Mike's Hazmat Fixed Facility Question of the Month

This is the first of a series where I will discuss the various types of fixed facilities that store, use or transport on site hazardous materials. I know there are more than one fire code used by folks out there but it really doesn't matter. Some things regardless of the region globally will have certain features or problems that are handled the same way in Germany as it would be handled in New Jersey or California...

I'm inventing how to do this so stick with me here and let's see if this works... I try to make things that I teach interesting so here goes...

1. What do all of these fixed facilities have in common? And with that one little thing, that's not little and more than a little obvious, what are the implications for what's going on inside the building?

Here's some examples... As soon as someone hits the right answer, I'll provide more information but for now, let's make this a challenge.

Mike Schlags, Fire Captain / Hazmat WMD Specialist
CSTI Certified Hazmat WMD Course Developer / Outreach Instructor
Santa Barbara, CA
mschlags@yahoo.com

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Permalink Reply by Irons38 on October 10, 2008 at 7:11pm

It appears to me its sort of air filtration system, or backflow type preventer, or hopper. I would need to know more about the characteristics of the type of manufactoring is going on.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on October 10, 2008 at 7:18pm

your are totally thinking in the right direction here, no one's available to be a liaison so you are going to have to make an educated guess here...

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Permalink Reply by Irons38 on October 10, 2008 at 7:32pm

Educated guess hmmm, sand blasting of some sort would be my guess. Or even fertilzer plant.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on October 10, 2008 at 8:10pm

intentionally wanted to steer you in this direction but in fact you are cold... very cold... (not physically, more metaphorically...)

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Permalink Reply by Mark Montgomery on October 10, 2008 at 8:16pm

Hey Mike

Here's a crack at this:
Photo 1 appears to show dust recovery systems, possibly metallic dusts;
Photo 2 shows what looks to be a distillation vessel; so possibly flammable solvents or the like;
Photo 3 shows a quite high tech air discharge system, so is likely to have scrubbers and particulate filters.

All three photos show air discharge systems, some quite sophisticated and other (photo 1) quite basic.

The obvious answer is that all these plants are manufacturing hazardous substances. Beyond that I need to sit back and consider things a little more.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on October 10, 2008 at 8:27pm

you be the man... well kind of... actually all three are scrubbers for acids, including HF (hydrofluoric acid) and other corrosive / toxic gases at what is called a H-6 occupancy type or high tech laboratory / research facility. On the inside you might see something like this...

Once you determine from the outside of the structure that it is not a woodworking business, surfboard manufacturer or something "dust orientated", you hopefully will see NFPA placards with a health hazard ranking of 3 minimum. Not everyone makes businesses comply with this requirement which would give away what these air handling systems are all about.

So your Photo 3 answer is correct for all three, sophisticated hazardous material scrubbers and particulate filters... and all three are required because of hazard ratings for health being at least a 3.