Office of the Fire Marshal |
OFM-TG-01-2001 |
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RETAIL DISPLAY AND STORAGE OF SWIMMING POOL CHEMICALS |
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July 2001 |
The reproduction of this guideline for non-commercial purposes is permitted and encouraged. Permission to reproduce the guideline for commercial purposes must be obtained from the Office of the Fire Marshal, Ontario.
Abstract
Scope
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Overview Of Requirements
3.0 Protection Requirements
4.0 Maximum Permissible Quantity
Appendix A - Sample Problems
Appendix B - Questions And Answers
Appendix C - Emergency Plan
Appendix D - References
OFM Section: Applied Research at (416) 325-3100
The Ontario Fire Code (OFC), which applies to existing buildings, does not have specific requirements for swimming pool chemical storage. This document was developed to provide guidance to the fire service and retail storeowners to safely store and display oxidizing pool chemicals.
The guideline has an overview of the various types of pool chemicals in use and describes the methodology and criteria to evaluate the maximum permissible display and storage quantities of these materials. It also provides basic storage requirements to ensure fire safety. The guideline also has a sample emergency plan applicable to these occupancies, and answers to basic questions that the fire service may encounter.
The provision of these guidelines may be applied to both existing and new construction supplementing the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
Although this guide does not apply where less than 250 kilograms of pool chemicals are stored and displayed, the general requirements set out in the guidelines will be useful as recommended practice that should be followed for these lesser quantities of pool chemicals.
Note:The Building Code Act requires that a building permit is obtained before any material alteration or new construction is undertaken. Compliance with these guidelines does not relieve the owner from obtaining the required permit.
This guide has been prepared to help retail storeowners and others safely store and display oxidizing pool chemicals. Staff training in these requirements and the emergency procedures developed by the owner will be the key to preventing injuries and property loss.
Although this guide does not apply where less than 250 kilograms of pool chemicals are stored and displayed, the general requirements set out in this guide will be useful as recommended practices that should be followed for these lesser quantities of pool chemicals.
Oxidizing pool chemicals are highly reactive materials that, if mishandled, improperly stored or contaminated, may become unstable and dangerous. When combined with combustible or flammable materials (e.g. garbage, sawdust, solvents, oily greasy rags, incompatible chemicals such as oils, brake fluid, anti freeze and other hydrocarbon liquids) or when exposed to excessive heat, a fire or explosion also may result. In the presence of moisture (small quantity of water) they become unstable and can generate heat that can lead to a fire or explosion. However, use of copious amounts of water would render the product less reactive thus making it an effective suppression agent in a fire emergency.
The two categories of oxidizing pool chemicals commonly in use are “organic” and “inorganic”. These two categories are non-compatible with each other, thus should not be stored in close proximity.
When should this guide be used?
The Ontario Fire Code (OFC), which applies to existing buildings, currently does not have specific requirements for safe pool chemical storage. Therefore, this guide may be used with Article 2.1.2.2. of the OFC to enforce safe requirements for retail display and retail storage for quantities of pool chemicals between 250 kilograms and the maximum permissible quantity as calculated on page 7.
For this guide, bulk liquid chlorine refers to aqueous solutions of not more than 12% sodium hypochlorite contained in large storage tanks. Bulk liquid chlorine should not be included in the weight calculations for the purpose of this guide. However, these tanks should be diked to contain 110% of the volume of the storage tank to prevent spills from endangering the environment as a result of a fire.
For new construction, the Ontario Building Code (OBC) shall be used. The OBC requires compliance with good engineering practice such as is described in the publications of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the National Fire Code (NFC). It is recommended that the owner consult with the Chief Building Official and the Chief Fire Official to determine applicable requirements.
The NFC shall be used for warehouses that are located at a different site or in another building from the retail display portion of a building. This guide is intended for use solely where retail display and retail storage occur in the same building.
Where more than 250 kilograms of pool chemicals are located in a building, the following protection requirements shall be met for retail display and retail storage areas:
Where any quantity of pool chemicals is located in a building, the following general requirements shall apply for retail display and retail storage areas:
Pool chemicals should be stored and handled per the precautions set out in their Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). For example, an MSDS for calcium hypochlorite states:
For other pool chemicals please refer to their MSDS.
The maximum permissible quantity that can be stored within a single
control area not exceeding 150 m2 may be calculated by multiplying the
floor area in m2 times 25 kilograms per square metre. Where the control
area exceeds 150 m
A MAXIMUM OF TWO CONTROL AREAS ARE PERMITTED PER BUILDING.
These two control areas shall be separated by:
WHERE QUANTITIES EXCEED THESE LIMITS, PART 3 OF THE NATIONAL FIRE CODE 1995 SHALL APPLY.
How much calcium hypochlorite, pH balancer and algaecide can be stored in a hardware store that is sprinklered and has a retail display area of 250 square metres and a storage area of 200 square metres separated by a wall that has no fire-resistance rating ?
A review of the Material Safety Data Sheets for the materials used by this store reveals that calcium hypochlorite is an oxidizing pool chemical, however, the pH balancer and the algaecide are not oxidizing materials. This guide only applies to oxidizing pool chemicals; therefore, the calculation of maximum permissible quantity will be limited to calcium hypochlorite and any other similar materials.
Although the retail area measures 250 square metres, for the purpose of the calculation, only 150 square metres may be used. Therefore, the retail portion may contain:
150 m² x 25 kg/m² = 3,750 kg of oxidizing pool chemicals (i.e. calcium hypochlorite)
A maximum of two control areas are permitted in a building. Thus, a similar calculation can be performed for the storage area of this store. However, a control area is defined as a portion of a building that is separated by a fire separation having at least a one-hour fire-resistance rating or by a minimum horizontal distance of 12 meters. In this example, the wall separating the retail and storage portions of the store has no fire-resistance rating. Therefore, a separate control area would be permitted only where the calcium hypochlorite is divided in a manner such that not more than 3,750 kg is kept in each control area and a horizontal distance of at least 12 metres separates the two quantities of pool chemicals.
How much calcium hypochlorite can be kept in a sprinklered building that has a retail area of 144 m² (12 m x 12 m) and a storage area of 96 m² (12 m x 8 m) separated by a fire separation of 2 hours?
The retail area can contain:
144 m² x 25 kg/m² = 3,600 kg of calcium hypochlorite
The storage area can contain:
96 m² x 25 kg/m² = 2,400 kg of calcium hypochlorite
What quantity of pool chemicals may be displayed in a store that has a retail display area of 1000 m², but no retail storage area?
As illustrated in A1., a maximum of 3,750 kg of pool chemicals can be stored in a control area. In this example, if the owner wishes to display more than 3,750 kg of pool chemicals, two separate control areas would need to be established such that a horizontal distance of at least 12 metres separates the two quantities of pool chemicals.
What quantity of pool chemicals may be displayed in a retail store that is only partially sprinkler protected?
A general requirement for storage of quantities greater than 250 kilograms is that the entire building shall be sprinkler protected. In this example, only part of the store is sprinklered. Therefore, not more than a total of 250 kilograms of pool chemicals may be displayed and stored in this building.
An alternate arrangement that may permit storage of greater quantities would be to design in conformance with the NFC.
Would it be acceptable to display pool chemicals at ground level and provide storage in racks above the display?
This is an acceptable arrangement provided that the maximum permissible quantity for the control area has not been exceeded, the pool chemicals are compatible, suitable sprinkler protection is provided and the other general provisions set out in this guide have been met. In this example, "suitable sprinkler protection" likely means that in-rack sprinklers would be required (please see NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems).
Where can I obtain information on how to develop an emergency plan?
Appendix A to this guide contains a list of items that should be addressed in an emergency plan. Your local fire department may also have guidelines that reflect their ability to respond. You may also wish to review some of the following publications:
Should anyone review or approve the emergency plan?
Once the plan has been completed and approved by senior company officials, the Chief Fire Official should have an opportunity to review and comment on it.
Does the Fire Code or some other regulation provide the power to issue orders to require dikes for tanks containing 12% sodium hypochlorite in water?
The Fire Code does not have specific requirements for diking of tanks of corrosive chemicals. However, it is appropriate to provide dikes in order to prevent environmental damage when fire exposure from a nearby source may create the potential for a spill into an environmentally sensitive area. Municipal sewer use by-laws may require dikes to be installed.
Numerous examples of loss of life and significant property damage that resulted from the absence of an effective emergency plan emphasises the need for preplanning of responses to emergencies.
Fires, spills, gas leaks, explosions and worker injuries are the most common types of situations evaluated for appropriate response.
An audit of hazards and existing control measures is an excellent method of determining the existing level of risk. Features such as fire alarm systems, exits, fire department response time and access, portable fire extinguishers, standpipe and hose systems, automatic sprinkler protection, water supplies, emergency power and lighting, voice communication systems, smoke control measures, spill control measures, trained staff and security measures, should be listed in the audit.
A key element of any emergency plan is the chain of command. A list of persons to be notified in the event of an emergency and responsibilities of various employees and external agencies, will avoid confusion regarding who has the authority to make decisions. The names and phone number of staff (and alternates) trained in emergency procedures should be readily available.
Relevant information on chemicals (e.g. Material Safety Data Sheets) as required by the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), maps, maximum storage quantity, floorplans, utilities (e.g. gas, electricity, water), emergency plans should be readily available to staff and persons responding to an emergency.
Telephone numbers of:
Should also be readily available to staff and persons responding to an emergency.
Emergency procedures should consider the following topics:
Effectiveness of any emergency plan depends on training to assure that appropriate action is taken. Everyone should receive training to recognize the fire alarm, escape routes, safe handling of oxidising material, fire reporting and clean-up procedures. Certain persons with additional responsibilities will require additional training.
Training should be provided:
Having suitable personal protective equipment and spill control agents (e.g. sand) available to control spills can prevent property damage and environmental contamination. Remediation costs can be many times the cost of preventing the spread of hazardous materials.
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