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WACs > Title 296 > Chapter 296-24 > Section 296-24-33017











296-24-33015    

296-24-33019







Agency filings affecting this section







WAC 296-24-33017









Processing plants.









(1) Scope. This section shall apply to those plants or buildings which contain chemical operations such as oxidation, reduction, halogenation, hydrogenation, alkylation, polymerization, and other chemical processes but shall not apply to chemical plants, refineries or distilleries. (2) Location. (a) Classification. The location of each processing vessel shall be based upon its flammable liquid capacity. Processing vessels shall be located, with respect to distances to lines of adjoining property which may be built upon, in accordance with Table H-20, except when the processing plant is designed in accordance with (b) of this subsection. TABLE H-20

Processing vessels with emergency relief venting to permit pressure Stable liquids Unstable liquids

Not in excess of
2.5 p.s.i.g.
Table H-9
2 1/2 times
Table H-9.


Over 2.5. p.s.i.g.
1 1/2 times
Table H-9.

4 times
Table H-9.


(b) Exception. The distances required in (a) of this subsection may be waived when the vessels are housed within a building and the exterior wall facing the line of adjoining property which may be built upon is a blank wall having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 4 hours. When Class IA or unstable liquids are handled, the blank wall shall have explosion resistance in accordance with good engineering practice, see subsection (3)(d) of this section. (3) Processing building. (a) Construction. (i) Processing buildings shall be of fire-resistance or noncombustible construction, except heavy timber construction with load-bearing walls may be permitted for plants utilizing only stable Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint at or above 100°F (37.8°C) or Category 4 flammable liquids. Except as provided in subsection (2)(b) of this section or in the case of explosion resistant walls used in conjunction with explosion relieving facilities, see (d) of this subsection, loadbearing walls are prohibited. Buildings shall be without basements or covered pits. (ii) Areas shall have adequate exit facilities arranged to prevent occupants from being trapped in the event of fire. Exits shall not be exposed by the drainage facilities described in (b) of this subsection. (b) Drainage. (i) Emergency drainage systems shall be provided to direct flammable liquid leakage and fire protection water to a safe location. This may require curbs, scuppers, or special drainage systems to control the spread of fire, see WAC 296-24-33005 (2)(g)(ii). (ii) Emergency drainage systems, if connected to public sewers or discharged into public waterways, shall be equipped with traps or separators. (iii) The processing plant shall be designed and operated to prevent the normal discharge of flammable liquids to public waterways, public sewers, or adjoining property. (c) Ventilation. (i) Enclosed processing buildings shall be ventilated at a rate of not less than one cubic foot per minute per square foot of solid floor area. This shall be accomplished by natural or mechanical ventilation with discharge or exhaust to a safe location outside of the building. Provision shall be made for introduction of makeup air in such a manner as not to short circuit the ventilation. Ventilation shall be arranged to include all floor areas or pits where flammable vapors may collect. (ii) Equipment used in a building and the ventilation of the building shall be designed so as to limit flammable vapor-air mixtures under normal operating conditions to the interior of equipment, and to not more than five feet from equipment which exposes Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), to the air. Examples of such equipment are dispensing stations, open centrifuges, plate and frame filters, open vacuum filters, and surfaces of open equipment. (d) Explosion relief. Areas where Category 1 or unstable liquids are processed shall have explosion venting through one or more of the following methods: (i) Open air construction. (ii) Lightweight walls and roof. (iii) Lightweight wall panels and roof hatches. (iv) Windows of explosion venting type. (4) Liquid handling. (a) Storage. (i) The storage of flammable liquids in tanks shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of WAC 296-24-33005. (ii) If the storage of flammable liquids in outside aboveground or underground tanks is not practical because of temperature or production considerations, tanks may be permitted inside of buildings or structures in accordance with the applicable provisions of WAC 296-24-33005. (iii) Storage tanks inside of buildings shall be permitted only in areas at or above grade which have adequate drainage and are separated from the processing area by construction having a fire resistance rating of at least two hours. (iv) The storage of flammable liquids in containers shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of WAC 296-24-33009. (b) Piping, valves, and fittings. (i) Piping, valves, and fittings shall be in accordance with WAC 296-24-33007. (ii) Approved flexible connectors may be used where vibration exists or where frequent movement is necessary. Approved hose may be used at transfer stations. (iii) Piping containing flammable liquids shall be identified. (c) Transfer. (i) The transfer of large quantities of flammable liquids shall be through piping by means of pumps or water displacement. Except as required in process equipment, gravity flow shall not be used. The use of compressed air as a transferring medium is prohibited. (ii) Positive displacement pumps shall be provided with pressure relief discharging back to the tank or to pump suction. (d) Equipment. (i) Equipment shall be designed and arranged to prevent the unintentional escape of liquids and vapors and to minimize the quantity escaping in the event of accidental release. (ii) Where the vapor space of equipment is usually within the flammable range, the probability of explosion damage to the equipment can be limited by inerting, by providing an explosion suppression system, or by designing the equipment to contain the peak explosion pressure which may be modified by explosion relief. Where the special hazards of operation, sources of ignition, or exposures indicate a need, consideration shall be given to providing protection by one or more of the above means. (5) Tank vehicle and tank car loading and unloading. Tank vehicle and tank car loading or unloading facilities shall be separated from aboveground tanks, warehouses, other plant buildings, or nearest line of adjoining property which may be built upon by a distance of twenty-five feet for Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), and fifteen feet for Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint at or above 100°F (37.8°C) and Category 4 flammable liquids measured from the nearest position of any fill stem. Buildings for pumps or shelters for personnel may be a part of the facility. Operations of the facility shall comply with the appropriate portions of WAC 296-24-33013(3). (6) Fire control. (a) Portable extinguishers. Approved portable fire extinguishers of appropriate size, type and number shall be provided. (b) Other controls. Where the special hazards of operation or exposure indicate a need, the following fire control provision shall be provided. (i) A reliable water supply shall be available in pressure and quantity adequate to meet the probable fire demands. (ii) Hydrants shall be provided in accordance with accepted good practice. (iii) Hose connected to a source of water shall be installed so that all vessels, pumps, and other equipment containing flammable liquids can be reached with at least one hose stream. Nozzles that are capable of discharging a water spray shall be provided. (iv) Processing plants shall be protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system or equivalent extinguishing system. If special extinguishing systems including but not limited to those employing foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical are provided, approved equipment shall be used and installed in an approved manner. (c) Alarm systems. An approved means for prompt notification of fire to those within the plant and any public fire department available shall be provided. It may be advisable to connect the plant system with the public system where public fire alarm system is available. (d) Maintenance. All plant fire protection facilities shall be adequately maintained and periodically inspected and tested to make sure they are always in satisfactory operating condition and that they will serve their purpose in time of emergency. (7) Sources of ignition. (a) General. (i) Precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors. Sources of ignition include but are not limited to open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding; hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, any mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat. (ii) Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), shall not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected. Where the metallic floorplate on which the container stands while filling is electrically connected to the fill stem or where the fill stem is bonded to the container during filling operations by means of a bond wire, the provisions of this section shall be deemed to have been complied with. (b) Maintenance and repair. (i) When necessary to do maintenance work in a flammable liquid processing area, the work shall be authorized by a responsible representative of the employer. (ii) Hot work such as welding or cutting operations, use of spark-producing power tools, and chipping operations shall be permitted only under supervision of an individual in responsible charge who shall make an inspection of the area to be sure that it is safe for the work to be done and that safe procedures will be followed for the work specified. (c) Electrical. (i) All electrical wiring and equipment within storage or processing areas shall be installed according to chapter 296-24 WAC Part L. (ii) Locations where flammable vapor-air mixtures may exist under normal operations shall be classified Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), Division 1 according to the requirements of chapter 296-24 WAC Part L. For those pieces of equipment installed in accordance with subsection (3)(c)(ii) of this section, the Division 1 area shall extend five feet in all directions from all points of vapor liberation. All areas within pits shall be classified Division 1 if any part of the pit is within a Division 1 or 2 classified area, unless the pit is provided with mechanical ventilation. (iii) Locations where flammable vapor-air mixtures may exist under abnormal conditions and for a distance beyond Division 1 locations shall be classified Division 2 according to the requirements of chapter 296-24 WAC Part L. These locations include an area within twenty feet horizontally, three feet vertically beyond a Division 1 area, and up to three feet above floor or grade level within twenty-five feet, if indoors, or ten feet if outdoors, from any pump, bleeder, withdrawal fittings, meter, or similar device handling Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C). Pits provided with adequate mechanical ventilation within a Division 1 or 2 area shall be classified Division 2. If Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint at or above 100°F (37.8°C) or Category 4 flammable liquids only are handled, then ordinary electrical equipment is satisfactory though care shall be used in locating electrical apparatus to prevent hot metal from falling into open equipment. (iv) Where the provisions of (c)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this subsection require the installation of explosion-proof equipment, ordinary electrical equipment including switchgear may be used if installed in a room or enclosure which is maintained under positive pressure with respect to the hazardous area. Ventilation makeup air shall be uncontaminated by flammable vapors. (8) Housekeeping. (a) General. Maintenance and operating practices shall be in accordance with established procedures which will tend to control leakage and prevent the accidental escape of flammable liquids. Spills shall be cleaned up promptly. (b) Access. Adequate aisles shall be maintained for unobstructed movement of personnel and so that fire protection equipment can be brought to bear on any part of the processing equipment. (c) Waste and residues. Combustible waste material and residues in a building or operating area shall be kept to a minimum, stored in closed metal waste cans, and disposed of daily. (d) Clear zone. Ground area around buildings and operating areas shall be kept free of tall grass, weeds, trash, or other combustible materials. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and 29 C.F.R. 1910 Subpart Z. WSR 14-07-086, § 296-24-33017, filed 3/18/14, effective 5/1/14. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 91-24-017 (Order 91-07), § 296-24-33017, filed 11/22/91, effective 12/24/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. WSR 85-10-004 (Order 85-09), § 296-24-33017, filed 4/19/85; Order 76-6, § 296-24-33017, filed 3/1/76; Order 73-5, § 296-24-33017, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, § 296-24-33017, filed 5/7/73.]