FM Global said today it will release its previously exclusiveproperty loss prevention engineering guidelines at no cost, throughits Web site www.fmglobaldatasheets.com.

The Johnston, R.I., commercial and industrial property insurersaid it is releasing thousands of pages of information, comprisingloss prevention data, for the first time in its 170-yearhistory.

According to FM Global, the property loss prevention data sheetsprovide large-scale businesses, facility and risk managers, as wellas their architects, consultants and contractors a tool to helpprevent property damage and maintain business continuity due tothreats posed by fire, weather conditions, and failure ofelectrical or mechanical equipment.

The engineering guidelines contain risk prevention informationon hundreds of topics, ranging from building construction and fireprevention to industrial equipment maintenance and natural disasterpreparedness, FM Global said.

Users who download the content also receive automaticnotification via e-mail when data sheets are updated. FM Globalsaid its data is based on scientific research and nearly twocenturies of loss prevention experience.

FM Global said its decision to make its loss prevention dataavailable at no cost reflects the changing risk profiles of itsclients around the world, especially the increasing interdependenceof businesses brought about as a result of globalization andtechnology.

“Companies are now so intertwined and geographically dispersedthat to help them reduce risk and prevent loss, it is beneficial tomake our intellectual property widely accessible,” Tom Lawson, FMGlobal's senior vice president, engineering and research, said in astatement.

He added, “FM Global is always developing new ways to preventrisk, and we feel this complete access to our engineeringrecommendations can be invaluable to helping businesses manage theevolving risk environment in this increasingly interconnectedworld.”

Subjects covered by FM Global's data sheets include:construction, sprinklers, water supply, extinguishing equipment,electrical, boilers and heating equipment, hazards, storage, humanfactors, system instrumentation and control, pressure vessels,mechanical and welding.