HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMITTEE

Napa, CA.

September 28, 2001

In Attendance:

Jay Bushrow, Sonoma County Dept of Emergency Services

Paul, Milpitas Fire Department

Angela Sullivan, Santa Clara Fire Department

Kent Miller, Stockton Fire Department

Ron Keefer, Menlo Park Fire District

  1. Kent Miller updated the committee on his work UL to update Standards for piping flammable liquids at marina locations. The UL Committee has been doing fact finding witch includes the need for a piping Standard that is able to fluctuate with tidal waters as well as annual raising and lowerings of lakes and reservoirs. The Standard will include inspection and maintenance regulations. The main Standard to be updated was UL 2485 Marina Fuel Storage, Piping and Dispensing Systems. Because of the committee’s efforts, a new Standard will be introduced, UL 2405, Standard for Marina Piping. The target date to complete the Standards is currently July 2002.
  1. Kent Miller proposed that the committee consider a code change that would make it clearer to inspectors that incompatibles hazardous vapors need to be kept separated in ventilation systems. It was suggested that the section in the Uniform Mechanical Code that addressed the issue, be lifted from the UMC and added to the UFC. Other committee members felt this type of code change was unnecessary because the UFC currently refers the code user to the UMC. The Hazardous Materials Committee will be seeking further input from other concerned interests.
  2. Angela Sullivan expressed a need to improve the definition of "Corrosive." This issue has been discussed inside and outside this committee for years, without a good resolution. It was discussed that a change to the definition would have to be recognized nationally, in some way (CFR, OSHA, DOT, etc.). Ms. Sullivan will be reviewing different definitions and will report back to the committee.
  3. Ron Keefer reported that UPS Battery Industry is proposing regulations for Valve Regulated Lead Acid Batteries (VRLA Batteries). These batteries have caused fires when the valves have stuck open, causing the battery to over-charge and heat. The problem is easily fixed by asking for a Listed device that will preclude, detect and control "thermal runaway." A separate Article has been added to the IFC specifically for VRLA Batteries.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ron Keefer, Co-Chair Kent Miller, Co-Chair