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Editor's Note: State law reference - Hazardous substances, G.L. 1956, § 23-24-1 et seq.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
CORROSIVE LIQUID
Those acids, alkaline caustic liquids and other corrosive liquids which, when in contact with living tissue, will cause severe damage to such tissue by chemical action; or in case of leakage will materially damage or destroy other containers of other hazardous commodities by chemical action and cause the release of their contents; or are liable to cause fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals.
FLAMMABLE SOLID
A solid substance, other than one classified as an explosive, which is liable to cause fires through friction, through absorption of moisture, through spontaneous chemical changes or as a result of retained heat from manufacturing or processing. Examples are white phosphorus, nitrocellulose, metallic sodium and potassium and zirconium powder.
HIGHLY TOXIC MATERIAL
A material so toxic to man as to afford an unusual hazard to life and health during fire fighting operations. Examples are parathion, TEPP (tetraethyl phosphate), HETP (hexaethyl tetraphosphate) and similar insecticides and pesticides.
OXIDIZING MATERIAL
Substances that yield oxygen readily to support combustion. Examples are chlorates, pci-manganates, peroxides and nitrates.
POISONOUS GAS
Any noxious gas of such nature that a small amount of the gas in air is dangerous to life. Examples are chlorine, cyanogen, fluorine, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide, nitrogen tetraoxide and phosgene.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Any material or combination of material that spontaneously emits ionizing radiation.
UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) CHEMICAL
Any substance, other than one classified as an explosive or blasting agent, which will vigorously and energetically react, is potentially explosive, will polymerize, decompose instantaneously, undergo uncontrollable auto-reaction or can be exploded by heat, shock, pressure or combinations thereof. Examples are organic peroxides, nitromethane and ammonium nitrate.
This article shall apply to materials not otherwise covered in this Part 1 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; also to materials and formulations which are chemically unstable and which may spontaneously form explosive compounds, or undergo spontaneous or exothermic reactions of explosive violence or with sufficient evolution of heat to be a fire hazard. Hazardous chemicals shall include such materials as corrosive liquids, flammable solids, highly toxic materials, oxidizing materials, poisonous gases, radioactive materials and unstable chemicals, as defined in § 198-66.
A. 
A permit shall be required for the storage or handling of more than 55 gallons of corrosive liquids; or more than 500 pounds of oxidizing materials; or more than 10 pounds of organic peroxides; or more than 500 pounds of nitromethane; or 1,000 pounds or more of ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate fertilizers and fertilizer mixtures defined in § 198-72D(1) or any amount of highly toxic material or poisonous gas.
B. 
A permit shall be required for the storage or 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.
C. 
Before authorizing the issuance of any permit, the Chief of the Fire Department may require the applicant to submit in writing confidential information on a hazardous chemical evaluating the fire and explosion hazard.
A. 
The manufacture, storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals shall be safeguarded with such protection facilities as the public safety requires.
B. 
The Chief of the Fire Department 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 Chief of the Fire Department may require separation from other storage facilities, dwellings, places of assembly, educational occupancies, railroads and public highways, when the quantity stored constitutes a material hazard. Limitations on storable quantities shall be considered with regard to proximity of these exposures and congested commercial and industrial districts.
Packaged oxidizing materials shall be stored in dry locations and separated from stored organic and other combustible materials. Bulk oxidizing materials shall not be stored on or against wooden surfaces.
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.
B. 
When not in use, radioactive materials shall be kept in adequately shielded fire-resistant containers of such design that the gamma radiation will not exceed 200 milliroentgens per hour or equivalent at any point of readily accessible surface.
A. 
Unstable (reactive) liquids.
(1) 
Unstable (reactive) chemicals shall not be stored in the same building with or in close proximity to explosives and blasting agents, except that ammonium nitrate may be stored with explosives and blasting agents in accordance with Article V, Explosives, Ammunition and Blasting Agents.
(2) 
Unstable chemicals that are unstable (reactive) liquids such as organic peroxides and nitromethane, in addition to complying with the applicable provisions of this article, shall comply with the applicable provisions of Article VI, Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
B. 
Organic peroxides.
(1) 
Organic peroxides of 50 pounds or more shall be stored in a detached, well isolated ventilated and unheated storage building constructed of materials having a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours with a noncombustible floor and a lightweight insulated roof. If not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge type automatic sprinkler system, the storage building shall be located the following minimum distances from flammable liquid storage, combustible materials in open containers and from any other building or highway:
Weight of Organic Peroxide
(pounds)
Distance
(feet)
50 to 100
75
100 to 500
100
500 to 1000
125
1000 to 3000
200
3000 to 5000
300
(2) 
Stock supplies stored inside production buildings shall be limited to 50 pounds at any one time.
C. 
Nitromethane.
(1) 
Nitromethane storage shall be in a suitable isolated outdoor area with no hazardous processing in the vicinity of the storage area.
(2) 
Nitromethane shall be stored in the drums in which it is received or in an underground tank with suitable corrosion protection and a minimum of two feet of earth over the tank or in barricaded tanks above ground. If the drum storage is not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge type automatic sprinkler system, the storage of 2,000 pounds or more shall be located the following minimum distances from inhabited buildings:
Weight
Approximate
Number of Drums
Distance
(feet)
Pounds
Over
Pounds
Not Over
Beginning at
2,000
4
100
2,000
to
10,000
20
200
10,000
to
20,000
40
300
20,000
to
40,000
80
400
40,000
to
80,000
160
500
D. 
Ammonium nitrate.
(1) 
Ammonium nitrate in the form of crystals, flakes, grains or prills shall include technical grade, fertilizer grade, nitrous oxide grade, dynamite grade and other mixtures containing 60% or more ammonium nitrate; but shall not include blasting agents.
(2) 
Ammonium nitrate storage areas shall be separated by a space of 30 feet, with sills or curbs, or by approved type walls of not less than one-hour fire-resistance rating, from stocks or organic chemicals, corrosive liquids, flammable compressed gases, flammable and combustible materials, such as coal, sawdust, charcoal or flour where storage of such materials is permitted with ammonium nitrate. Walls referred to in this Subsection D(2) need extend only to the underside of the roof. All flooring in storage and handling area shall be of noncombustible material and shall be without drains, traps, pits or pockets into which any molten ammonium nitrate could flow and be confined in event of fire.
(3) 
Ammonium nitrate shall not be accepted for storage where the temperature of the product exceeds 130º F.
(4) 
Bagged ammonium nitrate exceeding 60 tons total weight shall be stored in a well-ventilated building of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction or in buildings of other types of construction equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
(5) 
Bagged ammonium nitrate of 2,500 tons or more shall be stored in well-ventilated buildings of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
(6) 
Sprinkler protection shall be required for the storage of less than 2,500 tons of bagged ammonium nitrate where the location of the storage building or industrial occupancy or the presence of other stored materials may present a special hazard.
(7) 
Bulk storage of ammonium nitrate shall be permitted only after due consideration has been given to location in regard to heavily populated and built up centers, including marine terminals and other waterfront facilities, and after specific approval by the Chief of the Fire Department.
(8) 
Bulk storage of ammonium nitrate shall be in an isolated location; when outdoors in covered open piles; or in bins in warehouses, away from incompatible materials, or in silotype or other detached outdoor enclosed structures. Explosives and blasting agents shall not be used to breakup or loosen caked ammonium nitrate.
(9) 
Height or depth of pile, when stored in bulk, shall be limited by the pressure-setting tendency of the product.
(10) 
All electrical wiring and equipment shall be approved for the purpose and, where necessary, designed to minimize damage from corrosion by any means, including ammonium nitrate dust.
(11) 
Exposed ignition sources, such as open lights, flames and smoking shall be prohibited at all storage and bulk handling facilities.
(12) 
All points of entry to commercial warehouses storing ammonium nitrate shall be identified with a prominently displayed, durable sign worded "ammonium nitrate," with letters at least two inches high in colors contrasting with the background, with a caution notice about open lights, flames and smoking near such storage areas.
A. 
Highly toxic materials shall be separated from other chemicals and combustible and flammable substances by storage in a room or compartment separated from other areas by walls and floor and ceiling assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour. The storage room shall be provided with adequate drainage facilities and natural or mechanical ventilation to the outside atmosphere.
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. 
Storage of poisonous gases shall be in rooms of at least one-hour fire-resistant construction and having natural or mechanical ventilation adequate to remove leaking gas. Such ventilation shall not discharge to a point where the gases may endanger any person.
B. 
Legible warning signs stating the nature of hazard shall be placed at all entrances to locations where poisonous gases are stored or used.
Satisfactory provisions shall be made for containing and neutralizing or safely flushing away leakage of corrosive liquids which may occur during storage or handling.