Fire Hazardous Material Storage and GHS

Storage Of Fire Hazardous Materials

• Fire hazardous materials include raw materials, by-products, and finished products

Hazardous Materials

• Defined as anything that, when produced, stored, moved or used without safeguards, could cause injury, death, property damage, or environmental harm
• Fire hazardous materials should be identified and stored in designed facilities within buildings to minimize fire risks

Globally Harmonised System (GHS)

• A system to classify chemicals and communicate hazards via standardized labels and safety data sheets (SDS)
• Developed by the United Nations
• Failure to communicate hazards effectively may lead to accidents, injury, or death

Benefits of GHS:

• Improves hazard communication for better risk assessments, risk management, and health and safety
• Enhances protection of human health and the environment
• Provides a recognized framework for countries lacking an existing system
• Reduces the need for additional testing
• Facilitates international trade in chemicals
• Promotes sustainable development
• Singapore uses SS586: 2008 as the standard for hazard communication

GHS Classification:

• Physical Hazards: 16 classes
• Health Hazards: 10 classes
• Environmental Hazards: 2 classes

United Nations Classification System

• Class 1: Explosives, such as TNT and fireworks
• Class 2: Flammable Gases
• Class 2.1: Flammable gases like acetylene, LPG, and hydrogen
• Class 2.2: Non-flammable gases (acetylene, LPG, hydrogen)
• Class 2.3: Poisonous (toxic) gases like carbon monoxide and chlorine
• Class 3: Flammable Liquids, such as naphtha and kerosene
• Class 4: Flammable Solids
• Class 4.1: Flammable solids like sulphur and matches
• Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion, e.g., carbon monoxide and chlorine
• Class 4.3: Substances emitting flammable gases on contact with water, e.g., carbon monoxide and chlorine
• Class 5: Organic Peroxides
• Class 5.1: Oxidizing agents, e.g., nitric acid and ammonium nitrate
• Class 5.2: Organic peroxides, e.g., benzoyl peroxide
• Class 6: Poisonous Material
• Class 6.1: Poisonous substances, e.g., ammonia and cyanide
• Class 6.2: Infectious substances, e.g., anthrax and ebola
• Class 7: Radioactive Material, such as cesium-137 and cobalt-60
• Class 8: Corrosive Material, e.g., acids, sulphuric acid, alkalis and potassium hydroxide
• Class 9: Miscellaneous, including aerosols and bitumen
• SCDF regulates

Identification & Labelling of Hazardous Materials

• FSMs require knowledge of materials and recognition methods for safe handling and storage
• Information sources: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in GHS format and product hazard labeling

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

• A 16-section summary document on a material, its hazards, and necessary precautions
• The 16 sections are:
• Product and company information
• Composition information on ingredients
• Hazards identification
• First aid measures
• Fire fighting measures
• Accidental release
• Handling & storage
• Exposure controls, personal protection
• Physical, chemical properties
• Stability & reactivity
• Toxicological information
• Ecological information
• Disposal considerations
• Transport information
• Regulatory information
• Other information

SDS Review & Re-issue

• Manufacturers/suppliers of chemicals shall review and re-issue an SDS if there is
• A change in formulation affecting properties
• A change altering health, safety, or environmental hazards
• A change in regulations, standards, or guidelines
• Update the SDS within 6 months of receiving new information necessitating a revision
• Review existing SDS every 5 years, even without significant new information
• Maintain up-to-date SDS and provide to users

Product Hazard Labelling

• Example: LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)
• Consists of 70% Butane and 30% Propane in Singapore
• Has a specific gravity of 1.8 (heavier than air)
• Has a pressure of 7 bars
• Has an expansion ratio of 250:1
• Is highly flammable and explosive
• Is not toxic but can cause asphyxiation in high concentrations
• Can cause fire/explosion if ignited, especially during transportation
• Commonly used in eating establishments

Flammable Liquid Labelling

• Flammable liquid labeling includes:
• Product identifier
• Pictogram
• Signal words
• Hazard statement
• Precautionary statement
• Supplier information
• Supplementary information
• Signal words indicate hazard severity: "Danger" for severe hazards, "Warning" for less severe
• Hazard statements describe the hazard, e.g., "Extremely flammable liquid and vapour"
• Precautionary statements describe risk minimization measures

Statutes and Regulations

• Fire Safety Managers (FSMs) should understand storage regulations, including:
• The Fire Safety Act (FSA) Part VI – Control of Petroleum and Flammable Materials
• The Fire Safety (Petroleum & Flammable Materials) Regulations

Petroleum and Flammable Materials (PFM)

• Petroleum: Any hydrocarbon with a flash point below 93°C, like crude petroleum or LPG
• Sub-divided into Classes 0, I, II, and III by flash point temperature
• Flash point is the temperature at which a liquid's vapor ignites with an ignition source
• Flammable materials: Non-petroleum based solids, liquids, or gases
• Listed in the Fourth Schedule with 366 items

Fire Safety (P & FM) Regulations

• Anyone importing, transporting, or storing P&FM (above exemption quantities) must apply for a P&FM license
• Operating without a license can result in a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment

Products Exempted from P & FM License

• Adhesives
• Cigarette lighters
• Cosmetics (including hairstyling products)
• Food and beverages (including alcohol)
• Insecticides and pesticides
• Lacquer solvents
• Lubricants
• Paints
• Pharmaceutical products
• Varnishes

P & FM Import License

• Required to import P&FM above exemption quantities from SCDF
• Annual fee: $70 per license
• Used to enhance security, accountability, and traceability of P&FM

P & FM Transport License

• Ensures safe transportation of P&FM
• Requires:
• Certified transportation vehicle
• Approved emergency response plan
• Driver with a Hazardous Material Transportation Driver Permit (HTDP)
• Transportation within approved hours and routes

Exemption for P & FM Transport License

• Petroleum: Less than 130 kg in up to 2 cylinders
• Flammable materials: Less than 130 kg or 20 litres

P & FM Storage License

• Required under the FSA for storage of P&FM above exemption quantities
• SCDF regulates Class 0, I, & II petroleum, and only Diesel under Class III

Storage Requirement

• Keep away from heat or ignition sources
• Keep containers closed when not in use
• Ensure personnel know the hazards

Minor PFM Storage

• Small quantities can be stored without a license if they pose no real hazard
• Firefighting facilities should be adequate
• See SS532 Table 1 for exemption quantities

Class 0 Petroleum (LPG) Exemption Quantities:

• Private use in private house: Not more than 30 kg in not more than 2 cylinders
• Eating Place (Hawker Centre): Not more than 30 kg per stall, maximum 200 kg in the eating place
• Restaurant: Not more than 200 kg
• Factory: Not more than 300 kg

Other Classes of Petroleum Exemption Quantities:

• Class I : Private use 20 litres, Factory: 400 litres
• Class II: Private use 200 litres, Factory 1,000 litres
• Class III: Private use 200 litres, Factory 1,500 litres

Safety Cabinet Requirements

• For storage exceeding minor quantities, safety cabinet must have
• Minimum 30 minutes fire resistance rating
• Located at least 3m away from any naked flame

Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ)

• Reference Table 3 of SS 532:
• Industrial premises: 2 litres/m²
• Non-industrial premises: 1 litre/m²

Licensed Premises Design Principles

• Avoid ignition sources
• Separate potential hazards
• Avoid flammable concentrations

Ignition Source Avoidance

• Requires exclusion of ignition sources like open flames, sparks, and friction

Separation of Potential Hazards

• Reduces the size of a potential fire by using distance, barriers, and fire protection systems

Flammable Concentration Avoidance

• Requires sufficient vapour in the air to support combustion
• Achieved via enclosure or ventilation to dilute vapour concentration