HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMITTEE
Woodland, California
June 23, 2000
   
Kent Miller Stockton Fire Department
Angela Sullivan Santa Clara Fire Department
Janet McCarron San Jose Fire Department
 
1. The Committee reviewed the codes that were passed and defeated at the 2001 UFC Code Development Hearings held from May 31 to June 2, 2000, in Palm Springs.
 
2. Janet McCarron had questions concerning the need for mobile fleet fueling codes since Y2K has come and gone.  Mobile fleet fueling is dispensing of flammable and combustible liquid fuels from tank vehicles into fuel tanks of motor vehicles located at commercial, industrial and governmental sites.  Since fuel is now readably available, and nothing happened January 1, 2000, commercial companies not longer fear a shortage of fuel.  Thus, mobile fleet fueling should probably be an appendix issue and not a code body issue.
 
3. We discussed the ammonia discharge rewrite, which was withdrawn prior to discussion.
 
4. The hearings produced additional regulations for supply piping for health hazard materials (liquids and gases).  Final discussions resulted in the following language for various types of pipe connections. "Piping and tubing utilized for the transmission of highly toxic, or toxic liquids and gases, and highly volatile corrosive materials shall have welded, threaded, flanged or brazed connections throughout unless an exhausted enclosure is provided if the material is a gas or the piping is provided with a receptor for containment if the material is a liquid." 
 
We believe threaded connections should not be included in this code section.  Other committee members not present for our meeting, and other Nor-Cal members are requested to provided either Co-Chair with any information that would demonstrate that threaded pipe for use with hazardous materials is unacceptable.  Such things as depth of thread cut, whether there are a sufficient number of threads, pipe dope used to join the threaded fittings and pipe, may eventually result in leaks, breakage and other potential problems. If enough evidence can be collected, Kent Miller will draft a letter recommending removal of any language permitting threaded pipe and fittings. This letter must be completed prior to the Arizona code hearings held in November 2000.  Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. Kent can be reached at (209) 937-8677. Ron can be reached at (650) 688-8400.
 
 Kent Miller, Co-Chair  Ron Keefer, Co-Chair
 Hazardous Materials Committee  Hazardous Materials Committee