Fire Inspection and�Code Enforcement
8th Edition�Inspector II
Chapter 10 — Hazardous Materials
�Learning Objective 1
Describe an inspector's role in process controls.
10–1
Know requirements for hazardous manufacturing processes.
10–2
Regularly use two or more hazardous materials
If materials are not used properly, they may rapidly decompose and result in a fire or explosion
Model fire codes require systems be properly designed by a competent design professional
(Cont.)
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Know requirements for hazardous manufacturing processes.
10–3
IFC and NFPA® 400 require that hazardous materials follow a proper path during the manufacturing processes
Codes also require that the process must not exceed the temperature or pressure limits established by the designer
Inspectors may require a Technical Report and Opinion, prepared by an authorized person, to clarify the process or its potential hazards
REVIEW QUESTION
What can an inspector require to clarify processes?
10–4
�Learning Objective 2
Identify an inspector's responsibility after an unauthorized discharge.
10–5
Unauthorized discharge is a release of a hazardous material that does not conform to codes and regulations.
10–6
As defined by IFC and NFPA® 400
Inspector’s responsibility
Plan of action
REVIEW QUESTION
What can an inspector do in response to an unauthorized discharge?
10–7
�Learning Objective 3
Describe requirements for piping, valves, and fittings that convey hazardous materials.
10–8
IFC and NFPA® 400 have extensive requirements for piping systems design, erection, and testing.
10–9
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Components of piping systems that convey hazardous materials from cylinders and tanks to a point of use
Piping systems are required to be constructed of materials with adequate strength and durability and are chemically compatible with the material being conveyed
Model fire codes require hazardous materials piping systems be constructed to ASME B31.3
Verify that the installation matches the approved plans
Know when codes prescribe the installation of an excess flow control valve or other means of flow control.
10–10
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
In piping systems conveying flammable, pyrophoric, toxic, and corrosive liquids and gases
Excess flow control valves are designed to stop the flow at a predetermined setting or if the pipe is severed
Selected based on the pipe diameter and the material being conveyed
Key inspection issue for excess flow control valves is pipe diameter changes
REVIEW QUESTION
List some of the requirements for piping, valves, and fittings used to convey hazardous materials.
10–11
�Learning Objective 4
Recognize the classification system and requirements for hazardous and high-hazard occupancies.
10–12
Hazardous occupancies represent some of the most challenging building uses.
10–13
If the amount of hazardous materials in a building exceed the MAQ, IBC and NFPA® 400 require compliance with applicable Hazardous or High-Hazard occupancy classification
Design and construction are based on the classification of hazardous materials that are stored or used
Classifications change when materials change
Hazardous occupancies are assigned to one or more of four different categories, based on the physical or health hazards
Generally, the lower the occupancy number, the greater the hazard the building presents
Understand Group H-1/High Hazard Level 1 occupancy classifications.
10–14
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Assigned to occupancies that present a detonation hazard
Assigned to buildings that store explosives, blasting agents, or other hazardous materials
Represent the highest level hazard of all physical hazardous materials
Understand Group H-2/High Hazard Level 2 occupancy classifications.
10–15
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Store materials that present a deflagration hazard
Present a risk from accelerated burning of the material
Include storage of flammable gases, pressurized flammable or combustible liquids, pyrophorics, higher-reactivity oxidizers, organic peroxides
Understand Group H-3/High Hazard Level 3 occupancy classifications.
10–16
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Store or use hazardous materials that readily support combustion or present other physical hazards
Includes unpressurized flammable and combustible liquids, lower reactivity oxidizers and organic peroxides, flammable solids, oxidizing gases
Understand Group H-4/High Hazard Level 4 occupancy classifications.
10–17
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Designed for the storage of health hazard materials; for corrosives, and toxic and highly toxic materials exceeding the MAQ
NOTE
The IBC and NFPA® 400 require a dual hazardous occupancy classification in buildings where the MAQ for physical and health hazard materials are exceeded.
10–18
An explosion can result in either a detonation or deflagration.
10–19
Detonation
Deflagration
Some industries designate explosive materials as either primary or secondary explosives.
10–20
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Primary explosives
Secondary explosives
Some industries designate explosive materials as either primary or secondary explosives.
10–21
(Cont.)
Some industries designate explosive materials as either primary or secondary explosives.
10–22
Hazardous occupancies have requirements common to the four occupancy classes.
10–23
Group H-1/High Hazard Level 1 occupancies
Sprinklers
Continuous mechanical ventilation
Fire-resistive separation
(Cont.)
Hazardous occupancies have requirements common to the four occupancy classes.
10–24
IBC
Means of egress
Panic hardware
Common path of egress travel distances
REVIEW QUESTION
Describe the classification categories for hazardous and high-hazard occupancies.
10–25
Codes prescribe specific administrative and engineering controls in Group H/High-Hazard occupancies.
10–26
Secondary containment
Mechanical ventilation systems
Automatic sprinkler protection
Hazardous occupancies storing liquid or solids require spill control or secondary containment.
10–27
Hazardous occupancies storing liquid or solids
Required to contain an accidental spill and keep it within the occupancy
Secondary containment is prescribed when the outdoor MAQ is exceeded and iin all cases of exterior flammable and combustible liquid storage
Not required for compressed or liquefied compressed gases
Using the floor surface of the hazardous occupancy will satisfy the requirements for spill control.
10–28
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Permissible if the container volume is less than 55 gallons (220 L) of liquids or 550 pounds (275 kg) of solids
IFC and NFPA® 400 require that the floor be liquid tight by using concrete or asphalt construction
Containment pallets can also satisfy the requirement for spill control
Model fire codes require secondary containment for liquids and solids.
10–29
Liquids
Solids
Model fire codes offer several compliance options for secondary containment.
10–30
In all cases the design must provide a liquid-tight method of containing the spill from the largest container
Portable tank or stationary AST
Designs may utilize raised curbs or foundations constructed with a depression with sufficient depth to contain the contents
(Cont.)
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Model fire codes offer several compliance options for secondary containment.
10–31
Another compliance option is a drainage system that captures a spill and drains it to an outdoor containment basin or a storage tank
Key consideration in the design of a drainage system is it must not allow the mixing of incompatible hazardous materials
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Model fire codes require monitoring of a secondary containment or drainage system.
10–32
Visual surveys
Electronic monitoring
Know collection requirements for indoor secondary drainage systems.
10–33
Designed to collect the volume of the largest container or tank plus the discharge from an operating automatic sprinkler system
Model fire codes require that the system be capable of containing a minimum of 20 minutes of sprinkler water flow over the design area of the automatic sprinkler system or the area of hazardous occupancy, whichever is smaller
Know collection requirements for outdoor secondary containment systems.
10–34
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
With the exception of flammable and combustible liquids, model fire codes require secondary containment of hazardous materials outdoor storage when the outdoor MAQ is exceeded
Design for hazardous materials must contain the volume of the largest container or storage tank and contain the volume of rainfall produced in a 24-hour/25 year storm
REVIEW QUESTION
What is the purpose of spill control and secondary containment?
10–35
Know why Group H/High Hazard occupancies must have mechanical ventilation systems.
10–36
Systems provide adequate air movement to exhaust
Mechanical ventilation is not required for flammable solids
Become familiar with the design requirements for mechanical exhaust systems.
10–37
Designed and constructed in accordance with the IMC or NFPA® 91
Must provide enough air at a sufficient velocity to capture gases or vapors
Design issue is the vapor density of the stored materials
(Cont.)
Become familiar with the design requirements for mechanical exhaust systems.
10–38
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Mechanical ventilation systems in hazardous occupancies are designed to provide a minimum air flow rate of one cubic foot per minute per square foot (cubic meter per minute per square meter) over the area of occupancy or space
The selection of the duct and fan air foils (blades) is another consideration for inspectors.
10–39
Nonmetallic ducts may be required for corrosive materials
Materials like glass-fiber reinforced plastic or chlorinated PVC are acceptable but must be constructed of materials with limited flame spread and smoke production characteristics
Duct materials may be required to be listed for specific applications
In most cases the duct and air foils are of noncombustible construction
Know how to determine the adequacy of emergency vents in stationary tanks.
10–40
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, �Washington D.C.
UL 142
Verify size
NFPA® 30
REVIEW QUESTION
List some of the requirements for mechanical ventilation systems.
10–41
Group H/High-Hazard occupancies require automatic sprinkler protection.
10–42
May be required throughout the building or only within the hazardous occupancy
Model fire codes generally do not dictate the type of sprinkler system, only that it must comply with NFPA® 13 requirements
NFPA® 13 requires specialized automatic sprinkler designs be installed for certain classes of physical hazard materials
(Cont.)
Group H/High-Hazard occupancies require automatic sprinkler protection.
10–43
Courtesy of Scott Stookey, International Code Council, Washington D.C.
Of all the physical hazards, flammable and combustible liquids present the most variables in the design of an automatic sprinkler system
One method of satisfying the NFPA® 30 sprinkler design requirements is installing in-rack sprinklers with a horizontal barrier
REVIEW QUESTION
List some of the requirements for automatic sprinkler systems in hazardous occupancies.
10–44
�Summary
#–45
(Cont.)
�Summary
#–46
(Cont.)
�Summary
#–47
(Cont.)
�Summary
#–48