This article shall apply to materials not otherwise covered in this chapter which are highly flammable or which may react to cause fires or explosions or which by their presence create or augment a fire or explosion hazard or which, because of their toxicity, flammability or liability to explosion, render fire fighting abnormally dangerous or difficult. This article shall also apply to flammable liquids which are chemically unstable and which may spontaneously form explosive compounds or undergo spontaneous reactions or explosive violence or, with sufficient evolution of heat, create a fire hazard. Hazardous chemicals shall include such materials as flammable solids, corrosive liquids, radioactive materials, oxidizing materials, potentially explosive chemicals, highly toxic materials and poisonous gases. In addition, this article shall include all materials listed in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
A. 
A permit shall be required for the storage or handling of any hazardous chemicals and materials as defined above and in § 164-6.
B. 
A permit shall be required for the storage and handling at any installation of more than one microcurie of radium not contained in a sealed source or more than one millicurie of radium or other radioactive material in a sealed source or sources or any amount of radioactive material for which a specific license from the United States Atomic Energy Commission is required in accordance with nationally recognized good practice.
C. 
Every permittee shall display on the premises storing, handling, manufacturing or using commodities within the scope of this article approved warning signs/symbols at all entrances to such premises, as directed by the Fire Prevention Division.
[Amended 3-14-2000 by L.L. No. 4-2000]
A. 
The manufacturing, storing, handling or use of hazardous chemicals shall be safeguarded with such protective facilities as public safety requires.
B. 
The Fire Prevention Division may require the separation or isolation of any chemical that in combination with other substances may bring about a fire or explosion or may liberate a flammable or poisonous gas. The Fire Prevention Division may require separation from other storage occupancies or buildings when the quantity stored constitutes a material hazard.
[Amended 3-14-2000 by L.L. No. 4-2000]
C. 
The manufacturing, storing, handling or use of hazardous chemicals and materials shall be in accordance with the appropriate standards of the NFPA, except that more restrictive requirements, as specified in this Article, shall take precedence over any NFPA requirements.
D. 
The Fire Prevention Division may require the submission of additional documentation relating to the physical and chemical properties of hazardous chemicals and materials.
[Amended 3-14-2000 by L.L. No. 4-2000]
E. 
The management or owner of any building or facility wherein hazardous chemicals or materials are stored or handled shall submit an inventory of such chemicals or materials, at least annually or whenever the quantity of the same shall change substantially.
F. 
Only chemicals or materials listed on the inventory required in Subsection E above shall be stored or handled, unless the Fire Prevention Division has first given written permission for the storage or handling of additional chemicals or materials.
[Amended 3-14-2000 by L.L. No. 4-2000]
Oxidizing materials shall be stored in dry locations and separated from stored organic materials. Bulk oxidizing materials shall not be stored on or against wooded surfaces. Oxidizing materials shall be stored separated from flammable liquids, flammable solids, combustible materials, hazardous chemicals, corrosive liquids and such other noncompatible materials.
A. 
Durable, clearly visible signs warning of radiation dangers shall be placed at all entrances to areas or rooms where radioactive materials are used or stored. In addition, each container in which radioactive materials are used, stored or transported shall bear a durable, clearly visible, appropriate warning sign. Such signs shall bear the three-bladed radiation symbol in magenta or purple on a yellow background, in accordance with nationally recognized good practice.
B. 
When not in use, radioactive materials shall be kept in adequately shielded fire-resistant containers of such design that gamma radiation will not exceed 200 milliroentgens per hour, or the equivalent, at any point of readily accessible surface.
A. 
Explosives and blasting agents shall not be stored in the same building or in close proximity to potentially explosive chemicals.
B. 
Organic peroxides.
(1) 
A detached, well-isolated, ventilated and unheated storage building constructed with walls having a fire-resistance rating greater than two hours, a noncombustible floor and a lightweight insulated room shall be provided for the storage of 50 pounds or more of organic peroxides.
(2) 
If not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge-type automatic fire sprinkler system, the storage building shall be located the following minimum distances from flammable liquid storage and combustible materials in the open and from any other building or highway:
Weight of Organic Peroxide
(pounds)
Distance
(feet)
50 to 100
75
100 to 500
100
500 to 1,000
125
1,000 to 3,000
200
3,000 to 5,000
300
(3) 
The organic peroxides shall be stored in the original shipping containers, which such containers shall be ICC approved or shall be ICC containers.
(4) 
Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of these chemicals.
(5) 
Readily legible warning signs and placards shall be prominently placed in the storage and processing areas.
(6) 
Organic peroxides shall be kept away from all sources of heat, including steam pipes, radiators, open flames, sparks and solar radiation. Smoking shall be prohibited in areas where organic peroxides are stored, handled or used. No sparking tools shall be used in any area where organic peroxides are stored, mixed or applied.
C. 
Nitromethane.
(1) 
A suitable isolated outdoor storage area shall be provided for nitromethane. Hazardous processing shall not be permitted in the vicinity of this storage area.
(2) 
Nitromethane shall be stored in the drums in which it is received or in an underground tank with suitable corrosion protection provisions and a minimum of two feet of earth over the tank or in barricaded tanks above ground.
(3) 
If the drum storage is not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge-type automatic fire sprinkler system, the storage of 2,000 pounds or more shall be located the following minimum distances from inhabited buildings:
Weight
(pounds)
Approxi-mate Number of Drums
Distance
(feet)
Over
But Not Over
0
2,000
4
100
2,000
10,000
20
200
10,000
20,000
40
300
20,000
40,000
80
400
40,000
80,000
160
500
(4) 
Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of this chemical.
(5) 
Readily legible warning signs and placards shall be prominently placed in the storage and processing areas.
D. 
Ammonium nitrate.
(1) 
Each storage pile or other authorized packages and containers of such materials shall not exceed 12 feet in height, 12 feet in width and 30 feet in length. Such pile units shall be separated by a clear space of not less than 36 inches in width from the base to the top of the piles, serving as cross aisles. At least one service of the main aisle into the storage area shall not be less than four feet in width. A clearance of not less than 30 inches shall be maintained from building walls and partitions and not less than 36 inches from ceilings or roof structural members, with a minimum of 18 inches from sprinklers.
(2) 
Ammonium nitrate storage areas shall be separated by a space of 30 feet or by a tight noncombustible partition from the storage of organic chemicals, corrosive liquids, compressed gases, flammable and combustible materials or other contaminating substances such as sulphur, coal, flour and metallic powders such as zinc, copper and magnesium.
(3) 
Quantities of ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate fertilizer, having no organic coating, in the form of crystals, flakes, grains or prills, including fertilizer grade, dynamite grade, nitrous oxide grade and technical grade ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate phosphate containing 60% or more ammonium nitrate by weight or more than 50 tons total weight, shall be stored in a well-ventilated building of fire-resistant or noncombustible construction or in buildings of other types of construction equipped with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. In populated areas, quantities of 2,500 tons or more shall be stored in well-ventilated buildings of fire-resistant or noncombustible construction equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system, and no combustible materials or ammonium nitrate sensitizing contaminants shall be stored in this building.
(4) 
The storage of ammonium nitrate, coated or mixed with organic anticaking materials, except compounded blasting agents, shall not be permitted in populated and congested areas. Outside such areas, quantities of 500 tons or less may be stored in well-vented buildings of fire-resistant or noncombustible construction equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
A. 
Highly toxic materials shall be segregated from other chemicals, combustibles and flammable substances by storage in a room or compartment separated from other areas by walls and floor and ceiling assemblies having fire-resistance ratings of two hours or more. The storage room shall be provided with adequate natural or mechanical ventilation to the outside atmosphere. The floor of said room shall be impermeable to the materials being stored within.
B. 
Legible warning signs and placards stating the nature and location of the highly toxic materials shall be posted at all entrances to areas where such materials are stored or used.
A. 
The storage of poisonous gases shall be in rooms of at least one hour's fire-resistant construction and having natural or mechanical ventilation adequate to remove leaking gas. Such ventilation shall not discharge to a point where gases may endanger any person.
B. 
Legible warning signs stating the nature of the hazard shall be placed at all entrances to locations where poisonous gases are stored or used.
Satisfactory provisions, according to NFPA or trade industry standards, shall be made for containing and neutralizing any leakage of corrosive liquids which may occur during storage or handling and for ensuring that proper precautions are made to protect the environment.