1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), this Section applies to process plants, including refineries, that contain industrial processes involving flammable liquids or combustible liquids.
2) This Section does not apply to distilleries covered in Section 4.10.
1) The location of outdoor processing equipment in process plants shall be based on its flammable liquid or combustible liquid capacity as described in Sentences (2) to (4).
2) Except as provided in Sentence (4), outdoor processing equipment having emergency relief venting and a
working pressure of not more than 17 kPa (gauge) shall be
separated from property lines and buildings on the same property by distances
a)equal to those in Table 4.3.2.1. for stable liquids, and
b)2.5 times those in Table 4.3.2.1. for unstable liquids.
3) Except as provided in Sentence (4), outdoor processing equipment having emergency relief venting and a
working pressure more than 17 kPa (gauge) shall be separated
from property lines and buildings on the same property by distances
a)1.5 times those in Table 4.3.2.1. for stable liquids, and
b)4 times those in Table 4.3.2.1. for unstable liquids.
4) Where protection is not provided against fires or
explosions in processing equipment, the distances in Sentences (2) and (3) shall be doubled. (See Sentence 4.3.2.5.(2).)
1) Except as provided in Article 4.9.4.2., where Class IA liquids or unstable liquids are processed within a room or a building, the room or building shall be designed to prevent critical structural and mechanical
damage from an internal explosion in conformance with good
engineering practice such as that described in NFPA 68, “Venting
of Deflagrations.” (See A-3.2.8.2.(1)(d) in Appendix A.)
1) Areas where unstable liquids are handled or where small scale unit chemical processes are
carried on shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.
1) Buildings where Class I and II liquids are handled in chemical processes shall not have basements or covered pits.
1) Equipment used in a building and the ventilation of the building shall be designed so as to limit flammable vapour-air mixtures under
normal operating conditions to the interior of equipment, and to
not more than 1.5 m from such equipment. (See Appendix A.)
1) Processing equipment shall be designed and arranged to
a)prevent the unintentional escape of liquids and vapours, and
b)minimize the quantity escaping in the event of accidental release.
1) Processing equipment where an explosion hazard is
present shall be
a)designed to withstand the explosion pressure without damage to the equipment,
b)provided with explosion venting in conformance with NFPA 68, “Venting of Deflagrations,” or
c)provided with an explosion prevention system in conformance with NFPA 69, “Explosion Prevention Systems.”
1) Where the process warrants such protection, industrial
process plants shall be supplied with
a)water supplies of adequate pressure and quantity to meet the probable fire demands,
b)hydrants,
c)hoses connected to a permanent water supply and located so that all equipment containing flammable liquids or combustible liquids, including pumps, can be reached with at least one hose stream,
d)nozzles capable of discharging a water spray, and
e)automatic fire suppression systems.
1) Emergency procedures conforming to Article 4.1.5.5. shall be established for refineries and process plants.