NFPA publications

The design of intrinsically safe equipment is governed by the rules of NFPA Publication No. 493, Standard for Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II, and III, Division 1, Hazardous Locations. It is cautioned, however, that the design of intrinsical-... 

The survey of hazards and safety procedures involved in handling rocket fuels and oxidisers includes liquid hydrogen, pentaborane, fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, ozone, dinitrogen tetraoxide, hydrazine, methyl hydrazine and 1,1-dimethyl hydrazine [1]. The later volume [2] is a bargain compendium of five NFPA publications ... 

Each year, statistics on causes and occupancies of fires and deaths resulting from fire are compiled and published. NFPA sponsors seminars on the Life Safety Codes, National Electrical Code, industrial fire protection, hazardous materials, transportation emergencies, and other related topics. NFPA also conducts research programs on delivery systems for public fire protection, arson, residential fire sprinkler systems, and other subjects. NFPA publications include National Fire Codes Annual, Fire Protection Handbook, Fire Journal and Fire Technology. 

NFPA. 1986. Manual for classification of gases, vapors, and dusts for electrical equipment in hazardous (classified) locations. Quincy, MA National Fire Protection Association, NFPA publication no. 497M. 

There are several area classification standards such as API RP 500 (2012), API RP 505 (1997), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) publication 70 (2013), NFPA publication 497, NFPA 70, and local standards in practice. They define classified areas surrounding the individual equipment, based on characteristics and probability of leaked/released liq-uid/gas/solids. This approach reduces fire/explosion risk due to the simultaneous occurrence of a flammable atmosphere and eleetrical ignition to an acceptable level. The project team can use an appropriate area classification standard acceptable to the company and local government authorities. 

Compartmentalization Interim life safety Integrity of egress Provide the titles to the following NFPA publications ... 

Propagation of a combustion reaction can result in detonation or deflagration. A deflagration, with its lower flame speed, is the lesser hazard. These reactions can occur in any flammable medium, including dusts, and can be prevented or mitigated by techniques mentioned elsewhere in this volume and spelled out in the extensive NFPA publications and the loss-control literature (16,17]. 

These markings provide a general idea of the hazards of a material and the severity of these hazards as they relate to handling, fire protection, exposure, and control. This standard is not applicable to transportation or to use by the general public. It is also not applicable to chronic exposure. For a full description of this standard, refer to NFPA 704. The system identifies the hazards of a material in four principal categories health, flammability, reactivity, and unusual hazards such as reactivity with water. 

To summarise the information aiready presented and to enabie an opinion on the possibiiities of forecasting instabiiity risk to be formed, it is interesting to make a comparison of the different reactivity/instability risk classifications. The table below sums up these different approaches. The substances are classified in descending order according to the NFPA coding and are taken from Stull s publication already mentioned (note, p.120) ... 

NFPA. 1992. National Food Processors Association. Public comment on the toxicological profile for lead. Submitted to the Academy for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Washington, DC. February 94, 1992. 

Public and labor union concerns as the result of a number of reactive incidents have caused OSHA to consider PSM revisions. One alternative OSHA identified through a petition from unions (Section 5.1.3) is to add the remaining NFPA 3 and 4 chemicals and all NFPA 1 and 2 chemicals to the PSM list. However, this approach would address less than half of the chemicals involved in the 167 incidents examined by CSB. 

NFPA confirmed the intent of NFPA 704 and the instability rating system through correspondence with CSB staff. The committee clarified that the rating system is insufficient for use as the sole basis of determining reactivity for regulatory lists because it considers only one facet of chemical reactivity. NFPA staff reiterated this position in testimony given at the CSB public hearing on reactive chemical safety on May 30, 2002. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is non-profit organization that publishes the National Electrical Code , the Life Safety Code , the Fire Prevention Code , the National Fuel Gas Code , and the National Fire Alarm Code . The mission of NFPA is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA is developing a fuel cell specific code, NFPA 853, which will cover the installation of stationary fuel cells of at least 50 kW output. Publication is expected to occur in 2000. 

Class A and Class B laboratory units should have a manual fire alarm system installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code. The fire alarm system, where provided, should be designed so that all personnel endangered by the fire event should be alerted. The fire alarm system should also alarm to an attended location to alert emergency responders or the public fire department. 

For most chemical storage tanks, codes such as NFPA 30 and the International Fire Code give specific separation distances. For motor vehicle fueling applications, the codes are more stringent on separation requirements due to a greater exposure of the public to the hazards. Hence codes such as NFPA 30A establish variable separation distances depending upon whether the facility is private or pubhc. 

National Fire Protection Association has the objective of developing, publishing, and disseminating standards intended to minimize the possibility and effect of fire and explosion. NFPA s membership consists of individuals from business and industry, fire service, health care, insurance, educational, and government institutions. NFPA conducts fire safety education programs for the general public and provides information on fire protection and prevention. Also provided by the association is the field service by specialists on flammable liquids, electricity, gases, and marine problems. 

It is of interest to point out that there has been much debate regarding the use of plenum cables, owing to various attempts to replace them by cables complying with UL 2424. These efforts were unsuccessful, because they have been seen by committee members, NFPA members and public officials as an attempt by certain manufacturers to gain market share without a justification based on fire safety or fire losses. 

Publications by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. For a more complete list, see http //www.nfoa.ore/Codes/CodesAndStandards.asp NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (2000). 

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