Emergency Spill Alarm

In new H-6 facilities, transporting HPMs in code-required exit corridors is prohibited. In existing facilities, the UBC and UFC will allow transportation of HPMs in the exit corridors only if spill-alarm signaling devices are provided at 150-foot intervals (among other requirements outlined in other sections). The purpose of the HPM emergency spill alarm is to initiate a local alarm and to report to the ECS the conditions of the spill, leak or other accident within the exit corridor used to transport HPMs. Although a manual pull station is acceptable by the code, we recommend utilizing a fireman s telephone mounted in an enclosure. 

Spill Containment Areas. Areas used for the storage of hazardous liquids are required to have provisions for spill containment. When secondary containment is required, a monitoring method capable of detecting hazardous material leakage from the primary containment into the secondary containment shall be provided. Another good method for detecting 

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Today, numerous alarm and monitoring systems are required by codes. These include fire alarm, smoke detection, sprinkler system supervision, emergency (spill) alarm, and continuous toxic gas monitoring and detection systems. 

The plan must include a list of all emergency equipment at tlic facility (such as fire cxtinguisliing systems, spill control equipment, internal and c.xtcrnal communications and alarm systems, and decontamination equipment). In addition, the plan must include for each item on the list a physical description, a brief outline of its capabilities, and its location... 

Again, it is also important to remember that chemical emergency situations can easily reach beyond the boundaries of any industrial plant. This is to be expected, especially in this age of population explosion with its characteristic urban sprawl. It is not unusual to find, for example, a chemical industrial plant site or other industrial plant that originally was isolated from city dwellers but later became surrounded on all sides by neighbors. The point is that when a chemical spill or chemical disaster occurs in an isolated area there may be no cause for general alarm however, when such a deliberate disaster occurs in the plant site as described in the sugar plant incident, it should be clear that the purpose of PSM, RMP, the Patriot Act, Homeland Security directives, OSHA s Combustible Dust NEP, and other safety/security factors is far-reaching—and absolutely critical to the survival of a free society. 

This section includes guidelines for the central control station equipment, emergency alarm stations, supervisory devices, and visual and audible alarm services. These systems can be used for all types of in-house emergencies, such as fires, explosions, vapor releases, liquid spills, and injuries. 

Students and workers should know what to do when emergencies occur, including escape routes, emergency phone numbers and phone calls, and the location and use of emergency equipment (e.g, alarms, eyewashes, showers, fire extinguishers, and spill kits). 

There should be one or more senior operatives who are knowledgeable and well trained in precautionary and protective measures and also compliance with pesticide regulations. They should be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of plant operations, applications in the field, etc. No person should work alone while handling or likely to be exposed to anti-ChEs. There should always be an additional person nearby, designated as safety officer, who can view the operation at a distance sufficient, if necessary, to raise an alarm, to allow protective clothing and equipment CO be donned, and to undertake the initial rescue and possible first aid and resuscitation measures. Thus, ideally this person should be trained in the emergency mea.sures for an anti-ChE leak, spill, and exposure, and it is desirable for him or her to be trained in first aid measures to treat OP and CM poisoning. 

Other nearby workers should be alerted to the accident and the nature of the chemicals involved. In the event of the release of a highly toxic gas or volatile material, the laboratory should be evacuated and personnel posted at entrances to prevent other workers from inadvertently entering the contaminated area. In some cases (e.g., incidents involving the release of highly toxic substances and spills occurring in nonlaboratory areas), it may be appropriate to activate a fire alarm to alert personnel to evacuate the entire building. The proper authorities should be called on for emergency assistance. 

Safety equipment, including spill control kits, safety shields, fire safety equipment, respirators, safety showers and eyewash fountains, and emergency equipment should be available in well-marked, highly visible locations in all chemical laboratories. Fire alarm pull stations and telephones with emragency telephone numbCTs clearly indicated must be readily accessible. In addition to the standard items, thwe may also be a need for other safety devices. It is the responsibility of the laboratory supervisor to ensure proper training and provide supplementary equipment as needed. 

Check for all of your emergency equipment and know its location— fire extinguisher, fire alarm, eyewash, safety shower, fire blanket, and spill kit. 

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) used during emergencies (e.g., major chemical spills, toxic gas releases /air monitoring alarm conditions, or investigation of unknown... 

Provide adequate drainage, relief/spill collection systems, waste disposal systems, available emergency services, utilities, access and the alarms, automatic shutdown compability, feedback controllerfs), etc. 

Emergency procedures, including raising the alarm, and use of appropriate fire fighting equipment, deployment of spill kits, etc. 

Emergency response plans have been prepared by persons with specific training. Appropriate alarm systems are present. Employees are trained in emergency procedures. The emergency response extends to spills and incidents in routine production. Adequate supply of spill control and PPE >propriate to hazards on site is available. 

Some regulations require that a facility conduct a risk assessment and/or other preparatory activities. RCRA calls it a preparedness and prevention plan. A facility subject to RCRA must determine how structures, processes, and operations can be changed in order to minimize the possibility of an emergency involving hazardous waste. The facility also has to determine the communications and alarm systems that will be used in the event of such an emergency. CWA includes prevention in its requirements for the Spill Prevention, Containment, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan. The 1990 amendments to the CAA added an accident prevention plan for extremely hazardous substances. 

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