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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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. ( )
Pages 5-30 Modify IFC
Table (Page 7) shows which code or standard applies to specific building design features.

7. Table

8. Breakdown of table
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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

15. Hazmat permitting
105.6 Required operational permits. The fire code official is authorized to issue operational permits for the operations set forth in Sections through
Do you have permitting requirements?
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 with regard to permits
required by the Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire
Commissioner.

16. Hazmat categories

17. Hazmat categories

18. 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.

19. Determination of maq

20. 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)

21. 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.

22. Exterior storage

23. 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!!!

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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?

27. 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.

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

29. Examples of hazmats

30. Examples of hazmats

31. Examples of hazmats

32. Examples of hazmats

33. Examples of hazmats

34. Examples of hazmats

35. Separation/protection of hazmats

36. Questions/Discussion