Procedure 52 – FLAMMABLE MATERIAL STORAGE
REV. 2
Revision History
Revision
Date
Comments
1
03-27-03
General Revision, added electronic links
2
03-16-12
Complete re-write; reformat and renumber procedure
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to provide instructions for Nitro Construction Services in the safe storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the Site Manager/Superintendent to implement the requirements of this procedure.
3.0 REFERENCES
29 CFR 1926.152 AND 29 CFR 1926.59.
NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 16th Edition.
The National Electric Code 1981 NFPA
4.0 DEFINITIONS
4.1 Flammable liquid – Liquids with flash points below 100 degrees F.
4.2 Combustible liquid – Liquids with flashpoints at or above 100 degrees F.
4.3 Flash Point – The lowest temperature at which vapors above a combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame.
4.4 Fire Protection System – A sprinkler system, water spray, carbon dioxide, or other system approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
4.5 Class 1 Division 1 Hazardous Location – A location in which ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors exist under normal operating conditions.
5.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Only approved containers or portable tanks may be used for the storage of flammable or combustible liquids.
5.2 Only approved metal safety cans may be used for the storage or handling of flammable liquids in quantities greater than one gallon, except for flammable liquid materials which are extremely hard to pour. They may be handled in their original shipping container.
5.3 Flammable or combustible liquids shall not be stored near exits, stairways or areas normally used for the passage of people.
6.0 INDOOR STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
6.1 No more than 25 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids may be stored in a room outside of an approved storage cabinet.
6.2 Quantities of flammable or combustible liquids greater than 25 gallons shall be stored in an acceptable or approved cabinet meeting the following requirements:
6.2.1 Wooden storage cabinets shall be constructed with the bottom, top, and sides of exterior grade plywood, not less than 1 inch.
6.2.2 Steel hinges shall be mounted so as not to lose their holding capacity due to loosening or burning out of the screws when subjected to fire.
6.2.3 Storage cabinets constructed of wood building materials shall be painted inside and out with a fire-resistant paint.
6.2.4 Approved metal storage cabinets will be acceptable.
6.2.5 Cabinets shall be labeled in conspicuous lettering “Flammable – Keep Fire Away”.
6.3 No more than 60 gallons of flammable or 120 gallons of combustible liquids shall be stored in any single storage cabinet.
6.4 No more than 3 storage cabinets may be located in a single storage area.
6.5 Quantities above 60 gallons of flammable or 120 gallons of combustible liquids shall be stored in an inside storage room.
7.0 INSIDE STORAGE ROOMS
7.1 Inside storage rooms shall be constructed in compliance with the test specifications outlined in standard methods of fire test of building construction and material NFPA 251-1969.
7.2 Any automatic extinguishing system shall be designed and installed in an approved manner.
7.3 Opening to other rooms or buildings shall have non-combustible, liquid-tight raised sills or ramps no less than 4 inches in height, or the floor in the storage room must be at least 4 inches below the surrounding floor.
7.3.1 Openings shall be provided with approved, self-closing fire doors.
7.4 The rooms shall be liquid-tight where the floor joins the walls.
7.5 An open grated trench that drains to a safe location is an alternative to the ramp or sill.
7.6 Where other portions of the building or other buildings are exposed, windows shall be protected as outlined in the standard for fire doors and windows NFPA 80-1970 for class E and F openings.
7.7 Wood of at least nominal 1-inch thickness may be used for dunnage, racks, floor overlay, scuff boards, shelving, and similar installations.
7.8 Materials that will react with water and create a fire hazard shall not be stored in the same room with flammable or combustible liquids.
7.9 Storage in inside storage rooms shall comply with Table F-2 (ref: 1926.152):
Note: Fire protection system shall be a sprinkler, water spray, carbon dioxide, or other system approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for this purpose.
7.10 Electrical wiring and equipment located inside the storage rooms shall be approved for Class 1 Division 1 hazardous location.
7.11 Each inside storage room shall have either gravity or a mechanical exhausting system.
7.11.1 A system of this type shall commence not more than 12 inches above the floor and be designed to provide a complete air change in the room at least 6 times per hour.
7.11.2 If a mechanical exhausting system is used, it shall be controlled by a switch located outside of the door and any lighting fixture shall be operated by the same switch.
7.11.3 An electric light shall be installed adjacent to the switch to indicate if the exhausting system is or is not in operation if flammable liquids are dispersed within the room.
7.11.4 Where gravity ventilation is provided, the fresh air intake, as well as the exhausting outlet from the room, shall be on the exterior of the building in which the room is located.
7.12 There shall be one clear aisle at least 3 feet wide in every inside storage room.
7.13 Containers over 30 gallons capacity shall not be stacked one upon the other.
8.0 STORAGE OUTSIDE OF BUILDINGS
8.1 Storage of containers of not more than 60 gallons each shall not exceed 1,000 gallons in any one pile.
8.2 Piles of containers shall be separated by a 5-foot clearance.
8.3 Piles of containers shall not be nearer than 20 feet to any building.
8.4 Within 200 feet of each pile of containers, there shall be a 12-foot wide access way to permit the approach of the fire control apparatus.
8.5 The storage area shall be graded in a manner to direct possible spills away from buildings and other exposures, or shall be surrounded by a curb or earth dike at least 12 inches high.
8.6 Provisions shall be made for draining off accumulations of groundwater, rainwater, or spills of flammable or combustible liquids.
8.6.1 Drains shall terminate at a safe location, which is accessible to operation under fire conditions.
9.0 OUTDOOR PORTABLE TANK STORAGE
9.1 Portable tanks shall be no nearer than 20 feet from any building.
9.2 Two or more portable tanks, grouped, having a combined capacity over 2200 gallons, shall be separated by a 5-foot clearance area.
9.3 Individual portable tanks with a capacity exceeding 1100 gallons shall be separated by a 5-foot clearance area.
9.4 Portable tanks not exceeding 660 gallons shall be provided with an emergency venting and other devices, as required by Chapters 3 and 4 of NFPA 30-1969, “The Flammable and Combustible Liquids” Code.
9.5 Portable tanks over 600 gallons shall be provided with emergency venting and other devices, as required by Chapters 2 and 3 of NFPA 30-1969, “The Flammable and Combustible Liquid” Code.
9.6 All storage areas shall be kept free and clear of any weeds, debris or other combustible material not necessary to storage.
9.7 All storage tanks are to be clearly labeled with the identity of the chemical therein (gasoline, diesel, etc.) and “Flammable Keep Fire Away.”
9.8 Outdoor storage tanks shall be physically protected to prevent collision damage.
9.9 All flammable liquid storage tanks shall be grounded and bonded to the recipient container.
10.0 FIRE CONTROL FOR FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID STORAGE
10.1 At least one portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 20-B units shall be located outside of, but not more than 10 feet from, the door opening into any room used for storage of more than 60 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids.
10.2 At least one portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 20-B units shall be located not less than 25 feet, nor more than 75 feet, from any flammable liquid storage area located outside.
10.3 When sprinklers are provided, they shall be installed per the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 13-1969.
10.4 At least one portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 20: B-C units shall be provided on all tank trucks or other vehicles used for transporting and/or dispensing flammable or combustible liquids