Hazardous Materials

The refrigerant in this accident is R-32 (Difluoromethane), described as ” a colorless, odorless, mildly flammable gas. “Its ASHRAE rating is A2L, making it a CAT1B flammable gas if OSHA adopts Rev. 7 of the GHS this year. These A2L “mildly flammable gases” are exempt from many of the requirements other flammable gases must meet…...

The most common RAGAGEP for pipe labeling is ASME A13.1, Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems.  It is referenced in dozens of hazardous material codes, from ICC to NFPA.  In the ICC codes, specifically the International Fire Code (IFC), there is an interesting twist to the requirements for “Compressed Gases (Chapter 53).  ASME is…...

One of the reasons I use the International Fire Code (IFC) for my hazardous materials code over OSHA standards is that the IFC gets updated every three (3) years.  God only knows when OSHA may address lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries.  Also, the IFC and NFPA tend to be closely aligned in their design and practices…...

The 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) has a new Pressure Releif Valve (PRV) discharge requirement that is an interesting desing requirement.  The code has required the PRV “Discharge to a termination point that is readily visible and observable by the building occupants” for many years.  But now, the 2024 edition requires… (emphasis by me)… Membership...

We see this from time to time: someone drills a hole in the flammable liquids storage cabinet (a major no-no) and runs a power cord inside the cabinet (another no-no), and this electrical device can pose as an ignition source.  So, the 2024 IFC added the following requirement.  NOTE:  This requirement should NEVER be needed,…...

As we have discussed, the 2024 IFC is more friendly towards these “flammable refrigerants.”  One such way the code is friendly towards these flammable gases is in 5003.8.3.5.4 Flammable gas… (emphasis by me)… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

The 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) has a new requirement in Section 608 – Mechanical Refrigeration.  An “operational permit” is now required for “mechanical refrigeration systems.” The code does not specify which refrigerants are covered, it just requires the permit to operate a mechanical refrigeration unit or system…… Membership Required You must be a member...

I have asked for a formal response regarding this change, which was NOT noted in the 2021 edition as a change; however, it is a change in text and application. In the 2018 edition, Chapter 50 stated: Piping, tubing, valves, and fittings conveying hazardous materials shall be designed and installed in accordance with ASME B31…...

In the world of hazardous materials, evacuating them from their primary (and secondary) containment system plays a KEY role in performing maintenance/servicing on the system SAFELY.  For example, opening a process/system that contains hazardous materials FIRST has to be evacuated of that hazardous material, and this evacuation to a “safe place” should be done through…...

While wrapping up a 2023 project, I was saddened to see the image below while in the OSHA incident database.  Several things come to mind regarding these H2S incidents: 1) no other chemical in the database has this deadly percentage over the past three (3) years 2) Hydrogen Sulfide has GREAT warning properties (odor threshold…...