Hazardous materials: What to look for Georgia fire inspector’s association

welcome Rhett Hesprich, PE HD Engineering, Inc. BS FPE UMCP Contractor Consultant Design Commissioning Special Expert/Forensics

TODAY’S OBJECTIVES KNOWLEDGE OF STRUCTURE OF CODES AS ACCEPTED BY THE STATE OF GEORGIA UNDERSTAND DESIGNATIONS OF HAZMATS AND BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THEM UNDERSTAND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUILDING CODES AND FIRE CODES RELATED TO HAZMATS UNDERSTAND FIRE SUPPRESSION AND DETECTION SYSTEMS

OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTIONS WHO IS IN THE SEMINAR AND WHAT ARE WE LOOKING TO ACHIEVE? INTRODUCTIONS – FORMAT OF SEMINAR PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS DURING PRESENTATION DISCUSSION AT THE END OF EACH SECTION

120-3-3 UMBRELLA DOCUMENT INTERNATIONAL BUILDING/FIRE CODE AND NFPA CODES AND STANDARDS ADDRESS SAME ISSUES. HOW TO APPLY BUILDING FIRE CODES? IBC – NFPA 5000 IBC – NFPA 101 IFC – RELATIONSHIP TO NFPA CODES AND STANDARDS

How to read 120-3-3 120-3-3 indicates which code takes precedence. 2012 International Building Code, International Fire Code and NFPA Standards and Codes are State Codes for Minimum Fire Safety– However, the State of Georgia has modified these Codes. (120-03-03.04) Pages 5-30 Modify IFC Table 102.13 (Page 7) shows which code or standard applies to specific building design features.

Table 102.13

Breakdown of table 102.13 Conflicts In Requirements are Eliminated by Specifying which Standard/Code to Follow. Building elements follow the IBC (2012 Edition)- Including Heights and Areas Matters pertaining to Egress follow NFPA 101: The Life Safety Code. Mechanical requirements follow IMC Both the IFC and LSC reference NFPA codes and standards NFPA codes and standards have been modified by 120-3-3.

BrEAKDOWN OF TABLE 102.13 CONT. NFPA 101 (LSC) is utilized to identify occupancy. IBC is utilized as Building Code and verification of construction type as it relates to heights and areas and standpipes. LSC is used for Means of Egress, Interior Finish, Vertical Openings, Sprinkler System requirements, Fire Alarm System requirements and Cooking Equipment. Various NFPA standards for specific hazards.

HaZMAT Code concepts Code Concepts regarding HAZMATs Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs) Utilization of “Control Areas”. HAZMAT plans. Inventory Statements Means of Identifying HAZMATs Means of Permitting? Local Control.

Governing bodies Building Department/Fire Department Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Occupational Safety and Health Administration “HAZMAT” has different requirements and challenges for each agency.

Global identification system Globalized Harmonized System Framework for identification of chemicals. Started as a means of global identification for shippers and transportation services. Adopted by OSHA in 2012 Three main adoptions of GHS. Classification Criteria. Standard information on Pictograms. Changes from MSDS to SDS sheets

Global identification system What to Looks For Standard Labels – It is outside the jurisdiction of OSHA to require specific labeling criteria. New formatting for pictograms. SDS are now specifically formatted with standard 16 requirement format

Hazmat permitting 105.6 Required operational permits. The fire code official is authorized to issue operational permits for the operations set forth in Sections 105.6.1 through 105.6.46. Do you have permitting requirements? 120-3-3. The provisions of section 105, PERMITS, are not adopted for purposes of this Chapter. Local governing authorities may adopt the provisions for local purposes. Refer to section 103.3 with regard to permits required by the Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire Commissioner.

Hazmat categories

Hazmat categories

Designation of high hazards Tables indicate when additional protective measure are to be implemented. Volumes must exceed Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs) MAQs can fluctuate by various factors.

Determination of maq

Determination of maq Other factors that adjust the MAQ for a product: Must read all the footnotes and the chapter/standard/code applicable to that product. Sprinklered Building Cabinets Packaging. Location of Storage (inside-outside)

Control concept Segregation and Separation – Legacy Code Concept Separation of other contents of building Separation of other Hazmats both within the building and within the control room. Methods include fire barriers/walls, spill control-containment, ventilation, electrical classification, explosion venting-ducting, increased sprinkler demands-protection schemes, increased detection requirements, special hazard protection.

Exterior storage

High hazard occupancies When does an area/building become a “High Hazard occupancy”? MAQs are exceeded and limits on control areas cannot be met. What effect from the building code? Separate occupancy classification. Chemicals are usually unlimited in H occupancy. There are occupancy based exceptions!!!

Use and open systems Some industrial settings may utilize open systems for HAZMATs. Things to consider- Electrically classified areas Spill control-Containment Lower Explosivity Limits Ventilation

Warning signs-what to look for Sprinkler contractor refusal to green tag sprinkler system. Ambiguity on product lists. Fluctuating product lists, different than permitted. Seasonal adjustments on products. (Summer) General warehousing of multiple products for different vendors. Small manufacturers-unaware. Noncompatible products.

Hazmats identified –now what? Do your homework. Are control areas constructed correctly? Rating of fire barriers correct? Self closing doors? Rated doors? Is suppression system designed correctly? Rack Storage? Surround and drown? Fire Department Access? Large Fire Flow demands? Temperature Control? Oxidizers Peroxides? Storage configurations/heights. Containment? Ramps at doors?

What are your tools Permitting. Inspections. Danger to Life Safety. Local Ordinances that include requirements found in the IFC. Inventory Lists and documentation. Information can and will get lost.

Real life examples Fire Engineering Article 11/1/2012 Jeffrey Harwell

Examples of hazmats

Examples of hazmats

Examples of hazmats

Examples of hazmats

Examples of hazmats

Examples of hazmats

Separation/protection of hazmats

Questions/Discussion