Hazardous Materials

How do I ensure my emergency venting on my flammable liquid atmospheric storage tank is the proper size?

Sizing emergency venting for atmospheric flammable liquid storage tanks is a safety-critical requirement, yet we often find it undersized. The core objective is to provide sufficient relief capacity so that, in the event of an external “exposure fire,” the tank does not rupture due to rapid internal pressure buildup from vaporizing liquid. Unlike normal venting

Hazardous Materials: Cargo Tank Motor Vehicle Loading and Unloading Operations

PHMSA is closing their rulemaking having reconsidered their proposal for additional regulations associated with cargo tank motor vehicle (CTMV) loading or unloading operations. This action is based on the findings of the regulatory assessment, comments to docket of this rulemaking, and completion of a supplementary policy analysis on how best to address the safety risks

Adoption of ASME Code Section XII and the National Board Inspection Code

PHMSA is proposing to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations applicable to the design, construction, certification, recertification and maintenance of cargo tank motor vehicles, cryogenic portable tanks and multi-unit tank car tanks (ton tanks) in response to petitions for rulemaking from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel

Company failed to report CL2 release in timely manner ($42K – truck unloaded to WRONG tank – reaction)

A facility that produces ultra pasteurized milk products failed to immediately notify federal and state emergency authorities of a chlorine gas release in 2012 at a milk facility in Portland, Oregon. By law, facilities are required to report hazardous releases to state and federal emergency response authorities in a timely manner. Eight employees, a truck

Understanding the MAQ Footnotes and the liberties they allow

IBC Table 307.1(1)—Maximum Allowable Quantity per Control Area of Hazardous Materials Posing a Physical Hazard sets forth maximum allowable quantities for physical hazard materials. All three (3) situations (storage, use-closed, and use-open) are considered. For the specific case of gases, maximum allowable amounts are all listed under storage and use-closed because the definition of “Use”

Understanding the Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs)

The IFC and IBC are written based on the Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) of the hazardous materials involved.  Many will look at the tables and find their MAQ; however, the footnotes contain a lot of liberties that could quadruple the MAQs if certain designs are in place. Given this basic understanding of maximum allowable quantities

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