GENERAL INFORMATION

1. What is a "Chemical Storage Building" anyway?

Well, the answer is very straightforward and can be found on the EPA.gov web site. Sometimes when you are trying to become compliant, it's best to know the facts straight from the source. The EPA is very specific: [165.85(a)]

2. What is a "SUMP" or Secondary Containment in a Building?

The definition of a “sump” (noun) is a pit or reservoir serving as a drain or receptacle for liquids; a pit at the lowest point in a circulating drainage system. Basically, what the risk management industry calls a “sump” in the case of a chemical storage building is a 6-7” deep well in the bottom of the prefabricated steel building which is continuously welded to be “leak-proof”. This sump is then covered by a steel or fiberglass floor grating and is often equipped with a “sump liner” of a plastic nature to catch accidental spills.

3. Is there documentation available so I don’t have to read the code books?

Yes. Click this link for the PDF Document downloaded from the EPA.gov web site.

(See Table 7)

EPA suggests that you should refer to the final regulatory text (71 FR 47330-47437; August 16, 2006) for the full version.

4. Who is Factory Mutual (FM Global) and why does their Approval matter in my state?

<------ Factory Mutual Logo - FM Approved

FM’s understanding of property loss prevention is unmatched. FM Global scientists and engineers work to advance loss prevention practices and establish new industry standards through state-of-the-art research and testing. Our client service teams share this knowledge with clients to help them make confident, well-informed decisions about how to reduce risk and exposure and prevent potential business interruption. You should always look for the FM logo, not just for your chemical storage needs, but on a wide array of equipment. FM researchers formulate “standards” based on Both UL Listed designs as well as others. An approval from FM means that your product meets or exceeds the design standards set forth by the for loss prevention.

See the downloads below for more information about FM Global, their approval mark, and their standards:

<-- FACTORY MUTUAL GLOBAL ( FM ) GUIDELINES

  Electrical Equipment for Use In Hazardous (Classified) Locations - General Requirements - FM 3600

  Fire Protection of Steel Framing Members for High Hazard Occupancies - FM 4970

  Class 1 Fire Rating of Insulated Wall or Wall and Roof/Ceiling Panels, Interior Finish Materials or Coatings, and Exterior Wall Systems - FM 4880

  Class 1 Exterior Wall Systems - FM4881

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund, was enacted by Congress on December 11, 1980. This law created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and provided broad Federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. Over five years, $1.6 billion was collected and the tax went to a trust fund for cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.

• established prohibitions and requirements concerning closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites;
• provided for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous waste at these sites; and
• established a trust fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible party could be identified.

The law authorizes two kinds of response actions:

• Short-term removals, where actions may be taken to address releases or threatened releases requiring prompt response.
• Long-term remedial response actions, that permanently and significantly reduce the dangers associated with releases or threats of releases of hazardous substances that are serious, but not immediately life threatening. These actions can be conducted only at sites listed on EPA's National Priorities List (NPL).

CERCLA also enabled the revision of the National Contingency Plan (NCP). The NCP provided the guidelines and procedures needed to respond to releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. The NCP also established the NPL.

Laws, Policy and Guidance: See the EPA Web Site below:

National Fire Protection Agency - NFPA 30

Since 1896, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been the most recognized nonprofit organization in the world dedicated to the protection of human life and property from the hazards of fire. NFPA membership currently exceeds over 56,000 fire protection professionals. The NFPA publishes over 270 nationally recognized fire codes and standards, as well as fire service training and public education materials.

NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Handbook is an essential reference for those involved with the production, distribution, and/or use of flammable and combustible liquids. Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA 30A: Automotive and Marine Service Station Code, and NFPA 395: Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids on Farms and Isolated Construction Projects.

NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code is divided into six chapters; General Provisions, Tank Storage, Piping Systems, Container and Portable Tank Storage, Operations, and Referenced Publications. This code contains information for the design, construction and testing of flammable liquid safety cabinets and requirements of safety cans.

NFPA 30A: Automotive and Marine Service Station Code contains nine major areas: General Provisions; Storage, Piping, Valves, and Fittings; Fuel Dispensing System; Pits and Below-Grade and Sub-Floor Work Areas; Service Stations Located Inside Buildings; Electrical Equipment; Operational Requirements; and Referenced Publications.

NFPA 395: Standard for the Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids on Farms and Isolated Construction Projects is the third and final code in the handbook. Its two chapters include: General and Referenced Publications. The final area of the handbook contains supplemental readings and case investigation studies of recent major fire incidents.

These NFPA codes are recommended for use as the basis of legal regulations. To verify compliance, contact all applicable local, state and federal agencies.

Commonly Asked Questions


Q. What is a safety can?

A. NFPA 30 and OSHA 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.106 (a)(29) define a safety can as, "an approved container, of not more than 5 gallons (18.9 liters) capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure."

Q. How are flammable liquid safety cabinets designed, constructed and tested to meet NFPA 30?

A. NFPA 30 Chapter 4.3.3 (b) and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 (d)(3)(ii)(a) state, “Metal cabinets constructed in the following manner are acceptable. The bottom, top, door, and sides of cabinet shall be at least No. 18 gauge sheet steel and doubled walled with 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm) air space. Joints shall be riveted, welded or made tight by some equally effective means. The door shall be provided with a three-point latch arrangement and the door sill shall be raised at least 2 inches (5 cm) above the bottom of the cabinet to retain spilled liquid with-in the cabinet.” NFPA 30 Chapter 4.3.3 (a) also states, “Storage Cabinets shall be designed and constructed to limit the internal temperature at the center, 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top, to not more than 325 degrees F (162.8 degrees C) when subjected to a 10- minute fire test with burners simulating a room fire exposure using the standard time temperature curve as given in NFPA 251, Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. All joints and seams shall remain tight and the door shall remain securely closed during the fire test.”

Q. Do flammable liquid storage cabinets have to be vented?

A. NFPA Chapter 4.3.4 states, “The storage cabinet shall not be required by this code to be vented for fire protection purposes, and vent openings shall be sealed with the bungs supplied with the cabinet or with bungs specified by the cabinet manufacturer. However, if the storage cabinet is vented for any reason, the cabinet shall be vented directly to outdoors in such a manner that will not compromise the specified performance of the cabinet and in a manner that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

Q. What is a flammable liquid or combustible liquid?

A. Flammable and combustible liquids are defined and classified by their flash point and boiling point as the chart below illustrates.

Chart 1

Benedetti, Robert P., Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Handbook,
National Fire Protection Association , 4th edition, 2003.

Code of Federal Regulations, 29 CFR 1910.106.