SECTION 4.12  LABORATORIES

Subsection 4.12.1.  Application

Application

4.12.1.1.  This Section applies to laboratories where flammable liquids and combustible liquids are used or handled.

4.12.1.2.  If there is a conflict between the requirements in this Section and other requirements in this Part, the requirements in this Section shall prevail.

Subsection 4.12.2.  Separation

Separation

4.12.2.1.  (1)  A laboratory shall be separated from other parts of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), an existing laboratory that has fire separations consisting of membranes of lath and plaster or gypsum board is deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (1).

Subsection 4.12.3.  Maximum Quantities

Maximum quantities

4.12.3.1.  (1)  Containers used for the storage of flammable liquids or combustible liquids shall

(a)   if not more than 5 L in capacity, comply with Subsection 4.2.3., or
(b)   if more than 5 L in capacity,

(i)   comply with the safety container standards of ULC/ORD-C30, “Safety Containers”, and
(ii)   have a capacity of not more than 25 L.

    (2)  Subject to Sentence (3) and Subsection 4.12.10., no more than 300 L of flammable liquids and combustible liquids, of which no more than 50 L may be flammable liquids, shall be kept in the open area of a laboratory.

(3)  Quantities in excess of those permitted in Sentence (2) shall be stored in cabinets conforming to Subsection 4.2.10. or in a room conforming to Subsection 4.2.9.

(4)  Containers of flammable liquids or combustible liquids shall be kept closed when not in use.

Subsection 4.12.4.  Emergency Planning

Fire safety plan

4.12.4.1.  (1)  Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (4), a laboratory shall conform with the requirements of Section 2.8.

(2)  Fire drills required in Subsection 2.8.3. shall be held at intervals not greater than six months in laboratories.

(3)  Personnel working in laboratories shall be trained in the safe handling of flammable liquids and combustible liquids.

(4)  Measures shall be taken to prevent access to laboratories by unauthorized persons.

Subsection 4.12.5.  Spill Control

Spill control

4.12.5.1.  A written spill procedure shall be provided for laboratories in conformance with Article 4.1.6.4.

Subsection 4.12.6.  Electrical Equipment

Electrical equipment

4.12.6.1.  Electrical equipment shall conform with Subsection 4.1.4.

Subsection 4.12.7.  Inspection and Maintenance

Inspection and maintenance

4.12.7.1.  (1)  Electrical equipment, mechanical systems, piping, valves and automatic and manual control and safety devices shall be inspected annually and maintained in good operating condition at all times.

(2)  The ventilation systems serving a laboratory shall be inspected and cleaned as required to prevent the accumulation of combustible or reactive deposits, and the intervals between inspections shall be not greater than

(a)   12 months for the ventilation systems of the open laboratory areas, and
(b)   six months for the ventilation system of a power-ventilated enclosure required in Article 4.12.8.2.

Subsection 4.12.8.  Ventilation

Scope and application

4.12.8.1.  (1)  Ventilation systems shall conform to Subsection 4.1.7. and Articles 4.12.8.2. to 4.12.8.5.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), existing ventilation systems need not conform with Articles 4.1.7.3., 4.1.7.4. and 4.12.8.2. to 4.12.8.5.

(3)  Existing ventilation systems where make-up air is provided are deemed to be in compliance with Article 4.1.7.5.

(4)  Existing ventilation systems that maintain a negative pressure within the ventilation system with respect to the surroundings are deemed to be in compliance with Article 4.1.7.7.

Ventilation

4.12.8.2.  (1)  A laboratory shall be provided with continuous mechanical ventilation designed and maintained to ensure that flammable vapours

(a)   do not accumulate in the laboratory,
(b)   are prevented from migrating to other parts of the building,
(c)   do not accumulate in the ventilation system,
(d)   are exhausted to the outdoors, and
(e)   are not returned to the building.

    (2)  A ventilation system required in Sentence (1) shall be provided with monitoring devices to

(a)   indicate that the ventilation system is in operation, and
(b)   sound an alarm if the ventilation system malfunctions.

Power-ventilated enclosure

4.12.8.3.  (1)  The use and handling of flammable liquids or combustible liquids in a laboratory shall be confined inside a power-ventilated enclosure conforming to Articles 4.12.8.4. and 4.12.8.5. when

(a)   their use releases flammable vapours which could be potentially explosive,
(b)   liquids are heated to a temperature equal to or greater than their flash point, or
(c)   unstable liquids are used.

Enclosure exhaust ventilation

4.12.8.4.  (1)  The ventilation system for a power-ventilated enclosure required in Article 4.12.8.3. shall

(a)   conform to NFPA 91, “Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Noncombustible Particulate Solids”,
(b)   provide continuous exhaust ventilation at an air velocity sufficient to prevent the accumulation of explosive vapours or of combustible or reactive deposits in the power-ventilated enclosure and its exhaust duct system,
(c)   confine flammable vapours to the area where they are generated and exhaust them to the outdoors,
(d)   not return the exhausted air to the building, and
(e)   be provided with well identified control switches that are

(i)   located outside of the power-ventilated enclosure, and
(ii)   readily accessible in case of an emergency.

    (2)  Where deposits referred to in Clause (1)(b) can accumulate in the power-ventilated exhaust duct system and create a fire or explosion hazard,

(a)   provisions shall be made to remove such deposits so they do not create a fire or explosion hazard, or
(b)   an automatic special fire suppression system shall be provided in conformance with an applicable standard set out in Article 6.8.1.1.

Enclosure construction

4.12.8.5.  (1)  The power-ventilated enclosure required in Article 4.12.8.3. and its exhaust system shall

(a)   except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), be constructed of noncombustible materials compatible with and chemically resistant to vapours being exhausted,
(b)   be provided with access doors to permit inspection and maintenance of the fan assembly and exhaust ducts,
(c)   be provided with instructions for its use and the operation of the ventilation system, and
(d)   be provided with means to control accidental spillage in conformance with Subsection 4.1.6.

    (2)  Combustible materials are permitted in systems described in Clause (1)(a) where

(a)   such materials are required by the corrosive or reactive properties of chemicals or liquids being used, and
(b)   their flame-spread rating is not more than 25.

    (3)  The flame-spread rating required in Sentence (2) is permitted to be greater than 25 if an automatic special fire suppression system conforming to an applicable standard set out in Article 6.8.1.1. is provided inside the power-ventilated enclosure and its exhaust duct system.

Subsection 4.12.9.  Refrigerated Storage

Refrigerated storage

4.12.9.1.  (1)  Refrigerators described in Sentence 4.1.4.1.(2) shall be identified as containing flammable liquids or combustible liquids.

(2)  Class I liquids stored in refrigerators shall be kept in closed containers.

Subsection 4.12.10.  Existing Laboratories in Basements

Existing laboratories in basements

4.12.10.1.  (1)  Existing laboratories in basements may store, handle or use flammable liquids and combustible liquids if

(a)   the quantity of flammable liquids and combustible liquids that are stored, handled or used does not exceed 300 L, of which not more than 250 L are flammable liquids,
(b)   continuous mechanical ventilation to the outdoors is provided to ensure that flammable vapour concentrations do not exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit,
(c)   an audible alarm is provided that will be sounded in an attended area upon shutdown of the mechanical ventilation system,
(d)   the building has a fire safety plan in accordance with Section 2.8,
(e)   Class IA liquids are not stored in containers greater than 4 L in capacity,
(f)   all sources of ignition within 0.9 m from the floor are eliminated or the room is equipped with a flammable vapour detection system that will alarm in an attended location upon detection of vapour concentrations exceeding 10% of the lower explosive limit, and
(g)   the laboratory is designed to prevent critical structural and mechanical damage from an internal explosion in accordance with NFPA 68, “Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting”, unless

(i)   all dispensing of flammable liquids is carried out in a power-ventilated enclosure in accordance with Articles 4.12.8.3. to 4.12.8.5., and
(ii)   Class IA liquids are stored in cabinets in accordance with Article 4.2.10.5.