The safe use and handling of flammable liquids - Cedrec · PDF fileThe safe use and handling of flammable liquids ... Contents Preface 5 Introduction 6 ... Cold cutting 23 Smoking

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Health and Safety Executive

The safe use and handling of flammable liquids

This is a free-to-download, web-friendly version of HSG140 (First edition, published 1996). This version has been adapted for online use from HSE’s current printed version.

Youcanbuythebookatwww.hsebooks.co.ukandmostgoodbookshops.

ISBN 978 0 7176 0967 3 Price £8.50

This book provides information on the fire and explosion hazards associated with flammable liquids and details practical measures to protect workers. It advises on safe operating procedures and precautions needed to reduce injuries and damage caused by fires and explosions while handling flammable liquids and also gives guidance on appropriate standards for plant and equipment. It is aimed at anyone who works with flammable liquids in the chemical industry and will be of interest to safety specialists and trade organisations.

HSE Books

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©Firstpublished1996Reprinted1998,1999,2002

ISBN9780717609673

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise)withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowner.

Applicationsforreproductionshouldbemadeinwritingto:TheOfficeofPublicSectorInformation,InformationPolicyTeam,Kew,Richmond,SurreyTW94DUore-mail:[email protected]

ThisguidanceisissuedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive.Followingtheguidanceisnotcompulsoryandyouarefreetotakeotheraction.Butifyoudofollowtheguidanceyouwillnormallybedoingenoughtocomplywiththelaw.Healthandsafetyinspectorsseektosecurecompliancewiththelawandmayrefertothisguidanceasillustratinggoodpractice.

Thesafeuseandhandlingofflammableliquids Page3of48


ContentsPreface 5

Introduction 6

Scope 6

Hazards 7

Precautions 9Substitution 9Separation 9Dispensinganddecanting 9Pipework 12Flexiblehoses 14Ancillaryequipment 14Isolation 15Transfersystems 15Processareas 15Source of ignition 19Electricalequipment 20Electrostaticcharging 20Frictionsparks 22Protectionofvehicles 22Spaceheating 22Hotwork 23Coldcutting 23Smoking 24

Ventilation 24

Health Precautions 25

Maintenance 25

Housekeeping 26

Disposal of flammable liquids 27

Information and training 28

General fire precautions 29

Emergency Procedures 30

Appendix 1: Legalrequirements 31

Appendix 2: Fire-resistingstructures 36

Appendix 3: Hazardousareaclassification 38



Glossary 41

References & further reading 43

Further information 48



Preface

Thispublicationprovidesinformationonthefireandexplosionhazardsassociatedwithflammableliquids,andsetsoutpracticalmeasurestoprotectpeopleatworkandotherswhomaybeaffectedbyworkactivitiesinvolvingflammableliquids.Theguidanceisaimedatthosedirectlyresponsibleforthesafeuseandhandlingofflammableliquidsinallgeneralworkactivitiesandinsmall-scalechemicalprocessing.Safetyspecialistsandtradeorganisationsorassociationsmaywishtousethisbookasabasisformorespecificguidancefortheirownmembers.

The objectives of this publication are to:

n increasetheawarenessofthepotentialfireandexplosionhazardsassociatedwithflammableliquids;

n adviseonsafeoperatingproceduresandprecautionstoreduceinjuriesanddamagecausedbyfiresandexplosionswhilehandlingflammableliquids;

n giveguidanceonappropriatestandardsforplantandequipment:n adviseontheneedforappropriatefireprecautions,maintenance,trainingand

goodhousekeepingwhereflammableliquidsarehandledorused.

Theguidanceisaimedatthosedirectlyresponsibleforthesafeuseandhandlingofflammableliquidsinallgeneralworkactivitiesandinsmall-scalechemicalprocessing

WhereaBritishStandardisquoted,anyothernationalorinternationalstandardthatprovidesanequivalentlevelofsafetyisacceptable.HarmonisedEuropeanStandardsthatbeartheprefaceBSENmaysupersedesomeBritishStandards,andtheseareequallyacceptablewhenpublished.



Introduction1 Thisguidancebookgivesadviceonthesafeuseofflammableliquidsingeneralworkactivities,includingbatchorsmallscalechemicalprocessing.Itdoesnotcoverlarge-scalecontinuousprocessingplantinrefineries,chemicalworksandsimilarpremises.Itismainlyconcernedwithfireandexplosionhazards,althoughsomegeneraladviceisgivenonhealthriskswherethismaybehelpful.

2 Thisguidancewillhelpassessmentoftherisksarisingfromtheuseandhandlingofflammableliquids.Assessment,byemployersandtheself-employed,oftheriskstoworkersandotherswhomaybeaffectedbytheiractivitiesisoneoftherequirementsoftheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations19921.Ariskassessmentwillenableemployersandotherstodecideontheappropriatemeasurestotaketofulfiltheirstatutoryobligations.ThispublicationalsoadvisesonhowtocomplywiththerelevantpartsoftheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct19742atplaceswhereflammableliquidsareusedand,whereapplicable,withtheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723andotherrelevantlegislation(seeAppendix1).

3 Legalrequirements,guidanceliteratureandthestandardsreferredtointhisguidancearelistedinthereferencesection.Theyaresubjecttoamendmentfromtimetotime.Theglossaryatthebackofthisbookexplainstheparticulartermsusedinthisguidance.

Scope4 Inthisguidance‘flammableliquid’meansaliquidwithaflashpointof55ºCorbelow.Thisdoesnotincludeliquidswhichwhentestedat55ºCinthemannerdescribedinSchedule2oftheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723donotsupportcombustion,andwhichhaveaflashpointequaltoormorethan21ºCandlessthanorequalto55ºC.

5 Thisdefinitionforflammableliquidincludesallliquidsthatareclassifiedasflammable,highlyflammableorextremelyflammableforsupplyaccordingtotheChemicals(HazardInformationandPackagingforSupply)Regulations19944.Thisdefinitionalsoincludeshighlyflammableliquids,petroleumspiritandpetroleummixturesasdefinedintheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723,thePetroleum(Consolidation)Act19285,andthePetroleum(Mixtures)Order19296respectively.

6 Theguidanceisalsorelevanttoliquidswithaflashpointabove55ºCwhicharehandledattemperaturesabovetheirflashpoint,astheymayalsopresentafireandexplosionhazard.

7 Moredetailedadviceonthestorage,carriage,loadingandunloading,andsprayingofflammableliquids;onthedispensingofpetrolatfillingstations;andonspecificindustrieswillbefoundindocumentslistedintheFurtherreadingsection.Theadviceinthisbookdoesnotapplytoflammableliquidswhichpresentspecialhazardsrequiringspecificprecautions,egethyleneoxide,peroxides,andotherliquidswhichcarryariskofrapiddecomposition,polymerisationorspontaneouscombustion.

8 Theadviceinthispublicationprovidesasuitablestandardforthedesignofnew



installationsandformajormodificationstoexistinginstallations.Itmaybedifficulttoadoptalltherecommendationsatexistingpremises,butanyimprovementsthatarereasonablypracticableshouldbemade,takingintoaccountthehazardsatthesiteandthecostandfeasibilityofadditionalprecautions.Thisdocumentdescribesonewayofachievinganadequatestandardofsafety.Individualcircumstances,forbothnewandexistinginstallations,mayrequirevariationsfromtherecommendations,soalternativedesigns,materialsandmethodscanbeused,aslongastheyprovideanequivalentlevelofsafety.Adviceonapplyingtheguidancetospecificsitescanbeobtainedfromtheenforcingauthority.

9 ThehandlingofflammableliquidsandthemanagementofanyreleasedvapourscanhaveenvironmentalconsequencesandmaybesubjecttocontrolsundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct19907.Althoughthisguidancedoesnotattempttocoverenvironmentalissues,theadviceitcontainsforsafeuseandhandlingofflammableliquidswillgenerallyalsoprovideprotectionfortheenvironment.However,someactivities,suchasreducingvapourlevelsbyventilationtechniques,mayrequireadditionalenvironmentalcontrols;thoseinvolvedintheseactivitiesarealsoadvisedtorefertospecificguidanceonthesecontrolsandonotherenvironmentalissues.FurtherguidanceisavailablefromHMInspectorateofPollutionorfromlocalauthorities,whoenforcetheEnvironmentalProtectionAct.

Hazards10Themainhazardsfromtheuseofflammableliquidsarefireandexplosion,involvingeithertheliquidorthevapourgivenofffromit.Firesorexplosionsarelikelytooccurwhenvapoursorliquidsarereleasedfromacontrolledenvironmenttoareaswheretheremaybeanignitionsource,or,alternatively,whenanignitionsourceisintroducedintoacontrolledenvironment.Commoncausesofsuchincidentsinclude:

n lackofawarenessofthepropertiesofflammableliquids;n operatorerror,duetolackoftraining;n hotworkonorclosetoflammableliquidcontainers;n inadequatedesignofequipment;n inadequateinstallationormaintenance;n failureormalfunctionofequipment;n exposuretoheatfromanearbyfire;n misuseofflammableliquids,forexample,toburnwastematerialsorbrighten

fires;n inadequatecontrolofignitionsources;n electrostaticdischarges;n heatingmaterialsabovetheirauto-ignitiontemperature;n dismantlingordisposingofequipmentcontainingflammableliquids.

Incidentsinvolvingflammableliquidscommonlyariseduringtransferoperations,including:

n movementfromstorage;n decantingordispensing;n movementwithinpremises;n useinprocesses;n disposal;n emptyingvehiclefueltanks;n dealingwithspillages.



11Combustionofliquidsoccurswhenflammablevapoursreleasedfromthesurfaceoftheliquidignite.Theamountofflammablevapourgivenofffromaliquid,andthereforetheextentofthefireorexplosionhazard,dependslargelyonthetemperatureoftheliquid,itsvolatility,howmuchofthesurfaceareaisexposed,howlongitisexposedfor,andairmovementoverthesurface.Otherphysicalpropertiesoftheliquid,suchasflashpoint,auto-ignitiontemperature,viscosity,lowerexplosionlimitandupperexplosionlimit,givefurtherinformationastohowvapour/airmixturesmaydevelopandalsoonthepotentialhazards.

12Flashpointisthelowesttemperatureatwhichaliquidgivesoffvapourinsufficientconcentrationtoformacombustiblemixturewithairnearthesurfaceoftheliquid.Generally,aliquidwithaflashpointbelowambienttemperaturewillgiveoffavapourthatcanmixwithairandbeignited.Liquidswithaflashpointgreaterthanambienttemperaturearelesslikelytogiveoffflammableconcentrationsofvapoursunlesstheyareheated,mixedwithlowflashpointmaterialsorreleasedunderpressureasamistorspray.However,amaterialbelowitsflashpointcanalsobeignitedwhenspreadoutasathinfilmoveralargeareaofgroundorwhenspilledontoclothing.Theexplosionlimitsdefinetheconcentrations(normallybyvolume)ofvapour/airmixturesatspecifiedtemperaturesthatwillpropagateaflame.Explosionlimitsvarygreatlyfordifferentsubstances,butformanytheyareintherangeof1%to10%.

Figure 1 TheFireTriangle

13Somematerialssuchaswater/solventmixturesoremulsionsonlyreleasevapoursslowly.Thesematerialscanflashduringaflashpointdeterminationandbeassignedaflashpoint,butmaynothavetheabilitytosustaincombustionatthetemperaturesencounteredinnormaluse,thoughthesemaywellbeinexcessofthemeasuredflashpoint.Materialswithaflashpointabove21ºCwhichdonotsupportcombustionwhentestedaccordingtothemethodindicatedinparagraph4arenotnormallyconsideredtobeafirehazard.However,flammablevapoursmaybuildupinenclosedspacesabovetheliquid,andcouldexplodeifignited.

14Theviscosityoftheliquidissignificantasitdetermineshowfaranyspiltmaterialwillspreadandthereforethesizeofanyexposedsurface.Solventsgenerallyhavealowviscosityandwhenspiltspreadquickly,allowingarapidbuild-upofvapoursfromthesurfaceoftheliquid.Someliquidformulations,suchaspaintsandresins,mayhaveahighviscosity;iftheyarespilttheyspreadandproducevapoursmoreslowlythanwouldtheindividualsolventconstituents.

15Aflammablevapour/airmixiseasilyignitedbytheexternalignitionsourcesdiscussedinparagraphs45to62.Eveniftherearenoexternalsourcespresentthemixturemayself-igniteifitisheatedaboveitsauto-ignitiontemperature.Thepropertiesofaflammableliquidshouldthereforebeestablished(forexample,fromtherelevantdatasheet)beforethematerialisused,sothatadequateprecautionscanbetaken.L628containsfurtherguidanceonhowtoprovideinformation.



16Thephysicalenvironmentinwhichflammableliquidsarehandledisalsoimportantindetermininghowthehazardsmaydevelop.Whetherthereleasedvapourisabletobuilduptoaconcentrationwithinitsflammablerangewilldependontheventilationatthesurfaceoftheliquidandonthepresenceofenclosurestotraporcontainthevapours.Inmanycasesthevapourwillbeheavierthanair,anditwillthereforetendtoaccumulateinlowerareasorindepressionssuchaspits,gulleysanddrains.Bearinmindthatvapourscanspreadawayfromtheliquid;iftheyareignitedtheflamewilltravelor‘flash’backtotheliquid.

17Flammableliquidscanalsoposeahealthhazardiftheyareinhaled,ingestedorcomeintocontactwithskinoreyes.Informationonthehealthhazardsofaparticularliquidandonanyspecificprecautionsrequiredshouldbeobtainedfromthesafetydatasheetorfromthesupplier.TheControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations19949requireemployerstoassesstherisksfromexposuretohazardoussubstancesandtheprecautionsneeded.Paragraphs68and69givefurtherdetailsonhealthprecautions.

PrecautionsSubstitution

18Theuseoflowflashpointliquidsshouldbeavoidedwheneverpossible.Otherliquids,whichareeithernon-flammableorhaveahigherflashpoint,mayprovidesuitablealternatives,buttheymayposearisktohealthortheenvironment.Insuchcasesajudgementshouldbemadewhichtakesintoaccountalltherisksintheparticularcircumstances.Somehalogenatedhydrocarbonsareconsiderednon-flammable,andalthoughintermsoftheirflammablepropertiestheyarenotasdangerousashighflashpointliquids,theycanstillburnorcauseexplosionsinthepresenceofhighenergysourcessuchasaweldingtorch.Thesesolventsaremoreaccuratelydescribedashavingreducedflammabilityratherthanasbeingnon-flammable,andtheyneedtobeconsideredaccordingly.

Separation

19Areaswhereflammableliquidsarehandledshouldnormallybeseparatedfromotherpartsoftheworkroombyfire-resistingpartitions(seeparagraph42andAppendix2).Careisneededtoensurepartitionsdonotrestrictescaperoutesorexits.Wherepartitionswillrequireachangetoexistingescaperoutesorexitstheenforcingauthorityforthegeneralfireprecautions(seeparagraph84)shouldbeconsulted.Areaswhereflammableliquidsareusedshouldalsobefire-separatedfromareaswhereotherflammablematerials,ofanytype,arestored.AdviceonthestorageofdangeroussubstancesingeneraliscontainedinHS(G)7110.AdviceonthestorageofflammableliquidsincontainersisprovidedinHS(G)5111.

Dispensing and decanting

20Dispensinganddecantingshouldbecarriedoutinawaywhichreducesspillsanddangerousreleasesofflammablevapours.Theneedfortheseoperationsshouldbeassessedand,wherepossible,minimisedbytheuseofenclosedtransfersystems(seeparagraphs36and37).Ifanenclosedsystemcannotbeused,thecontainersshouldbedesignedtominimisespillage,releaseofvapourandtheeffectsoffire.Smallsafetycontainersareavailable(seeFigure2)whichincorporatethefollowingfeatures:



n metalorheavy-dutyplasticconstruction;n pouringand/orfillingaperturessealedwithself-closingspringloadedcaps;n pouringand/orfillingaperturesfittedwithflamearresters;n hosesorotheraidswhendispensingintosmallopenings;n carryinghandlesforcontainerswithacapacitygreaterthanapproximately2.5

litres.Containersshouldbeabletoresistwearandtearinnormaluseandcorrosionbythespecificliquidbeingused.Theyshouldbestrongenoughtowithstandbeingdropped.Plasticcontainersneedtobecompatiblewiththefluidthattheyareintendedtocontain.Theyshouldincorporateanti-staticfeaturessothatanymetalcomponentsinthetransfersystem,suchasflamearrestersorfunnels,cannotbuildupincendiveelectrostaticcharges.Theuseofcontainersapprovedbyarecognisedtestingandapprovalorganisationisrecommended.

Figure 2 Examplesofsafetycontainers

21Open-toppedcansandbucketsarenotsuitableforhandlingorstoringflammableliquidsastheyincreasetheriskofspillageandthereleaseofvapours.Drumsshouldbeprovidedwithsecureclosuresthatcanwithstandtheexpectedhandlingconditionswithoutleaking.Drumswithlargeremovableendsarenotnormallysuitableforflammableliquids.Open-endeddrumsorreceptacleswithfittinglidsorcoversmaybeadequateforviscousliquidssuchaspaints,providedthecontainerisnoteasilytippedover.Drumsandcansshouldalwaysbeopenedsothattheycaneasilybeclosedagain,notbypunchingholesinthecaporinthedrumwall.

22Decantingortransferfromonecontainertoanothershouldnormallybecarriedoutawayfromtheareawheretheliquidisstored,andpreferablyintheopenairorinaseparate,wellventilatedroom,sothatanyspillageandpossiblefirecannotinvolvethestoredmaterials.Whenpouringmanuallyfromorintosmallcontainers,useafunneltominimisespillage.Spilltrays,dripcansorothermeanstocontainspillagesshouldbeprovidedwheredecantingordispensingiscarriedout,andcontainersshouldbebondedtogetherorearthed–seeparagraph48.Alsoconsiderprovidingflamearrestersinthecontainerventtoreduceevaporationandtopreventanexplosioninsidethecontainerincaseofanexternalfire.Whereflammableliquidsareroutinelydispensedfrom210litredrumsthefollowingalternativemethodsarerecommended:



n Using drum safety taps in conjunction with safety vents Drumtapsshouldbemadeofnon-combustiblematerialandbeself-closing.Safetyventspreventexcesspressureorvacuumbuildingupinsidethedrumandstopanyignitionsourcefromflashingbackintothedrum.Asafetyventalsoreducesthelikelihoodofadrumexplodingifitisengulfedbyfire.Whendispensingintocontainerswithsmallapertures,useafunnelortapsfittedwithsmall-diameterhosestominimisespillage.

n Using small portable drum pumps Pumpsoughttofitcloselyintothedrumtominimisereleaseofvapours,buttheyalsoneedtobeabletorelievepressureintheeventofafire.Flexiblehosesneedtobeelectricallyconducting.Ifanelectricpumpisused,theelectricalequipmentshouldbeconstructedtoasuitableexplosion-protectionstandard-seeparagraph46.

Figure 3 Systemfordecantingfrom210litredrumusingsafetytap

Figure 4 Systemfordecantingfrom210litredrumusinghandpump



23Allcontainersshouldbelabelledaccordingtotheirpurpose,sothatpeoplewhousethemorcomeintocontactwiththemareawareoftheircontentsandthehazardsassociatedwiththem.FlammableliquidsthatarebeinghandledintheiroriginalcontainerswillalreadybesuitablylabelledinaccordancewiththeChemicals(HazardInformationandPackagingforSupply)Regulations19944.Whereliquidsaretransferredintosecondarycontainersforin-houseuse,thecontainersshouldbelabelledtoindicatetheircontentsandthepossiblehazards.ForflammableliquidsthefirehazardmaybeshownbylabellingconformingtoBS537812orbyareddiamondshowingthefirelogoandthewords‘flammableliquid’.Containersfilledfrombulkstoragetanksorvesselsmaybelabelledinaccordancewiththerequirementsforthosetanksorvessels.TheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723requiretanksorvesselsusedforstoringhighlyflammableliquidstobeclearlyandboldlymarked‘highlyflammable’or‘flashpointbelow32ºC’,ortoindicateflammabilityinsomeotherway.Containersthathavebeenemptiedbutnotgasfreedarealsopotentiallydangerousandshouldbehandled,storedandlabelledasiftheywerefull.

24Incertaincircumstancesitmaybeacceptabletotransferflammableliquidsinorneartothestoragefacilities.Thisshouldonlybedoneifanassessmentofthefireriskshasbeencarriedoutandprecautionstakentopreventanyincidentduringdispensingfromescalatingtoinvolvethebulkliquids.Inthesecasesprecautionswouldinclude:

n theexclusionofallignitionsources;n controlandretentionofpossiblespillagestopreventthemspreadingaround

storedmaterials;n controllabletransfersystems;n goodventilation.

Anyadditionalfireprecautionscanalsobetakenintoaccountinassessingthesafetyofaparticulardispensingoperation.

Pipework

25Allpartsofpipingsystems,includingvalvesealsandflangegaskets,shouldbemadefrommaterialcompatiblewiththeliquidsbeinghandled.Theyshouldbeconstructedinaccordancewithanappropriatestandard,forexample,theAmericanNationalStandardsInstituteStandardB31.313withEngineeringEquipmentandMaterialsUsersAssociationSupplement15314.Plasticorothersimilarmaterialsarenormallyonlyusedifthereareparticularreasons,suchasproductpurity,andifanequivalentstandardofconstructioncanbeachieved.Plasticpipes,aswellasbeingmorevulnerabletofire,mayalsocausegreaterelectrostaticproblems–seeparagraphs47to49.Wherepossibleweldedjointsshouldbeusedratherthanflanges,tominimisetheriskofleakage,althoughpipingwithadiameterof50mmorlessmayhavescrewedjoints.Jointsandconnectionsshouldbekepttoaminimumandshouldnotbepositionedwheretheymightleakontoelectricalequipment,hotsurfacesorothersourcesofignition,orwheretheymightpreventtheuseofanescaperoute.

26Pressurefromthermalexpansionofliquidscanbuildupinpipeworkinwhichliquidsmaybetrapped,forexample,betweenshut-offvalves.Preventdamagetopipeworkanddangerousreleasesofflammableliquidsasaresultofover-pressurisationbyassessingthelikelihoodandconsequencesofthermalexpansionanddesigningthesystemtowithstandthepressurerises.Alternatively,fithydrostaticreliefvalves.Reliefvalvesshouldnormallydischargebacktothestoragetank,buttheymayalsodischargeviaalinetoasafeplacesuchasasumporothervesseldesignedfortherecoveryordisposalofflammableliquids.



27Ideally,piperunsshouldbeintheopenairratherthaninsidebuildings.Pipeworkshouldbesizedandroutedtorestrictthecontentstoaminimum(consistentwithpressure-droprequirements).Itshouldbepositionedorprotectedtominimisetheriskofimpactdamage,particularlyfromvehicles–barriersorbollardsmaybeneeded.Pipeworksupportsneedtobedesignedtosuitthepipinglayoutandtowithstandanyanticipatedvibrationandotherstresses(seeBS3974)15.BSCP171016recommendstheuseofasuitablemarkingsystemtoidentifythecontentsofindividualpiperuns.Markingofpipeworkisparticularlyimportantatfillinganddischargepointsorwherethereislikelytobeconfusionwithotherpipingsystems.Usedifferentfillingnozzledesignsfordifferentmaterialstoavoidconfusion.

28Piperunsinbuildingsshouldnormallybeintheopenandshouldnotpassthroughhazardareassuchasfurnaceorboilerrooms.Theymayneedprotectionfromotherlocalisedhotsurfacesorheatingsystems.Routeingpipeworkthroughductscancauseproblemsindetectionandcontrolofleaks,andcanallowvapourstotravelfromoneareatoanother.Ductsshouldthereforeonlybeusedforpipeworkwhenthereisnosafepracticalalternative.Inthiscasetheductsshouldbeconstructedtoaspecifiedstandardoffire-resistance,providedwithfirestopsatsuitableintervalsandadequatelyventilated.Whereductsorpipespassthroughafire-resistingstructure,anygapsbetweentheductorpipeandthestructureshouldbefire-stopped.Pipeworkshouldnotbeinstalledinductsusedforheatingorventilation.BS831317givesfurtherguidanceonthedesignofducts.

Figure 5 Pipeworkwithmarkingsystemforidentification

29Pipeworkmaybeinstalledunderground,althoughthispresentsdifficultieswithleakprevention,inspectionandrepair.Thepipeworkshouldbelaidinashallowconcreteormasonry-linedtrenchprovidedwithloadbearingcovers.Thedesignofthetrenchshouldpreventwaterormoistureaccumulatingaroundthepipeworkandallowforinspectionofthepipeworkandinparticularanyjoints.Thedesignshouldalsoallowforanyextraloadingimposed,forexample,byvehicles.Donotusethesametrenchforpipingcarryingcorrosiveorreactivematerialssuchas



oxygenorchlorine.Therouteofthetrenchshouldberecordedandpermanentlymarkedatthesurface.

30Therouteingofelectriccablesinthesametrenchaspipeworkshouldnormallybeavoided,butwherethisisnotpracticablethecablesmustbepreventedfromactingasapossibleignitionsourceforanyvapourswithinthetrench.Assesstheareasinsidethetrenchthatpresenthazardsbecauseofpipeworkjointsorfromotherhazardousareasconnectedtothetrench.SelectandinstallthecablesandassociatedelectricalequipmentaccordingtoBS534518orotherequivalentstandards(iethedraftharmonisedEuropeanCodeofPracticeprEN50154)19.Considersealingthetrenchfromprocessareasorotherhazardousareastolimitthespreadofflammablevapoursinsidethetrenchorintosafeareas.

31Undergroundpipesthatmustbeburiedforsecurityorotherreasonsneedprotectionagainstcorrosion.Buriedpipesshouldbemanufacturedfromstainlesssteelorgalvanisedironcoveredwithaproprietaryanti-corrosionpaintortape.Alternatively,theyshouldbeprovidedwithsecondarycontainment(seealsoparagraph32).Allundergroundjointsshouldbewelded,unlessweldingisinappropriateforcorrosionprotectionorotherreasons.Inthesecasesscrewedconnectionsareacceptable.Flangedjointsareonlyacceptableiftheyaresituatedinamanholechamberwhichhasbeensealedtopreventanyleaksofflammableliquiddrainingintotheground.Buriedpipeworkshouldbeencasedinsulphate-resistingconcrete.Ifitisthickenoughandbeddedproperlyunderthepipeitwillpreventdamagetothepipelinefromanyanticipatedloads.Allburiedpipeworkthatcannotbeinspectedorisnotprovidedwithcontinualleakmonitoringwillrequireregularleaktesting.

32Otherpipeworksystemsmanufacturedfromglass-reinforcedplastic,polypropyleneorotherplasticsandhavingsecondarycontainmentcanbeusedundergroundaslongastheyarecompatiblewiththematerialsbeinghandled.Thesesystemsshouldbeburiedinpeashingleorsandinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions.Thespacebetweenthepipeanditssecondarycontainmentshouldbemonitoredforleaks.Again,concreteoverlayorloadbearingcoverswillbeneededtoprovideprotectionfromtrafficorotheradditionalloading.

Flexible hoses

33Flexiblehosesshouldonlybeusedwhererigidpipingisunsuitable,suchasatfillingconnectionsorwherevibrationisaproblem.Hosesshouldbemadetoastandardsuitablefortheapplicationandshouldbecompatiblewiththeliquidshandled.Theyshouldbeadequatelysupported(forexample,byslingsorsaddles)sothatthebendradiusisnotlessthantheminimumrecommendedbythemanufacturer.Whentheyarenotinuse,protectthehosesfromaccidentaldamage,extremesoftemperatureanddirectsunlight.Inspectthemoneachdaytheyareusedforsignsofleaks,wearandmechanicaldamage,andexamineandpressure-testthematleastonceayearaccordingtothemanufacturer’srecommendations.Itisgoodpracticetoprovideblankendsforadditionalsealingofcouplingsthatarefrequentlybrokenandremade.Hosesshouldbeelectricallycontinuousorbridgedwithanearthingcabletoavoidelectrostaticcharging.

Ancillary equipment

34Pumps,motorsandotherequipmentformingpartofapipingsystemshouldbesitedinawell-ventilatedplace,preferablyintheopenair,withweatherprotectionwherenecessary.Suchancillaryequipmentshouldbesituatedoutsideofanybundsforstoragetanks.Smallleaksfrompumpsneedtobecontainedbyalow



sillordrainedtoasafeplace.Wherenaturalventilationisinadequate,forexampleinundergroundpumprooms,mechanicalventilationshouldbeprovided(seeparagraphs63to67).Interlocksshouldbefittedsothatthepumpscannotbeoperatedunlesstheventilationisworkingsatisfactorily.Ifthenon-operationofapumpcouldcauseagreaterhazardthanalackofventilationinthepumproom,aclearlyaudiblealarmshouldbelinkedtotheventilationsystem.

Isolation

35Thereshouldbesuitablevalveswithinthepipeworksystemforisolatingthesupplyafteruse,duringmaintenanceandintheeventofanemergency.Considerprovidingshut-offvalvesinthefollowinglocations:

n attheexternalsupplypoint;n externallyatthepointofentryintothebuilding;n atthebeginningofeachbranchfromamainsupplyline;n neareachworkpositionoritemofplantsuppliedbytheline,wherethat

positionismorethan10mfromavalveprovidedtocomplywiththelastbulletpoint;

n wherepipeworkpassesthroughaninternalwall,partitionorfloor.Allvalvesshouldbeclearlymarkedanddesignedtoachievearapidshut-downofflow.Valvesmaybemanualorautomatic,butautomaticvalvesshouldbeinstalledtobefail-safe.

Transfer systems

36Flammableliquidsshouldideallybehandledinenclosedsystems,usingpipework,pumpsandclosedvessels.Theequipmentshouldbesuitablefortheliquidsbeinghandled,and,whereappropriate,shouldbedesignedandinstalledtoasuitableBritishStandardorequivalent.Whereliquidsaretransferredbygaspressure,nitrogenoranotherinertgas,orvacuummaybeused.Donotusecompressedairasitcancreateanexplosivevapour/airmixtureinsidethetransfervessel.Thegasshouldbecontrolledtothelowestpracticablepressurewithinthesystem.Meansforrapidisolationofthepressuresourceandventingofthepipelineorpressuresourcetoasafeplaceshouldbeprovided.Itisnotadvisabletofilloremptyportablecontainersbygaspressureasitisdifficulttocontroltheflowadequatelyandthereisariskofpressurisingthecontainer,causingittoruptureviolently.Gravityflowisalsodifficulttocontrol,exceptwithcansorsmalldrums.Avoiditunlesssuitableadditionalsafeguardsareprovided,suchasautomaticorremotely-operatedshut-offvalves.

Process areas

37Designandoperateprocessareastominimiserisks:usingpipeworksystemsandclosedvesselsratherthanhandlingliquidsincontainersandopentankswillrestricttheamountofliquidopentotheairandreducetherisksfromreleasedvapours.Liquidsshouldnotbeheatedabovetherequiredworkingtemperature,astheamountofvapourproducedincreasesasthetemperaturerises.

38Fillinglinesshouldendasnearaspossibletothebottomofthevessel,tominimisethefreefallofliquidandthegenerationofstaticelectricity–seeparagraph49.Thelineshouldbedesignedtopreventanysyphoningfromthefilledvessel.Fittingautomaticpreventiondeviceswillreducethelikelihoodofoverfilling



vesselswithflammableliquids,particularlyifthepersoncontrollingthefillingoperationisatsomedistancefromthevessel.Thesedevicesmaytaketheformof:n anoverflow;n apre-setmeter;n afixedvolumebatchtank;n oraleveldetectorlinkedtoapumporvalve.

Whereahigh-levelalarmsystemisfitteditshouldbetriggeredatoneleveltoalerttheoperatortoshutoffthevalveorpump,andatasecondleveltoshutitoffautomaticallyiftheoperatortakesnoaction.Beforeinstallingautomaticshut-offvalves,assesswhethershockloadingwithinthesupplylinecouldresultinanyhazards.Processvesselsorareasneedameansofcontainingspillages,suchasabundorretainingsill.Thedrainsfrombundedareasshouldnotfeeddirectlyintothepublicsystem.

39Ventpipesshouldnormallybeprovidedonprocessplant.Thesewillpreventflammableandtoxicvapoursreleasedduringfillingandprocessingfromaccumulatinginworkareasanddirectthemawayfromplantoperatorsandpossibleignitionsources.Ventpipesshouldterminateoutsidebuildings,wellawayfrompossibleignitionsources,sothatanyvapourscanberapidlydispersedandnotre-enterthesourcebuildingorotherbuildings.Ideally,ventpipesshoulddischargeverticallyupwards,buthorizontaldischargemaybeacceptable.Theventpipeshouldnormallyfinishatleast5mabovegroundlevel;3mfrombuildingopenings,boundariesandsourcesofignition;andawayfrombuildingeavesandotherobstructions.Thesedistancesmay,however,varyaccordingtothesitelayout.

40Theremayalsobeenvironmentalrestrictionsonthepositioningofventsandexhaustducts(seeparagraph65)–refertoProcessGuidanceNotesissuedundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct(EPA)7.Inparticular,ProcessGuidanceNotesissuedunderEPAmayrequireventpipesfromcertainprocessestoterminateatleast3maboverooflevel.Ventpipesshouldbebigenoughtopreventover-pressurisationoftheplantfrommaterialadditionsandotherprocessoperations.Theventpipesmayalsohavetobedesignedtotakeintoaccountanyexothermicreactions,butthisrequirementisoutsidethescopeofthiscurrentguidancebook.Forsmallopenprocessvesselswherematerialsareaddedmanually,localexhaustventilationmaybemoresuitablethanfixedventpipes.

41Onvesselscontainingliquidswithaflashpointof21ºCorbelow,orforotherliquidsprocessedabovetheirflashpoint,theventoutletshouldbefittedwithaflamearrester,unlessapressure-vacuumvalveisusedorunlesstheliquidisliabletopolymeriseorotherwiseblockthearrester.FlamearrestersshouldbedesignedtoBS724420,andmaintainedtopreventblockagebypaint,rustorothermaterials.



Figure 6 Diagramillustratingsystemsinaworkareahandlingflammableliquids



Figure 7 Examplesofspecialpurposecontainersforflammableliquids

Figure 8 Ventilated‘wetbench’



42Operationssuchasmixing,filling,coatingandcleaningshouldbedoneinaroomorcabinetsetasideforthepurpose.Wherevapourmayentertheatmosphereduringanyoperation,adequatenaturalormechanicalventilationshouldbeprovidedtoremoveit.Theventilationsourceshouldbeasclosetothevapoursourceaspossible–seeparagraphs63to67.Iftheconcentrationofvapourisliabletoexceedthelowerflammablelimit,theprocesswillneedtobeenclosedinafire-resisting,mechanicallyventilatedstructure.Ifthisisnotpossible,theworkroomitselfshouldbeafire-resistingstructure(seeAppendix2)andbemechanicallyventilated.Figure6showsanexampleofasuitableworkarea.Specificadviceonsmall-scalepaintmixingsystemsinmotorbodyrepairandre-finishingiscontainedinHS(G)6721.

43Takecarewhenusingflammableliquidsforcleaningmachinery,equipmentorarticles,particularlybymanualmethods.Theuseofopentanksofvolatileliquidsfordippingcomponents,etc,shouldbeavoided.Ifitcannotbeavoided,usespecialsafetyrinse/dip/benchcans.Thesecansarenormallyfittedwithaflamearresterand/orself-closinglids.Itispreferabletousenon-flammableliquids,orliquidswithahighflashpoint.Carryoutthecleaningoperationinawellventilatedareaorcabinetandapplytheliquidinsmallquantities.Figure8showsanexampleofaventilated‘wetbench’suitableforcleaningandotheroperationsinvolvingthemanualapplicationofsolvents.Largecomponentsshouldbecleanedinspeciallydesignedcleaningstations.Itisadvisabletoapplythefluidusingapumpproducingagentlenon-jettingorsprayingstreamofliquid,withflowratesaslowaspossible.Avoidusingheatedsolventsorjettingtechniquesunlesstheproposedcleaningtemperatureandequipmenthavebeenshownnottopresentariskoffireorexplosionwithaparticularsolvent.

44Keepnomorethantheminimumamountofflammableliquidinworkrooms,usuallynomorethanahalf-day’soroneshift’ssupply.Containersofflammableliquidneededforcurrentworkshouldbekeptclosedwhennotinuse.Theyshouldbekeptinsuitablecabinetsorbinsindesignatedareasawayfromtheimmediateprocessingarea.Containerswhicharenominallyemptyorarenotneededforcurrentworkshouldbereturnedtotheappropriatestore(seeHS(G)5111forfurtheradviceoncabinets,binsandstores).Containersattheworkplaceshould:n beassmallaspracticable;n provideresistancetoimpactdamage;n beabletowithstanddamageandwearinnormaluse;n resistchemicalattackbytheircontents.

Proprietarysafetycontainersarerecommended(seeparagraph20).Usesuitablecradles,trolleysorpoweredhandlingequipmentforhandlingdrumsandotherlargecontainerstominimisetheriskofspillagesandinjurytoworkers.Duringtransportcontainersshouldbesecurelyclosedandwherenecessarysecuredsothattheycannotfalloff.Onlyauthorisedroutesshouldbeusedwhentransportingthecontainers.

Sources of ignition45Sourcesofignitionshouldnormallybeexcludedfromareaswhereflammableliquidsarehandled.Commonsourcesofignitionare:

n nakedflames,includingweldingandcuttingequipment;n smoking;



n electricallighting,powercircuitsandequipmentwhicharenotflameprooforintrinsicallysafeinconstruction;

n processesandvehiclesthatinvolvefrictionorthegenerationofsparks;n hotsurfaces;n staticelectricity.

Electrical equipment

46Areaswhereelectricalequipmentisinstalledandwhereflammablevapourmaybepresentcanbeclassifiedintohazardouszones–seeAppendix3.Areasoutsidethesezonesareclassifiedasnon-hazardous.Wherepossibleelectricalequipmentshouldbelocatedinnon-hazardousareas.TheElectricityatWorkRegulations198922requireelectricalequipmentwhichmaybeexposedtoanyflammablesubstancetobeconstructedorprotectedtopreventdangerarisingfromsuchexposure.TocomplywiththeseRegulationsandtopreventflammablevapoursigniting,anyelectricalequipmentinstalledorintroducedintohazardousareasshouldbeconstructedtoasuitableexplosion-protectedequipmentstandard(thatis,anappropriateBritishStandardorequivalent).Adviceonselecting,installingandmaintainingexplosion-protectedelectricalequipmentisgiveninBS534518andinashortguidepublishedbytheInstitutionofChemicalEngineers23.Selectingthecorrectandsafeelectricalequipmententails:

n identifyingthecorrecthazardouszone;n establishingtheappropriategasgroupfortheflammableliquidsinvolved;n confirmingthemaximumsurfacetemperature(‘T’number)ofallelectrical

components.

Electrostatic charging

47Precautionsshouldbetakentopreventvapoursbeingignitedbythedischargeofstaticelectricity.Themovementofprocessliquids,forexample,duringpumping,emptying,fillingandspraying,cancauseelectrostaticbuild-up.Movementofothermaterials,suchaspowdersoraprintingweb,orcleaningoperations,canalsocreateelectrostatichazards.Non-conductingfootwearandclothingmadeofsyntheticfibrescancauseincendiveelectrostaticsparks,especiallyiftheyareworninareaswithnon-conductingfloors.

48Toprotectagainstelectrostaticbuild-upallmetal(orotherconducting)componentsmustbeadequatelyearthedbeforeanyliquidflowbegins.Allfixedequipmentusedtohandleflammableliquidsshouldbeelectricallybondedtogetherandadequatelyearthed.Checkearthcontinuityregularly(atleastannually-seeBS7430)24.Earthingcontactsshouldbemaintainedandkeptclean.Portablecontainersshouldalsobeearthedbeforeusewithbondingclipsconnectedbyawiretothefixedearthedplantorbysomeotherequallyeffectivemethod.Bearinmindanyunearthedmetalcomponentsintransfersystems,suchasinvalves,dispenserheadsorsectionsofpiping:thesemayneedadditionalearthingstraps.Otherunearthedcomponentsmaynotbesoobvious,ormayresultfrompoormaintenance.Ifuninsulatedwirereinforcement,indamagedpipelagging,forexample,isleftexposeditmaybuildupelectrostaticchargesifitissubjectedtosteamfromleakingjoints.Ifhosesareused,theyshouldbeelectricallycontinuousandbondedtobothpartsoftheplant.



Figure 9 Photographshowingcopperbondingonglasspipework,courtesyoftheInstituteofChemicalEngineers(reproducedfromthetrainingpackageoncontrollingelectrostatichazards).

49Staticelectricitygeneratedbyflammableliquidsshouldbereducedbyavoidingthefreefallofliquidsandrestrictingpumpingspeeds.Forliquidswithconductivityuptoandincluding50pS/m(picoSiemens/metre)theflowvelocityinapipewhereasecondphasemaybepresent(asecondphasecouldbeagasorasolid,oranimmiscibleliquidsuchaswater)shouldnotexceed1m/s.Watermaybepresentevenifithasnotbeendeliberatelyintroduced(forexample,condensate)andsoaflowvelocityabove1m/sshouldonlybeconsideredifthisisnotapossibility.BS595825offersfurtheradviceforhighervelocities.Splashfillingofcontainersandprocessvesselsshouldbeavoided.Anti-staticadditivescanbeusedtoincreasetheconductivityofflammableliquidswithaconductivitylessthan50pS/m.

50Takeparticularcarewhenaddingdrypowderstovesselscontainingflammableliquids.Themovementofdrypowdersandothersolidsoverinsulatedmaterialssuchasplasticscanquicklycauseincendiveelectrostaticsparks.Drypowdersshouldnotbeaddedtoprocessvesselscontainingflammablevapoursusingplasticscoopsorplasticchutes,norshouldtheybedischargedfromplasticbags:ifthevapoursignite,flameswillbeemittedfromthevesselmanholedirectlyontoworkers.Considerremovingworkersfromvulnerablepositionsandadoptingthefollowingmeasurestoreducethepossibilityofbuild-upofstaticand/orpreventingtheoccurrenceofflammableatmospheres:

n mechanicaltransfersystems;n double-valvedhoppersystems;n useofconductingplasticlinerwithdrumearthingcliporwithgoodearthingof

operator;n airlockandnitrogenpurging;n chargingsolidsbeforesolventaddition(checkvapoursfromprevioususe);n wetorslurrysolidbeforeaddition;n additionofsolventswithahighconductivitybeforeoneswithalowconductivity

ifbotharetobepresent.

51Additionalprecautionsincludetheuseofanti-staticfootwear(toBS514526andBS719327),andanti-staticclothingandfloors.BS595825givesgeneraladviceonthecontrolofstaticelectricityandthedeterminationofelectrostaticproperties.



Figure 10 Operatorchargingreactor–noteearthcliponmanhole,earthedmetalstandingplateandantistaticfootwear,courtesyoftheInstituteofChemicalEngineers(reproducedfromthetrainingpackageoncontrollingelectrostatichazards).

Friction sparks

52Flammablevapourmaybeignitedbyfrictionsparks.Thesecanbegeneratedbytools(hand-operatedorpower-driven),orbyoperationsinvolvingrubbingorimpact.Specialtoolsmadeofnickel-aluminiumbronzeorsimilaralloysmayreducesparking,butpiecesofgritortrampmetalbecomingembeddedinworkingsurfacescanpresentproblems.Spark-resistanttoolsneedtobeinspectedregularlyandthesurfacesre-dressedasnecessary.Theuseofsuchtoolsisgoodpractice,butdonotrelyonthemaloneinareaswhereflammablevapourmayoccur:asfaraspossible,removeflammableliquids,residuesandvapourbeforecarryingoutoperationsthatmaycauseaspark.

53Lightalloyssuchasaluminiumcancausesparkingwhenstruckaglancingblowonrustysteelwork.Asmearofsuchanalloyonarustysurfacecanalsocreateaveryhotsparkifstruckbyanotherpieceofsteel,forexample,ahammer.Identifywheresuchmetalsareinuse,sothatprocedurescanbecontrolledinareaswhereflammablematerialsmaybepresentandwherethereisariskofimpact.Aluminiumpowdersinpaintscancausesimilarproblems,andtheiruseinareaswhereflammablematerialsarepresentshouldalsobecontrolled.

Protection of vehicles

54Lifttrucksandsimilarvehiclesworkinginareaswhereflammablevapourmaybepresentshouldbeprotectedtoanappropriatestandard.Whereonlyliquidswithaflashpointabove32ºCarepresent,vehicleprotectionisnotneeded,aslongastheliquidsarenotheatedabovetheirflashpoint,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,norlikelytobereleasedasamistorspray.GuidanceNotePM5828providesfurtheradviceontheuseandprotectionofvehicles.



Space heating

55Workroomsinwhichflammableliquidsarehandledshouldpreferablybeheatedbyindirectmeans,forexample,radiatorsfedbyhotwaterpipes.Wherehotwaterradiatorscannotbeused,electricallyheatedradiatorsmaybeused,providingtheyhavebeenselectedaccordingto,andcomplywith,BS534518.Donotuseheatingwhichcouldbeasourceofignition.Thetemperatureofexposedsurfacesshouldnotexceedtheauto-ignitiontemperatureofanyoftheflammableliquidsinuse.Inallcasesheatingsystemsshouldbeprotectedagainstthebuild-upofflammableresiduesonhotsurfaces.DonotuseportableheatersunlesstheycomplywithBS534518.Combustionairforfuelfiredheatersshouldnotbedrawnfromareaswhichcouldcontainflammablevapours.

Hot work

56Amajorcauseofincidentsishotwork(welding,cuttingorsimilaroperations)carriedoutonvesselscontainingflammablevapourorliquidresidues.Hotworkshouldonlybedoneundercontrolledconditionsusingapermit-to-worksystem.Thiswillincludefollowingsiterulesandinstructions,andoperatingonlywhenauthorisedbyaresponsibleperson.Hotworkmustnotbecarriedoutonanitemthatcontainsorhascontainedflammableliquidorvapouruntiltheitemismadesafe.

57Beforehotworkiscarriedout,drainoffanyflammableliquid.Gasfreethevessel,andthoroughlycleanandinspectittoensureallresidueshavebeenremoved.Gasfreeingaloneisnotenough,asresiduesofheavymaterialsmaygiveoffflammablevapourswhenheated,andapparently‘empty’containersorvesselsmaycontainsmallamountsofunseenliquidsatthebottomorincrevicesandseams.Analternativetechniqueistoinertthevesselbyfillingitwithwater,nitrogenfoamornitrogen.Takegreatcarethroughouttheoperationtoensurethatnovoidscontainingflammablevapourscanoccurinthevessel.

58Acompetentpersonshouldmonitortheatmospherewithasuitablegasdetectoraspartoftheoveralloperation,toshowthevesselissafeforhotwork.Carryoutthismonitoringasproofofgasfreeing,andalso,whenusinggasinertingtechniques,bothbeforeandduringthehotworkoperation.Ifwaterisused,preventpressurebuildingupbyprovidingaventforsteam.Whereverpossibletheitemshouldbetakentotheworkshoporasimilarsafearea,forboththecleaning/inertingoperationandthehotwork.GuidanceNoteCS1529,andtheOilIndustryAdvisoryCommitteedocumentonpermit-to-workprocedures30givefurtheradviceonpreparingplantforhotwork,andontheuseofpermits.

Cold cutting

59Considerusing‘coldcutting’techniquesasanalternativetohotwork,particularlyduringdemolitionwork,astheycansignificantlyreducetheriskoffiresandexplosions.Coldcuttingmethodsincludeusing:n hydraulicorpneumaticpoweredcutters,nibblers,drillsandsaws;n pneumaticchisels;n highpressurewaterjetting.

Withsomecoldcuttingtechniquesthetemperatureandthepossibilityofsparkscanbefurtherreducedbyapplyingwaterorothernon-flammableliquidsatthecuttingedge.Thesemethodsmaynotcompletelyremovetheriskofignitionas,for



example,pneumaticchiselscancreatefrictionsparksandwaterjettingmaybuildupanelectrostaticchargeundercertaincircumstances.

60Beforeusingcoldcuttingmethods,therefore,considertheprecautionsdiscussedinparagraph57tocontroltheformationofflammableatmospheresaswellastheignitionenergiesofanyflammableliquidvapoursorsolidresidues.Coldcuttingreducesthefrequencyandstrengthofpossibleignitionsourcesandtheevaporationofanyremainingflammablematerialsthatarecontaminatingtheplant.Inparticularitpreventsflammableatmospheresformingfromhighflashpointliquids,includingthosewithaflashpointabove55ºC.Thesehavebeenknowntocauseseriousaccidentsasaresultoftherapidvaporisationoftheliquidduringhotworkwithanoxyacetyleneflame.

61Othercuttingmethodsusinggrindersordisccutters,althoughnotstrictlyclassifiedashotwork,stillproduceasignificantnumberofsparksthatcaneasilyigniteflammablevapours.Grindersanddisccuttersshouldthereforeonlybeusedonplantthathascontainedflammablematerialsaftercarefullyassessingthehazardsandtherequiredprecautions.

Smoking

62Donotallowsmokinginplaceswhereflammableliquidsarehandled.Noticesprohibitingsmokingandnakedlightsshouldbeclearlydisplayedintheseareas.ItisrecommendedthatsignscomplywithBS537812.Anyareasetasideforsmokingshouldbelocatedinasafeplace,andclearlydefinedandsignposted.Provideadequatereceptacles(preferablysand-filled)sothatpeoplecandisposeoftheirsmokingmaterialssafelybeforetheyenterno-smokingareas.

Ventilation63Allareaswhereflammableliquidsarehandledshouldbeadequatelyventilatedtodiluteanyreleasedvapourstoasafelevel.Theventilationsystemneedstobecapableofprovidingatleastsixcompleteairchangesperhour.Whateveritscapacityitshouldensurethattheamountofvapourinanyworkareaisnotonlydilutedtowellbelowitsflammablelimit,butalsoreducedtoalevelbelowtherelevantoccupationalexposurelimit.(GuidancenoteEH4031givesadviceonoccupationalexposurelimits.)Insomecasesgoodnaturalventilationpositionedpredominantlyatlowlevelplussomeathighlevelmaybeenough,butinothersmechanicalventilationand/orlocalexhaustventilationwillbeneeded.

64Whereaboothorcabinetisneededtocontrolvapour,theairflowrateintoallopeningsintheenclosureshouldbeabout1m/stopreventvapoursenteringtheworkarea.Theventilationtobooths,cabinetsandotherenclosedequipmentshouldnormallybedesignedtomaintainthevapoursatbelow25%oftheirLowerExplosionLimit(LEL).SeparateguidanceonsprayingflammableliquidsisprovidedinGuidanceNoteEH932,andonovensandsimilarheatedenclosurescontainingflammablevapoursinHS(G)1633.Materialsthatmaypresenthealthriskswillrequireahigherstandardofventilationandadditionalprecautions(seeparagraph68).

65Ventilationsystemsshouldexhausttoasafeplaceintheopenair,atleast3mabovegroundlevel,atleast3mfrombuildingopenings,boundariesandsourcesofignition;andawayfrombuildingeavesandotherobstructions.Ventductsshouldbearrangedsothatvapourscannotcondenseandcollectatlowpointswithintheducts.Additionalrequirementsforpositioningexhaustsfromventilationsystems



mayalsobefoundinProcessGuidanceNotesissuedundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct7(seeparagraph40).

66Electricmotorsusedinventilationductingshouldnotbesituatedinthepathofthevapourbeingextracted.Centrifugalorbifurcatedfanscanbeused,oramotorsituatedinasafeareacanbeconnectedtoafanbyabeltdrive.Fansmadefromnon-sparkingmaterialsprovideanadditionalprecautionagainstfrictionsparks.Theductworkitselfshouldbefire-resisting–seeAppendix2.

67Wherethefailureofanextractionsystemwouldentailaflammableconcentrationofvapourintheplantoranescapeoftoxicvapour,fitanairflowdetectorintheducting(suchasadifferentialpressureswitch)linkedtoanalarm.Whereitisreasonablypracticable,thedetectorshouldalsobeinterlockedwiththevapour-producingprocess.

Health precautions68Manyoftherecommendationsintheprecedingparagraphswill,iftheyareproperlyimplemented,controlhealthrisksaswellasthefirehazardofflammableliquids.However,additionalprecautionsmaybeneeded,inordertocomplywiththeControlofSubstancesHazardoustoHealthRegulations19949.GuidanceontheseRegulationsisintheApprovedCodesofPracticeentitledGeneral COSHH ACoP, Carcinogens ACoP and Biological agents ACoP:Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 199434.

69Detailedconsiderationoftheseaspectsisbeyondthescopeofthisguidance,buttheprinciplesofenclosureventilationandmaintenanceofequipmentapplygenerally.Theaimshouldalwaysbetopreventexposuretoliquidsortheirvapours,forexample,bysubstitutionwherepossible,ortocontroladequatelyanyinevitablerelease.Provideprecautionsagainstskinandeyecontact,suchasgloves,protectiveclothingandgoggleswhereitisnotpossibletocontrolthereleaseatsource.Considermakingavailableeyewashandemergencydecontamination/delugeshowers.

Maintenance70Manyincidentsinvolvingflammableliquidsoccurduringmaintenanceandrepairs,whenpipelinesareopenedup,vesselsareentered,hotworkiscarriedout,orplantandbuildingsaremodified.Therisksincreaseiftheworkisdonebystafforoutsidecontractorswithlittleknowledgeoftheplantorofthehazardsassociatedwithflammableliquids.Onlyemployexperiencedcontractors,andensurethattheybecomefamiliarwiththeplantbeforestartingwork.TheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct19742placesdutiestoensuresafeworkingpracticesonboththecompanyusingtheservicesandthecontractor.

71Itisessentialthatnomaintenanceworkisdoneuntil:

n thepotentialhazardsoftheworkhavebeenclearlyidentifiedandassessed;n theprecautionsneededhavebeenspecifiedindetail;n thenecessarysafetyequipmenthasbeenprovided;n adequateandclearinstructionhasbeengiventoallthoseconcerned.



Whenappropriate,apermit-to-worksystemshouldbeusedtocontrolmaintenanceoperations.FurtheradviceonpreventingaccidentsduringmaintenanceiscontainedinHSE’spublicationDangerous maintenance – a study of maintenance accidents and how to prevent them35.

72Asfaraspossibleallflammableorcombustiblematerialsshouldberemovedfromtheworkarea.Isolatevesselsandpipeworkfromallsourcesofliquidorvapour,drainand,wherenecessary,flushthem.Donotrelyonvalvesforisolationotherthanforinitialisolationastheymayleakorbeopenedinadvertently.Makeadetailedstudyoftheplantlayoutandthemaintenanceworkinvolved,andensureisolationbyfittingspadepieces,orbyremovingpipesectionsandblankingofftheopenends,asappropriate.Takeextracarewhereorificeplatesarefittedtoreduceliquidflowasthesemaybeconfusedwithspadepieces.Seealsoparagraph57,onpreparationforhotwork.

Housekeeping 73Housekeepingisfundamentaltosafety,somaintainagoodstandardatalltimes.Dealwithspillsandleakspromptly,using,forexample,inertabsorbentmaterialwhichcanbescoopedupintoametalcontainerforremoval.Containlargespillagesasfaraspossible,evacuatetheareaandpostwarningnotices.Openexternaldoorsandwindowstoimproveventilation.Additionalprecautionsmaybeneededtopreventspillsenteringthedrains,unlessthedrainsthemselvesarefittedwithaninterceptorsystem.Onlyuseelectricalequipmentsuchasfansandportablepumpsifithasbeenconstructedtoasuitableexplosion-protectionequipmentstandard.Donotoperateelectricalswitchesunlesstheyaresimilarlyprotected.

74Takecarewhendealingwithspillagesnottoallowworkersortheirclothingtocomeintodirectcontactwiththeflammableliquid.Thiswouldexposethemtoaseriousfirerisk.ForsomespillsitmaybeadvisabletocalltheFireBrigadeasaprecaution,orsothattheycanprovideassistanceindealingwiththespill.Aspartoftheemergencyplanningprocedures(seeparagraph89),discusswiththeFireBrigadebeforehandtheirinvolvementinanyincident.

75Placecleaningragsandotheritemscontaminatedwithliquidinametalbin,suitablylabelledandfittedwithaself-closingmetallid.Emptybinsatleastdailyastheynotonlypresentafirehazard,buttheymayundergospontaneouscombustion,especiallyiftheircontentsarecontaminatedwithpaintresidues.Specialbinsareavailablewhichallowairtocirculatebeneathandaroundthemtoaidcooling.Contaminatedclothingshouldbechangedpromptly,evenifitappearstohavedried,asflammablevapourcanremaininclothingforalongtimeanditcanbeeasilyignited,forexample,bystandingclosetoaheaterorfromsmokingmaterials.

76Processesshouldbedesignedandoperatedtominimiseflammableresiduesbuildinguponworksurfaces,walls,etc.Removeanyresiduesregularly,preferablywithouttheuseofsolvents.Wheresolventsarenecessary,choosethosewiththeleastflammableortoxicpropertiesandapplytosmallsectionsatatime.Goodventilationisessentialduringthiswork,andsourcesofignitionshouldbeexcluded.



Figure 11 Examplesofselfclosingcontainerforclothscontaminatedwithsolvents

Disposal of flammable liquids77Wasteliquidswillgenerallyneedtobestoredandhandledaccordingtothesamestandardsastheflammableliquidsfromwhichtheywerederived.Theywillalsobesubjecttothesamelegislation,unlesstheirphysicalpropertieshavebeensignificantlyalteredbytheprocessing.If,forexample,thestorageoftheoriginalflammableliquidrequiredalicencefromthePetroleumLicensingAuthority,thewastematerialmayalsobesubjecttothesamelicenceandconditions.

78Disposeofwasteliquidssafely,takingaccountoftheneedtopreventpollution.Neverputwasteliquidintopublicdrainsorwatercourses.Whenindoubt,consultthelocalwastedisposalauthority.

Figure 12 Exampleofsystemforwastesolventcollection



79Donotmixwastematerialscollectedfromdifferentprocessesbeforedisposalunlessthevariouscomponentsareknowntobecompatible,andonlyafterconsideringtheeventualdisposaltechniquetobeused.Anydrumsusedforwastematerialsshouldbesoundandnotcontainanyincompatibleresidues.Ifadrumisbeingusedasacollectingstationforwasteliquids,useafunnelthatfitssecurelyintothedrumopeningtoreducethepossibilityofspillage.Therearefunnelswithlidsandflamearresterstostopanyexternalignitionfromflashingbackintothedrumortopreventthedrumbecomingdangerouslypressurisedifitisengulfedbyfire.Whennotinusecontainersofwasteliquidsshouldbesecurelyclosedtopreventleakageandreturnedtostorageareasorcabinets.Donotaddanythingtowasteliquidcontainersinstorageareas(seeparagraph22),butbringthecanordrumouttoadesignatedworkarea.

80Recoveringwasteliquidbydistillationorothermeansmaybefeasible,particularlywherelargeamountsareinvolved.Proprietarybatchstillswithacapacityofafewhundredlitresareavailable,andlargeramountscanbesenttoaspecialistfirmforrecovery.Seekspecialistadviceifthesolventstoberecoveredcontainunstableresiduessuchasnitro-cellulose.

81Closedrumsandothercontainersthathavebeenusedtoholdflammableliquidsbuthavenotbeenthoroughlycleanedandstoretheminasafeplacebeforedisposalorre-use.Thestandardofstorageshouldbethesameasthatforfullcontainers(seeHS(G)51)11.Provideappropriatelabelsforcontainerstobesentoff-site,whethernominallyemptyorcontainingwastematerials.Theconsignorshouldprovidetheoperatorofthevehiclewiththenecessaryinformation(inwriting)aboutthematerialtobecarried,referringtotherelevantcarriagelegislation36,37,38.Wasteflammableliquidssentoff-sitewillalsobesubjecttoenvironmentallegislationincludingtheEnvironmentalProtection(DutyofCare)Regulations199139andtheControlledWaste(RegistrationofCarriersandSeizureofVehicles)Regulations199140.

Information and training82AdequatetrainingandaknowledgeofthepropertiesofflammableliquidsareessentialfortheirsafeuseandhandlingandarealsorequirementsoftheManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations19921.CarryingouttheriskassessmentsrequiredbytheseRegulationswillidentifyhowmuchinformation,trainingandretrainingareneeded.FurtherguidanceontheseRegulationsiscontainedintheApprovedCodeofPracticeentitledManagement of health and safety at work41.

83Allstaffonthesiteshouldbeinformedofthehazardsfromtheflammableliquidsinusethere,andoftheneedtoexcludesourcesofignitionandheatfromdesignatedareas.Thosehandlingflammableliquidsorworkingonplantcontainingflammableliquidsshouldalsoreceivespecifictraininginbothnormaloperatingproceduresandemergencyprocedures.Periodicretrainingwillusuallybeneeded.Thetrainingshouldcoverthefollowing:

n thetypesofflammableliquidsinuse,theirpropertiesandhazards;n generalproceduresforsafehandlingofliquidsandoperationofplant;n useofprotectiveclothing;n housekeeping;n reportingoffaultsandincidents,includingminorleaksandspills;n specificinstructionsonindividualitemsofplantandprocesses;n emergencyprocedures,includingraisingthealarm,anduseofappropriatefire-

fightingequipment.



Thereshouldbewrittenproceduresforcontrollingtherisksfromtheuseandhandlingofflammableliquids,andtheseshouldbeusedasabasisfortraining.

General fire precautions84Thepossibilityofafireanditsuncontrolledescalationcanbeminimisedby:

n goodplantdesignandlayout;n soundengineering;n goodoperatingpractice;n properinstructionofworkersinroutineoperationsandintheactiontobetaken

inanemergency.However,toensurethatpeopleareabletoevacuatetheplantorbuildingssafelybytheirownunaidedeffortsintheeventofafire,theFirePrecautionsAct197142requiresthefollowing:

n escaperoutes;n meanstoenablethesetobeused;n asystemofgivingwarninginthecaseoffire;n managementprocedurestoensurethatalloftheaboveareavailableand

maintained,andthatthereisadequatetrainingintheiruse.

TheFirePrecautionsAct197142isenforcedbytheFireAuthority,andforthemajorityofpremisesusingflammableliquidsthenecessaryprovisionswillbespecifiedinafirecertificateissuedbythatAuthority.UndertheFireCertificates(SpecialPremises)Regulations197643,HSEissuesthefirecertificateforcertainpremises,includingthosehandlinglargequantitiesofflammableliquids.

85TheBuildingControlAuthorities’buildingRegulationsspecifythestructuralfireprecautionsandescaperoutesneededfornewbuildingsandbuildingsundergoingmajoralterationandrefurbishment.Theauthorityissuingthefirecertificateshouldbeconsultedaboutanyfireprecautiondevicesthatcanbeconvenientlyinstalledduringbuildingoralterationwork,suchasfirealarmsandfixedfire-fightingappliances.BS5306Part344containsadviceonselecting,installingandmaintainingportablefireextinguishers.

86Oneoftherequirementstoensureescaperoutescanbeusedisthatfireextinguishersshouldbeprovidedfortacklingfiresintheirearlystages.ThepresenceoffireextinguishersshouldnotmakepeopledelaytheirescapeorpostponephoningtheFireBrigade.Worksfireteamsshouldnottacklefiresthatmightplacethematrisk.Thetypeoffirethatsuchateamshouldtackledependsontheteam’ssizeandexperience.Worksfireteamsshouldbetrainedtorecognisewhenafireisbeyondtheircontrolandwhenitislikelytoposeathreattothem.

87TheFireBrigadeonarrivalwilltakeresponsibilityfortacklingfires.UndertheFireServicesAct194745,theymustmakesurethatwhatevertheyneedforfire-fightingisavailable,includingwatersuppliesandaccessforappliances.ThefirmandtheFireAuthorityshoulddiscusstheserequirements,andthefirmshouldinformtheAuthorityofthematerialsandprocessesusedontheirpremises.ItshouldalsoarrangeforpeoplefamiliarwiththesetobeonhandtoadviseFireBrigadestaffincaseofanemergency.Contactnamescanbegiventothesitesecurityorcontactnumberspostedattheentrancetothesite.



88Considerprotectingvaluableplantfromfire,eitheractivelyorpassively,tolimitthedamagecausedbyanyincident.BS590846givesfurtherguidance,orspecialistadvicecanbeobtained.

Emergency procedures89Puttingsafetymeasuresintopracticeattheearlieststagecansignificantlyreducetheimpactofanincidentonpeopleandpremises.Aprocedurefordealingwithfires,spillsorleaksshouldthereforebedrawnuptocover:

n raisingthealarm;n callingtheFireBrigade;n tacklingthefireorcontrollingaspillorleak(whenitissafetodoso);n shuttingdowntheplantsafely;n evacuatingtheplantsafely.

Wherelargenumbersofemployeesonsiteorpeopleoffsitemaybeatrisk,onepersonshouldbenominatedtodrawupanactionplan,liaisewithotherservicesanddecideontheappropriatescaleofresponse.

90Whereforeseeableincidentsmayaffectpeopleorpropertybeyondthesiteboundary,theemergencyservicesshouldbeconsultedwhenpreparingtheemergencyprocedures.Formalon-siteandoff-siteemergencyplansarerequiredatsitessubjecttoregulations7to12oftheControlofIndustrialMajorAccidentHazard(CIMAH)Regulations198447–seeHS(G)2548.



Appendix 1: Legal requirementsHealth and Safety at Work etc Act 19742

1 ThisActisconcernedwithsecuringthehealth,safetyandwelfareofpeopleatworkandwithprotectingthosewhoarenotatworkfromriskstotheirhealthandsafetyarisingfromworkactivities.TheActanditsrelevantstatutoryprovisionsalsodealwithcontrollingthestorageanduseofexplosivesandhighlyflammableorotherwisedangeroussubstances.Thegeneraldutiesinsections2to4and6to8ofthisActapplytoalltheworkactivitieswhicharethesubjectofthisguidancebook.TheActisenforcedeitherbyHSEorbylocalauthoritiesasdeterminedbytheHealthandSafety(EnforcingAuthority)Regulations198949.GuidanceontheActiscontainedinanHSEpublicationentitledA guide to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 197450.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 19921

2 TheseRegulationsrequireallemployersandself-employedpersonstoassesstheriskstoworkersandotherswhomaybeaffectedbytheirundertakingssothattheycandecidewhatmeasuresneedtobetakentofulfiltheirstatutoryobligations.TheseRegulationsalsorequireanassessmenttodecideonappropriatehealthandsafetyarrangements,healthsurveillance,emergencyplanning,andtheprovisionofinformationandtraining.AnApprovedCodeofPracticegivesguidanceontheprovisionsoftheseRegulations41.

Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 19723

3 TheseRegulationsapplywhenliquidswhichhaveaflashpointoflessthan32°Candwhichsupportcombustion(whentestedintheprescribedmanner)arepresentatpremisessubjecttotheFactoriesAct196151.TheRegulationsincludeprovisionsforthesehighlyflammableliquidsrelatingto:

n precautionstobetakenduringstorage;n precautionstobetakenagainstspillsandleaks;n controlsforsourcesofignitioninareaswhereaccumulationsofvapoursmight

occur;n meanstopreventtheescapeofvapours;n dispersalofdangerousconcentrationsofvapours;n controlsonsmoking.

AnexceptiontothestoragerequirementsoftheseRegulationsapplieswhereapetroleumlicenceisinforce.HighlyflammableliquidsdefinedbytheseRegulationsareincludedinthescopeofthisguidancedocument.

Factories Act 196151

4 TheActdefinesa‘factory’andcontainsmanygeneralanddetailedprovisionsrelatingtoworkactivitiesinfactories.Section31(3)containsspecificrequirementsrelatingtotheopeningofplantthatcontainsanyexplosiveorinflammablegasorvapourunderpressure,andSection31(4)containsspecificrequirementsrelatingtotheapplicationofheattoplantthathascontainedanyexplosiveorinflammablesubstance.‘Inflammable’meansabletoburnwithaflameand‘flammable’



isgenerallytakentohavethesamemeaningas‘inflammable’.Inflammablesubstancesandvapourswillincludeflammableliquidsandtheirvapoursasdefinedinthisguidancedocument.

Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 19285

5 TheActdefinespetroleumandpetroleumspiritandrequiresthekeepingofsuchliquids(exceptforsmallspecifiedquantities)tobeauthorisedbyalicence,andtobeinaccordancewithanyconditionsofthelicence.ThePetroleum(Mixtures)Order19296extendstheserequirementstopetroleummixtureswhicharedefinedintheOrder.

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 19944

6 TheseRegulations,commonlyreferredtoastheCHIPSRegulations,containrequirementsforthesupplyofchemicals.TheRegulationsrequirethesupplierofchemicalsto:

n classifythem,thatis,identifytheirhazards;n giveinformationaboutthehazardstothepeopletheysupply,bothintheform

oflabelsandsafetydatasheets;n packagethechemicalssafely.

ClassifyingchemicalsaccordingtotheCHIPSRegulationsrequiresknowledgeofphysicalandchemicalproperties,includingtheflashpointsofliquids,andofhealthandenvironmentaleffects.Chemicalsaregroupedintothreecategoriesofdanger,accordingtotheirflashpoints:

n extremelyflammable–thoseliquidswithaflashpointlowerthan0°Candaboilingpointlowerthanorequalto35°C;

n highlyflammable–liquidswhichhaveaflashpointbelow21°Cbutarenotextremelyflammable;

n flammableliquids–liquidswhichhaveaflashpointequaltoorgreaterthan21°Candlessthanorequalto55°Candwhichsupportcombustionwhentestedintheprescribedmannerat55°C.

Flammable,highlyflammableandextremelyflammableliquidsareallincludedinthescopeofthisguidancebook.TheRegulationsaresupportedbyanApprovedsupplylist52containingagreedclassificationsforsomecommonsubstances,anapprovedclassificationandlabellingguide,anApprovedCodeofPracticeonsafetydatasheetsandbytheguidancepublicationCHIP 2 for everyone53.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 199436

7 TheseRegulationsapplytothetransportationofdangerousgoodsbyroadandrail.Theiraimistoreducethehazardsinvolvedintransportingsuchsubstancesbyrequiringthemtobecorrectlyclassified,andpackagedandlabelledaccordingtothatclassification.Theyspecifythatdangeroussubstancesshouldbecarriedinsuitablecontainerswhichwillnotleakundernormalhandling;theseshouldbearappropriatewarninglabelsgivinginformationonthenatureofthehazards.Twoassociateddocuments,theApproved carriage list54andtheApproved methods for the classification and packaging of dangerous goods for carriage by road and rail55provideassistancetoenablecompliancewiththeseRegulations.Flammable



liquidsclassifiedasdangeroussubstancesbytheseRegulationsarethoseliquidswhichhaveaflashpointof61°Corbelow(withcertainexceptionsbasedontheircombustibility)orliquidswithaflashpointabove61°Ccarriedattemperaturesabovetheirflashpoint.FlammableliquidsdefinedinthisguidancewillbeincludedinthescopeoftheseRegulations.

Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 199237 and the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 199238

8 TheseRegulationscomplementtheCarriageofDangerousGoodsbyRoadandRail(Classification,PackagingandLabelling)Regulations199436.Theirprovisionsincluderequirementsfor:n theconstructionofvehicles;n informationtobereceivedbyoperatorsandtobegiventodrivers;n themarkingofvehicles;n theloading,stowageandunloadingofconsignments.

DangeroussubstancesarethosematerialsincludedintheApprovedCarriageList54producedinassociationwiththe1994RegulationsorwiththecharacteristicpropertiesdefinedinSchedule1ofthoseRegulationsorSchedule1oftheroadtankerRegulations37.The1992roadtankerRegulationsdefineaflammableliquidashavingaflashpointof55°Candbelow,butthesewillberevisedtobringtheclassificationintolinewiththeabove1994carriageRegulations.FlammableliquidsdefinedinthisguidancewillbeincludedinthescopeoftheseRegulations.

Electricity at Work Regulations 198922

9 TheseRegulationsimposerequirementsforelectricalsystemsandequipment,includingworkactivitiesonornearelectricalequipment.Theyalsorequireelectricalequipmentwhichisexposedtoanyflammableorexplosivesubstance,includingflammableliquidsorvapours,tobeconstructedorprotectedsoastopreventdanger.AdviceisavailableinHS(R)2556.

Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations (NIHHS) 198257

10 TheseRegulationsrequirepremiseswithspecifiedquantitiesofparticularsubstances,suchas10000tonnesormoreofflammableliquidswithaflashpointoflessthan21°CtobenotifiedtoHSE.FollowingthePlanning(HazardousSubstances)Act199058andRegulations199259,thepresenceofNIHHSSchedule1substancesandquantities,togetherwithsomefromCIMAHSchedule347,on,overorunderlandrequiresconsentfromhazardoussubstancesauthorities.SimilarprovisionsalsoapplyinScotland.

Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984 as amended 1989/9047

11TheseRegulationsapplyattwolevelstocertainpremiseswherespecifiedquantitiesofparticularsubstancesarestoredorused,suchasflammableliquidswithaflashpointbelow21°Candaboilingpoint(atnormalpressure)above20°C.ThemainaimoftheseRegulationsistopreventmajoraccidentsoccurring;asecondaryobjectiveistolimittheeffectsofanywhichdohappen.Amajoraccident



isamajoremission,fireorexplosionresultingfromuncontrolleddevelopmentswhichleadstoseriousdangertopeopleortheenvironment.Thefirstlevelrequirementsapplyatpremiseswhere5000tonnesormoreofflammableliquids,asdefinedabove,areinvolvedincertainindustrialactivities,includingprocessingoperationsandstorage.Thesecondlevelrequirementsapplywhere50000tonnesormoreofflammableliquidsareinvolved.Thegeneralrequirementsapplyatbothlevelsandrequirethepersonincontroloftheindustrialactivitytodemonstratethatthemajoraccidenthazardshavebeenidentifiedandthattheactivityisbeingoperatedsafely.Theadditionalrequirementsthatapplyatthesecondlevelincludethesubmissionofawrittensafetyreport,preparationofanon-siteemergencyplanandprovisionofcertaininformationforthepublic.HS(R)2160givesguidanceontheseRegulations.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 19949

12TheseRegulationsrequireemployerstoassesstherisksarisingfromhazardoussubstancesatworkandtodecideonthemeasuresneededtoprotectthehealthofemployees.Theemployerisalsorequiredtotakeappropriateactiontopreventoradequatelycontrolexposuretothehazardoussubstance.SubstancescoveredbytheRegulationsincludecarcinogenicsubstancesandthosewhich,undertheChemicals(HazardInformationandPackagingforSupply)Regulations19944,arelabelledasverytoxic,toxic,harmful,corrosiveorirritant.TheRegulationsalsocoverdusts,wherepresentinsubstantialquantities,andthosesubstancesassignedoccupationalexposurelimits.FlammableliquidsnormallyhavetoxicorharmfulpropertieswhichbringthemwithinthescopeoftheseRegulations.

Safety Signs Regulations 198061

13 TheseRegulationscontainrequirementsforsafetysignsgivinghealthandsafetyinformationorinstructionstopeopleatwork(exceptforcertaincircumstancesdescribedintheRegulations)tocomplywithPart1ofBS537812.ASafetySignsDirective(92/58/EEC)tobeimplementedbyEuropeanCommunityMemberStateswillresultintheseRegulationsbeingreplacedbythenewHealthandSafety(SafetySignsandSignals)Regulations.TheDirectivelaysdownarequirementtoprovide,maintainanduseasignwhenriskassessmenthasindicatedtheneedforasigntowarnofahazardthatcannotbepreventedorcontrolledeffectivelybyothermeans.AnnexesItoVIIoftheDirectivecontaindetailsofappropriatesigns.Generally,thesignsthatareincludedinBS537812willmeettherequirementsoftheDirective.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 199262

14TheseRegulationsimplementaEuropeanCommunityDirectiveandaimtoensuretheprovisionofsafeworkequipmentanditssafeuse.Theyincludegeneraldutiescoveringtheselectionofsuitableequipment,maintenance,information,instructionsandtraining,andtheyalsoaddresstheneedforequipmenttobeabletocontrolselectedhazards.Regulation12isparticularlyrelevanttoequipmentassociatedwithflammableliquids.Itrequiresemployerstoensurethatpeopleusingworkequipmentarenotexposedtohazardsarisingfrom:

n equipmentcatchingfireoroverheating;n theunintendedorprematuredischargeofanyliquidorvapour;n theunintendedorprematureexplosionoftheworkequipmentorany

substanceusedorstoredinit.



GuidanceontheseRegulationsisavailableinanHSEpublicationentitledWork equipment63.

Fire Precautions Act 197142

15 ThisActcontrolswhathavebecomeknownasthe‘GeneralFirePrecautions’,coveringthemeansofescapeincaseoffire,themeansforensuringtheescaperoutescanbeusedsafelyandeffectively,themeansforfightingfires,andthemeansforgivingwarninginthecaseoffire;andthetrainingofstaffinfiresafety.TheActallowsthepresenceofflammableliquidstobetakenintoaccountwhenconsideringgeneralfireprecautions.TheActisenforcedbytheFireAuthoritiesandfurtherguidancecanbefoundinaHomeOfficepublicationentitledGuide to fire precautions in existing places of work that require a fire certificate – factories, offices, shops and railway premises64.

Fire Certificate (Special Premises) Regulations 197643

16 TheseRegulationsapplyatpremiseswherecertainquantitiesofhazardousmaterialsareprocessed,usedorstored.Forflammableliquidstheyapplyatpremiseswherethereisatotalofmorethan4000tonnesofanyhighlyflammableliquid(asdefinedbytheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723)ormorethan50tonnesofanyhighlyflammableliquidheldunderpressuregreaterthanatmosphericpressureandatatemperatureaboveitsboilingpoint.WheretheseRegulationsapplytheytaketheplaceoftheFirePrecautionsAct197142anddesignateHSEastheenforcingauthorityformattersrelatingtogeneralfireprecautions.

Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 199065

17ThepurposeoftheseRegulationsistoassistthefire-fightingservicesbytheprovisionofadvanceandon-siteinformationonsitescontaininglargequantitiesofdangeroussubstances.TheRegulationsapplyatsitescontainingtotalquantitiesof25tonnesormoreofdangeroussubstances.Dangeroussubstancesincludeflammableliquidswithaflashpointbelow55°Casdefinedbythisguidancedocument.TheRegulationsrequiresuitablesignstobeerectedataccesspointsandatanylocationsspecifiedbyaninspector,andnotificationtotheappropriatefireandenforcingauthoritiesofthepresenceofanydangeroussubstances.HS(R)2966givesfurtherguidance.



Appendix 2: Fire-resisting structuresHMChiefInspectorofFactorieshasissuedCertificateofApprovalNo1forstorerooms,processcabinetsorenclosures,workrooms,cupboards,bins,ducts,andcasings,whicharerequiredtobefire-resistingundertheHighlyFlammableLiquidsandLiquefiedPetroleumGasesRegulations19723.Themainrequirementsforcabinets,enclosures,workrooms,ductsandcasingsaresummarisedbelow.Theseshouldformthebasisforconstructionoffire-resistingenclosures,whetherornotthespecificRegulationsapply.

1 Cabinets and enclosures

(a) (i) Eachside,top,flooranddoorshouldbehalf-hourfire-resistanttoBS47667

Part8(nowreplacedbyParts20and22). (ii) Theinternalsurfacematerial(andanysubstratetowhichitisbonded)

should,iftestedtoBS476Part6(firepropagationtest),haveaperformanceindexofnotmorethan12andasub-indexofnotmorethan6.

Exceptionsto(i)and(ii)arefumecabinetsandgloveboxes,andovensusedonlyforevaporatingsolventsfrommaterials.

(b) Eachside,top,flooranddoorshouldbesupportedandfastenedtopreventfailureofthestructureinafireforatleasthalfanhour.Supportsandfasteningsshouldbenon-combustibletoBS476Part4.Exceptionsarefumecabinetsandgloveboxes.

(c) Thejoinsbetweensides,topsandfloorsshouldbebondedorfire-stoppedtopreventorretardthepassageofflameandhotgases.

(d) Thestructureshouldberobustenoughtowithstandforeseeableaccidentaldamage.

(e) Ifthesurfacesofthestructureareliabletobecoatedwithresidues,thestructureshouldallowremovaloftheresidueswithoutimpairingitsfireresistanceoritsabilitytoresistflamespread.

(f) Eachside,top,flooranddoorofovensusedonlyforsolventevaporationshouldbenon-combustibleiftestedtoBS476Part4.

2 WorkroomsNote:Thefollowingrequirementsdonotapplytoexternaldoors,windowsandwalls,ventilationopenings,ortotopsorceilingsofsingle-storeybuildingsandtop-floorrooms.

(a) Eachenclosingelement,forexample,walls,doors,windows,floorsandceilingsshouldbehalf-hourfire-resistanttoBS476Part8(nowreplacedbyParts20–23),exceptforafloorimmediatelyabovetheground.Theinsulationrequirementiswaivedforfloors,ceilingsanddoors.



(b) AllinternalsurfacesshouldbeatleastClass1iftestedtoBS476Part7(surfacespreadofflame),exceptforfloorsanddoors,andwindowsandtheirframes.

(c) Doorsshouldbeself-closingfromanyposition.

(d) Joinsbetweenelementsofconstructionshouldbebondedorfire-stoppedtopreventorretardthepassageofflameandhotgases.

(e) Thestructureshouldberobustenoughtowithstandforeseeableaccidentaldamage.

(f) Ifthesurfacesofthestructureareliabletobecoatedwithresidues,thestructureshouldallowforremovaloftheresidueswithoutimpairingitsfireresistanceoritsabilitytoresistflamespread.

3 Ducts, trunks and casings

(a) Ducts,trunksandcasingsshouldbeabletosatisfyBS476Part8(nowreplacedbyParts20and22)inremainingfreefromcollapseandresistingthepassageofflameforatleasthalfanhour.

(b) Theinternalsurfacematerial(andanysubstratetowhichitisbonded)should,iftestedtoBS476Part6(firepropagationtest),haveaperformanceindexofnotmorethan12andasub-indexofnotmorethan6.

(c) Thestructureshouldberobustenoughtowithstandforeseeableaccidentaldamage.

(d) Ifthesurfacesofthestructureareliabletobecoatedwithresidues,thestructureshouldallowremovaloftheresidueswithoutimpairingitsfireresistanceoritsabilitytoresistflamespread.

(e) Ducts,trunksandcasingsshouldbesupportedandfastenedtopreventfailureofthestructureinaninternalfireforatleasthalfanhour.Supportsandfasteningsshouldbenon-combustibletoBS476Part4.



Appendix 3: Hazardous area classification1 Thefirstapproachshouldalwaysbetocontroltheuseofflammablematerials(thatis,liquidsabovetheirflashpoint,gasesandvapours)byadoptingsuitableprecautions,soastominimisetheextentofanyhazardousarea.Theconceptofhazardousareaclassificationhas,inthepast,beenusedsolelyasthebasisforselectingfixedelectricalapparatus.However,italsocanbeusedtohelpeliminatepotentialignitionsources,includingportableelectricalequipment,vehicles,hotsurfaces,etc,fromflammableatmospheres.

2 Hazardousareasfallintothreetypesofzone:Zone0,Zone1andZone2,whicharethree-dimensionalspacesinwhichflammableconcentrationsofvapoursmaybepresent.Thehigherthezonenumberthelowerthelikelihoodthataflammablevapourwillexistwithinthezone.ElectricalequipmentsuitableforuseinZone0isproducedtoahigherspecification(thatis,itislesslikelytoproduceanincendivesparkonfailure)thanthatsuitableforuseinZone1,whichinturnisproducedtoahigherstandardthanthatforuseinZone2.Theaimistoreducetoanacceptableminimumleveltheprobabilityofaflammableatmospherecoincidingwithanelectricalorothersourceofignition.Thethreezonesaredefinedasfollows:

(a) Zone 0 – An area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is continuously present, or present for long periods.AZone0classificationappliestoenclosedspaceswhicharelikelytocontainaflammablevapourcontinuouslyorforlongperiods.Examplesaretheinsideofprocessvesselsandstoragecontainers.Itmayalsoapplyintheimmediatevicinityofexposedliquidsurfacesandofcontinuousreleasesofflammablematerial.

(b) Zone 1 – An area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is likely to occur in

normal operation. AZone1classificationwillbeappropriateifeitherofthefollowingapply:

(i) Theareacontainsplantwhichmay,innormaloperation,releasesufficientflammablematerialtocreateahazard.

(ii) TheareafulfilstherequirementsforZone2buttheventilationordrainageareinadequatetoensureaflammableatmosphereisquicklydispersed.Thisislikelytoapplytopits,trenchesandsimilardepressionsinthecaseofheavier-than-airgasesandtoenclosedroofspacesforlighter-than-airgases.

(c) Zone 2 – An area in which an explosive gas-air mixture is not likely to occur in normal operation, and if it occurs it will exist only for a short time.AZone2classificationcanbeappliedifallofthefollowingaresatisfied:

(i) Innormaloperation,thereisnoflammableliquidindirectcontactwiththesurroundingatmosphere.

(ii) Theplantconcernedisconstructed,installedandmaintainedsoastoprevent,innormaloperation,thereleaseofsufficientflammablematerialtocreateahazard.



(iii) Theareaiswellenoughventilatedanddrainedtodisperseanyflammableatmospherequicklyintheeventofarelease,sothatanycontactwithelectricalapparatusisonlyforabriefperiod.

(d) Areasoutsidethesezonesaredefinedasnon-hazardous.

3 Ifthetemperatureofaliquidisnotlikelytoberaisedaboveitsflashpoint,andthereislittlelikelihoodofaflammablemistorsprayoccurring,theliquidmaybeconsiderednottogiverisetoahazardousarea.Explosionprotectionofelectricalequipmentisnotthenrequired,butstepsshouldbetakentopreventleaksorsplashesoftheliquidfromcomingintocontactwithelectricalequipment.Nonetheless,thereshouldbenolikelihoodoflocalheatingoftheliquid,whichmightproduceaflammablevapour.Highflashpointliquidssubjecttotemperaturesabovetheirflashpointshouldbetreatedasflammableliquids.Incaseofdoubtseekspecialistadvice.

4 Aplanshouldbedrawnupshowingtheallocationofzonestoeachpartofthepremises.Theextentofeachzonewillvarywiththelayoutofthebuilding,thedesignoftheplant,ventilationattheplantandthetypeofmaterialshandled.Furtheradviceisavailablefromindustrycodes,BS534518Part2andtheInstituteofPetroleumModel code of safe practice in the petroleum industry: Part 15: Area classification code68.

Notes

1 Pipeworkwithall-weldedjointsisnotnormallyasourceofhazardprovidedtheriskofdamageisnegligible.

2 AllowforroutinereleasesofsmallamountsofflammablematerialinaZone2area,forexampleduringsampling,byassigningasmallZone1areaaroundthepointofrelease.

3 Regularemissionsofflammablevapour,forexamplefromtankventsduringpumping,willlikewisegiverisetoaZone1areaaroundeachpointofrelease.



Item Extent of area Classification

Pump(insideabuilding)

a)withinanyenclosurearoundthepump

b)withinahorizontalradiusof4mandverticallyfromthegroundlevelto2mabovetheunit

Zone1

Zone2

Closedprocessvessel,filledandemptiedbypipeline

a)Insidethevessel

b)Verticallyfromgroundlevelto2mabovethevesselandhorizontallyto2mfromthevessel(orto1moutsidethesillifthisisgreater)

Zone0

Zone2

Openvessel a)Insidethevessel

b)Verticallyfromgroundlevelto1mabovethevesselandhorizontallyto2mfromthevessel

c)Horizontallyto2mbeyondtheZone1area(orto1moutsidethesillifthisisgreater).Alsoverticallytoaheightof3miftheZone1areadoesnotreach3minheight

Zone0

Zone1

Zone2

Metereddischargepoint

a)within2mhorizontallyofthedischargepointandfromfloorpointlevelto1mabovethesource

b)horizontallyto2mbeyondtheZone1boundary,(orto1moutsidethesillifthisisgreater),andverticallytoaheightof3miftheZone1areadoesnotreach3minheight

Zone1

Zone2

Table 1 Typicalhazardousareaclassification



GlossaryAuto-ignition temperature: Theminimumtemperatureatwhichamaterialwillignitespontaneouslyunderspecifiedtestconditions.Alsoreferredtoasminimumignitiontemperature.

Combustible:Capableofburninginairwhenignited.

Enforcing authority: TheauthoritywithresponsibilityforenforcingtheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct19742andotherrelevantstatutoryprovisions.

Fire-resisting: Abletofulfil,forastatedperiodoftime,therequiredstability,fireintegrityand/orthermalinsulation,whereappropriate,inastandardfireresistancetest.SeeAppendix2.

Flame arrester:Adeviceconsistingofanelement,ahousingandassociatedfittingswhichisconstructedandusedtopreventthepassageofflame.Anarrestermaybecategorisedaseitheranend-of-linedeflagrationarrester,anin-linedeflagrationarresteroradetonationarrester–seeBS724420forrequirementsandtestmethods.Mostflamearrestersconsistofanassemblycontainingnarrowpassagesoraperturesthroughwhichgasesorvapourscanflowbutwhicharetoosmallforaflametopassthrough.

Flammable: Capableofburningwithaflame.Seeparagraph4forthedefinitionof‘flammableliquid’usedinthisguidance.

Flammable range:Theconcentrationofaflammablevapourinairfallingbetweentheupperandlowerexplosionlimits.

Flashpoint: Theminimumtemperatureatwhichaliquid,underspecifictestconditions,givesoffsufficientflammablevapourtoignitemomentarilyontheapplicationofanignitionsource.

Hazard:Anythingwiththepotentialforcausingharm.Theharmmaybetopeople,propertyortheenvironment,andmayresultfromsubstances,machines,methodsofworkorworkorganisation.

Hazardous area:Anareawhereflammableorexplosivegasorvapour-airmixtures(oftenreferredtoasexplosivegas-airmixtures)are,ormaybeexpectedtobe,presentinquantitieswhichrequirespecialprecautionstobetakenagainsttheriskofignition.SeeAppendix3.

Incendive:Havingsufficientenergytoigniteaflammablemixture.

Inert: Incapableofsupportingcombustion;torenderincapableofsupportingcombustion.

Lower explosion limit (LEL):Theminimumconcentrationofvapourinairbelowwhichthepropagationofaflamewillnotoccurinthepresenceofanignitionsource.Alsoreferredtoasthelowerflammablelimitorthelowerexplosivelimit.

Non-combustible material:Amaterialthatfulfilsthecriteriafornon-combustibilitygiveninBS47667Part4:1970.Alternatively,amaterialwhich,whentestedinaccordancewithBS476Part11:1982,doesnotflameandgivesnoriseintemperatureoneitherthecentreorfurnacethermocouples.



Risk: Thelikelihoodthat,shouldanincidentoccur,harmfromaparticularhazardwillaffectaspecifiedpopulation.Riskreflectsboththelikelihoodthatharmwilloccuranditsseverityinrelationtothenumbersofpeoplewhomightbeaffected,andtheconsequencestothem.

Risk assessment: Theprocessofidentifyingthehazardspresentinanyundertaking(whetherarisingfromworkactivitiesorotherfactors)andthoselikelytobeaffectedbythem,andofevaluatingtheextentoftherisksinvolved,bearinginmindwhateverprecautionsarealreadybeingtaken.

Upper explosion limit (UEL): Themaximumconcentrationofvapourinairabovewhichthepropagationofaflamewillnotoccur.Alsoreferredtoastheupperflammablelimitortheupperexplosivelimit.

Vapour: Thegaseousphasereleasedbyevaporationfromamaterialthatisaliquidatnormaltemperaturesandpressure.

Zone: Theclassifiedpartofahazardousarea,representingtheprobabilityofaflammablevapour(orgas)andairmixturebeingpresent.SeeAppendix3.



References and further reading References

1Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 SI1999/3242HMSO1999ISBN0110856252

2 Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Ch37HMSO1974 ISBN0105437743

3 Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972SI1972/917HMSO1972ISBN0110209176

4 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994SI1994/3247HMSO1994ISBN0110438779

5 Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 Chapter32HMSO1928

6 Petroleum (Mixtures) Order 1929HMSO1929ISBN0111000319

7 Environmental Protection Act 1990 HMSO1990ISBN0105443905

8 HSE Safety datasheets for substances and preparations dangerous for supply GuidanceonRegulation6oftheCHIPRegulations1994ApprovedCodeofPracticeL62HSEBooks1995ISBN071760859X

9 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994SI1994/3246HMSO1994ISBN0110437217

10HSEStorage of packaged dangerous substances HSG71 HSEBooks1998ISBN0717614840

11HSEThe storage of flammable liquids in containersHSG51 HSEBooks1998ISBN0717614719

12BritishStandardsInstitutionSafety signs and coloursBS5378:1980

13AmericanNationalStandardsInstituteStandardB31.3Chemical plant and petroleum refinery piping(withaddenda)

1 1981addendatoANSI/ASMEB31.3–1990edition(AWSI/ASME) 2 1982addendatoANSI/ASMEB31.3–1990edition(AWS1/ASME

B31.3b–1980) 14EngineeringEquipmentandMaterialUsersAssociationSupplement

153toANSI/ASMEB31.31989

15BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for pipe supportsBS3974:1974

16BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for identification of pipelines and services BS1710:1984

17BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for accommodation of building services in ducts BS8313:1997



18BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for the selection, installation and maintenance of electrical apparatus for use in potentially explosive atmospheres BS5345:1989(in8parts)

19EuropeanCodeofPracticeElectricalinstallations in potentially explosive gas atmospheres (other than mines)prEN50154(alsopublishedunderthesametitleasInternationalStandardIEC79–14)

20BritishStandardsInstitutionFlame arresters for general use BS7244:1990

21HSE Health and safety in motor vehicle repair HSEBooks1991HSG67 ISBN0717604837

22 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 SI1989/635HMSO1989 ISBN011096635X

23InstitutionofChemicalEngineers Electricity and flammable substances: A short guide for small businessesISBN08529525031989

24BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for earthingBS7430:1998

25BritishStandardsInstitutionCode of practice for the control of undesirable static electricityBS5958

Part 1: 1991 General considerations Part 2 : 1991 Recommendations for particular industrial situations

26BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for lined industrial vulcanised rubber boots BS5451:1989

27BritishStandardsInstitutionSpecification for lined lightweight rubber overshoes and overbootsBS7193:1989

28HSEDiesel-engined lift trucks in hazardous areasPM58HSEBooks1986ISBN0118835351

29HSEThe cleaning and gas freeing of tanks containing flammable residues CS15HSEBooks1985ISBN0717613658

30HSCOilIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeGuidance on permit-to-work systems in the petroleum industryHSEBooks1991ISBN0717612813

31HSEOccupational exposure limits EH40/2002HSEBooks2002 ISBN0717620832

32HSE Spraying of highly flammable liquids EH9HSEBooks1977 ISBN0118830341

33HSEEvaporating and other ovens HSG16HSEBooks1981 ISBN0118834339

34General COSHH ACoP, Carcinogens ACoP and Biological agents ACoP:Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999HSEBooks1999ISBN0717616703

35HSEDangerous maintenance - a study of maintenance accidents and how to prevent them HSEBooks1992ISBN0118863479



36HSE Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 1994SI1994/669HMSO1994

ISBN0110436695

37HSERoad Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1992SI1992/743HMSO1992ISBN0110237439

38HSERoad Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages, etc) Regulations 1992SI1992/742HMSO1992ISBN0110237420

39Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 SI1991/2839HMSO1991ISBN0110158539

40Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991SI1991/1624HMSO1991ISBN0110146247

41HSCManagement of health and safety at work. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 ApprovedCodeofPracticeL21

HSEBooks1999ISBN0717624889

42HomeOfficeandScottishOffice Fire Precautions Act 1971 Ch40HMSO1971ISBN010544071X

43Fire Certificates (Special Premises) Regulations 1976SI1976/2003HMSO1976ISBN0110620038

44BritishStandardsInstitutionBS5306Code of practice for fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises

Part1:1976Hydrant systems, hose reels and foam inlets Part3:2000Code of practice for the selection, installation and maintenance of

portable fire extinguishers

45Fire Services Act 1947Ch41HMSO1947ISBN0108501094

46BritishStandardsInstitutionBS5908:1990 Code of practice for fire precautions in the chemical and allied industriesISBN0580182053

47 Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations1999SI1999/743HMSOISBN0110821920

48HSEEmergency planning for major accidents:Control of Major Accident Hazards RegulationsHSG191HSEBooks1999ISBN0717616959

49Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1989 SI1989/1903HMSO1989ISBN0110979036

50HSEA guide to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 HSEBooks1992ISBN0717604411

51 Factories Act 1961Chapter34HMSO1961ISBN0108500276

52HSE Approved supply list and database - CHIP 2 L61ISBN0717608581

53HSECHIP 2 for everyone HS(G)126HSEBooks1995ISBN0717608573



54HSEApproved carriage list: Information approved for the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous goods for carriage by road and rail

L57HSEBOOKS1994ISBN0717607453

55HSEApproved requirements and test methods for the classification and packaging of dangerous goods for carriage. Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996L88HSEBooks1996ISBN071761221X

56 HSEMemorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 HS(R)25HSEBooks1989ISBN0717616029

57 Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982SI1982/1357HMSO1982ISBN0110273575

58 Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 HMSO1990 ISBN010541090X

59Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 1992 SI1992/656HMSO1992ISBN0110236564

60 HSEA guide to the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984HS(R)21HSEBooks1990ISBN0118855794

61 Safety Signs Regulations 1980 SI1980/1471HMSO1980 ISBN0110074718

62Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998SI1998/2306HMSO1998ISBN0110795997

63HSEWork equipment ProvisionandUseofWorkEquipmentRegulations1998GuidanceonRegulationsL22HSEBooks1998ISBN0717616266

64HomeOffice/ScottishHomeandHealthDepartment Guide to fire precautions in existing places of work that require a fire certificate - factories, offices, shops and railway premises

HMSO1993ISBN0113410794

65Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990 SI1990/304HMSO1990ISBN0110033043

66HSE Notification and marking of sites DangerousSubstances(NotificationandMarkingofSites)Regulations1990HS(R)29HSEBooks1990

ISBN0118854356

67BritishStandardsInstitutionBS476Fire tests on building materials and structures (invariousparts)

68InstituteofPetroleum Model code of safe practice in the petroleum industry Part 15: Area classification code 1990ISBN0471921602

Further reading

BritishStandardsInstitutionBSEN671:1995Specification for fire hose reels (water) for fixed installations



ChemicalIndustriesAssociationGuidelines for bulk handling of ethylene oxide1983ChemicalRecoveryAssociationCode of Practice for the recovery of flammable solvents1977

DrinksNationalIndustryGroupStorage and handling of high strength potable alcohol

FireProtectionAssociationCompendium of fire safety data Volume 2Industrial and process fire safety

FireProtectionAssociation Fire and related properties of industrial chemicals 1972

HSEDispensing petrol: Assessing and controlling the risk of fire and explosion at sites where petrol is stored and dispensed as a fuel HSG146HSEBooks1996ISBN0717610489

HSEThe storage of flammable liquids in tanksHSG176HSEBooks1998ISBN0717614700

The Petroleum – Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982 SI1982/630HMSOISBN0110266307

HSEApproved guide to the classification and labelling of substances and preparations dangerous for supply–CHIP2L100HSEBooks1995ISBN0717608603HSEThe storage and handling of organic peroxides CS21HSEBooks1991ISBN071762403X

HSC Fire safety in the printing industry HSEBooks1992ISBN0118863754

HSEGlass reinforced plastic vessels and tanks: Advice to usersPM75HSEBooks1991ISBN0118856081

Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyofthereferenceslistedinthispublication,theirfutureavailabilitycannotbeguaranteed.

HSEpricedandfreepublicationscanbeobtainedbymailorderfromHSEBooks(seebackcoverfordetails).HSEpricedpublicationsarealsoavailablefromgoodbooksellers.

BritishStandardsareavailablefrom:389ChiswickHighRoad,LondonW49ALTel:02089967000Fax:0208996

Further informationForinformationabouthealthandsafetyringHSE’sInfolineTel:08453450055Fax:08454089566Textphone:08454089577e-mail:[email protected],CaerphillyBusinessPark,CaerphillyCF833GG.

HSEpricedandfreepublicationscanbeviewedonlineororderedfromwww.hse.gov.ukorcontactHSEBooks,POBox1999,Sudbury,SuffolkCO102WATel:01787881165Fax:01787313995.HSEpricedpublicationsarealsoavailablefrombookshops.

BritishStandardscanbeobtainedinPDForhardcopyformatsfromtheBSIonlineshop:www.bsigroup.com/ShoporbycontactingBSICustomerServicesforhardcopiesonlyTel:02089969001e-mail:[email protected].

TheStationeryOfficepublicationsareavailablefromTheStationeryOffice,POBox29,NorwichNR31GNTel:08706005522Fax:08706005533e-mail:[email protected]:www.tso.co.uk(Theyarealsoavailablefrombookshops.)StatutoryInstrumentscanbeviewedfreeofchargeatwww.opsi.gov.uk.

PublishedbyHSE03/10 Page48of48


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