In Attendance:

Angela Sullivan, Santa Clara Fire Department
Janet McCarron, San Jose Fire Department
Shawn Byrd, Vacaville Fire Department
Kent Miller, Stockton Fire Department
Pat McLaughlin, McLaughlin and Associates
Ron Keefer, Menlo Park Fire District

1. Pat McLaughlin briefly discussed some of the issues he will be presenting at the IFC Code Hearings in Birmingham Alabama, this April. He will be representing the Semiconductor Industry on items concerning fireproof plastic ducts, and weather protection for outside storage of Silane.

2. A change in Hazardous Material Business Plan (HMBP) collection is being considered by the State Assembly. AB 2488 would allow the CUPA to only collect Hazardous Material Inventory Statements and names of Emergency Contact Persons, and provide only that information to first responders. Businesses will only need to keep a complete HMBP at the site. Committee members agreed that HMBP’s still need Floor and Site Plans to be complete. Other members didn’t like the concept at all because they review the HMBP before they inspect the site. If they could only review the HMBP while at the site, on an inspection, it would add unnecessary time to the inspection.

Committee members agreed that amendments to address the above concerns were needed. Without the amendments, the Fire Service cannot support the Bill. Our comments will be forwarded to the Bill’s author, Assembly Member Baldwin.

3. Kent Miller had information on new Emergency Regulations on Hazardous Waste. Businesses will no longer be able to dispose of solid wastes such as thermostats, batteries, and lights in conventional land-fills. These materials will now be considered "hazardous wastes" and require disposal accordingly. These Emergency Regulations will be enforced by the State Department of Toxic Substances Control and will soon be in effect for businesses. Later, these regulations will apply to residential occupancies as well, requiring disposal through Local Household Hazardous Waste Programs.

Ron Keefer, Co Chair

Hazardous Materials Committee