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THIS IS A CONTROLLED DOCUMENTMFESB COMMUNITY SAFETY DIRECTORATE

DOCCENTRAL-#378323-v2B-Fire_Safety_Guideline_030_The_application_of_AS_1940-2004__Storage_and_handling_of_flammable.DOC

Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services BoardCommunity Safety Directorate Guideline No:GL-30

Prepared By:Executive Manager

Chris Watt

GUIDELINE

The Application of AS1940-2004 :Storage and Handling of Flammableand Combustible Liquids Authorised By:

DirectorKeith Adamson

First Issued:13 December 2005

Version No: 224 February 2009

Reviewed:24 February 2009

Page 1 of 3

1. Purpose

AS 1940-2004 contains elements which are not acceptable to the MFB. This guidelineprovides a consistent guidance to address these elements relating to the application of AS1940-2004.

2. Scope

AS 1940 (Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids) was formally revisedin 2004. The MFB, in conjunction with the AFAC Hazardous Materials Working Group(HMWG), has identified various areas of concerns which include:

x Installation of horizontal tanks;

x Installation of double-walled tanks;

x Capacity of cabinet;

x The use of non-flameproof forklift trucks and vehicles in flammable liquids packagestores; and

x

Cooling water requirement calculation.Despite the expressed objections from the AFAC HMWG, Standards Australia Internationalproceeded with the publication of AS 1940-2004 without further consideration of the concernsraised.

The scope of this guideline is limited to these areas of concern.

3. Definitions

(Not applicable)

4. Other Considerations

In any event, the application of AS 1940-2004 shall not compromise the intent of the MFBsstatutory obligations. The Dangerous Goods related statutory obligations include theachieving of, but are not limited to, the following objectives:

x All occupants of the premises can safely evacuate;

x Safe temporary refuge is provided if safe evacuation is not achievable;

x Emergency responders can approach the affected site safely to conduct search andrescue, to assist with the evacuating of occupants from the temporary refuge and tocontain the incident; and

x The minimisation of environmental impact is addressed.

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5. Recommendations

The MFB agrees with the application of AS 1940-2004 other than the areas stipulated in thescope of this guideline. The position expressed in this guideline must be adhered to by allMFB personnel who act for the organisation irrespective of whether the activities areconducted within the Metropolitan Fire District or otherwise.

(a) Installation of horizontal tanks (Sub-section 5.7.6)

The MFB agrees with Parts (a) and (b) of Sub-clause 5.7.6. The application of Part(c) of Sub-clause 5.7.6 shall be substituted with the following requirements andconditions:

x Horizontal tanks shall not be arranged so that they are end-to-end;

x Horizontal tanks may be arranged side-by-side (in parallel) in a row;

x The distance from the first tank to the last tank of the row of horizontal tanksshall not exceed 20 m; and

x The relevant fire services shall be consulted if more than one row ofhorizontal tanks are to be installed on the same site.

(b) Installation of double-walled tanks (Sub-section 5.9.2)

All tanks with integral secondary containment, including double-walled tanks, mustcomply with Parts (a) to (r) of Sub-clause 5.9.2. In addition, the followingrequirements and conditions are applicable:

x The space between the inner and outer walls shall be fitted with leakdetectors;

x Provisions must be made to allow spills or leaks to be removed from thespace between the walls; and

x Spills or leaks shall be removed from the space between the walls

immediately upon detection.

(c) Capacity of cabinet (Sub-section 4.9.1)

Paragraph 3 of Sub-clause 4.9.1 shall be substituted with the following phrase:

The maximum capacity for any cabinet shall be 250L unless the proponentto use a larger capacity cabinet successfully demonstrates an equivalentlevel of safety can be achieved.

(d) The use of non-flame proof forklift trucks and vehicles in flammable liquids packagestores (Appendix D)

The proponent to use non-flame proof forklift trucks and vehicles in flammableliquids package stores must first successfully demonstrate that the use can beconducted safely. Compliance with Appendix D does not imply adequatedemonstration.

(e) Cooling water requirement calculation (Appendix J)

Appendix J has been found to significantly under-estimate the water requirement forcooling of fire exposed tanks in various circumstances. This is due to the broadrange of heat emission characteristics which results from the ignition of differenttypes of flammable liquids which are subjected to the application of this Standard.

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Hence, the MFB does not accept non-specific cooling water requirement calculationwhich is solely based on Appendix J. All cooling water requirements shall bedetermined using any scientifically defensible methodology. The MFB viewsAppendix J as an informative part of AS1940-2004.

Consequently, the following specific sub-clauses are affected:

x 5.7.2 (c);

x 5.8.6 (e);

x 11.13.3;x 11.13.4.1 (e) (i); and

x 11.15.1.

The affected sub-clauses shall be read in conjunction with the intent expressed inthis guideline.

6. Documentation

(Not applicable)

7. References

Looi, A., Recommended Changes to Draft Australian Standards DR 03221 Rev. 02, FileNumber CSA03/13, Document Number ADD04/10893, Metropolitan Fire and EmergencyServices Board, Melbourne, 18 June 2003.

Standards Australia International, AS 1940-2004: The Storage and Handling of Flammableand Combustible Liquids, Sydney, 29 October 2004.

Note: This is a controlled document and may only be modified by authorised personnel afterreview by the MFESB Community Safety Policy Group

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