SECTION 5.14  SPECIAL PROCESSES INVOLVING FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS

Subsection 5.14.1.  Quench Tanks

Location

5.14.1.1.  (1)  Quench tanks shall be located as far as practical from annealing, hardening and tempering furnaces.

(2)  Quench tanks shall not be located on or near combustible floors.

Hoods and vents

5.14.1.2.  Quench tanks shall be provided with a noncombustible hood and vent exhausting to the outside to prevent the accumulation and condensation of vapours from the process.

Vent design

5.14.1.3.  Vents for quench tanks shall conform to the requirements for flue pipes in Section 2.6.

High temperature limit switches

5.14.1.4.  (1)  A high temperature limit switch shall be provided to sound an alarm, shut off heat and stop conveyors when a flammable liquid or combustible liquid reaches 28°C below its flash point in a quench tank.

(2)  The temperature-sensing element for the high temperature limit switch in Sentence (1) shall be located close to the surface of the liquid and be protected from damage.

Electrical installations

5.14.1.5.  Electrical installations conforming to the requirements for dip tanks in Article 5.13.5.6. shall be provided for quench tanks of over 1900 L capacity whose liquid surface area exceeds 2.5 m².

Air pressure

5.14.1.6.  Air under pressure shall not be used to fill or agitate oil in quench tanks.

Working temperatures

5.14.1.7.  A quench tank shall be designed so that the maximum workload is incapable of raising the working temperature of the cooling medium to within 28°C of its flash point.

Subsection 5.14.2.  Flow-Coating Operations

Application

5.14.2.1.  (1)  This Subsection applies to flow-coating operations using flammable liquids or combustible liquids.

(2)  The requirements in Section 5.13 for dip tanks shall also apply to flow-coating operations described in Sentence (1).

(3)  The sump area and any area on which coating liquid flows shall be considered as the dip tank area.

Supply

5.14.2.2.  (1)  Flammable liquids and combustible liquids shall be supplied by

(a)   direct low pressure pumping arranged to shut down automatically by means of listed and labelled devices in the event of fire, or
(b)   a gravity tank not exceeding 45 L in capacity.

Subsection 5.14.3.  Roll Coating Processes

Application

5.14.3.1.  (1)  This Subsection applies to roll-coating processes in which flammable liquids or combustible liquids are applied to products or materials by bringing them into contact with a roller that is coated with the coating liquid.

(2)  The requirements in Section 5.13 for dip tanks shall also apply to roll-coating processes described in Sentence (1).

Grounding

5.14.3.2.  (1)  Rotating parts shall be grounded.

(2)  Static collectors shall be installed where the material being coated leaves each rotating part.

Location

5.14.3.3.  Operations involving materials that have been freshly coated with a liquid containing solvents having a flash point of less than 43°C shall be located in sprinklered rooms that are separated from other occupancies by fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h.

Subsection 5.14.4.  Electrostatic Detearing Processes

Application

5.14.4.1.  (1)  This Subsection applies to electrostatic detearing processes involving the use of flammable liquids or combustible liquids.

(2)  Protective finishing systems are deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Subsection if they comply with Article 5.1.3.1. and the design, operation and maintenance requirements in NFPA 33, “Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials”.

Equipment location

5.14.4.2.  (1)  Electrical components, including transformers, power packs and control equipment for the electrostatic removal of excess coating material (detearing), shall be located in an area where the vapour concentration of flammable liquids or combustible liquids cannot exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit.

(2)  Sentence (1) does not apply to high voltage grids and their connections.

Interlocks

5.14.4.3.  (1)  Electrostatic detearing equipment shall be provided with automatic controls that will operate without a time delay to disconnect power to high voltage transformers and to signal the operator of the equipment if

(a)   the air supply system, the ventilating fan or the conveyor system stops,
(b)   a ground occurs at any point on the high voltage system, or
(c)   any clearances are reduced below those required by Article 5.14.4.5.

Insulators

5.14.4.4.  Insulators shall be kept clean and dry.

Clearances

5.14.4.5.  (1)  A clearance space that is equivalent to twice the sparking distance shall be maintained between articles being deteared and electrodes or conductors.

(2)  A sign shall be conspicuously posted near the detearing area indicating the minimum clearance space required.

Drip plates and screens

5.14.4.6.  Drip plates and screens subject to paint deposits shall be removable for cleaning.

Insulating and grounding

5.14.4.7.  High voltage components shall be insulated and protected against mechanical damage and accidental contact or grounding.

Automatic grounding

5.14.4.8.  An automatic means shall be provided for grounding the electrode system when it is de-energized.

Precautions against shock

5.14.4.9.  High voltage circuits shall be designed so that any discharge will not ignite vapour-air mixtures or create a shock hazard.

Subsection 5.14.5.  Automobile Undercoating

Spray operations

5.14.5.1.  Automobile undercoating spray operations shall conform to the requirements of Section 5.12 or to the requirements in this Subsection.

Undercoating materials

5.14.5.2.  (1)  Automobile undercoating materials shall have a flash point of not less than 37.8°C.

(2)  Where the flash point of an automobile undercoating is less than 60°C, it shall be applied in a work area where

(a)   there are no work pits,
(b)   there is a fan, that provides mechanical ventilation during the application, cleaning and drying cycles,

(i)   with nonferrous blades, or so constructed that a movement of the wheel or shaft will not permit two ferrous parts of the fan to rub or strike, and
(ii)   that ensures that the concentration of vapour does not exceed 25% of the lower explosive limit,

(c)   air movement from the air intake and exhaust system is along the length of the vehicle being undercoated, and
(d)   air is exhausted at a level approximately 1 m above the floor.

Ignition sources

5.14.5.3.  (1)  Work stations in Article 5.14.5.2. shall have no source of ignition located within 6 m horizontally of the work area or in the area above it.

(2)  Signs prohibiting smoking that conform to Article 2.4.3.2. shall be posted at the outer limits of the work area.

Electrical installations

5.14.5.4.  Except for overhead lighting that is totally enclosed and sealed with gaskets, electrical wiring and equipment within the area of hazard described in Article 5.14.5.3. shall conform to Article 5.1.3.1.

Storage and handling

5.14.5.5.  The storage and handling of flammable liquids and combustible liquids shall be in conformance with Part 4.

Portable extinguishers

5.14.5.6.  Portable extinguishers shall be located so that there is one portable extinguisher having a 20B:C rating immediately accessible to each work station described in Article 5.14.5.2.

Refuse disposal

5.14.5.7.  All areas where automobile undercoating is used shall be kept clean of undercoating deposits and refuse, which shall be placed in covered metal receptacles.

Subsection 5.14.6.  Dry Powder-Coating Using Fluidized Beds

Application and location

5.14.6.1.  (1)  This Subsection applies to coating operations involving the use of combustible dry powders applied by fluidized beds or electrostatic fluidized beds.

(2)  Coating operations referred to in Sentence (1) shall be performed in

(a)   ventilated and enclosed powder-coating rooms of noncombustible construction, or
(b)   ventilated and enclosed powder-coating enclosures of noncombustible construction.

(3)  Protective finishing systems are deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Subsection if they comply with Article 5.1.3.1. and the design, operation and maintenance requirements in NFPA 33, “Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials”.

Location of electrical equipment

5.14.6.2.  With the exception of charging electrodes and their connections, transformers, power packs, control apparatus and all other electrical components shall be located outside the powder-coating area.

Working temperatures

5.14.6.3.  (1)  Where a part to be coated is preheated prior to the application of the powder, the temperature of the part shall not exceed the ignition temperature of the powder being used.

(2)  The surface temperature of electrostatic fluidized bed coating areas shall not exceed 66°C.

Grounding

5.14.6.4.  (1)  Powder transport, application and recovery equipment shall be grounded.

(2)  Electrically conductive objects within the charging influence of the electrodes of electrostatic fluidized beds shall be grounded.

(3)  A sign shall be posted indicating the necessity of grounding equipment and objects identified in Sentences (1) and (2).

Electrical discharges

5.14.6.5.  High voltage circuits in electrostatic fluidized beds shall be designed so that any discharge produced when the charging electrodes of the bed are approached or contacted by a grounded object will not be of sufficient intensity to ignite any powder-air mixture likely to be encountered or result in any appreciable shock hazard.

Handling of spark-producing materials

5.14.6.6.  Means shall be provided to prevent tramp iron or other spark-producing materials from being introduced into the powders being applied.

Recovery systems

5.14.6.7.  All waste air-suspended powders shall be removed by exhaust ducts to a powder recovery system and shall not be released to the outside atmosphere.

Waste dust removal

5.14.6.8.  Accumulations of waste dust from dry powder finishes shall be removed using the methods set out in Article 5.10.1.2.

Contact points

5.14.6.9.  Objects being coated shall be maintained in contact with the conveyor or other support.

Hangers

5.14.6.10.  Hangers for objects being coated shall be kept clean and have sharp points or edges at areas of contact.

Smoking prohibited

5.14.6.11.  (1)  Smoking shall not take place in powder-coating areas and in powder storage rooms.

(2)  Signs prohibiting smoking that conform to Article 2.4.3.2. shall be conspicuously posted at all powder-coating areas and powder storage rooms.

Subsection 5.14.7.  Organic Peroxides and Dual Component Coatings

Location of spraying operations

5.14.7.1.  Spraying operations involving the use of organic peroxides and other dual component coatings shall be conducted in sprinklered spray booths as described in Sentence 5.12.8.2.(1).

Initiator storage

5.14.7.2.  Organic peroxide initiators shall be stored so that they will be kept away from contact with other stored materials.

Handling equipment

5.14.7.3.  Handling equipment, including spray guns, which is specifically designed for use with organic peroxides shall be used to apply such coatings.

Containers

5.14.7.4.  Separate containers shall be used exclusively for the storage of resin and organic peroxide.

Pressure tank inserts

5.14.7.5.  Organic peroxide pressure tank inserts shall be constructed of stainless steel, polyethylene or a material that is equally inert to organic peroxide.

Elimination of foreign materials

5.14.7.6.  Precautions shall be taken to prevent any mixing of foreign materials with dusts or overspray residues resulting from the sanding or spraying of finishing materials containing organic peroxides.

Subsection 5.14.8.  Floor Finishing

Application

5.14.8.1.  Floor finishing operations involving the use of flammable liquids or combustible liquids shall conform to Part 4 and this Subsection.

Operations below grade

5.14.8.2.  Floor finishing operations involving the use of flammable liquids shall not be performed below grade.

Public access

5.14.8.3.  Any part of a building where floor finishing operations are done shall not be open to the public.

Ventilation

5.14.8.4.  (1)  Ventilation shall be provided in areas where floor finishing operations are done to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapours.

(2)  Ventilation required in Sentence (1) is permitted to be provided by mechanical systems if their use does not constitute a source of ignition.

Prohibited activities during flammable liquid application

5.14.8.5.  (1)  During the application of flammable liquids and for at least 1 h after such application

(a)   all mechanical systems, electric motors, and other equipment that might be a source of ignition shall be shut down,
(b)   smoking shall not take place, and
(c)   open flames shall not be used.

Waste receptacles

5.14.8.6.  A receptacle conforming to Sentence 2.4.1.3.(3) shall be provided for all waste rags and materials used in operations involving flammable liquids or combustible liquids, and the contents shall be removed daily and disposed of in a manner that will not create a fire hazard.

Subsection 5.14.9.  Bowling Alleys

Application

5.14.9.1.  This Subsection applies to bowling alleys.

Notification

5.14.9.2.  The Chief Fire Official shall be notified when bowling alleys are to be resurfaced.

Floor finishing

5.14.9.3.  Floor finishing operations shall be carried out in accordance with Subsection 5.14.8.

Pin refinishing

5.14.9.4.  (1)  Pin refinishing shall be carried out

(a)   in a building provided for that purpose, or
(b)   in a room at or above grade separated from the building it is located in by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h.

Smoking prohibited

5.14.9.5.  (1)  Smoking shall not take place in a room where pin refinishing occurs.

(2)  Signs prohibiting smoking that meet the requirements of Article 2.4.3.2. shall be conspicuously posted in any place where pin refinishing occurs.

Flammable and combustible liquids

5.14.9.6.  The storage, handling and use of flammable liquids and combustible liquids shall meet the requirements of Part 4.

5.14.9.7.  (1)  During the pin refinishing process, a receptacle that complies with Sentence 2.4.1.3.(3) shall be provided for waste rags and materials used in operations involving flammable finishes or solvents.

(2)  The contents of each receptacle referred to in Sentence (1) shall be removed daily and disposed of in an approved manner.

Subsection 5.14.10.  Drycleaning and Dyeing Plants

Application

5.14.10.1.  (1)  Drycleaning plants shall comply with NFPA 32, “Standard for Drycleaning Plants”.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1) and subject to Article 5.14.10.2., flammable liquids shall not be used for any purpose in drycleaning and dyeing plants.

Use and storage of flammable liquids

5.14.10.2.  (1)  Flammable liquids may be used as a local application to remove spots and stains if the liquids

(a)   are stored in containers that have a capacity of not more than 1 L,
(b)   do not exceed more than 25 L in aggregate quantity, and
(c)   are dispensed from plastic containers that have a capacity of not more than 0.5 L.

(2)  Despite Sentence (1), existing drycleaning plants and dyeing plants may be approved if the Chief Fire Official is satisfied that the level of fire safety specified in Sentence (1) is provided.

Subsection 5.14.11.  Hazardous Extraction Operations

Application

5.14.11.1.  This subsection applies to hazardous extraction operations.

Prohibited locations

5.14.11.2.  A hazardous extraction operation shall not be performed

(a)   in a basement, or
(b)   in a building containing a residential occupancy.