Uniform Fire Code & Hazardous Materials Committees

San Francisco, Ca.

May 16, 2003

In attendance:

Kent Miller - Stockton Fire Dept.

Greg Grandos - AeroJet Fire

Steve Ressconi - Therma AIDI

Ron Keefer - Menlo Park Fire District

Stephanie Christenberry -Santa Clara Fire Dept

Scot Alber - Marin County Fire Dept

Mike Payton - Modesto Fire Dept

Scott Moon - Petaluma Fire Dept

The Fire Code Committee and Hazardous Materials Committee met jointly.

  1. Kent Miller informed the committees about a mesh material called "Colourshade" that claims to be treated with a flame retardant product. The product further claims to be a "Registered Flame Resistant Product," with the State Fire Marshals Office. It has been proposed for use over a fueling canopy, however this appears to be in violation of the building code with regard to combustible materials and their proximity to fuel dispensing.
  2. The Haz Mat Committee would like to host a Fire Code class as it relates to ammonia refrigeration. Standards will include IFC, NFPA and Industry Standards for a full understanding of the material. The class may be in the Stockton area around mid-July. It is anticipated that Mr. Jeffrey Shapiro, PE, might be the instructor.
  3. Kent Miller reported that Stockton had problems with "Enviroflex" underground piping. He discovered several locations where the piping has separated in place. He is still investigating the problem.
  4. Greg Granados reported that local air quality boards, are developing regulations that would prohibit the use of emergency generators and fire pumps except for actual emergencies. This would ban the use of these engines for testing and maintenance as required by national standards. More information to follow.
  5. Kent Miller reported that Todd Industrial Products is selling what they call a "Gas Caddy." This product is used to collect gasoline out of a car’s gas tank, stored it and pump it back in the tank after it has been serviced. Though the product has UL Approved components, as a unit, it does not appear to be an approved product. It is a red, plastic, gas-can on wheels, with a hose, fuel nozzle, and hand pump.
  6. The Committee had a general discussion regarding hydrogen fueled vehicles and their use in the near future. Other alternative fuels, included Hydrogen Peroxide are also being considered by the alternative fuels industry.
  7. Kent Miller and Scott Alber attended the Fire and Life Safety Advisory Board meeting where the committee vote was 8 – 4 in favor of the NFPA Codes. According to Miller and Alber, it appeared that many of the voting members had decided on which Code they intended to vote for, without public comment, even though the majority of Fire Prevention Officers support the I – Codes. The California Fire Chiefs Association will soon prepare a position paper with input from the Fire Preventions Association. On July 16, 2003 the California Building Standards Commission will decide which model codes will be used in California. It is anticipated that the new codes will be effective July 1, 2006.