BCFC Part 4 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Application: BCFC Part 4 Part 4 provides for the storage, handling, use and processing of flammable liquids and combustible liquids in buildings,, structures and open areas. Bob Furlong BCFC Part 4 Part 4 DOES NOT apply to: transportation of flammable liquids or combustible liquids appliances and their ancillary equipment within the scope of CAN/CSA-B139, Installation Code for Oil-Burning Equipment the storage of flammable liquids or combustible liquids on farms for individual farm use and on isolated construction projects, or the storage of aerosol products covered under Subsection 3.2.5. Flammable & Combustible Liquids BCFC focuses on Flash Point (FP) and Boiling Point (BP) to establish a Class Rating. Different classes of flammable and combustible liquids pose different hazards and therefore have different rules. Classifying Flammable Liquids Flammable liquid classes: Classifying Combustible Liquids Combustible Liquid Classes Class IA F.P. below 22.8 C (73 F), boiling point below 37.8 C (100 F) Class IB F.P. below 22.8 C (73 F), boiling point at or above 37.8 C (100 F) Class IC F.P.. at or above 22.8 C (73 F), and below 37.8 C (100 F), Class II F.P. at or above 37.8 C (100 F) but below 60 C (140 F.) Class IIIA F.P. at or above 60 C (140 F) but below 93.3 C (200 F.) Class IIIB F.P. at or above 93.3 C (200 F.). 1
Boiling Point Temperature at which the saturated vapour pressure of a liquid is equal to atmospheric pressure Flammable and Combustible Liquids Combustible liquid classes: Class II Flash Point _> 37.8øC and below 60øC Class IIIA Flash Point => 60øC and below 93.3øC Flashpoint and Boiling Point Refer to: Manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Flashpoint and Boiling Point Manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Exercise F F LIQUID F.P. B.P. Class Diesel Fuel #2 100-130 300 Gasoline -45 200-230 Motor Oil 450 >500 Isoamyl Acetate 77 288 Ethyl Ether -49 94 Formalin 133 214 Mixture 98% Motor Oil and 2% Gasoline Use the FP (Flash Point) and the BP (Boiling Point) to determine the Class using the Flammable CombustibleLiquid Chart. Exercise F F LIQUID F.P. B.P. Class Diesel Fuel #2 100-130 300 Class II Gasoline -45 200-230 Class IB Motor Oil 450 >500 Class IIIB Isoamyl Acetate 77 288 Class IC Ethyl Ether -49 94 Class IA Formalin 133 214 Class II Mixture 98% Motor Oil and 2% Gasoline Class IB Use the FP (Flash Point) and the BP (Boiling Point) to determine the Class using the Flammable CombustibleLiquid Chart. Flammable and Combustible Liquids Flammable and Combustible Liquids Heated Liquid? 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, it shall be treated as a Class I liquid. Used Lubricating Oil? Classify as a Class IIIA liquid. EXCEPT - When Class I or II liquids are added to the used oils classify: through tests (BCFC 4.1.3.) or as a Class IC liquid if Class I liquids are added, or as a Class II liquid if only Class II liquids are added. 2
Flammable Liquids Mixtures containing component/s with a flash point of 100 F or higher which make up 99% or more of the total volume of the mixture, are not considered flammable. Fire Tetrahedron Fuel Heat Source Oxygen Combustible Flammable Liquid Increases Surface Temperature Production of Ignitable Vapours Therefore, mixtures containing more than 1% of a liquid with a flash point below 100 F are considered flammable. Sustained Combustion Suitable Chemical Reaction Flame Established Flammable Limits Lower explosive limit (LEL) minimum concentration of vapour or gas in air below which propagation of flame does not occur on contact with a source of ignition. Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) maximum proportion of vapour in air above which propagation of flame does not occur. LEL or UEL are usually expressed in terms of percentage by volume of vapour in air. Fire Protection and Prevention Considerations BASICS Management of: Ignition sources Flammable vapours Spills or leaks Ground vegetation and accumulations of combustible materials not essential to operations. Contaminated rags and similar materials 15 Fire Protection and Prevention Considerations Flammable and Combustible Liquids BASIC Access for fire fighting Management of Hot Works Fire Safety and Emergency Plan Electrical Installations Electrical equipment in a location where flammable liquids or combustible liquids are present shall conform to the British Columbia Safety Standards Act and pursuant regulations 3
Electrical - Classes Canadian Electrical Code (C.E.C.), Part I, Section 18 - Hazardous Locations, identifies three classes of hazardous locations: Class I - Gas and Vapour Environments Explosion Proof Electrical Divisions or Zones Division - pre-1998 C.E.C. Zone - 1998 C.E.C. Class II - Dust Environments Class III - Fibers and Flyings Environments Done to here Go back to flash point Hazardous atmosphere is expected to be present during normal operations on a continuous, intermittent or periodic basis Div 1 Flammable atmosphere highly likely to Done to here Go back be to present flash point - may be present for long periods or even continuously Zone 0 Zone 1 Flammable atmosphere possible but unlikely to be present for long periods Div 2 Volatile flammable liquids or gases are handled, processed or used but in which they would normally be confined within closed containers or closed systems from which they can escape only in the event of an accidental rupture or breakdown of the containers or systems. Zone 2 Flammable atmosphere unlikely to be present except for short periods of time - typically as a result of a process fault condition. Electrical Division Vs. Zone Terminology Electrical - Group Gas Groups specific members! 4
Comparisons Static Electric Charge Bonding & Grounding Screw clamp Solvent Drum Terminal lug Wire ground connector Flexible wire bonding Spring clamp Safety can Ground conductor Ground Evaluate Steps to Protect Evaluate Liquid in use (i.e. flammable or combustible) Quantity limits suitable for occupancy Method/location of storage Separation needs Storage, processing or dispensing? Sources of ignition Ventilation (natural or mechanical) Spill or leak management Protection (none, sprinkler or other) Fire Safety Planning & supervisory staff training Flammable Liquids Steps to Protect Liquid Classification Class IA Class IB Class IC Flash Point <73 F and Boiling Point <100 F. Flash Point <73 F and Boiling Point 100 F. Flash Point 73 F and <100 F. 5
Protection Steps to Protect Other Items for Flammable Liquid Areas Floor / Wall Openings / Penetrations Fire s Fire Dampers Fire Stopping Materials. Protection Steps to Protect Other Items for Flammable Liquid Areas Explosion Venting NFPA 30 requires for storage of Class IA liquids. Generally required if dispensing liquids with flash point <100 F. Protection Steps to Protect Other Items for Flammable Liquid Areas Bonding and Grounding Generally only needed if dispensing liquids. Container Type Containers Flammable Liquids Combustible Liquids Class IA Class IB Class IC Class II Class III Glass or approved plastic 1 pt. 1 qt. 1 gal. 1 gal. 1 gal. Metal (other than DOT drums) 1 gal. 5 gal. 5 gal. 5 gal. 5 gal. Safety cans 2 gal. 5 gal. 5 gal. 5 gal. 5 gal. Metal drums (DOT specifications) 60 gal. 60 gal. 60 gal. 60 gal. 60 gal. Approved portable tanks 660 gal. 660 gal. 660 gal. 660 gal. 660 gal. Note: Container exemptions: (a) Medicines, beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics, andother commonconsumer items, when packaged according to commonlyaccepted practices, shall be exempt fromthe requirements of. Container and Portable Tank Storage Storage cabinets Cabinets shall be labeled in conspicuous lettering, "Flammable Keep Fire Away" Must be fire resistant Contain no more than 60 gallons of Class I or Class II nor contain no more than 120 gallons of Class III liquids Specific requirements for metal and wood Container and Portable Tank Storage Inside storage rooms Shall be constructed to meet the required fire-resistive resistive rating for their use If used for Class I liquids, electrical wiring and equipment in inside storage rooms shall be approved for Class I, Division 2 Hazardous Locations Provided with either a gravity or a mechanical exhaust ventilation system 6
Container and Portable Tank Storage In inside storage rooms Maintain one clear aisle at least 3 feet wide Containers over 30 gallons capacity shall not be stacked one upon the other Dispensing shall be by approved pump or self-closing faucet only Storage shall comply with Table H-13 Fire Protection (1) Provided Storage Inside Rooms Fire Resistance Maximum Size Total Allowable Quantities gals./sq. ft/floor area Yes 2 hours 500 Sq. Ft. 10 No 2 hours 500 Sq. Ft. 4* Yes 1 hour 150 Sq. Ft. 5* No 1 hour 150 Sq. Ft. 2 Footnote( 1) Fire protection system shall be sprinkler, water spray, carbon dioxide, or other acceptable suppression system. Container and Portable Tank Storage Office occupancies Storage prohibited except if required for maintenance, operation of building and operation of equipment Shall be kept in closed metal containers stored in a storage cabinet or in safety cans or in an inside storage room Incidental Use Incidental storage or use of flammable and combustible liquids Quantity located outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet: 25 gallons of Class IA liquids 120 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, or III liquids 660 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, or III liquids Kept in covered containers when not in use Fire Extinguishers Portable fire extinguishment and control equipment shall be provided to meet the special hazards of operation and storage. ITM. Plants Class I liquids shall not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected (grounding). Spills shall be cleaned up promptly. 7
Summarizing Storage Requirements Consider the following: Occupancy Class of liquids that will be present Engineering specifications such as fire wall size, fire suppression systems, tank design, etc. Maximum volume restrictions Codes and Local Bylaws Marking and labeling requirements Summarizing Storage Requirements The flash point determines if a substance falls within the scope of the standard. The flash point and boiling point together, determine how substances are stored: Container capacity and spacing Maximum amount per location The. help you determine storage limits, venting capacities, allowable sizes of containers and more... Assembly & Residential When a single class of liquid is stored, the total quantity shall not exceed: Assembly & Residential When a two or more classes of liquid are stored in the building, the total quantity shall not exceed: Assembly/Residential Class I Class II Class III Quantity (max) 30 liter 150 liter 600 liter qi + qii + qiiia < 1 30 150 600 qi qii qiii = actual qty. of Class I = actual qty. of Class II = actual qty. of Class III Assembly & Residential Example calculation: Qty of Class I = 15 liters Qty of Class II = 60 liters Qty of Class III = 100 liters qi + qii + qiiia < 1 30 150 600 qi qii qiii = actual qty. of Class I = actual qty. of Class II = actual qty. of Class III Storage Facilities Incidental use BCFC Subsection 4.2.8. Cabinets BCFC Subsection 4.2.10., Rooms BCFC Subsection 4.2.9., or Storage areas BCFC Article 4.2.7.5. 8
Storage Areas Storage areas BCFC Article 4.2.7.5. * Where a building or part of building is designed for the storage of flammable liquids or combustible liquids, there is no limit on the total quantity of storage per fire compartment provided the building or part of building is separated from adjacent buildings or parts of buildings by a)a firewall having a fire-resistance rating of at least 4 h, or b)spatial separation in conformance with the British Columbia Building Code. When a two or more classes of liquid are stored in the building, the total quantity shall not exceed: Storage Cabinets BCFC 4.2.10. The maximum quantity of flammable liquids and combustible liquids stored in a cabinet shall be 500 L, of which not more than 250 L shall be Class I liquids. Storage Cabinets BCFC 4.2.10. Storage Cabinets The total quantity of flammable liquids and combustible liquids stored in cabinets in a single fire compartment shall not exceed the quantity permitted for 3 cabinets. Except, the fire compartment qty can be exceeded if: the total quantity stored in a group of cabinets is not more than the quantity permitted for 3 cabinets, and the distance between groups of cabinets is not less than 30 m. 9
Incidental use Incidental use BCFC Subsection 4.2.8. Applies to industrial occupancies where the use, storage and handling of flammable liquids or combustible liquids is secondary to the principal activity Incidental use Quantity permitted to be located outside of storage rooms or storage cabinets in any one fire compartment of a building, shall not be more than: 600 L of flammable liquids and combustible liquids in closed containers, of which not more than 100 L shall be Class IA liquids, and 5 000 L of Class IB, IC, II and IIIA liquids in storage tanks or portable tanks Where required for normal plant activity, quantities are permitted to exceed the above, but shall not be greater than the supply for one day of normal operation. Incidental use Handling: Areas in which flammable liquids or combustible liquids are transferred from one container or storage tank to another, or where they are used in such a way as to release potentially explosive concentrations of flammable vapours, shall be separated from possible sources of ignition by a spatial separation of not less than 6 m, or by a fire separation. Incidental use General Storage: When a single class of liquid is stored, the total quantity in a single fire compartment shall be not more than: a)2 500 L of Class IB and IC liquids, b)5 000 L of Class II liquids, or c)10 000 L of Class IIIA liquids. Incidental use General Storage: When 2 or more classes of liquid are stored in the same fire compartment, the total quantity permitted for each class of liquid shall be: Incidental use General Storage: When 2 or more classes of liquid are stored in the same individual storage area, the maximum quantity permitted in the individual storage area shall be that permitted for the liquid with the lowest limit of: a)2 500 L of Class IB and IC liquids, b)5 000 L of Class II liquids, or c)10 000 L of Class IIIA liquids 10
Plunger Safety Can Dispensing Safety Can NO! Used Rag Waste Cans Waste cans for the disposal of oily rags should be of metal Storage Room Kept closed Not ignite from outside sources Oxygen is limited Not allow a sustained fire if ignition occurs. The maximum quantities and densities of flammable liquids and combustible liquids are permitted to be doubled provided the storage room is protected by an automatic fire suppression system Storage Room The maximum quantities of Class I liquids in an unprotected storage room with a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h shall: not exceed those specified for unprotected storage, and comply with limits for multiple flash points. Storage Rooms BCFC 4.2.9. Storage rooms referred to in Article 4.2.9.1. shall be liquid-tight where the walls join the floor 11
Storage Rooms BCFC 4.2.9. The contents of flammable liquid and combustible liquid storage rooms referred to in Article 4.2.9.1. shall be arranged to provide aisle widths of not less than 1 m. Storage Rooms BCFC 4.2.9. Dispensing of flammable liquids or combustible liquids from containers having a capacity of more than 30 L shall be by pumps or through selfclosing valves, designed in conformance with good engineering practice. (See A-4.1.8.3.(1) in Appendix A Storage Rooms BCFC 4.2.9. Where Class IA or IB liquids are dispensed within a storage room, the room shall be designed to prevent critical structural and mechanical damage from an internal explosion in conformance with good engineering practice such as that described in NFPA 68, Venting of Deflagrations. (See A-3.2.8.2.(1)(d) in Appendix A.) Storage Rooms BCFC 4.2.9. Ventilation 4.1.7.1. Rooms or Enclosed Spaces 1) Where flammable liquids and combustible liquids are processed, handled, stored, dispensed or used within rooms or enclosed spaces, ventilation shall conform to the applicable requirements of this Part and the British Columbia Building Code. (See Appendix A.) Storage Rooms BCFC 4.2.9. Ventilation Except as permitted in Sentence (2), a room or enclosed space referred to in Article 4.1.7.1. shall be provided with one of the following ventilation systems: a)continuous mechanical ventilation where Class I liquids are processed, dispensed or used in a manner that releases flammable vapours into the room or enclosed space, b)either natural or continuous mechanical ventilation where i)class I liquids are stored, processed, Control of Static charge 12
transfer 4.1.3.8. Drainage System 4.1.6.2. Curb to contain credible spill. Sill and containment of possible spill Spill Control Plan view No Smoking Control ignition Sources Spill Control Drainage System: Terminates in area which does not impose fire hazard or risk Directs spill away from buildings, means of egress, fire dept. access routes,valves controlling flow of flammable liquids or fire fighting water supplies. 13
Ventilation of vapours heavier than air At least 1 air inlet at a point near a wall, and no higher than 300 mm from the floor Keep inlet/exhaust openings free of obstructions 12 inches 300 mm max from floor At least 1 air outlet located near the opposite wall no higher than 300 mm from the floor Plan view Ventilation vapours lighter than air At least 1 air inlet at a point near a wall, and no lower than 300 mm from the ceiling 12 inches 300 mm max from ceiling Keep inlet/exhaust openings free of obstructions At least 1 air outlet located near the opposite wall no lower than 300 mm from the ceiling Plan view Ventilation vapours heavier AND lighter than air Where dispensing of flammable liquids 12 inches 300 mm max from floor AND ceiling Duct systems: not to be used for ANY other ventilation or exhaust system. Sander 14
Exhaust air is not to discharge TOWARDS any unprotected opening within 7.0 meters of the discharge point roof Not less than 3 m to any building opening roof When average air velocity in the room exceeds 0.5 m/second, make-up air is required. Ventilation: 18 cubic meters/hour/square meter area (1 CFM per FT 2 ) but not less than 250 cubic meters/hour (150 CFM) Make-up air: for natural ventilation system, take air from point outside Make-up air taken from a point remote from exhaust discharge roof roof Make-up air: for mechanical ventilation system, taking air from within building thru a DAMPER opening Interlocks: where continuous ventilation is installed to maintain 25% LEL, the ventilation shall be interlocked to shut-down activity creating flammable vapours when ventilation is not active, AND sound an audible alarm in an attended area. Make-up air taken from a point remote from exhaust discharge Penetration of wall assembly Heater Lighting Light switch conduit Sill Conduit seal/plug Light switch Plan view 15
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