This Article shall apply to materials not otherwise covered in this code 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 shall also apply 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 § 35-47.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CORROSIVE LIQUID
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 of other hazardous commodities by chemical action and will cause the release of their contents or which are liable to cause fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals.
FLAMMABLE SOLID
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.
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
Includes substances such as chlorates, permanganates, peroxides or nitrates that yield oxygen readily to stimulate combustion.
POISONOUS GAS
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.
POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CHEMICAL
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.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Includes any material or combination of material that spontaneously emits ionizing radiation.
SEALED SOURCE
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 fifty-five (55) gallons of corrosive liquids or more than five hundred (500) pounds of oxidizing materials or more than ten (10) pounds of organic peroxides or more than five hundred (500) pounds of nitromethane or one thousand (1,000) pounds or more of ammonium nitrate, ammonium-nitrate fertilizers and fertilizer mixtures covered in § 35-52D 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 (1) microcurie of radium not contained in a sealed source or more than one (1) 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 Title 10 of the Code of the Federal Regulations, Part 50, Licensing of By Product Material, Radioisotope Distribution, and Part 70, Special Nuclear Materials.
A. 
The manufacture, storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals shall be safeguarded with protective facilities as 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, occupancies or buildings when the quantity stored constitutes a material hazard.
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 two hundred (200) milliroentgens per hour or equivalent at any point of readily accessible surface.
A. 
Explosives or blasting agents shall not be stored in the same building or in close proximity to potentially explosive chemicals, except in accordance with § 35-25.
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 (2) hours, a noncombustible floor and a lightweight insulated roof shall be provided for the storage of fifty (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 (ICC containers). Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of these chemicals. Readily legible warning signs or placards shall be prominently placed in the storage and processing areas.
C. 
Nitromethane.
(1) 
A suitably 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 the drums in which it is received or in an underground tank with suitable corrosion protection and a minimum of two (2) feet of earth over the tank or in barricaded tanks aboveground. If the drum storage is not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge-type automatic sprinkler system, the storage of two thousand (2,000) pounds or more shall be located the following minimum distances from inhabited buildings:
Weight
(pounds)
Approximate Number of Drums
Distance
(feet)
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
(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 twelve (12) feet in height, twelve (12) feet in width and thirty (30) feet in length. Such pile units shall be separated by a clear space of not less than thirty-six (36) inches in width from the base to the top of the piles, serving as cross aisles. At least one (1) service or main aisle in the storage area shall be not less than four (4) feet in width. A clearance of not less than thirty (30) inches shall be maintained from building walls and partitions and of not less than thirty-six (36) inches from ceilings or roof structural members with a minimum of eighteen (18) inches from sprinklers.
(2) 
Ammonium nitrate storage areas shall be separated by a space of thirty (30) feet or by a tight noncombustible partition from storages of organic chemicals, corrosive liquids, pressed gases, flammable and combustible materials or other contaminating substances such as sulfur, coal, flour and metallic powders such as mine 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 sixty percent (60%) or more ammonium nitrate by weight] of more than fifty (50) tons' total weight shall be stored in a well-ventilated building of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction or in buildings or other types of construction equipped with approved automatic sprinkler systems. In populated areas, quantities of two thousand five hundred (2,500) tons or more shall be stored in well-ventilated buildings or fire-resistive or noncombustible construction equipped with approved automatic sprinkler systems, 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 anti-caking materials, except compounded blasting agents, shall not be permitted in populated and congested areas. Outside such areas, quantities of five hundred (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 one (1) 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 the 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.
No connection with or opening into any gutter leading into any sewer or drain, either public or private, shall be used for the conveyance or discharge, directly or indirectly, into said sewer or drain of any volatile flammable liquid, gas or vapor; it being noted that a volatile flammable liquid is any liquid that will emit flammable vapor at a temperature below one hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit (160º F.).