27

■ Chapter 3 General Precautions Against Fire■ Chapter 4 Emergency Planning

and Preparedness

Abasic requirement of the International Fire Code (IFC) is to prevent the ignition of mate-rials inside and outside buildings. Controlling

fuels and ignition sources are two methods that limit the potential for fi re. Chapter 3 contains require-ments for combustible waste materials, control or elimination of ignition sources, open fl ames and rec-reational fi res, and the use of smoking materials. Certain equipment can also be a source of ignition, and Chapter 3 addresses the proper operation of as-phalt kettles and powered industrial trucks. In oc-cupancies such as Assembly uses or Covered Malls, controls are specifi ed for certain hazardous materi-als or displays of vehicles. Impact of a stationary tank or pressure vessel of a compressed gas or fl am-mable liquid can result in the release of the stored material; therefore, requirements for the protection from vehicle impact are also contained in Chapter 3. In the event of a fi re or hazardous material release, Chapter 4 requires that evacuation plans be pre-pared, that a hazardous materials communication program be established, and that employees be trained to identify fi re hazards and safely evacuate other building occupants. ■

3 0 4 . 3 . 2

Container Capacity Exceeding 5.33 Cubic Feet

3 1 5 . 3 . 1

Storage Beneath Overhead Projections from Buildings

4 0 3 . 3

Crowd Manager

4 0 4 . 3 . 3

Lockdown Plans

4 0 7 . 2

Material Safety Data Sheets

General Safety RequirementsChapters 3 and 4

2PART

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CHANGE TYPE. Modifi cation

CHANGE SUMMARY. Waste collection containers with a capacity of more than 5.33 cubic feet must be constructed of materials with a lim-ited heat release rate.

2009 CODE: 304.3.2 Capacity Exceeding 5.33 Cubic Feet. Containers with a capacity exceeding 5.33 cubic feet (40 gallons) (0.15 m3) shall be provided with lids. Containers and lids shall be con-structed of noncombustible materials or approved combustible mate-rials with a peak rate of heat release not exceeding 300 kW/m2 when tested in accordance with ASTM E-1354 at an incident heat fl ux of 50 kW/m2 in the horizontal orientation.

Exception: Waste baskets in Group I-3 occupancies shall comply with Section 808.1.

CHANGE SIGNIFICANCE. Large waste containers are commonly used for the collection of waste materials or soiled linens. The 2006 IFC required that waste containers with a capacity greater than 5.33 cubic feet be constructed of noncombustible or approved combustible materials. Many of the commercially available waste collection con-tainers are constructed of polyethylene, which exhibits a heat release rate similar to that of many petroleum solvents. Many buildings using these large containers are equipped with an automatic sprinkler sys-tem; however, the sprinkler system may be designed for a light hazard discharge density, which may be unable to control a fi re involving a

304.3.2Container Capacity Exceeding 5.33 Cubic Feet

Courtesy of Rubbermaid Corporation

28 PART 2 ■ General Safety Requirements

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large container constructed of plastic that exhibits a high heat release rate.

The 2009 IFC requires combustible materials to be evaluated and tested in accordance with ASTM E-1354. Products evaluated in accor-dance with ASTM E-1354, Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter, are evaluated to determine their ability to limit the external surface temperatures of the container should their contents become ignited, their ability to extinguish a fi re, and their ability to contain the contents without contributing fuel to a fi re.

The exception permits Group I-3 waste containers to be con-structed of either metallic or nonmetallic materials. If nonmetallic ma-terials are used, the peak heat release rate for the material is limited to 300 kW/m2 when tested in accordance with ASTM E-1354. If metallic materials are used, the container must be listed in accordance with UL 1315 and have a noncombustible lid if the capacity is 20 gallons or more.

Signifi cant Changes to the IFC 2009 Edition 304.3.2 ■ Container Capacity Exceeding 5.33 Cubic Feet 29

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