Fire Code Applied to Laboratories A Chemist’s View John DeLaHunt, MBA, ARM 2011 Texas Fire...

Fire Code Applied to LaboratoriesA Chemist’s View

John DeLaHunt, MBA, ARM2011 Texas Fire Marshals’ Conference

Austin, TexasOctober 19, 2011

Oct 19, 2011 The University of Texas at San AntonioCome Here, Go Far

2

Fire Codes: Sprinklers

• Rules and Regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters for Sprinkler Equipments, Automatic and Open Systems (1896)

• Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 13


3

Fire Codes: Life Safety

• Outside Stairs for Fire Exits (1916)• Safeguarding Factory Workers from Fire

(1918)• Building Exits Code (1927)• Life Safety Code, NFPA 101


4

Fire Code Development: 1903

Iroquois Theatre (603)Chicago, IL


5


Cocoanut Grove Nightclub (492)Boston, MA


6


Barnum & Bailey Circus (168)Hartford, CT


7


Winecoff Hotel (119)Atlanta, GA


8


Beverly Hills Supper Club (165)Southgate, KY


9


MGM Grand Hotel Fire (85)Las Vegas, NV


10


Station Nightclub (100)West Warwick, RI


11

Building Codes: Legacy Codes

• Building Officials Code Administrators International (BOCA): National Building Code

• Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI): Standard Building Code

• International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)– Uniform Building Code (UBC)– Uniform Fire Code (UFC)


12

Building Codes: Model Codes

• International Code Council (ICC, 1994)– International Building Code– International Fire Code

• National Fire Prevention Association– Uniform Building Code, NFPA 5000 (2003)


13

Fire Codes: Model Codes

• National Fire Prevention Association– Life Safety Code, NFPA 101– Uniform Fire Code, NFPA 1

• International Code Council– International Fire Code (IFC)


14

What are Fire Codes

• Not what you build• How you occupy what you build• Written by committee• Unable to anticipate each and every

situation• Meant to be adopted and adapted


15

Fire Codes: Reasons to Care

• Compliance standard (operation)• Property Conservation standard (fiduciary)• Business Continuity (ownership)• Standard of Reasonable Care (litigation)


16

Fire Codes: Reasons to Care

Fire Codes exist because people have died


17

Application of Fire Codes

• Enabling legislation/ordinance• Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)• Right of entry• Permits• Inspections• Fees


18

Elements of Fire Codes:Purpose

The purpose of this Code is to provide minimum requirements, with due regard to function, for the design, operation, and maintenance of buildings and structures for safety to life from fire. Its provisions will also aid life safety in similar emergencies.* (NFPA 101)


19

Elements of Fire Codes:AHJ

An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

NFPA 1


20

Elements of Fire Codes: Application

NFPA 1: This Code shall apply to both new and existing conditions.

NFPA 101: The Code shall apply to both new construction and existing buildings and existing structures.– Various chapters contain specific provisions for existing buildings and structures that might differ from those for new construction.


21

Elements of Fire Codes: Previously Approved Features

Where another provision of this Code exempts a previously approved feature from a requirement, the exemption shall be permitted, even where the following conditions exist: – The area is being modernized, renovated, or otherwise altered.

– A change of occupancy has occurred, provided that the feature’s continued use is approved by the authority having jurisdiction.


22

Elements of Fire Codes: Maintenance

Whenever or wherever any device, equipment, system, condition, arrangement, level of protection, or any other feature is required for compliance with the provisions of this Code, such device, equipment, system, condition, arrangement, level of protection, or other feature shall thereafter be maintained, unless the Code exempts such maintenance. NFPA 101


23

Elements of Fire Codes:Change in Use or Occupancy

A change of use that does not involve a change of occupancy classification shall comply with the requirements applicable to the new use in accordance with the applicable existing occupancy chapter, unless the change of use creates a hazardous contents area…

NFPA 101


24

Fire Codes and Hazardous Materials

• Occupancy Type• Quantity thresholds

– Exempt amounts (ICC)– Maximum Allowable Quantities (NFPA)

• Control Areas– Number per level– Reduction by level above/below plane– Fire separation


25

Fire Codes andHazardous Materials

• Fire Protection– Fire Sprinklers– Storage cabinets

• Operating requirements– Spills and Releases– Closed and pen systems– Container size and handling– Secondary containment


26

Occupancy Types: ICC

• Educational (K-12)• Business (Higher Education)• High-Hazard (Exceeding exempt

quantities in control areas)– H-1: Explosives– H-2: Deflagration/Accelerated Combustion– H-3: Readily Supporting Combustion– H-4: Health Hazards– H-5: Semiconductor Fabrication


27

Occupancy Types: NFPA

• Educational (K-12)• Business (Higher Education, Class D labs per

NFPA 45• Industrial (Class A, B and C labs per NFPA 45)• High Hazard (Exceeding MAQ per control area)

– Protection Level 1: Explosives– Protection Level 2: Deflagration/Accelerated Burning– Protection Level 3: Readily supporting Combustion– Protection Level 4: Health hazards– Protection Level 5: Semiconductor Fabrication


28

Quantity Thresholds

• Exempt Quantities per Control Area– IFC Table 2703.1.1(1)

• Maximum Allowable Quantities per Control Area– NFPA 1 Table 60.1.26.2(c)

• Adjustments to thresholds– Sprinklers– Storage cabinets


29

Control Areas

Floor Level% max qty

allowed per area

Number of Control Areas

Fire Resistance

Rating

Above Grade Plane

>9 5.0 1 2

7-9 5.0 2 2

4-6 12.5 2 2

3 50 2 1

2 75 3 1

1 100 4 1

Below Grade Plane1 75 3 1

2 50 2 1


30

Control Areas Applied(Flammable Liquids)

Level above Grade

Exempt Qty/Area

(Gal)

Max per control area (%)

Net Qty per Area

(Gal)

Control Area

Count

Max Qty per level

(Gal)

Max Qty Sprinkler Cabinets

>9 120 5.0 6 1 6 24

7-9 120 5.0 6 2 12 48

4-6 120 12.5 15 2 30 120

3 120 50.0 60 2 120 480

2 120 75.0 90 3 270 1080

1 120 100.0 120 4 480 1920

-1 120 75.0 90 3 270 1080

-2 120 50.0 60 2 120 480

-3 NP NP NP NP NP NP

Fuel Density Problem

• Building 1– Research– 4th floor– 1 hr fire separation– Ordinary 1 Sprinklers– 10 laboratories

• Area Limit: ___ gal• Lab Limit: ____ gal

• Building 2– Instruction– 2nd Floor– No fire separation– Ordinary 1 sprinklers– 3 Laboratories

• Area Limit: ___ gal• Lab Limit: ____ gal


31


32

Control Areas Applied(Highly Toxic Solids)

Level above Grade

Exempt Qty/Area

(Gal)


Net Qty per Area

(Lb)

Control Area

Count

Max Qty per level

(Lb)


>9 10 5.0 .5 1 .5 2

7-9 10 5.0 .5 2 1 4

4-6 10 12.5 1.25 2 2.5 10

3 10 50.0 5 2 10 40

2 10 75.0 7.5 3 22.5 90

1 10 100.0 10 4 40 160

-1 10 75.0 7.5 3 22.5 90

-2 10 50.0 5 2 10 40



33

Control Areas Applied(Water Reactive 2)

Level above Grade

Exempt Qty/Area

(Gal)


Net Qty per Area

(Lb)

Control Area

Count

Max Qty per level

(Lb)


>9 50 5.0 2.5 1 2.5 10

7-9 50 5.0 2.5 2 5 20

4-6 50 12.5 6.25 2 12.5 50

3 50 50.0 25 2 50 200

2 50 75.0 37.5 3 112.5 450

1 50 100.0 50 4 200 800

-1 50 75.0 37.5 3 112.5 450

-2 50 50.0 25 2 50 200



34

Quantity Thresholds

Level 1Level 2

Level -1

Level 3

Level -2

456789

Levels 10 and up


35

Quantity Thresholds

Mike Kehoe, FDNY Ladder 28

WTC Tower One, 9/11/01


36

Control Area Example: ESU

• Enormous State University Laboratory Building

• 8 levels, B-7• 560,000 gross square feet

– 70,000 gsf per level• Labs on all floors

– 14,000 net sf labs per level– Evenly distributed


37

Control Area Example: ESUFlammable Liquids (Class IA, IB, IC – aggregate)

Floor Level

Control Areas

% Qty allowed per area

Exempt Quantity

(Gal)

Gal per area

Gal per level

Gal per 100 sf lab

7 2 5.0 480 24 48 0.34

6 2 12.5 480 60 120 0.86

5 2 12.5 480 60 120 0.86

4 2 12.5 480 60 120 0.86

3 2 50.0 480 240 480 3.43

2 3 75.0 480 360 1,080 7.71

1 4 100.0 480 480 1,920 13.71

B (-1) 3 75.0 480 360 1,080 7.71

Maximum fuel load: 4,968 gal


38

Exceeding Thresholds

• Industrial occupancy– General– High Hazard (NFPA 5000 chapter 34)

• Number and arrangement of exits• Panic hardware• Sprinklers

• Protection Level/High Hazard• Additional Requirements by Hazard Class


39

Problems: Existing Conditions

• Sprinkler coverage• Fire separation barriers• Number and arrangement of exits


40

Problems: Sloped Grade

Level 5 (Attic/Roof)

Level 4 (Labs)

Level 3 (Labs)

Level 2 (Offices and classrooms)

Level 1 (Offices)

Level 0 (labs and support)Level 0 Entrance

Level 1 Entrance


41

NFPA 45

• NFPA 101 8.1/8.7.48.7.4 Laboratories [not a defined term…] 8.7.4.1 - Laboratories that use chemicals shall comply with NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, unless otherwise modified by other provisions of this Code.

• NFPA 1 chapter 26• Not incorporated by IFC


42

NFPA 45 Concepts

• Laboratory Unit (Annex D)• Laboratory Working Area (Annex D)• Laboratory Hazard Classification

– Class A: High – Class B: Moderate – Class C: Low– Class D: Minimal


43

NFPA 45 Laboratories


44



45



46



47

NFPA 45 Fuel Load Limits

Hazard Class(Fire Hazard)

Fuel Density Limit(gal/100 sf)*

Aggregate Limit(gal/lab)*

A(High)

40 1600

B(Moderate)

20 800

C(Low)

8 400

D(Minimal)

2 150

Flammable and combustible liquids (Class I, II and IIIA in aggregate), presuming coverage by sprinklers and storage in cabinets.

Use the lower of these limits.


48

Fuel Load Limits2004 NFPA 45 and 2009 IFC

Level 1Level 2

Level -1

Level 3

Level -2

Level 5Level 6

Level 4

Level 7Level 8Level 9

Level 10

Level 1Level 2

Level -1

Level 3

Level -2

456789

Levels 10 and up


49

NFPA 45 Laboratory Hazard Class


Sprinkler Coverage

Fire Separation

Occupancy Use

A(High)

Ordinary 2 2 Hour Industrial Research

B(Moderate)

Ordinary 2 1 Hour Industrial Research

C(Low)

Ordinary 1 None IndustrialResearchInstruction

D(Minimal)

Ordinary 1 None BusinessResearchInstruction

Fuel Density Problem

• Lab 1– Research– 4th floor– 850 sf– 1 hr fire separation– Ordinary 1 Sprinklers

• Hazard Class: ___• Fuel Limit: ____ gal

• Lab 2– Instruction– 2nd Floor– 1,300 sf– No fire separation– Ordinary 1 sprinklers

• Hazard Class: ___• Fuel Limit: ____ gal


50


51

NFPA 45 Architectural Requirements

• Fire Separation– Industrial (Class A, B, C): at least 1 hour– Business (Class D): Not required

• Additional exits– Explosion risk– Fume hood placement– Lab work area size (A: 500 sf, B/C/D: 1,000

sf)


52

NFPA 45 Operational Requirements

• Ventilation/fume hood velocity• Perchloric acid hoods• Time-sensitive materials (9.2.3.4)• Explosion risk• Process safety analysis• Marking of entrances• Labeling of containers


53

Enormous State University

• Existing Laboratory Building (2004 NFPA 45)

• 8 levels, B-6• 560,000 gross square feet• Labs on all floors

– 14,000 net sf labs per level, evenly distributed• One-hour fire separation barriers• Ordinary 1 sprinklers


54

Enormous State UniversityFlammable Liquids (Class I – aggregate)

Floor Level Lab Area Quantity per100 sf (Class C lab)

Gal per level

7 14,000 4 560

6 14,000 4 560

5 14,000 4 560

4 14,000 4 560

3 14,000 4 560

2 14,000 4 560

1 14,000 4 560

B (-1) 14,000 4 560



55

NFPA 45 2011Hazard Class(Fire Hazard)

Fire Separation

Occupancy UsePermitted

Stories above Grade

A(High)

2 Hour Industrial Research 1-3

B(Moderate)

1 HourIndustrial Research

1-3

2 Hour 4-6

C(Low)

None

IndustrialResearchInstruction

1-3

1 Hour 4-6

2 Hour Over 6

D(Minimal)

None BusinessResearchInstruction

No Limit

Class A and B labs not permitted below grade


56

NFPA 45 2011 Fuel Limits


Level above Grade

Fuel Density Limit(gal/100 sf)*

Aggregate Limit(gal/lab)*

A(High)

1-3 40 1600

B(Moderate)

1-3 20 800

4-6 10 400

C(Low)

1-3 8 400

4-6 6 300

Over 6 4 200

D(Minimal)

1-3 2 150

4-6 1.5 100

Over 6 1 75


57


• New Laboratory Building (2011 NFPA 45)• 8 levels, B-6• 560,000 gross square feet• Labs on all floors

– 14,000 net sf labs per level, evenly distributed• One-hour fire separation barriers• Ordinary 1 sprinklers


58


Flammable Liquids (Class I – aggregate)

Floor Level Lab Area Quantity per100 sf (Lab Class)

Gal per level

7 14,000 1 (D) 140

6 14,000 3 (C) 420

5 14,000 3 (C) 420

4 14,000 3 (C) 420

3 14,000 4 (C) 560

2 14,000 4 (C) 560

1 14,000 4 (C) 560

B (-1) 14,000 4 (C) 560



59

NFPA 45 2011 application

• Retroactivity (45 1.4.1)Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this standard shall not apply to facilities, equipment, structures, or installations that existed or were approved for construction or installation prior to the effective date of the standard. Where specified, the provisions of this standard shall be retroactive.

• New construction• Change in use or occupancy


60

Chemist's Perspective


61

Low Threshold Chemical Classes

• Explosives (1 lb)• Organic peroxide UD (1 lb) and I (5 lb)• Oxidizer 4 (Ammonium Perchlorate, 1 lb)• Oxidizer 3 (Calcium Hypochlorite, 10 lb)• Pyrophors (Potassium, 4 lb)• Unstable/Reactive 4 (1 lb) or 3 (5 lb)• Water Reactive 2 (H2SO4, 5 lb)


62

Existing Conditions

• Architectural features• Retroactivity• AHJ prerogative• Responding agency prerogative


63

Gaps in Code Requirements (ICC)

• Testing of time-sensitive materials• Fume hood face velocity/contaminant

capture• Marking of entrances• Labeling of containers• PLDCs


64

Gaps in Code Requirements (NFPA)

• Quantity limits–Explosives–Oxidizers–Organic peroxides–Toxic/highly toxic materials

• Correlation of occupancy– “industrial” to “general” or “high hazard”

John DeLaHunt, MBA, ARM

Risk and Life Safety Manager

The University of Texas at San Antonio

(210) 458-4420

[email protected]

Fire Code Applied to LaboratoriesA Chemist’s View

Fire Code Applied to Laboratories A Chemist’s View John DeLaHunt, MBA, ARM 2011 Texas Fire...

Documents

Transcript of Fire Code Applied to Laboratories A Chemist’s View John DeLaHunt, MBA, ARM 2011 Texas Fire...