511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Sections

14-8. General Requirements.

Material Storage: Flammable Liquids

A Qualified Person (QP) must oversee storage, handling, and use of flammable liquids, adhering to specific standards and regulations.
Fire protection measures, including portable fire extinguishers and specific ratings, are mandatory near flammable liquid storage and handling areas.
Flammable liquids must be stored in closed containers or tanks, with special precautions against clothing contamination and strict rules against use for cleaning or fire ignition.

Handling and Storage Precautions

Ventilation must be sufficient to prevent hazardous vapor accumulation, and ignition sources must be kept at least 50 feet away from flammable liquid areas.
Only approved and properly labeled containers and tanks should be used for storing flammable liquids.
Design, construction, and inspection of storage tanks must comply with NFPA 30, with additional specifications for tanks exceeding 660-gallon capacity.

Storage and Dispensing Regulations

Limit flammable liquid storage in construction sites to a one-day supply and to a two-day supply on paint barges, avoiding storage in exit paths.
Ensure proper containment measures like curbs or dikes of at least 6 inches in height around storage areas.
Use only approved and labeled or listed containers and portable tanks to store flammable liquids.
Dispensing systems must be electrically bonded and grounded, with specific guidelines for transfer distances, protective measures, and equipment used.

Service, Refueling, and Transportation

Service and refueling areas must have listed equipment, shut down during service, and have emergency power shut-off mechanisms.
Tank cars and trucks require ground guides, constant attendance during loading/unloading, and stringent fire prevention measures including proper bonding and grounding.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

14-7. Ensure proper containment measures like curbs or dikes _____ around storage areas.

more than 2 feet in height

6 inches to 2 feet high

up to 2 feet high

at least 6 inches in height

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 14-8 (b.(21)).

14-8. General Requirements. (b.(21)).

b.  Material Storage.

(21)  Storage of Flammable Liquids.

(a)  A QP must supervise all storage, handling, and use of flammable liquids to ensure conformance to 29 CFR 1910.106, 29 CFR 1926.152, NFPA 30, NFPA 30A.

(b)  Fire Protection Requirements.  See chapter 9 for additional fire protection requirements.

(b-1)  Provide at least one portable fire extinguisher rated 20-B:C on all tank trucks or other vehicles used for transporting and/or dispensing flammable liquids.

(b-2)  Provide each service or refueling area with at least one fire extinguisher rated not less than 40-B:C and located so that an extinguisher is within 100 feet (30.5 m) of each pump, dispenser, underground fill pipe opening, and lubrication or service area.

(c)  When not in use, store Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C) in closed containers or tanks.

(d)  Take protective measures to prevent any part of clothing from becoming contaminated with flammable fluids.  Do not continue work if clothing becomes contaminated; remove or wet down the clothing as soon as possible.

(e)  Do not use any flammable liquid with a flash point (closed cup test) below 100°F (37.8°C) for cleaning purposes or to start or rekindle fires.

(f)  Provide ventilation adequate to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors to hazardous levels according to this manual, applicable federal, state, and local requirements in all areas where flammable liquids are handled or used.

(g)  Separate all sources of ignition, including smoking, at least 50 feet (15.2 m) from areas where flammable liquids are stored, handled, and processed. Conspicuously post with legible signs stating, “NO SMOKING, MATCHES, or OPEN FLAME.”

(h)  Use only approved and labeled or listed containers and portable tanks to store flammable liquids.

(h-1)  Acceptable metal containers and portable tanks are those having less than 660 gal (2.5 m3) individual capacity and that meet the requirements of and contain products authorized according to 49 CFR Chapter I and United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods:  Model Regulations - Twenty-Second Revised Edition, Chapter 9.

(h-2)  Plastic containers used for the storage of petroleum products must meet the requirements of one or more of the following specifications:  ASTM F852/F852M or ANSI/UL 1313.

(h-3)  Acceptable plastic drums are those meeting the requirements of and containing products authorized according to United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations - Twenty-Second Revised Edition, Chapter 9.

(h-4)  Acceptable fiber drums are those that meet the requirements according to paragraphs NMFTA/NMFC Item 296 or UFC 6000-M (see UFC Rule 51 for Types 2A, 3A, 3B-H, 3B-L, or 4A), and that meet the requirements of and contain liquid products authorized either according to paragraph 49 CFR Chapter I or by DOT exemption.

(i)  Design, construct, use, and inspect of storage tanks containing flammable liquids according to NFPA 30.

(j)  Tanks greater than 660-gal (2.5 m3) capacity must comply with NFPA 30 and NFPA 30A.

(k)  The maximum allowable size for a container or portable metal tank less than 660 gal (2.5 m3) individual capacities must not exceed those shown in table 14-1.

(l)  Design, construct, and use storage cabinets, indoor storage areas, outdoor storage areas, HAZMAT storage lockers, and other occupancies according to NFPA 30. For marine applications, 46 CFR 147 covers use of cabinets (that is, paint lockers) and 46 CFR 92.05-10 specifies design and construction.

(m)  Do not store flammable liquids in quantities greater than that required for one day's use in buildings under construction.  Do not store more than a two-day supply on paint barges.

(n)  Do not store flammable liquids in areas used for exits, stairways, or passageways.

(o)  Keep unopened containers of flammable liquids, such as paints, varnishes, lacquers, thinners, and solvents, in a well-ventilated location, free of excessive heat, smoke, sparks, flame, or direct rays of the sun.

(p)  Provide and maintain a listed, self-closing, metal refuse can in good condition in areas where flammable liquids are handled or stored.

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

(r)  Surround storage areas and tanks with a curb, earthen dike, or other equivalent means of containment of at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) in height, and higher as needed, to contain the contents in the event of a leak.

(r-1)  Other EPA or USCG approved secondary containment methods may be used in lieu of curbs or dikes (for example, double-walled tanks).

(r-2)  When dikes or curbs are used, make provisions for draining accumulations of ground or rainwater or spills of flammable liquids.

(r-3)  Terminate drains at a safe location.  The drains must be accessible and operable in the event of a fire.  Fuel and oil storage areas are subject to Oil Pollution Prevention requirements will use the provisions of 40 CFR 112 as well.

(s)  Provide portable tanks less than 660-gal (2.5 m3) individual capacity with one or more devices, installed in the top, with sufficient emergency venting capacity to limit internal pressure under fire exposure conditions to 10 psi (68.9 kPa) gauge or 30% of the bursting pressure of the portable tank, whichever is greater.

(s-1)  Use at least one pressure-actuated vent having a minimum capacity of 6,000 ft3 (170 m3) of free air per hour.  It must be set to open at not more than 5 psi (34.5 kPa) gauge.

(s-2)  If fusible vents are used, they must be actuated by elements that operate at a temperature not exceeding 300ºF (148.9ºC).

(s-3)  Where plugging of a pressure-actuated vent can occur, fusible plugs or venting devices that soften to failure at a maximum of 300ºF (148.9ºC) under fire exposure may be used for the entire emergency venting requirement.

(t)  Where liquids are used or handled, provisions must be made to dispose of leakage or spills quickly and safely.

(u)  Flashlights and electric lanterns used while handling flammable liquids must be listed by a NRTL for the intended use.

(v)  Dispensing Flammable Liquids.

(v-1)  All pumping equipment used for the transfer of Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C) must either be listed by a NRTL or approved by and labeled or tagged according to the federal AHJ (for example, DOT).

(v-2)  Dispensing systems for Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C) must be electrically bonded and grounded. All fuel tanks, hoses, and containers of 5 gal (18.9 L) or less must be kept in metallic contact while flammable liquids are being transferred; transfer of flammable liquids to containers in excess of 5 gal (18.9 L) will be done only when the containers are electrically bonded.

(v-3)  Flammable liquids drawn from, or transferred into, vessels, containers, or tanks within a building or outside must be done only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container, or portable tanks, by gravity or pump, through an approved self-closing valve.  Do not transfer by means of air pressure on the container or portable tank.

(v-4)  Separate areas in which flammable liquids are transferred in quantities greater than 5 gal (18.9 L) from one tank or container to another from other operations by at least 25 feet (7.6 m) or a barrier having a fire resistance of at least one hour. Provide drainage or other means to control spills.  Use natural or mechanical ventilation
            to maintain the concentration of flammable vapor at or below 10% of the lower flammable limit.

(v-5)  Protect dispensing units against collision damage by suitable means and securely bolt in place permanent dispensing units.

(v-6)  Dispensing nozzles and devices for Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C) must be listed.

(v-7)  Do not fill lamps, lanterns, heating devices, small engines, and similar equipment while hot. Fill these devices only in well-ventilated rooms free of open flames or in open air. Do not fill in storage buildings.

(v-8)  Separate dispensing devices at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from any activity involving fixed sources of ignition.

(w)  Service and Refueling Areas.

(w-1)  Fuel dispensing hoses must be listed, designed, and used for their intended purpose.  Dispensing nozzles must be an approved automatic-closing type without a latch-open device.

(w-2)  Shut down equipment using flammable liquids as fuel during refueling, servicing, or maintenance, except for emergency generators.  Waiver requests may be reviewed and granted by the local SOHO for operations in remote sites or regions where cold weather conditions pose a copy must be provided to HQUSACE-SO.

(w-3)  Use a listed pumping arrangement for dispensing of Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C) from tanks of 55-gal (0.21 m3) capacity or more.  Do not transfer by air pressure on the container or portable tank.

(w-4)  Provide clearly identified and easily accessible switch(es) at a location remote from dispensing devices to shut off the power to all dispensing devices in an emergency.

(w-5)  Install a listed emergency breakaway device designed to retain liquid on both sides of the breakaway point on each hose dispensing Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C) liquids.

(x)  Tank Cars/Trucks.

(x-1)  Use a ground guide to spot tank cars/trucks during movement in congested and confined areas.

(x-2)  Attend tank cars/trucks for the entire time they are being loaded or unloaded. Do not load or unload until brakes have been set and wheels chocked.

(x-3)  Take precautions to prevent fire or other hazards.  Properly bond and ground tank cars/trucks while being loaded or unloaded.  Make bonding and grounding connections before dome covers are removed on tank cars/trucks and do not disconnect until such covers have been replaced.  Relive internal vapor pressure before dome covers are opened.