Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS

Section 6002. Definitions - Amend Section 6002 as follows:

Add: MODERATELY TOXIC GAS. Moderately toxic gas is a chemical or substance that has a median lethal concentration (LC so) in air more than 2000 parts per million but not more than 5000 parts per million by volume of gas or vapor, when administered by continuous inhalation for an hour, or less if death occurs within one hour, to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.

Maximum Threshold Quantity (Max TQ) is the maximum quantity of a moderately toxic or toxic gas, which may be stored in a single vessel before a more stringent category of regulation is applied. The following equation shall be used to calculate the Max TQ:

Max TQ (pounds) = LC 50 (ppm) x 2 lb.

Gas Mixtures, the LC 50 value for a gas mixture containing toxic, highly toxic or moderately toxic components shall be calculated using the formula in Appendix E, Section 103.1.3.1.

Section 6004. Highly Toxic and Toxic Compressed Gases Including Those Used as Refrigerants - Amend Section 6004 as follows:

Amend: 6004.1 General. The storage and use of highly toxic and toxic compressed gases and those with health hazard rankings of 3 or 4 in accordance with NFPA 49 or NFPA704 shall comply with this Section.

Add: 6004.1.1.4 Other areas of Group B, F, M, S or L occupancies. Storage, use, and handling of highly toxic and toxic compressed gases shall comply with the following:

When located inside, highly toxic and toxic compressed gases shall be permitted, stored or used only when located within approved gas cabinets, exhausted enclosures, or gas rooms. See also Sections 6004.1.2, 6004.1.3, and 6004.2.2.6.

Exceptions:

1.1

Cylinders of compressed gases with a health hazard ranking of 4 and with a capacity not exceeding 10 cubic feet at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) are allowed in gas cabinets or fume hoods.

1.2

Cylinders of compressed gases with a health hazard ranking of 3 and with a capacity not exceeding 20 cubic feet at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) are allowed in gas cabinets, fume hoods or approved tools designed for their use.

When located outside, and when approved by the Fire Code Official, highly toxic and toxic compressed gases shall be kept under a canopy in accordance with Section 6004.3.3.

Add: 6004.1.4 Automatic Shut-Off Valve. An automatic shut-off valve, which is of a fail-safe-to-close design, shall be provided to shut off the supply of highly toxic gases for any of the following:

Activation of a manual fire alarm system.

Activation of the gas detection system.

Failure of emergency power.

Failure of primary containment.

Seismic activity.

Failure of required ventilation.

Manual activation at an approved remote location.

Add: 6004.1.5 Emergency Control Station. Signals from emergency equipment used for highly toxic gases shall be transmitted to an emergency control station or other approved monitoring station, which is continually staffed by trained personnel.

Add: 6004.1.6 Maximum Threshold Quantity. Toxic gases stored or used in quantities exceeding the maximum threshold quantity in a single vessel per control area or outdoor control area shall comply with the additional requirements for highly toxic gases of Section 6004 of this code.

Moderately toxic gases stored or used in quantities exceeding the maximum threshold quantity. In a single vessel per control area or outdoor control area shall comply with the additional requirements for toxic gases of Section 6004 of this code.

Add: 6004.1.7 Reduced Flow Valve. All containers of materials other than lecture bottles containing Highly Toxic material and having a vapor pressure exceeding 29 psi shall be equipped with a reduced flow valve when available. If a reduced flow valve is not available, the container shall be used with a flow-limiting device. All flow limiting devices shall be part of the valve assembly and visible to the eye when possible; otherwise, they shall be installed as close as possible to the cylinder source.

Add: 6004.1.8 Annual Maintenance. All safety control systems at a facility shall be maintained in good working condition and tested not less frequently than annually. Maintenance and testing shall be performed by persons qualified to perform the maintenance and tests. Maintenance records and certifications shall be available to any representative of the Fire Department for inspection upon request.

Add: 6004.1.9 Fire Extinguishing Systems. Fires and covered exterior areas for storage and use areas of materials regulated by this Chapter shall be protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13. The design of the sprinkler system for any room or area where highly toxic, toxic and moderately toxic gases are stored, handled or used shall be in accordance with Section 5004.5.

Add: 6004.1.10 Local Gas Shut Off. Manual activation controls shall be provided at locations near the point of use and near the source, as approved by the Fire Code Official. The Fire Code Official may require additional controls at other places, including, but not limited to, the entry to the building, storage or use areas, and emergency control stations. Manual activated shut-off valves shall be of a "fail safe-to-close design."

Add: 6004.1.11 Exhaust Ventilation Monitoring. For highly toxic gases and toxic gases exceeding threshold quantities, a continuous monitoring system shall be provided to assure that the required exhaust ventilation rate is maintained. The monitoring system shall initiate a local alarm. The alarm shall be both visual and audible and shall be designed to provide warning both inside and outside of the interior storage, use, or handling area.

Add: 6004.1.12 Emergency Response Plan. If the preparation of an emergency response plan for the facility is not required by any other law, responsible persons shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, and filed with the Fire Code Official, a written emergency response plan. If the preparation of an emergency response plan is required by other law, a responsible person shall file a copy of the plan with the Fire Code Official.

Add: 6004.1.13 Emergency Response Team. Responsible persons shall be designated the on-site emergency response team and trained to be liaison personnel for the Fire Department. These persons shall aid the Fire Department in preplanning emergency responses, identifying locations where regulated materials are stored, handled and used, and be familiar with the chemical nature of such material. An adequate number of personnel for each work shift shall be designated.

Add: 6004.1.14 Emergency Drills. Emergency drills of the on-site emergency response team shall be conducted on a regular basis but not less than once every three months. Records of drills conducted shall be maintained. Add: 6004.1.15 Cylinder Leak Testing. Cylinders shall be tested for leaks immediately upon delivery and again immediately prior to departure. Testing shall be approved by the Fire Code Official in

accordance with appropriate nationally recognized industry standards and practices, if any. Appropriate remedial action shall be immediately undertaken when leaks are detected.

Add: 6004.1.16 Inert Gas Purge System. Gas systems shall be provided with dedicated inert gas purge systems. A dedicated inert gas purge system may be used to purge more than one gas, provided the gases are compatible. Purge gas systems inside buildings shall be located in an approved gas cabinet unless the system operates by vacuum demand.

Add: 6004.1.17 Seismic Shutoff Valve. An automatic seismic shut-off valve, which is of a fail-safe-to- close design, shall be provided to shutoff the supply of highly toxic and toxic and moderately toxic gases with an LC so less than 3000 parts per million upon a seismic event within 5 seconds of a horizontal sinusoidal oscillation having a peak acceleration of 0.3G (1.47m/sec 2 ) and a period of 0.4 seconds.

Amend: 6004.2 Indoor Storage and Use. The indoor storage or use of highly toxic and moderately toxic compressed gases shall be in accordance with Sections 6004.2.1 through 6004.2.2.10.3.3. The threshold quantity for highly toxic, toxic and moderately toxic gases for indoor storage and use are set forth in Table 6004.2.

Add: Table 6004.2 to read:

Threshold Quantities for Highly Toxic, Toxic and Moderately Toxic Gases for Indoor Storage and Use

Highly Toxic 0

Toxic 10 cubic feet

Moderately Toxic 20 cubic feet

Amend: 6004.2.1 Applicability. The applicability of regulations governing the indoor storage and use of highly toxic, toxic, and moderately toxic compressed gases shall be as set forth in Sections 6004.2.1.1 through 6004.2.1.3.

Amend: 6004.2.1.1 Quantities Not Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Quantity per Control Area. The indoor storage or use of highly toxic, and moderately toxic gases in amounts exceeding the threshold quantity per control area set forth in Table 6004.2 shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003, 6001, 6004.1 and 6004.2.

Amend: 6004.2.2 General Indoor Requirements. The general requirements applicable to the indoor storage and use of highly toxic and toxic compressed gases shall be in accordance with Sections 6004.2.2.1 through 6004.2.2.10.3.

Moderately toxic gases with an LC 50 less than 3,000 parts per million shall comply with the requirements for toxic gases in Sections 6004.2.2.1 through 6004.2:2.10.3.

All other moderately toxic gases exceeding the threshold quantity shall comply with the requirements for toxic gases in Sections 6004.2.2.1 through 6004.2.2.7.

Amend: 6004.2.2.7 Treatment Systems. The exhaust ventilation from gas cabinets, exhausted enclosures, gas rooms and local exhaust systems required in Section 3704.2.2.4 and 3704.2.2.5 shall be directed to a treatment system. The treatment system shall be utilized to handle the accidental release of gas and to process exhaust ventilation. The treatment system shall be designed in accordance with Sections 3704.2.2.7.1 through 3704.2.2.7.5 and Section 510 of the California Mechanical Code.

Exceptions:

Highly toxic, toxic and moderately toxic gases storage. A treatment system is not required for cylinders, containers and tanks in storage when all of the following are provided:

1.1.

Valve outlets are equipped with gas-tight outlet plug or caps.

1.2.

Hand wheel-operated valves have handles secured to prevent movement.

1.3.

Approved containment vessels or containment systems are provided in accordance with Section 3704.2.2.3.

Amend: 6004.3 Outdoor Storage and Use. The outdoor storage or use of highly toxic and moderately toxic compressed gases shall be in accordance with Sections 6004.3.1 through 6004.3.4. The threshold quantity for highly toxic, toxic and moderately toxic gases for outdoor storage and use are set forth in Table 6004.3.

Add: Table 6004.3 to read:

Threshold Quantities for Highly Toxic, Toxic and Moderately Toxic Gases for Outdoor Storage and Use

Highly Toxic 0

Toxic 10 cubic feet

Moderately Toxic 20 cubic feet

Amend: 6004.3.1 Applicability. The applicability of regulations governing the outdoor storage and use of highly toxic, toxic, and moderately toxic compressed gases shall be as set forth in Sections 6004.3.1.1 through 6004.3.1.3.

Amend: 6004.3.1.1 Quantities Not Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Quantity per Control Area. The outdoor storage or use of highly toxic and toxic gases in amounts exceeding the threshold quantity per control area set forth in Table 6004.3 shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003, 6001, 6004.1, and 6004.3.

Moderately toxic gases with an LC 50 less than 3,000 parts per million in amounts exceeding the threshold quantity in Table 6004.3 shall comply with the requirements for toxic gases in Sections 5001, 5003, 6001, 6004.1 and 6004.3.

Moderately toxic gases in amounts exceeding the threshold quantity in Table 6004.3 shall comply with the requirements for toxic gases in Sections 5001, 5003, 6001, 6004.1 and 6004.3.2.1 through 6004.3.2.5.

Amend: 6004.3.3 Outdoor Storage Weather Protection for Portable Tanks and Cylinders. Weather protection in accordance with Section 5004.13 and this Section shall be provided for portable tanks and cylinders located outdoors and not within gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures. The storage area shall be equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.

Exception: Deleted