§ 385.35 Flammable or Explosive Dusts

   (a)   Electrical Work. Wherever flammable or explosive vapors, mists, gases or dusts may be present, all electrical devices and equipment and all wiring shall be of the type prescribed for the hazard in Chapter 3161.

   (b)   Flames, Sparks and Grounding. No open flame or spark producing device shall be installed or used in any room or space where flammable vapors, mists, gases or dusts may be present, or where flammable or highly combustible substances are used or stored. All motors, machines, mixers, vats, tanks, pumps, filters and other similar pieces of equipment shall be effectively grounded. Except as provided in subsection (c) hereof, all flame sources, including boilers and direct-fired heaters, shall be in separate rooms at an adequate distance and in a suitable location so as not to present a potential source of ignition.

   (c)   Room and Space Heating Devices.

      (1)   Wherever flammable or explosive vapors, mists or gases may be present, heating shall be by low pressure steam or hot water or other approved methods deemed safe for the hazard, except that direct- fired unit heaters tested and approved for installation in garages and airplane hangars may be used when installed in conformity with the conditions of approval. For the purposes of this subsection low pressure steam shall be deemed to be five (5) pounds or less. The temperature of hot water used for heating shall not exceed that which corresponds with fifteen (15) pounds gauge.

      (2)   Highly combustible solids with low ignition temperatures shall be stored and used at a safe distance from radiators, pipes and other parts of heating systems which might cause ignition. Where deemed necessary by the Fire Chief, hot surfaces shall be suitably guarded.

   (d)   Smoking Prohibited. Smoking shall be prohibited in all buildings or parts of buildings and in all locations where fire or explosion-hazardous substances are stored or handled, and “NO SMOKING” signs shall be prominently displayed, except that the Chief may designate safe areas where smoking may be permitted.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS

§ 385.36 Scope and Application of Provisions

   (a)   The provisions of Sections 385.36 to 385.45 shall govern the storing or handling of combustible fibers either as a manufactured or natural end product, or as a material used in manufacturing processes.

   (b)   After June 27, 1949, all newly-instituted storage of combustible fiber shall be in conformity with this Fire Prevention Code.

   (c)   When storage of combustible fiber existing on June 27, 1949, does not conform to the provisions of this Code and is deemed unusually hazardous to life or to adjacent property by the Fire Chief, such storage shall be made to conform substantially with the provisions of this Code or shall be discontinued.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.37 Definition

   “Combustible fibers” means fibrous materials which are highly flammable such as hay, straw, broomcorn, hemp, tow, jute, sisal, moss, paper, rags, excelsior, hair, kapok, oakum, cotton, henequen, ixtle, cocoa fiber, and wheat straw.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.38 Storage in Connection with Farming

   Hay or straw and other agricultural products may be stored in or near barns or similar farm buildings within the Urban District, provided that no hazard to adjoining property is created thereby. Such storage shall not be subject to the provisions of other sections or Sections 385.36 to 385.45.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.39 Storage of Loose Fiber up to 500 Cubic Feet

   (a)   Quantities of loose combustible fiber exceeding one hundred (100) cubic feet, but not exceeding five hundred (500) cubic feet, shall be stored in rooms or compartments having floors, walls and ceilings of fire-resistive construction, having a fire- resistance rating of not less than three-fourths (3/4) hour and with interior openings to such rooms or compartments equipped with self-closing or automatic closing opening protectives having a fire resistance rating of not less than three-fourths (3/4) hour.

   (b)   Quantities of loose combustible fiber of one hundred (100) cubic feet or less shall be stored in fire resistive rooms as provided in subsection (a) hereof, or shall be stored in incombustible or metal-lined bins equipped with self-closing incombustible or metal-lined covers.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)

§ 385.40 Storage of Loose Fiber in Excess of 500 Cubic Feet

   (a)   Quantities exceeding five hundred (500) cubic feet of loose combustible fiber shall be stored in fire-resistive storage rooms conforming to the applicable provisions of Section 3129.43(c), having incombustible floor, wall and ceiling construction with a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours. However, when the quantity of combustible fiber stored in such rooms exceeds one thousand (1,000) cubic feet, the required fire resistance rating shall be not less than four (4) hours for walls and partitions and not less than three (3) hours for floor and ceiling construction.

   (b)   All such fire-resistive rooms shall have provisions for venting gas and smoke to the outer air as specified in Section 3129.43(c), except that the required vent area need not exceed one (1) square foot for each two hundred (200) cubic feet of room volume.

   (c)   All interior openings within enclosures of such fire-resistive storage rooms shall have self-closing or automatic opening protectives. Enclosures required to have a fire resistance rating of two (2) hours shall have opening protectives with a fire resistance rating of not less than one and one-half (1-1/2) hours. Enclosures required to have a fire resistance rating greater than two (2) hours shall have openings protected with opening protectives on both sides of the opening. Such opening protectives shall have a combined fire resistance rating of not less than four (4) hours.

(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)