters
• Fibrous plasters

Manufacturers for these inorganic are in a constant, competitive struggle for commercial success against one another. The competition focuses simply on managing to obtain fire-resistance ratings at the lowest possible cost. Simply, the idea is to become faster and cheaper than the competition.

The industry considers gypsum-based plasters to be "cementitious", even though these contain no

portland cement, let alone calcium alumina cement. Cementitious plasters that actually contain portland cement have been traditionally lightened by the use of inorganic lightweight aggregates, such as vermiculite and perlite.

Gypsum plasters have been lightened by using chemical additives to create bubbles that displace solids, thus reducing the bulk density. Also, lightweight polystyrene beads have been mixed into the plasters at the factory, again, in an effort to reduce the density, which generally makes for a more effective insulation as well as a lower cost. The resulting plaster has still qualified to the A2 combustibility rating as per DIN4102. Fibrous plasters, containing either mineral wool or ceramic fibres tend to simply entrain more air, thus displacing the heavy fibres. On-site cost reduction efforts, at times purposely contr

avening bounding can, at times further enhance such displacement of solids, which has led many architects to insist on the use of on-site testing of proper densities to ensure that they are getting what they're paying for, as excessively light inorganic fireproofing does not provide adequate protection.

Pipes covered with a thin-film intumescent spray fireproofing product called Unitherm. As the flame from the blow-torch hits it, the intumescent expands, forming a layer of insulation, which slows down heat transfer to the pipe below. Hydrates within the coating give up their water content, maintaining a temperature near the boiling point of 100 °C.

In this picture, the flame has been removed after the thin-film intumescent spray fireproofing product has been completely expanded. Some intumescents can undergo shrinkage shortly after full expansion has taken place.

New materials based on organic chemistry are gaining in popularity for a variety of reasons. In land-based construction, thin-film intumescents have become more widely used. Unlike their inorganic competitors, thin-film intumescents go on like paint and do not require the concealment of structural steel elements such as I-beams and columns. Care must be taken to ensure that such products are protected from atmospheric moisture and operational heat, which can adversely affect these organic, covalently bound products. The use of DIBt approved products, which mandates testing of the effects of ageing, is prudent.

Thicker intumescent and endothermic resin systems tend to use an oil basis (usually epoxy), which, when exposed to fire, creates so much smoke, that even though these products work well, they tend to be banned from use inside of buildings and are thus used mainly in exterior construction, such as LPG vessels, vessel skirts and pipe bridges in oil refineries, chemical plants and offshore oil and gas platforms.

Proprietary boards and sheets, made of gypsum, calcium silicate, vermiculite, perlite, mechanically bonded composite boards made of punched sheet-metal and cellulose reinforced concrete (DuraSteel) have all been used to clad items for increased fire-resistance. Cladding is traditionally much more popular and organised in Europe than in North America. Fringe methods have also included intumescent tapes and sheets, as well as endothermically treated ceramic fibre sheets and roll materials. The latter work well but are not particularly popular due to cost reasons. Ordinary ceramic fibre, typically encased in thin aluminium foil is often used to protect pressurisation ductwork and grease ducts in North America. Such mineral wool (rock wool) wraps have been used in Europe for decades more than in North America. Europeans tend to use much less expensive mineral wool wraps for duct fireproofing. All are qualified to the same test regime: ISO6944, with the exception that systems qualified for the North America market also undergo a hose-stream test immediately following the fire exposure in order to validate the firestop portion of the system.

Common errors in inorganic spray fireproofing

• Portland cement bound sprays display a high pH level at first. This has, at times been presumed to last indefinitely, particularly for exterior spray fireproofing of large liquified petroleum gas containers, vessel skirts and pipe bridges. One must use proper primer. The high pH of cement-borne plasters does not safeguard unprotected common steel substrata. Ignorance of this fact, particularly in coastal regions with high salt exposures has led to obscene rusting and delaminations of spray fireproofing on large LPG spheres and more. Proper epoxies must be used for water-resistance to prevent "soaping" when in contact with the plaster.

• Fibrous spray fireproofing on LPG spheres have, at times ignored the necessary dew point calculations, resulting in having ceramic fibre based sprays become totally saturated with water, which has led to other problems.

• Spray fireproofers unfamiliar with and perhaps apathetic about the basic chemistry that governs the forming of cement stone, have been known to go on break, while bags of spray fireproofing mixtures were turning, with water, in mixing drums, ready to be sprayed when workers returned from lunch breaks. Of course, excessive mixing leaves the cement perfectly spent, no longer able to form any more cement stone once placed, resulting in a "spider-web" appearance of the finished plaster, as its setting ability has been largely diminished, the plaster reduced to "sand-castle" quality.

• Spray fireproofers have been known in industrial settings to spray onto vibrating substrata, which can dislodge and weaken plasters.

• Spray fireproofers unfamiliar with basic cement chemistry have been known to have their plasters weakened by common cement poisons, such as high wind and heat exposures to fresh plasters, which should have been suitably covered to reduce premature escape of water, that is needed to form cement stone inside of the plaster. This has resulted in lesser quality fireproofing plasters.

Traffic tunnel fireproofing

Traffic tunnels may be traversed by vehicles carrying flammable goods, such as petrol, liquified petroleum gas and other hydrocarbons, which are known to cause a very rapid heat rise and high heat (see the hydrocarbon curves in fire-resistance rating). It is a known fact in tunnel construction and operations, that where hydrocarbon transports are permitted, accidental fires may occur, causing spilled loads amidst sparks. It is, therefore, prudent to fireproof concrete linings of traffic tunnels. Traffic tunnels are not ordinarily equipped with fire suppression means. It is very difficult to overcome hydrocarbon fires by active fire protection means or to so equip an entire tunnel along its whole length for the eventuality of a hydrocarbon fire or a BLEVE, which then destroys everything in its path, until the fuel is spent.

• What happens to concrete in hydrocarbon fires?

Concrete, by itself, cannot withstand hydrocarbon fires. In the Channel tunnel that connects England and France, an intense fire broke out and reduced the concrete lining in the undersea tunnel down to about 50 mm. In ordinary building fires, concrete typically achieves excellent fire-resistance ratings, unless it is too wet, which can cause it to crack and explode. For unprotected concrete, the sudden endothermic reaction of the hydrates and unbound humidity inside the concrete causes such pressure as to spall off the concrete, which then winds up in small pieces on the floor of the tunnel. This is the reason why laboratories, which conduct fire-resistance testing, such as ULC, iBMB TU Braunschweig, which headed the "Eureka" project, or Underwriters Laboratories insert humidity probes into all concrete slabs that undergo fire testing even in accordance with the less severe building elements curve (DIN4102, or BS476, or ULC-S101). Only once the humidity is low enough, will a fire test be conducted because otherwise explosions would result. The culprit is the hydrates and unbound humidity in the concrete and this is not new. Another prime example of this is the fact that walls constructed of lost plastic forms, which are filled on site with concrete cannot withstand the testing required of a loadbearing Firewall (construction). During the fire test, these walls are subjected to a load, which then leads to such a forceful explosion as to shear the wall with thunderous noise. A hydrocarbon fire is much more rapid and severe than a typical building fire. Consequently, concrete is much more vulnerable and must be protected in order to remain operable during a hydrocarbon fire. The need for fireproofing was demonstrated, among other fire protection measures, in the European "Eureka" Fire Tunnel Research Project, which resulted in building codes for the trade to avoid the effects of such fires upon traffic tunnels. Cementitious spray fireproofing, each of which must be able to prove bounding in accordance with the hydrocarbon fire test curve, such as the one that is also used in UL1709.

• Fireproofing concrete tunnel linings

In essence, this is really not much different from protecting structural steel or electrical circuits or valves. The most important item is to maintain strict bounding. Next, one must slow down the heat transfer into the item to be protected. This is accomplished by the use of firm fireproofing products, such as higher density fireproofing plasters or fireproofing boards, such as those made of calcium silicate or vermiculite. Examples of purpose-made tunnel fireproofing can be seen here. Other things to be kept in mind are as follows:

• If one is fireproofing existing traffic tunnels, one must ensure proper cleaning of the concrete to remove any substances that may impair proper bonding.
• Lighting concerns must be kept in mind. Traffic darkens new fireproofing products. One must, therefore, investigate proper, light-coloured coatings, which reflect light, are easy to clean, are compatible with the substrate and that the combination of the two are also to absorb the kinetic energy of spray cleaning.
• In mountain tunnels, one must ensure that a space is created between the fireproofing and the stone, for water traveling downwards through the mountain to be drained off, to avoid the formation of dangerous icicles and damage to the fireproofing system.