1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), this Part provides for the storage, handling, use and processing of flammable liquids and combustible liquids in buildings, structures and open areas. (See Appendix A.)
2) Areas in process plants, where conditions must be addressed by design and operational
details specific to the hazard, need not conform to this Part,
where alternative protection is provided in conformance with
Article 1.2.1.1. of Division A. (See Appendix A.)
3) This Part shall not apply to
a)the transportation of flammable liquids or combustible liquids under the “Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations,”
b) appliances and their ancillary equipment within the scope of CAN/CSA-B139, “Installation Code for Oil-Burning Equipment” (see Appendix A),
c)the storage of flammable liquids or combustible liquids on farms for individual farm use and on isolated construction projects, or
d)the storage of aerosol products covered under Subsection 3.2.5.
4) In addition to the requirements in this Part, the
storage, handling and use of flammable liquids and combustible liquids in laboratories shall be in conformance with
Section 5.5.
5) Unless otherwise specified, this Section shall apply
to all areas involved in the storage, handling or use of flammable liquids and combustible liquids covered in this Part.
1) For the purposes of this Part, flammable liquids and combustible liquids shall be classified in conformance
with Sentences (2) and (3).
2) Flammable liquids shall be Class I liquids, and shall be subdivided into:
a)Class IA liquids, which shall include those having a flash point below 22.8°C and a boiling point below 37.8°C,
b)Class IB liquids, which shall include those having a flash point below 22.8°C and a boiling point at or above 37.8°C, and
c)Class IC liquids, which shall include those having a flash point at or above 22.8°C and below 37.8°C.
3) Combustible liquids shall be Class II or Class IIIA liquids, and shall be subdivided into:
a)Class II liquids, which shall include those having a flash point at or above 37.8°C and below 60°C, and
b)Class IIIA liquids, which shall include those having a flash point at or above 60°C and below 93.3°C (see Appendix A).
1) When a liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8°C is being processed, stored,
handled or used at a temperature at or above its flash point, it shall be treated as a Class I liquid.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), used lubricating oil drained from motor vehicles shall be classified
as a Class IIIA liquid.
2) When Class I or II liquids are added to the used oils
described in Sentence (1), the resulting mixture shall be classified
a)through tests conforming to Subsection 4.1.3., or
b) in the absence of the tests referred to in Clause (a),
i) as a Class IC liquid if Class I liquids are added, or
ii) as a Class II liquid if only Class II liquids are added.
1) Except as provided in Sentences (3) and (4), the flash point of liquids having a viscosity less than 6 mm2/s at 37.8°C and a flash point below 93.3°C shall be determined in conformance with ASTM D 56, “Flash Point by Tag
Closed Cup Tester.”
2) Except as provided in Sentences (3) and (4), the flash point of liquids having a viscosity of 6 mm2/s or more at 37.8°C or a flash point of 93.3°C or higher shall be determined in conformance with ASTM D 93, “Flash Point by
Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester.”
3) ASTM D 3828, “Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Cup
Tester,” is permitted to be used for testing aviation turbine
fuels within the scope of this procedure.
4) ASTM D 3278, “Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale
Closed-Cup Apparatus,” is permitted to be used for paints,
enamels, lacquers, varnishes and related products and their
components having flash points between 0°C and 110°C, and having a viscosity less than 15 000
mm2/s (150 stokes) at 25°C.
1) Electrical equipment in a location where flammable liquids or combustible liquids are present shall conform to the British Columbia
Safety Standards Act and pursuant regulations.
(See Appendix A.)
2) Where refrigerators are used to store Class I
liquids, they shall be designed so that
a)electrical equipment located within the storage compartment, within the outer shell, on the door and on the door frame of the refrigerator is in conformance with the British Columbia Safety Standards Act and pursuant regulations, for hazardous locations based on the frequency of occurrence and duration of an explosive gaseous atmosphere, and
b)electrical equipment mounted on the outside surface of the refrigerator is
i)in conformance with the British Columbia Safety Standards Act and pursuant regulations, for hazardous locations, or
ii)located above the top of the storage compartment in an ordinary location and installed in conformance with the British Columbia Safety Standards Act and pursuant regulations.
1) Fire protection equipment shall be provided where
there are special hazards of operation, dispensing or
storage.
1) Unless controlled in a manner that will not create a
fire or explosion hazard, a device, operation or activity that
produces open flames, sparks or heat shall not be permitted in
an area described in Article 4.1.1.1. (See Appendix A.)
1) Except for designated safe smoking areas conforming to Subsection 2.4.2., smoking shall not be permitted in areas
described in Article 4.1.1.1.
1) Areas described in Article 4.1.1.1. shall be kept clean and free of ground vegetation and accumulations of combustible materials not
essential to operations.
2) Used rags and similar materials contaminated with flammable liquids or combustible liquids shall be stored in receptacles conforming to Article 2.4.1.3.
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), emergency planning measures conforming to Section 2.8. shall be provided for all buildings, parts of buildings and open areas described in Article 4.1.1.1.
2) The fire safety plan required as part of the emergency
planning measures in Sentence (1) shall be retained on site for reference by the
authority having jurisdiction and personnel.
1) Required aisles and other access paths shall be
maintained to permit the unobstructed movement of personnel and
fire department apparatus so that firefighting operations can be
carried out in any part of an area used for the storage, use or
handling of flammable liquids or combustible liquids.
1) Hot works shall be performed in conformance with
Section 5.2.
1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2) and in dwelling units as described in Article 4.2.4.5., and in mercantile occupancies as described in Sentence 4.2.5.2.(3), Class I liquids shall not be stored,
handled or used in basements or pits.
2) Not more than 5 L of Class I liquid is permitted to be
stored in basements, provided it is stored in safety containers conforming to ULC/ORD-C30, “Safety
Containers.”
1) Except as permitted in Sentence (3), a spill of flammable liquids or combustible liquids shall be prevented from flowing outside the spill
area and from reaching waterways, sewer systems and potable
water sources by
a)constructing a non-combustible barrier capable of containing the spill, or
b)grading the site or sloping the floor to divert the spill to a drainage system conforming to Article 4.1.6.2.
(See Appendix A.)2) When barriers required in Sentence (1) are provided to contain accidental spillage from aboveground
storage tanks, they shall conform to the requirements for secondary containment in Subsection 4.3.7.
3) Water-miscible effluent from spills and firefighting
operations is permitted to be directed into a sewer system
provided it does not create a fire hazard or any risk to
public health or safety.
4) The fire safety plan required by Article 4.1.5.5. shall include measures to be taken to direct the overflow of
spilled liquids and firefighting water away from
a) buildings,
b)adjoining properties,
c) means of egress,
d)air intakes or openings that could permit vapour entry into the building,
e)fire alarm control panels,
f)fire department access routes,
g)valves controlling the water supply for firefighting, or fire protection systems,
h)fire department pumper connections or wall hydrants,
i)isolation valves controlling processes, and
j)valves controlling the flow of flammable liquids or combustible liquids.
1) A drainage system referred to in Clause 4.1.6.1.(1)(b) shall
a)terminate at a location where such spill will not create a fire hazard or any risk to public health or safety, and
b) direct the spill away from the areas identified in Sentence 4.1.6.1.(4).
2) Closed drainage systems shall be equipped with a trap.
(See Appendix A.)
1) Maintenance and operating procedures shall be
established to prevent the escape of flammable liquids or combustible liquids to areas where they could create a fire or
explosion hazard.
2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), all reasonable steps shall be taken to recover escaped liquid and to
remove or treat contaminated soil.
3) Spilled or leaked flammable liquids or combustible liquids shall be
a)flushed to a location where they will not create a fire or explosion hazard, or any risk to public health or safety, or
b) neutralized or absorbed and cleaned up with the aid of a product that is compatible and non-reactive with the liquid being cleaned up (See Appendix A), and
i)deposited in a receptacle conforming to Article 2.4.1.3., or
ii)disposed of in a manner that does not create a fire or explosion hazard.
1) Where flammable liquids and combustible liquids are processed, handled, stored,
dispensed or used within rooms or enclosed spaces,
ventilation shall conform to the applicable requirements
of this Part and the British Columbia Building Code.
(See Appendix A.)
1) Except as permitted in Sentence (2), a room or enclosed space referred to in Article 4.1.7.1. shall be provided with one of the following ventilation systems:
a)continuous mechanical ventilation where Class I liquids are processed, dispensed or used in a manner that releases flammable vapours into the room or enclosed space,
b)either natural or continuous mechanical ventilation where
i)Class I liquids are stored, processed, dispensed or used in a manner that does not release flammable vapours into the room or enclosed space, or
ii)Class II liquids are processed, dispensed or used.
2) Ventilation referred to in Clause (1)(b) need not be provided for the storage of Class I liquids if
a)storage consists of only closed containers, and
b)no dispensing operations are performed.
3) Ventilation required in Sentence (1) shall be sufficient to ensure that flammable vapour concentrations
outside the zone identified as Class I, Zone 0 or 1 in
conformance with Article 4.1.4.1., do not exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit of the flammable vapour. (See Appendix A.)
4) Where a mechanical ventilation system is installed to
meet the conditions of Sentence (3), it shall be capable of exhausting at least 18 m3/h per square metre of room area, but not
less than 250 m3/h.
5) Where continuous mechanical ventilation is installed
in order to meet the conditions of Sentence (1), it shall
a)be provided with automatic interlocks so that the activity generating flammable vapours cannot be performed when the ventilation system is not in operation,
b)sound an audible alarm in an attended area upon shut-down of the ventilation system, and
c) conform to NFPA 91, “Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Noncombustible Particulate Solids.”
1) Ventilation air inlets and outlets within a room or
enclosed space referred to in Article 4.1.7.1. shall be arranged in conformance with Sentences (2) and (3).
2) Where the flammable vapour being removed is heavier
than air,
a)at least one air inlet shall be located at a point near a wall, and no higher than 300 mm from the floor, and
b)at least one air outlet shall be located near the opposite wall, no higher than 300 mm from the floor.
3) Where the flammable vapour being removed is lighter
than air,
a)at least one air inlet shall be located at a point near a wall, and no lower than 300 mm from the ceiling, and
b)at least one air outlet shall be located near the opposite wall, no lower than 300 mm from the ceiling.
1) Except as provided in Article 4.1.7.6., the exhaust air outlet from a mechanical ventilation system required
in Article 4.1.7.2. shall be
a)located outdoors, not less than 3 m from any building opening, and
b)arranged so that the exhaust air does not discharge toward any unprotected opening within 7.5 m of the discharge point.
1) Subject to the provisions in Clause 3.2.8.2.(1)(c), where make-up air for a
mechanical ventilation system is taken from within the
building, the opening into the room or enclosed space shall be provided with a fire damper.
2) Make-up air for a natural or mechanical ventilation
system shall be taken from a point remote from any exhaust air
discharge described in Article 4.1.7.4.
3) Make-up air for a natural ventilation system shall be
taken from a point outside the building.
1) Where a mechanical ventilation system is installed in
conformance with Article 4.1.7.2., and where exhaust air is recirculated, a
fail-safe vapour detection and alarm system shall be provided
a)to continuously monitor the flammable vapour concentration in the exhaust air, and
b)if the vapour concentration in Clause (a) exceeds 25% of the lower explosive limit of the vapour, to
i)sound an alarm in an attended area,
ii)stop the recirculation of air, and
iii)redirect the exhaust air to an outdoor location.
1) Ducts used in a ventilation system conforming to
Article 4.1.7.2. shall not be used for any other ventilation or exhaust
system.
1) All components of the ventilation system shall be kept
free of obstructions that may interfere with its
operation.
1) Except as provided in Sentence 4.1.8.4.(1), flammable liquids and combustible liquids shall be kept in containers conforming to Subsection 4.2.3. or in storage tanks conforming to Subsection 4.3.1.
2) Containers and storage tanks for flammable liquids or combustible liquids shall be kept closed when not in use.
3) Containers and storage tanks shall not be filled beyond their safe filling
level.
1) When Class I liquids are dispensed from or into a
container or a storage tank,
a)if made of metallic or electrically conducting material, such container or tank shall be electrically connected to the fill stem, or rest on a conductive floor that is electrically connected to the fill stem, or
b)if the container or tank is made of non-electrically conducting material, measures shall be taken to minimize the potential for static electric charge to develop (See Appendix A).
2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), when Class I liquids are transferred into a storage tank through the top of the tank, the fill pipe shall
terminate within 150 mm of the bottom of the
tank.
3) Sentence (2) shall not apply when
a)the storage tank vapour space cannot exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit or is filled with an inert gas that prevents the ignition of the vapour mixture, or
b)the liquid being transferred has a minimum conductivity that prevents the accumulation of static electricity (See Appendix A).
4) Fill pipes referred to in Sentence (2) shall be installed in such a way as to minimize vibration of the
pipe.
1) Class I liquids shall be drawn from or transferred
into containers or storage tanks within a building
a)through a piping or transfer system conforming to Section 4.5.,
b)by means of a pump designed in conformance with good engineering practice on top of the container or storage tank, or
c)by gravity through a self-closing valve designed in conformance with good engineering practice.
(See Appendix A.)2) Except as provided in Subsection 4.5.9., the transfer of flammable liquids or combustible liquids by means of pressure applied to a container or storage tank shall not be permitted.
1) It is permitted to use movable tanks for dispensing
flammable liquids or combustible liquids into the fuel tanks of vehicles or other motorized equipment provided such movable
tanks are used in conformance with the requirements of this Part
for storage tanks.
2) Only enclosed pumping equipment designed in
conformance with good engineering practice shall be used to
transfer Class I liquids to or from the fuel tanks of vehicles
inside buildings. (See A-4.1.8.3.(1) in Appendix A.)