Hazardous Materials

Due to the potential environmental impact, there has been a shift to consider use of natural refrigerants, which have a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) than traditional fluorocarbon based refrigerants. One type of natural refrigerant are hydrocarbons (e.g. propane), which are classified as Class A3 refrigerants per ASHRAE Standard 34. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a charge limit…...

This week the state of Oregon removed the prohibition of citizens fueling their own vehicles at gas pumps; leaving the state of New Jersey as the sole state that prohibits their citizens from pumping their own gas.  Here is an excellent article explaining how these prohibitions began in New Jersey.  But the reaction of the…...

In 2007 the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) revised their standard #34 to include a new Flammability Classification called “2L” Refrigerants.  This new class is based on burning velocities and their lower pressure rise when they are ignited.  The IFC 2018 Edition has caught up and now includes some specific requirements and exemptions for…...

In our line of work, we come across some real doozies when it comes to fire protection arrangements. One of the more common issues we come across is the obstruction of sprinkler heads. Since 1980 OSHA has required that we maintain our storage at least 18″ below any sprinkler head. 1910.159(c)(10) Sprinkler spacing. The employer…...

I am working on a code evaluation project, and the client had a different interpretation (more strict) that I did so I reached out to the Ohio Fire Marshal to settle the discussion.  The question arose as to how much flammable solid(s) can one store without having to raise the occupancy classification to an “H.” TABLE 307.1, Maximum…...

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The state and federal political climate is just crazy these days!  We now have one of our original 13 colonies claiming they have a constitutional right to manage their state EPCRA program as they see fit and not how Federal EPA believes it should be managed and how their own 2015 Manual said it was to…...

The 2017 Ohio Fire Code has been validated by JCARR and will become effective on Dec. 15.  The 2017 version of the Ohio Fire Code is essentially the International Code Council’s 2015 International Fire Code with the incorporation of certain relevant provisions of that code.  Education opportunities on the new code will be available in spring 2018.  Except as…...

As I prepare for Ohio’s adoption of the 2015 International Fire Code, I am reminded of the codes Performance Code™ for buildings and facilities.  It is my opinion, completely unsubstantiated that this part of the code is for facilities which already have PSM/RMP covered processes and already have their PSM/RMP management systems in place for these hazardous…...