Since the tragic loss of life in the West Fertilizer explosion, the topic of access to “safety codes/standards” and their “availability” has been brewing underground once again. But with regards to Ammonium Nitrate (AN) safety, there is NO EXCUSE, as the three (3) MOST reputable safety organizations: 1) NFPA, 2) FM Global, and 3) International Fire/HAZMAT Codes can ALL BE ACCESSED for FREE! Both NFPA and FM Global require you to register for the FREE access but I have done so for many years and have NEVER received any spam from either organization as a result of my registration. Here is how ANYONE can get access to these organizations vast safety libraries, which include safety codes/standards for the handling and storage of AN …
First is MY FAVORITE… FM Global Data Sheets! I have pushed these codes/standards for years, especially since FM Global decided to make them FREE to everyone several years ago. I believe these data sheets are so well written that they represent an opportunity for facilities that fall under PSM/RMP to be used as RAGAGEPs. There are hundreds of these data sheets, but Data Sheet 7-89 AMMONIUM NITRATE AND MIXED FERTILIZERS CONTAINING AMMONIUM NITRATE is the one most interested in this posting. ANYONE can register for FREE access to this library. Simple go to http://www.fmglobal.com/fmglobalregistration/ and complete the registration process. I promise you will NOT be disappointed with this resource!
2nd – NFPA Codes
There is still a large segment of the safety profession that does not know that ANYONE can access ANY NFPA code on-line for FREE. There are limitations to this access, but anyone can access the codes for reading purposes! Just go to http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=279 and you will find instructions for how to gain this FREE ACCESS. Any by the way, NFPA 490 – Code for the Storage of Ammonium Nitrate is NO LONGER a code; it has been incorporated into NFPA 400 – Hazardous Materials Code. But we can still access BOTH codes. The old NFPA 490 is only 7-8 pages long and is WELL WORTH the time to give it a good read. Easier read than NFPA 400 as it relates to AN storage and handling; just remember 490 is NO LONGER an active code.
3rd – International Fire Code (IFC)
Here is the link for FREE ACCESS to all the “International Codes” http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/index.htm. You have access to all the codes: Building, Fire, Mechanical, etc. It does take some getting used to in how they are presented on the pages, but they are ALL there for our use.
So lets not begin to claim that companies/employers do not have access to many of the “codes/standards”! For the fact, everyone has access – often times we just have to purchase the access. But with these three (3) organizations we have FREE access to the three most reputable safety organizations around the world. I hope everyone will register and utilize these resources, as safety professionals MUST maintain a diverse library of reputable codes, standards and practices.