The City of Henderson, NV has upped their game when it comes to their adoption of the 2018 International Fire Code in order to address “remote tank filling”. The new item addresses requirements for tank filling operation connections preventing unwanted filling into the wrong tanks where properties have both acids and bases, which has occurred in the valley multiple times. In order to address this, they have expanded the requirements of the 2018 IFC, Chapter 50 Hazardous Materials—General Provisions, Section 5003.2.2.1 Design and construction by adding their own requirements, which reads…
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5003.2.2.1 Design and construction. Piping, tubing, valves, fittings, and related components used for hazardous materials shall be in accordance with the following: 1. Piping, tubing, valves, fittings, and related components shall be designed and fabricated from materials that are compatible with the material to be contained and shall be of adequate strength and durability to withstand the pressure, structural and seismic stress, and exposure to which they are subject. 2. Piping and tubing shall be identified in accordance with ASME A13.1 to indicate the material conveyed. 3. Readily accessible manual valves or automatic remotely activated fail-safe emergency shutoff valves shall be installed on supply piping and tubing at the following locations: 3.1 The point of use. 3.2 The tank, cylinder, or bulk source 4. Manual emergency shutoff valves and controls for remotely activated emergency shutoff valves shall be identified and the location shall be clearly visible, accessible, and indicated by means of a sign. 5. Backflow prevention or check valves shall be provided when the backflow of hazardous materials could create a hazardous condition or cause the unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials. Exceptions: 1. Piping for inlet connections designed to prevent backflow. 2. Piping for pressure relief devices. 6. New and existing remote tank filling connections shall be in accordance with this subsection 6. 6.1 Permanent signs clearly indicating the tank contents associated with each connection port shall be displayed at the remote filling station. Signage shall be in English as a primary language or in symbols allowed by this code, shall be durable, and the size color and lettering shall be approved. 6.2 The transfer hose connection for liquids that have a pH of 6.0 or less (acidic) shall be equipped with female “Cam-lock” type fittings or other mechanical connection means approved by the fire code official, sized appropriately. 6.3 The transfer hose connection for liquids that have a pH of 8.0 or greater (basic) shall be equipped with male “Cam-lock” type fittings or other mechanical connection means approved by the fire code official, sized appropriately. |
The section is amenable to both suppliers and operators so that hazardous materials responses to preventable accidents are mitigated. It adds language to prevent the accidental transfer of incompatible liquids through remote filling stations. Often at locations that have water features, the acid and base fill ports are adjacent to each other. History has demonstrated that liquids can be transferred into the wrong tank resulting in significant building occupant exposure to reaction products.