I have been writing about it since 2022, when OSHA said they wanted to revise its HAZCOM standard (1910.1200) to align with Revision 7 of the GHS standard. Remember, the current HAZCOM standard is based on Rev. 3 of the GHS. Now the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) will recognize the new Categories of Flammable gases.
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FLAMMABLE GAS. A material that is a gas at 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 pounds per square inch atmosphere (psia) (101 kPa) of pressure [a material that has a boiling point of 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 psia (101 kPa)] which subdivided as follows: Category 1A
Category 1B A gas that meets the flammability criteria for Category 1A, is not pyrophoric or chemically unstable, and meets one of more of the following:
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CHAPTER 6: BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
608.17 Electrical equipment.
Where refrigerant of Groups A2, A3, B2, and B3, as defined in the International Mechanical Code, are used, refrigeration machinery rooms shall conform to the Class I, Division 2, hazardous location classification requirements of NFPA 70.
Exception: Ammonia machinery rooms that are provided with ventilation in accordance with Section 1101.1.2, Exception 1, of the International Mechanical Code.
608.18 Group A2L and B2L Refrigerant. Machinery rooms for Group A2L and B2L refrigerant shall comply with Sections 608.18.1 through Section 608.18.3.
608.18.1 Elevated Temperatures.
Open flame‐producing devices or continuously operating hot surfaces over 1290 °F (700 °C) shall not be permanently installed in the room.
608.18.2 Refrigerant Detector.
In addition to the requirements of Section 1105.3 of the International Mechanical Code, refrigerant detectors shall signal an alarm and activate the ventilation system in accordance with the response time specified in Table 608.18.2.
608.18.3 Mechanical Ventilation.
The machinery room shall have a mechanical ventilation system complying with ASHRAE 15
| TABLE 608.18.2 GROUP A2L AND B2L DETECTOR ACTIVATION |
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| Activation Level | Maximum Response Time (seconds) |
ASHRAE 15 Ventilation Level |
Alarm Reset | Alarm Type |
| Less than or equal to the OEL in Table 1103.1 of the International Mechanical Code | 300 | 1 | Automatic | Trouble |
| Less than or equal to the refrigerant concentration level in Table 1103.1of the International Mechanical Code | 15 | 2 | Manual | Emergency |