(a) Applicability of section; defined. This section 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 the toxicity, flammability or liability to explosion render fire fighting abnormally dangerous or difficult; also to flammable or combustible 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.
(b) Permit required. A permit shall be required for the storage, transportation 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 section 22-65(f)(4); or any amount of highly toxic materials, pyrophoric materials, hyperbolic materials, cryogenic materials or poisonous gases.
(c) Safeguards for manufacture, storage, handling and use. The manufacture, storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals shall be safeguarded with such protective facilities as public safety requires.
(1) The Director 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 Director may require separation from other storage, occupancies or buildings when the quantity stored constitutes a material hazard.
(2) Defective containers which permit leakage or spillage shall be disposed of or repaired, in accordance with recognized safe practices; no spilled materials shall be allowed to accumulate on floors or shelves.
(3) Where kept for retail sale in containers or packages usual to the retail trade, storage shall be neat and orderly and shelves shall be of substantial construction.
(4) Where specific requirements are not otherwise established, storage, handling and use of hazardous chemicals shall be in accordance with nationally recognized good practice.
(d) Oxidizing materials. 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. Oxidizing materials shall be stored separately from flammable liquids, flammable solids, combustible materials, hazardous chemicals, corrosive liquids and such other noncompatible materials as may be determined by the Director.
(e) Radiation. Durable, clearly visible signs of 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.
(1) Signs are not required for storage of manufactured articles other than liquids, such as instruments or clock dials or electronic tubes or apparatus of which radioactive materials are a component part and luminous compounds, when securely packed in strong containers; provided, that the gamma radiation at any surface of the package is less than ten (10) milliroentgens in twenty-four (24) hours.
(2) 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.
(f) Explosive chemicals. Potentially explosive chemicals shall be stored away from all heat- producing appliances and electrical devices and shall be protected from external heat, fire and explosion. Explosives and blasting agents shall not be stored in the same building or in close proximity to such materials except in accordance with section 22-71. Good housekeeping shall be maintained. Uncontaminated contents of broken or cracked bags, packages or other containers shall be transferred to new and clean containers before storing. Other spilled materials and discarded containers shall be promptly gathered up and destroyed in an approved manner. All electric bulbs shall be equipped with guards to prevent breakage. Open lights or flames and smoking shall be prohibited in or near storage areas. Internal-combustion motor vehicles or lift trucks shall not be parked or stored in the room or compartment where such chemicals are located.
(1) Organic Peroxides. A detached, well isolated, ventilated and unheated storage building with walls having not less than a two-hour fire resistive rating constructed in accordance with the building code, 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 or combustible 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 1000 | 125 |
1000 to 3000 | 200 |
3000 to 5000 | 300 |
The organic peroxides shall be stored in the original shipping containers (DOT containers). Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of these chemicals. Readily legible warning signs and placards shall be prominently placed in the storage and processing areas.
(2) Nitromethane. 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 drum 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 above ground. 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 over) (pounds not over) | 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 |
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.
(3) Ammonium Nitrate. All flooring in storage and handling areas shall be of noncombustible material and shall be without drains, traps, pits or pockets into which any molten ammonium nitrate could flow and be confined in case of fire.
i. 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 piles, serving as cross aisles 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.
ii. 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, compressed gases, flammable combustible materials or other contaminating substances such as sulphur, coal, flour and metallic powders such as zinc, copper and magnesium where storage of such materials is permitted with ammonium nitrate.
iii. Quantities of ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate fertilizer, having no organic coating, in the form of crystals, flakes, grains or pills including fertilizer grade, dynamite grade, nitrous oxide grade and technical grade ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate phosphate (containing sixty (60) percent or more ammonium nitrate by weight) of more than fifty (50) tons total weight shall be stored in a well-ventilated building. Such building shall be of one-hour fire-resistive or noncombustible construction as specified in the building code or shall be equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. In populated areas, quantities of two thousand five hundred (2,500) tons or more shall be stored in well-ventilated buildings of one-hour fire-resistive or noncombustible construction as specified in the building code equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. No combustible materials or ammonium nitrate sensitizing contaminants shall be stored in this building.
iv. 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 one-hour fire-resistive or noncombustible construction as specified in the building code equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
(g) Highly toxic materials. Highly toxic materials are materials so toxic to man as to afford an unusual hazard to life and health. 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 a one-hour occupancy separation constructed as specified in the building code. The storage room shall be provided with adequate drainage facilities and natural or mechanical ventilation to the outside atmosphere. 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.
(h) Poisonous gases. Storage of poisonous gases shall be in rooms of at least one-hour fire resistive construction as specified in the building code 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. Legible warning signs stating the nature of hazard shall be placed at all entrances to locations where poisonous gases are stored or used.
(i) Corrosive liquids. Satisfactory provisions shall be made for containing and neutralizing or safely flushing away leakage of corrosive liquids which may occur during storage or handling.
(j) Storage cabinets for hazardous materials. Cabinets for the storage of hazardous materials shall be approved and substantially constructed of No. 18 gauge sheet iron or a minimum of one-inch plywood or equivalent. Doors shall be self-closing and self-latching. Cabinets shall be painted with an intumescent type paint and shall be conspicuously labeled in red letters "HAZARDOUS--KEEP FIRE AWAY." (1975 L.M.C., ch. 23, § 1.)