2009 Sfpe Technical Changes To The Part 4 Fire Code
1. Technical Changes to Division B, Part 4 of the Ontario Fire Code For the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Southern Ontario Chapter Andrew W. Wong, MBA, CFIFireE, CFPS, CFEI Executive Officer, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service
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20. Industrial Occupancies Storage, handling and use , where storage in closed containers is the principal activity Div. B, 4.2.7.1.
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23. UST in the process of being installed shall be inspected, and any damage to the tank shell, protection coating, fittings or anodes shall be repaired before they are lowered in to the excavation. UST …. Prevent damage to the tank shell , protective coating, fittings or anodes.
44. Industrial Fire Safety By Maintenance Plans Exam. & Inspection Change of Use/Renovation Occupancy Permit Building Final Inspection Special Fire Protection Systems Hazardous Processes & Materials, Industrial Occupancies, etc. Building Plans Exam. (Interior) 2.8. Fire Safety Plan 3.2.1. Woodworking 3.3.1. Storage: Indoor Tire 3.3.2. Storage: Indoor General 6.8 Special Extinguishing Systems Part 4 Part 5 F I R E C O D E L I N K I N G E L E M E N T S Building Plans Exam (Shell) B U I L D I N G C O D E Industrial Fire Safety By Design
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46. Thank You Andrew W. Wong Executive Officer Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service [email_address]
Notas del editor
Part 4 of the Ontario Fire Code (OFC) dealing with flammable and combustible (F/C) liquids became law on November 21, 1997 and effective August 21, 1998. To assist property owners in implementing these new requirements, an audit guide and a commentary has been developed by the Office of the Fire Marshal with the assistance of fire service and industry stakeholders. These documents are designed to provide an overview of the regulation governing use, handling and storage of F/C liquids. Not all of the requirements are addressed in these two documents. For accurate and complete reference, persons using these guides are reminded to refer to the actual regulation , since the audit guide and the commentary are general in nature and do not replace the specific requirements.
When a liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8°C is being processed, stored, handled or used at a temperature at or above its flash point, that is, it is heated , it must be treated as a Class I liquid. (See 4.1.2.2.) This is because some liquids have increased volatility when heated and will take on characteristics of a lower flash point liquid. As well, handling and use will generate flammable vapours. Used lubricating oil drained from motor vehicles are classified as a Class IIIA liquid unless Class I or II liquids are added to the used oil. This contaminated used oil must be tested in accordance with Subsection 4.1.3. to determine the flash point and classification. (See 4.1.2.3.) Appendix C to the commentary for Part 4 includes an extensive list of F/C liquids and their flash points, boiling points and liquid classifications.
This Subsection has general requirements for F/C liquids in containers up to 230 L in size and portable tanks up to 2,500 L in capacity. Storage must be located so that a means of egress or access to or from exits, elevators and principal routes are not obstructed or made impassable by radiant heat or flames if such storage were involved in a fire. The arrangement of containers must provide both physical and chemical stability under normal and fire conditions, to prevent toppling which could result in a container being damaged and leaking. Skids should be used within vertical rows of drums to provide stability. Piling of drums should only occur onto full skids of drums. Plastic drums should not be used to support other loads because the heat from a fire may quickly melt them causing piles to topple and spill. In addition, the liquids must be stored in conformance with the particular occupancy based requirements or other configurations described in the rest of Section 4.2. F/C liquids must be stored away from other dangerous goods in accordance with Section 3.2 and 3.3 of the National Fire Code 1995. When applying Table 3.2.7.6 of the NFC 1995, Class IIIA combustible liquids must be treated as Class 3 dangerous goods.
F/C liquids in closed containers can be stored in specially constructed cabinets. Since they represent a significant fire load, you are limited to a maximum quantity that may be stored per cabinet of 500 L, and only 250 L of that may be Class I liquids. In institutional occupancies , the maximum quantity permitted in a fire compartment is 500L, of which 250L may be Class I liquids.
The location of vent pipe outlets from tanks is important because the vapour discharge may be in the explosive range. Should the discharge be exposed to a fire, it can act like a blow torch and therefore must be directed away from all tanks, buildings and structures. Manifolding relief venting for tanks storing flammable liquids and tanks storing combustible liquids should be avoided, unless means are provided to prevent flammable liquid vapours from entering combustible liquid tanks; otherwise the combustible liquid storage tank should be reclassified as a flammable liquid storage tank. The vent pipe size must be designed to vent the combined vapours produced in the connected tanks without exceeding allowable stresses of the tanks.
When underground tanks are used to store F/C liquids, the tanks are protected from fire exposure, leaks are not as likely to ignite, and there are less temperature fluctuations, thus less venting and more liquid conservation. However, tank leakage is not as easily detected, and such leaks can threaten underground water courses or public sewers and adjacent buildings. Underground tanks must not be located under building walls or foundations because the tanks can be damaged by excessive weight. Such a location makes replacement difficult. Tanks must be installed a minimum of 1m from the foundation of any structure so that settlement of the structure will not damage the tank. Several underground tanks can be buried together side-by-side, provided there is a minimum separation of 600 mm between the tanks. A minimum distance of 1.5 m between underground tanks and a property line is required to minimize the possibility of damage to the tank by construction activities on the adjacent property.