NFPA 30-2018 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

Authors: Robert P. Benedetti, C.S.P., P.E., FSFPE, and Janna E. Shapiro. — NFPA, 2018. — 164 p.Enforceable under OSHA and many state and local regulations, NFPA 30 provides safeguards to reduce the hazards associated with the storage, handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids.Apply the 2018 edition of NFPA 30 for better protection around flammable and combustible liquids.Enforceable under OSHA and many state and local regulations, NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code is the best practice widely used in industry and by insurers. The 2018 edition of the Code includes the latest and most complete criteria you need to protect your facility by ensuring safe storage, handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids.Significant revisions give Code users a clearer source of support. The 2018 edition of NFPA 30 presents:Added definitions that reflect terms used in today's field
Revisions recognizing nonmetallic intermediate bulk containers that can satisfy the fire exposure test protocols of Paragraph 9.4.1.1
New specific references in Subsection 9.4 to UL 2368, Standard for Fire Exposure Testing of Intermediate Bulk Containers for Flammable and Combustible Liquids; FM Class 6020, Approval Standard for Intermediate Bulk Containers; UL 1275, Standard for Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets; and FM Class 6050, Approval Standard for Storage Cabinets (Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Completely revised requirements for General Purpose Warehouses to only allow specific liquid/container combinations to be stored in such facilities
New alternative means to calculate the water demand for the most hydraulically remote in-rack sprinklers in both Scheme "A", "B", and "C" designs
A new requirement that nonmetallic cooking oil tanks be listed in accordance with UL 2152, Outline of Investigation for Special Purpose Nonmetallic Containers and Tanks for Specific Combustible or Noncombustible Liquids
Numerous other changes that clarify the Code's intent and reduce conflicts or confusion
Get the criteria you need to design your facilities to comply with sprinkler requirements and use safe operating practices.1.1 Scope. 1.1.1* This code shall apply to the storage, handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids, including waste liquids, as herein defined and classified. A.1.1.1 This code is recommended for use as the basis for legal regulations. Its provisions are intended to reduce the hazard to a degree consistent with reasonable public safety, without undue interference with public convenience and necessity, of operations that require the use of flammable and combustible liquids. Compliance with this code does not eliminate all hazards in the use of flammable and combustible liquids. (See the Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Handbook for additional explanatory information.) 1.1.2 This code shall not apply to the following: (1)*Any liquid that has a melting point of 100°F (37.8°C) or greater A.1.1.2(1) Liquids that are solid at 100°F (37.8°C) or above, but are handled, used, or stored at temperatures above their flash points, should be reviewed against pertinent sections of this code. (2)*Any liquid that does not meet the criteria for fluidity given in the definition of liquid in Chapter 3 and in the provisions of Chapter 4 A.1.1.2(2) The information in A.1.1.2(1) also applies here. (3) Any cryogenic fluid or liquefied gas, as defined in Chapter 3 (4)*Any liquid that does not have a flash point, but which is capable of burning under certain conditions A.1.1.2(4) Certain mixtures of flammable or combustible liquids and halogenated hydrocarbons either do not exhibit a flash point using the standard closed-cup test methods or will exhibit elevated flash points. However, if the halogenated hydrocarbon is the more volatile component, preferential evaporation of this component can result in a liquid that does have a flash point or has a flash point that is lower than the original mixture. In order to evaluate the fire hazard of such mixtures, flash point tests should be conducted after fractional evaporation of 10, 20, 40, 60, or even 90 percent of the original sample or other fractions representative of the conditions of use. For systems such as open process tanks or spills in open air, an open-cup test method might be more appropriate for estimating the fire hazard. (5)*Any aerosol product A.1.1.2(5) See NFPA 30B, Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products. (6) Any mist, spray, or foam (7)*Transportation of flammable and combustible liquids as governed by the U.S. Department of Transportation A.1.1.2(7) Requirements for transportation of flammable and combustible liquids can be found in NFPA 385, Standard for Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, and in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 100–199. (8)*Storage, handling, and use of fuel oil tanks and containers connected with oil-burning equipment A.1.1.2(8) See NFPA 31, Standard for the Installation of Oil- Burning Equipment. (9)*Use and installation of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) Dispensers A.1.1.2(9) Requirements for the use and installation of alcohol-based hand rubs are covered in NFPA1, Fire Code, and NFPA101, Life Safety Code.