SAFETY POLICIES

SY08 Storage, Dispensing and use of

Flammable Liquids on University
Property
Policy Status:
Active
Policy Steward:
Assistant Vice-President for Police and Public Safety / Director of
Environmental Health and Safety

Contents:

 Purpose
 Application
 References
 Definitions
 Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids
o Containers
o Storage Cabinets
o Storage in inside storage rooms
o Storage inside buildings
 Fire Control
 Table I: Basic Principles for Storage, Dispensing and Use of Flammable and
Combustible Liquids
 Further Information
 Cross References

PURPOSE:

This policy prescribes general procedures concerning the storage, dispensing and use
of flammable and combustible liquids. This policy is not all inclusive; therefore,
prudent judgement must be employed for those specific applications not otherwise
identified in this policy. Additional information may be obtained from Environmental
Health and Safety at 814-865-6391.

APPLICATION:

This policy applies to the storage, dispensing and use of flammable and combustible
liquids at all locations of The Pennsylvania State University (except the Hershey
Medical Center and the College of Medicine).

REFERENCES:
NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code - National Fire Protection
Association.

The International Fire Code as Adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and
Industry.

The International Building Code as Adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of

Labor.

29 CFR 1910 OSHA General Industry Regulations- 1910.106 Flammable and

Combustible Liquids.

NFPA 45, Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals - National Fire Protection
Association.

DEFINITIONS:

A. Approved -
Approved or listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
B. Business Occupancy -
Includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for
office, professional or service-type transactions, including storage of records and
accounts. Business occupancies shall include educational occupancies for students
above the 12th grade.
C. Control Area -
Spaces within a building where quantities of hazardous materials not exceeding the
maximum allowable quantities per control area are stored, dispensed, used or handled.
D. Flash Point -
The temperature at which a liquid gives off vapor sufficient to form an ignitable
mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid or within the vessel used as
determined by appropriate test procedure.
E. Fire Area -
An area of a building separated from the remainder of the building by construction
having a fire resistance of at least 1 hour and having all communicating openings
properly protected by an assembly having a fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour.
F. Liquids -
When not otherwise identified, includes both flammable and combustible liquids.

1. Combustible Liquids
Any liquid having a flash point at or above 100°F. Combustible liquids shall
be divided into classes of liquids as follows:
A. Class II shall include those having flash points at or above 100°F and
below 140°F.
B. Class IIIA shall include those having flash points at or above 140°F
and below 200°F.
C. Class IIIB shall include those having flash points at or above 200°F.
2. Flammable Liquids
Any liquid having a flash point below 100°F. Flammable Liquids shall be
divided into classes of liquids as follows:
 A. Class IA shall include those having flash points below 73°F and having
a boiling point below 100°F.
B. Class IB shall include those having flash points below 73°F and having
a boiling point at or above 100°F.
C. Class IC shall include those having flash points at or above 73°F and
below 100°F.

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID CLASSIFICATION

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID

CLASSIFICATION
Class IA, IB, and IC are classified as Flammable
liquids
Class II, IIIA, and IIIB are classified as
Combustible liquids
BOILING
CLASS FLASHPOINT
POINT
IA Below 73 Below 100
IB Below 73 At or above 100
At or above 73, below
IC NA
100
At or above 100, below
II NA
140
At or above 140, below
IIIA NA
200
IIIB At or above 200 NA

NOTE: The volatility of liquids is increased when artificially heated to temperatures

equal to or higher than their flash points. When so heated, Class II and Class III
liquids shall be subject to the applicable requirements for Class I or II liquids.

G. Safety Can -
An approved container of not more than five gallons capacity, having a spring-closing
lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when
subjected to fire exposure.

STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS:

A. Containers.

1. Only approved containers shall be used.

2. Containers for flammable and combustible liquids shall conform to Table I,
below.

B. Storage Cabinets.

1. Not more than 120 gallons of Class I, Class II, and Class III Liquids may be
stored in an approved storage cabinet. Of this total, not more than 60 gallons
 may be Class I or Class II Liquids. When approved, no more than three such
cabinets may be located in a single fire area.
2. All approved cabinets shall be labeled in conspicuous lettering,
"FLAMMABLE - KEEP FIRE AWAY."

C. Storage in inside storage rooms.

1. In every inside storage room there shall be maintained one clear aisle at least
three feet wide. Containers over 30 gallons capacity of Class I and Class II
Liquids shall not be stacked one upon the other. Dispensing shall be by
approved pump or self-closing faucet only.

D. Storage inside buildings.

1. Egress: Flammable or combustible liquids shall not be stored so as to limit use

of exits, stairways or areas normally used for the safe egress of people.
2. Containers: The storage of flammable or combustible liquids in containers
shall comply with Table I.
3. Maximum Allowable Quantities: Quantities must comply with Table
2703.1.1(1) "Maximum Allowable Quantity Per Control Area Of Hazardous
Materials Posing A Physical Hazard". This table can be accessed by referring
to the International Fire Code, latest adopted Edition.

FIRE CONTROL:

Suitable fire control devices, such as 1-1/2" diameter hose or portable fire
extinguisher, shall be available at locations where flammable or combustible liquids
are stored.

1. At least one portable fire extinguisher having an Underwriters' Laboratories

Classification rating of not less than 20-B units shall be located outside of, but
not more than 10 feet from, the door opening into any room used for storage.
2. At least one portable fire extinguisher having an Underwriters' Laboratories
Classification rating of not less than 20-B units shall be located not less than
10 feet, nor more than 50 feet, from any flammable liquid storage area located
outside of a storage room but inside of a building.
3. Open flames and smoking shall not be permitted in flammable or combustible
liquid storage areas.

TABLE I: Basic Principles for Storage, Dispensing and Use of

Flammable and Combustible Liquids

1. Limit the quantities at any one location to those necessary, but not to exceed
the limits specified in the table referenced in Section D.3 of this policy.
2. Prohibit smoking and eliminate other possible sources of ignition wherever
liquids are stored or used.
3. Prevent accumulation of vapors by careful handling and by providing adequate
ventilation.
4. Use only approved containers, e.g. safety cans or metal drums, for all
transportation and handling.
 5. Avoid sparks from static charges generated by pouring; connect dispensing
and receiving containers (if metal) by a suitable electrical conductor.
6. Label every container used for flammable liquids with the name of the
material and its associated hazards.
7. Individual container size shall comply with the chart below.

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIZE OF FLAMMABLE AND

COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID CONTAINERS

Maximum Allowable Size of FlammableLiquid

Containers
CLASS CLASS CLASS
CONTAINER
IA IB IC
1 quart
Glass 1 pint (a) 1 gallon
(a)
Metal (other than DOT 5 gallons 5 gallons
1 gallon
drums) or approved plastic (b) (b)
5 gallons 5 gallons
Safety cans 2 gallons
(b) (b)
Metal drum (DOT Spec.) in Not 5 gallons 5 gallons
lab areas allowed (b) (b)
60 60 60
Metal drum (DOT Spec.)
gallons gallons gallons

Maximum Allowable Size of Combustible Liquid

Containers
CONTAINER CLASS II CLASS III
Glass 1 gallon 5 gallons
Metal (other than DOT
5 gallons (b) 5 gallons
drums) or approved plastic
Safety cans 5 gallons (b) 5 gallons
Metal drum (DOT Spec.) in
60 gallons (b) 60 gallons
lab areas
Metal drum (DOT Spec.) 60 gallons 60 gallons

(a) Glass containers of not more than one-gallon capacity are acceptable if the
required purity would be affected by storage in metal or if excessive corrosion would
result from storage in metal.

(b) In instructional laboratory work areas, no container for Class I or II liquids shall
exceed a capacity of one-gallon, other than safety cans which may be of two-gallon
capacity.
FURTHER INFORMATION:

For questions, additional detail, or to request changes to this policy, please contact the
Director of Environmental Health and Safety.

CROSS REFERENCES:

Other Policies should also be referenced, especially the following:

SY39 - Hazardous Chemical Inventory Management

SY43 - Laboratory and Research Safety Plan

Effective Date: March 16, 2017

Date Approved: March 16, 2017
Date Published: March 16, 2017

Most Recent Changes:

 March 16, 2017 - Upon review, the policy content is still accurate as
documented.

Revision History (and effective dates):

 June 20, 2014 - Title updated for clarity; Policy updated to reflect revised
definitions, content and references.
 February 27, 2014 - Editorial changes. Addition of policy steward
information, in the event that there are questions or requests for changes to the
policy.
 June 19, 2006 - Editorial changes; classification tables placed in "table" format
for improved readability.
 April 15, 1993 - Updates to Table I
 May 29, 1987 - Updates to "Storage in Inside Buildings" Section.
 March 22, 1976 - Earliest version of policy found in working papers. Cannot
confirm if it was the original version