A few years ago, I warned about the huge push to make flammable refrigerants easier to manage in the name of “global warming.” As a safety professional, this shift is alarming. Never in my career have we considered a burning rate of 10 cm/s as a means to lessen the risk associated with a flammable gas. Heck, they have even broken down the flammable gas classes/categories so that these flammable refrigerants can be managed differently.
SAFTENG members can go back and read my rants about these changes to accommodate these flammable refrigerants.
In the 2024 IFC, we see more “exceptions” for these flammable refrigerants in both Group M and S occupancies, which conflict with OSHA’s latest LOI regarding these flammable refrigerants in storage.
CLICK HERE for OSHA’s LOI regarding these flammable refrigerants in storage.
Here is the new language in the 2024 IFC. Keep in mind that any other flammable exceeding its Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) would make the area a high-hazard area (i.e., Group H).
5003.8.3.5.4 Flammable gas.
The aggregate quantity of Category 1B flammable gas having a burning velocity of 3.9 in/s (10 cm/s) or less stored and displayed within a single control area of a Group M occupancy, in an outdoor control area or stored in a single control area of a Group S occupancy is allowed to exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area specified in Table 5003.1.1(1) without classifying the building or use as a Group H occupancy, provided that the materials are stored and displayed in accordance with Section 5003.11.2.