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, and also to flammable liquids which are chemically unstable and which may spontaneously form explosive compounds or undergo spontaneous reactions of explosive violence or with sufficient evolution of heat to be 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, as defined in § 30-90. In addition, this article shall include all materials listed in both Parts 112 and 261 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Includes those acids, alkaline caustic liquids and other
corrosive liquids which, when in contact with living tissue, will
cause severe damage of such tissue by chemical action or, in case
of leakage, will materially damage or destroy other containers or
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. Corrosive liquids are those
that have a pH less than four or greater than 10.
Includes 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 change or as
a result of retained heat from manufacturing or processing.
A material so toxic to man as to afford an unusual hazard
to life and health during fire-fighting operations or during an unintended
release of said material into the environment. Examples are parathion,
TEPP (tetraethyl phosphate), HETP (hexaethyl tetraphosphate) and similar
insecticides and pesticides.
Includes substances such as chlorates, permanganates, peroxides
or nitrates that yield oxygen readily to stimulate combustion.
Includes any noxious gas of such nature that a small amount
of the gas, when mixed with air, is dangerous to life. Examples are
chlorpicrin, cyanogen, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen peroxide and phosgene.
Includes any chemical substance, other than one classified
as an explosive or blasting agent, which has a tendency to be unstable
and which can be exploded by heat or shock or a combination thereof.
Includes any material or combination of materials that spontaneously
emits ionizing radiation.
A quantity of radiation so enclosed as to prevent the escape
of any radioactive material but at the same time permitting radiation
to come out for use.
A.
A permit shall be required for the storage or handling of more than 55 gallons of corrosive liquids; or more than 100 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 covered in § 30-95D; 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 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 Chief Fire Marshal.
A.
The manufacture, storage, handling and use of hazardous
chemicals shall be safeguarded with such protective facilities as
public safety requires.
B.
The Chief Fire Marshal 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 Fire Marshal may require separation from
other storage, occupancies or buildings when the quantity stored constitutes
a material hazard.
C.
The manufacture, storage, handling and 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 Chief Fire Marshal may require the submission
of additional documentation relating to the physical and chemical
properties of hazardous chemicals and materials.
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.
Packaged oxidizing materials shall be stored
in dry locations and separated from stored organic 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. 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
the gamma radiation will not exceed 200 milliroentgens per hour or
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
of not less than two hours, a noncombustible floor and lightweight
insulated roof shall be provided for the storage of 50 pounds or more
of organic peroxides. 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 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
|
(2)
The organic peroxides shall be stored in the original
shipping containers (Interstate Commerce Commission containers). Care
shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of these chemicals.
Readily legible warning signs and placards shall be prominently placed
in the storage and processing areas.
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. Nitromethane shall be stored
in 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:
|
Approximate Weight
(pounds)
|
Number of Drums
|
Distance
(feet)
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Beginning at 2,000
|
4
|
100
| |
|
Over 2,000 to 10,000
|
20
|
200
| |
|
Over 10,000 to 20,000
|
40
|
300
| |
|
Over 20,000 to 40,000
|
80
|
400
| |
|
Over 40,000 to 80,000
|
160
|
500
|
(2)
Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination
of this chemical. Readily legible warning signs and placards shall
be prominently placed in the storage and processing areas.
D.
Ammonium nitrate.
(1)
Each storage pile of bags 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
or main aisle in the storage area shall be not less than four feet
in width. A clearance of not less than 30 inches shall be maintained
from building walls and partitions and of not less than 36 inches
from ceilings or roof structural members, with a minimum of 18 inches
below sprinklers.
(2)
Ammonium nitrate storage areas shall be separated
by a space of 30 feet or by a tight noncombustible partition from
storages 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 where storage of such materials is permitted with ammonium
nitrate.
(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) of more
than 50 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. In populated areas, quantities of 2,500 tons or more shall
be stored in well-ventilated buildings of fire-restrictive or noncombustible
construction equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system,
and no combustible materials or ammonium nitrate sensitizing contaminants
shall be stored in this building.
(4)
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-ventilated buildings
of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction equipped with an
approved automatic sprinkler system.
A.
Highly toxic materials shall be segregated 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 two hours. 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 material 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's 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 30-98.1,
Penalties for offenses, was repealed 5-21-1991 by L.L. No. 2-1991,
effective 5-28-1991.
