501 EM 385-1-1 Construction Safety Hazard Awareness for Contractors Sections 7 - 13

09.B Flammable Liquids.

09.B.01 All storage, handling, and use of flammable liquids must be in accordance with NFPA 30, NFPA 30A, or other applicable standards under the supervision of a qualified person.

09.B.02 All sources of ignition must be prohibited in areas where flammable liquids are stored, handled, and processed. Suitable "NO SMOKING, MATCHES, or OPEN FLAME" signs must be posted in all such areas.

09.B.03 Fire protection requirements.

1. At least one portable fire extinguisher rated 20-B:C must be provided on all tank trucks or other vehicles used for transporting and/or dispensing flammable liquids.
2. Each service or refueling area must be provided with at least one fire extinguisher rated not less than 40-B:C and located so that an extinguisher must be within 100 ft (30.4 m) of each pump, dispenser, underground fill pipe opening, and lubrication or service area.

09.B.04 Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100ºF (37.8ºC) must be kept in closed containers or tanks when not in use.

09.B.05 Workers must guard carefully against any part of their clothing becoming contaminated with flammable fluids. They must not be allowed to continue work if their clothing becomes contaminated, and they must remove or wet down the clothing as soon as possible.

09.B.06 No flammable liquid with a flash point (closed cup test) below 100ºF (37.8ºC) must be used for cleaning purposes or to start or rekindle fires.

09.B.07 Ventilation adequate to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors to hazardous levels must be provided in all areas where flammable liquids are handled or used.

09.B.08 Only labeled/listed (by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory) containers and portable tanks must be used for the storage of flammable liquids.

1. Metal containers and portable tanks less than 660 gal (2.5 m³) individual capacity meeting the requirements of, and containing products authorized by, Chapter I, 49 CFR (U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations), Chapter 9 of the United Nations' "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods," or NFPA 386 must be acceptable.
2. Plastic containers meeting the requirements of, and used for petroleum products within the scope of, one or more of the following specifications must be acceptable: ASTM F852, ASTM F976, and ANSI/UL 1313.
3. Plastic drums meeting the requirements of and containing products authorized by 49 CFR or by Chapter 9 of the United Nations' "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods" must be acceptable.
4. Fiber drums that meet the requirements of Item 296 of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) or Rule 51 of the Uniform Freight Classification (UFC) for Types 2A, 3A, 3B-H, 3B-L, or 4A and meet the requirements of and contain liquid products authorized either by Chapter I, 49 CFR (U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations) or by DOT exemption must be acceptable.

09.B.09 Portable tanks less than 660 gal (2.4 m³) individual capacity must be provided with one or more devices installed in the top with sufficient emergency venting capacity to limit internal pressure under fire exposure conditions to 10 pounds per square inch (psi) [68.9 kilopascal (kPa)] gauge or 30% of the bursting pressure of the portable tank, whichever is greater.

1. At least one pressure-actuated vent having a minimum capacity of 6000 ft³ (170 m³) of free air per hour must be used. It must be set to open at not more than 5 psi (35 kPa) gauge.
2. If fusible vents are used, they must be actuated by elements that operate at a temperature not exceeding 300ºF (148.8ºC).
3. Where plugging of a pressure-actuated vent can occur, fusible plugs or venting devices that soften to failure at a maximum of 300ºF (148.8ºC) under fire exposure must be permitted to be used for the entire emergency venting requirement.

09.B.10 The design, construction, and use of storage tanks containing flammable liquids must be as specified in NFPA 30. Tanks greater than 660 gal (2.5 m³) capacity must be in accordance with NFPA 30, Chapter 22 and NFPA 30A.

09.B.11 The maximum allowable size for a container or metal portable tank less than 660 gal (2.5 m³) individual capacities must not exceed those shown in Table 9-1.

09.B.12 The design, construction, and use of storage cabinets, indoor storage areas, outdoor storage areas, hazardous materials storage lockers, and other occupancies must be in accordance with NFPA 30 or, for marine applications, 46 CFR 147 covers use of cabinets and 46 CFR 92.05-10 specifies design and construction.

09.B.13 Flammable liquids in quantities greater than that required for 1 day's use must not be stored in buildings under construction and not more than a 2 day supply must be stored on paint barges.

09.B.14 Flammable liquids must not be stored in areas used for exits, stairways, or safe passage of people.

09.B.15 Safety cans and other portable containers for flammable liquids having a flash point at or below 73ºF (23ºC) must be labeled/listed and painted red with a yellow band around the can and the name of the contents legibly indicated on the container.

09.B.16 Unopened containers of flammable liquids, such as paints, varnishes, lacquers, thinners, and solvents, must be kept in a well ventilated location, free of excessive heat, smoke, sparks, flame, or direct rays of the sun.

09.B.17 In areas where flammable liquids are handled or stored, a self-closing metal refuse can, listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, must be provided and maintained in good condition.

09.B.18 Storage areas/tanks must be surrounded by a curb, earthen dike or other equivalent means of containment of at least 6 in (15 cm) in height and higher as needed to contain the contents in the event of a leak.

1. Other secondary containment methods that are approved by the EPA or USCG can be used in lieu of curbs or dikes (double-walled tanks, etc.).
2. When dikes or curbs are used, provisions must be made for draining off accumulations of ground or rain water or spills of flammable liquids.
3. Drains must terminate at a safe location and must be accessible to operation under fire conditions. If fuel and oil storage areas are subject to the provisions of 40 CFR 112 (Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures), those provisions must apply as well.

09.B.19 Where liquids are used or handled, provisions must be made to promptly and safely dispose of leakage or spills.

09.B.20 Flashlights and electric lanterns used while handling flammable liquids must be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the intended use.

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