Appendix B

FIRE SAFETY REQUIREM ENTSFOR CH EM ICAL/H AZM AT

W AREH OUSES

1 SCOPE

Chemi cal
sorhazardousmateri al
s(hazmat)haveawi derangeofproperti esand hazards
which mustbe i dentifi
ed and understood in order to ful
fil
lthe requirements ofsafe
warehousing. A compl ete understandi
ng ofthe hazardsrequi resan assessmentofthe
contai
nerandpackagi ngsystemsandstoragearrangements.Inaddi ti
on,therequirements
ofgeneralwarehouseshal lbecompl i
edwith.

Note: The fire safety requi

rements for l
aboratory stori
ng and using chemi cal
s/hazmat shall be i
n
accordance with NFPA 45 [except for the Maxi mum Al lowable Quanti
ty (MAQ) whi ch shallbe as
sti
pulatedi
nTabl e2& 3ofthi sGuidel
ine].RefertoSCDF’ sW eb-si
teformorecomprehensi vedetail
s.

2 IDENTIFICATION OF H AZARDOUSM ATERIALS(H AZM AT)

2.
1 Substancesl
istedashazardousmateri
alsarecl
assi
fiedasfol
lows:

Class Type ofH azmat

1 Expl
osi
ves(1.
1 to1.
6)
2.
1 Fl
ammabl
egas
2.
2 Non-fl
ammabl
ecompressedgas
2.
3 Poi
sonousgas
3 Fl
ammabl
eandcombusti
blel
iqui
d
4.
1 Fl
ammabl
esol
id
4.
2 Substancel
iabl
etospontaneouscombusti
on
4.
3 Substancewhi
ch,dangerouswhencontactwi
thwater
5.
1 Oxi
dizer
5.
2 Organi
cperoxi
de
6.
1 Poi
sonoussubstance
6.
2 Infecti
oussubstance(eti
ologi
cagent)
7 Radi
oacti
vemateri
alCategoryI
Radi
oacti
vemateri
alCategoryII
Radi
oacti
vemateri
alCategoryIII
8 Corrosi
vemateri
al
9 Mi
scel
laneoushazardousmateri
al(dangeroussub-substance)

Note:Consul tati
on wi th FSSD shallbesoughtatthei ni
tialstage(Quantitati
veRi skAssessmentstudymay
be required by the HazmatDeptof SCDF)and,atthe stage of fi nali
sing for further commentand
concurrence before the formalpl an submi ssi
on underthe Sel f-Regul
ation Scheme.QP shal lobtain the
techni
cal requirements from other rel evant agenci
es fi
rst before consulting FSSD especi al
ly for the
foll
owingsclassesofhazardousmateri als:

-SPF forCl
ass1
-NEA forClass2.3,3,6.
1,6.2,7 & 8
-M OH forClass6.2(HealthSci
encesAuthori
ty,HSA)& Cl
ass7 (CentreforRadi
ati
onProtecti
on
underHSA);

B1
3 SIZE LIMITATION

3.1 For chemical/hazmat warehouses storing Class 3, 4 & 5 hazardous materials, the
maximum floor area per compartment and type of fire protection system shall as follows:

Hazard Maximum Fire Compartment Size (m²)

Grade
K1 K2 K3 K4

3&4 ” 50m2 ” 200m2 ” 600m2 ” 900m2

2 ”100m2 ” 400m2 ”2,400m2 ”3,600m2
1 ”400m2 ”2,000m2 ** **

Type Provision of Fire Protection System

K1 Relatively small structure & low Manual fire alarm with DECAMS
fire risk system

K2 Automatic surveillance Automatic fire detection with

DECAMS system

K3 Automatic fire suppression Automatic sprinkler (CP52) with

system DECAMS system

K4 Automatic extinguishing system Automatic foam sprinkler with

(foam system) DECAMS system

Note:
(i) Refer to Table 1 for hazard grade classification;
(ii) The required fire protection system is only restricted to the chemical/hazmat warehouse fire
compartment. However, automatic fire detectors (linked to DECAMS) shall also be provided
along the perimeter of the fire compartment wall if the building housing the hazmat warehouse is
not protected with the automatic or the sprinkler system (it is only applicable where the warehouse
is directly connected to other occupied area within the building through access opening);
(iii) The fire rating of the fire compartment wall shall be minimum 2 hours regardless of the type of
fire protection system. For Class 3 hazmat storage, it shall be masonry construction except the
ceiling (all floor element above such hazmat storage shall be masonry construction with minimum
of 2 hours rating) may use fire rated board but to comply fully with the M&E riser shaft
requirements;
(iv) Different classes and incompatible hazmat shall be stored in separate fire compartment with
minimum 2 hours fire rating;
(v) No basement floor is allow to store Hazardous materials;
(vi) The compartment size limit and type of fire protection system for Class 2 Hazmat shall follow
Hazard Grade 1 requirements;
(vii) Fire rated roller shutter is not allowed for the purpose to limit the compartment size control; any
fire rated roller shutter at the access opening shall be activated by either local automatic smoke
detection system or/and the general building automatic fire alarm system;
** No specific limit but to comply with the fire safety requirements for general warehouse.

B2
3.2 Storage of compressed gases (Class 2), flammable liquid (Class 3), flammable solid (Class
4.2 & 4.3), oxidizing agent (Class 5.1) and organic peroxide (Class 5.2) shall be located
only at the ground floor with at least one external wall facing directly to a exterior open
safe space unless otherwise stipulated;

3.3 Solid materials (Class 4.1) is allowed to be stored at aboveground floors of habitable
height not more than 24m and the storage quantity shall be limited to 1,200kg/m²of
floor area.

3.4 Compressed gas cylinders (Class 2) are allowed to be stored at aboveground floors of
habitable height not more than 24m provided that a vehicular ramp (with turning facility)
suitable for 24 ton fire engine is erected for direct access to the storage area.

3.5 For Class 2 hazardous materials, no stacking is allowed. The hazardous materials shall be
laid directly on the floor.

3.6 Storage, use and handling of compressed gases (Class 2) shall be in compliance with
NFPA 55 and it may allow be located at aboveground floor.

3.7 For sprinkler protected warehouse, the storage height shall be limited to 18m for single-
storey warehouse and 15m for warehouse that is located at 1st storey of a multiple-storey
building. For non-sprinkler protected warehouse storing Class 3 hazardous materials, the
storage height shall be in compliance with NFPA 30 (basing on the flashpoints of the
hazardous materials), subject to a maximum height of 3.6m.

3.8 Storage of oxidizers (Class 5.1, solid or liquid) shall be in compliance with NFPA 430 or
AS 4326.

3.9 Storage of organic peroxide (Class 5.2) shall be in compliance with NFPA 432 or AS
2714.

3.10 No compartment in the chemical/hazmat warehouse shall comprise more than one
storey.

3.11 Recommendations made within the individual Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) shall
be complied with.

3.12 An approved layout plan (with the relevant TFP/FSC) with such hazmat
warehouse/storage clearly highlighted shall be kept within the premises to facilitate the
inspection and emergency operation procedures.

B3
4 PROVISION OF ACCESSWAY

Fire engine accessway shall be provided for fire fighting appliances. The length of the accessway,
based on the gross cubical extent of the entire warehouse space, shall be as follows:

Non-Sprinkler Protected

Cubicle Extent Length of Acessway

1
<7,100m³ /6 perimeter (min 15m)
<14,200m³ ¼ perimeter
<28,400m³ ½ perimeter
<42,400m³ ¾ perimeter
>42,400m³ island site access

Sprinkler Protected

Cubicle Extent Length of Acessway

1
<14,200 m³ /6 perimeter (min 15m)
<28,400m³ ¼ perimeter
<42,400m³ ½ perimeter
<56,800m³ ¾ perimeter
>56,800m³ island site access

4.2 At least one external wall of the warehouse shall be directly fronting an empty space (such
as turf area) of minimum width 2m. One of the access doors provided along this external
wall shall be placed not more than 30m (for type K1) or 15m (for type K2) from the fire
engine access road or accessway for ease of fire-fighting.

4.3 For K3 and K4 compartment, at least one external wall shall be directly fronting an
engine access road or accessway. At least two exit access doors (minimum 15m apart)
shall be provided along this external wall for ease of fire-fighting.

4.4 The loading and unloading (the area may be roofed over) shall be carried out directly
from the exterior open space for type K2, K3 and K4 compartments.

4.5 For type K1 compartment, the distance from the external loading/unloading area (may be
roofed over) to the access door of the compartment shall not be more than 10m for non-
sprinkler protection building and 15m for sprinkler protection building. For Class 3
hazardous materials, the maximum volume of hazardous liquid shall be limited to 3,000L
or 5,000L for non-sprinkler and sprinkler protected compartment respectively;

4.6 For storage of Class 4.1 hazardous materials aboveground level, fire engine accessway and
the associated FAPs shall be provided for the full stretch of the external wall of the
storage area.

B4
5 WATER SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE HYDRANT

5.1 Water supply for hydrant system shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) Hydrant fed by PUB mains is allowed for type K1 and K2 compartments. The
water supply requirement shall comply with the clause 4.4.2(a) of the Fire Code.

(b) Hydrant with dedicated pumping & storage facilities shall be provided for type
K3 and K4 compartment. The water supply requirement shall comply with the
Table 4.4.2(a) of the Fire Code with minimum running pressure of 3.5 bars (it
shall be designed accordingly to individual emergency respond plan and respective
SOP).

5.2 The spillage control and retention basin for fire fighting water for warehouse storage
hazardous substances shall be in accordance with SS 532 , NEA requirements and NFPA
30. Gate valve(s) shall be provided from the second containment (such as bund wall) at a
safe location to allow the fire-fighters to operate during emergency and, the outlet shall be
directly drained to a safe area or storm drain.

6 MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS

6.1 The ventilation systems for warehouse storing Class 3 hazardous materials shall comply
with SS 532 and the smoke control system shall comply with the requirements for general
warehouse.

6.2 The ventilation system for Class 2 shall comply with NFPA 55;

6.3 Mechanical ventilation system for removal of vapour shall be interlocked with the
smoke control system to ensure that both systems will not be affecting one another.

6.4 The ventilation system shall be designed to provide air-movement across all portions of
the room to prevent the accumulation of vapours. Short-circuiting of the mechanical
ventilation system shall be avoided.

6.5 Fresh air inlets and exhaust outlets shall be properly located according to the type of
gases or vapours to be exhausted.

Note: The air-conditioning system and M/V system for the storage area of hazmat shall not be
shared with other occupied area.

7 FIRE EXTINGUISHER

7.1 Fire extinguisher shall be provided complying with CP 55, SS532 and other related
standards. Please also refer to the relevant MSDS and consult the manufacturer or
supplier for the details.

7.2 Additional mobile type 50kg ABC (foam or chemical powder) fire extinguishers having
minimum 6m throw and the discharge hose length of minimum 6m shall be provided to
cover the loading and unloading area for K2, K3 and K4 compartment under hazard
grade 2, 3 & 4. The access from any remote point of the loading / unloading area
(including the parking lots area) to the 50kg fire extinguishers shall not be more than
15m.
7.3 For K1 compartment size, mobile type 50kg fire extinguisher shall only be required when
the overall Hazmat storage area is more than 100m².

B5
8 DETERMINATION OF EXIT REQUIREMENT

8.1 The determination of travel distance in chemical/hazmat warehouse shall be in

compliance with Table 2.2 A of the Fire Code for high hazard occupancy, 10m/20m for
non-sprinkler building and 20m/35m for sprinkler protected building.

8.2 All exit and access doors shall be provided with the proper hazard and warning sign on
both sides of these doors.

9 OTHER FIRE SAFTY REQUIREMENTS

9.1 The following standards and codes of practices (may not be exhaustively listed) shall be
complied with for the proposed chemical/hazmat warehouse:

a) CP 10 : Code of Practice for the Installation and Servicing of Electrical Fire Alarm
System

b) CP 29 : Code of Practice for Fire Hydrant Systems and Hose Reels

c) CP 52 : Code of Practice for Automatic Fire Sprinkler System

d) CP 55 : Code of Practice for Use and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers

e) SS 98 : Preparation and use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

f) SS 254: Electrical Apparatus for explosive Gas Atmosphere

g) SS 286 :Classification and class labels for hazardous substances

h) SS 532 : Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids

i) NFPA 16A : Foam-Water Sprinkler and Spray Systems

j) NFPA 45 : Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals

(refer to Table 2 & 3 for the MAQ)

k) NFPA 55 : Compressed Gases & Cryogenic Fluids

l) NFPA 70 : National Electrical Code

m) NFPA 430 : Liquid and Solid Oxidizers

n) NFPA 432 : Storage of Organic Peroxide

o) NFPA 495 : Explosive Materials Code

p) NFPA 704 : Identification of the Hazards of Materials

q) AS 2714 : The storage and handling of hazardous chemical materials –

Class 5.2 substances (organic peroxides)

r) AS 4326 : The storage and handling of oxidizing agents

B6
 Table1: Hazard Grade Classification

Hazard Classification Hazard Grade

4 3 2 1 0

Li
qui
ds Cl
ass3 categoryI& 2 category3 category4 Fl
ashpoint Only burns with
Flashpoint Flashpoint Flashpoint > 150°C supporti
ngfi
re
< 23°C 23-60°C between 60 -150°
C

Sol
idMateri
als Cl
ass4 Igni
tesveryeasi
ly Igni
tesandburns Readi
ly Moderately Combustibleonl
y
andburnsrapidly rapi
dly combusti
ble combustible withsupporti
ngfi
re

Oxidi
zing Cl
ass5.
1 class4 class3 class2 - -
Agent Vary strong Strong oxi
dizi
ng W eak oxi
dizi
ng
oxidizi
ngagent agent agent
(may classifi
ed
under expl osive
substance)

Oxidizing Cl
ass5.
2 cl
assI cl
assII cl
assIII cl
assIV cl
assV
Peroxide

Note:
i
) Forflammabl egases(Cl
ass2),theLFL (orLEL)i slessthan13% ortheflammabi l
ityrangeisgreaterthan12
i
i) Classi
ficati
onandtherespecti
vehazardgradesmaysubj ecttochangeinaccordancewi ththeinternati
onalstandardssuchasISO,UN orGHS
(GloballyHarmonizedSystem ofClassi
ficati
on& Labell
ingofchemicals).

B7
 Table 2: Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ)in Laboratoryfor Liquid

Excluding Qtyin Cabinet Including Qtyin Cabinet

Lab Unit
Max Qty Max Qty
(L,litres per Lab Unit floor area) (L,litres per Lab Unit floor area)
(i) 50L or (i) -
(ii) 1.6L/m2 and not more than 350L {500L} (ii) 3.2L/m2 and not more than 750L {1000L}
should portion of liquid stored/used is cat 1 & 2, it shall should portion of liquid stored/used is cat 1 & 2, it
Laboratory be limited to shall be limited to
(i) 20L or (i) -
(ii) 0.8L/m2 and not more than 250L {350L} (ii) 1.6L/m2 and not more than 500L {750L}

(i) 10L or (i) -

(ii) 0.4 L/m2 and not more than 150L (250L) (ii) 0.8L/m2 and not more than 250L {500L}
Laboratory
should portion of liquid stored/used is cat 1 & 2, it shall should portion of liquid stored/used is cat 1 & 2,it
(in hospital and health
be limited to shall be limited to
care occupancy)
(i) 5L or (i) -
(ii) 0.4 L/m2 and not more than 150L (250L) (ii) 0.8L/m2 and not more than 250L {500L}

Note:
i) Individual lab unit shall be a fire compartment;
ii) Each safety cabinet is still restricted to max of 250L (to comply with SS 532);
iii) { }is referring to the maximum allowable quantities for sprinkler protected building;
iv) Laboratory operators are strongly advised and encouraged to minimize their amount of flammable liquids on benches by returning them to chemical store or safety
cabinets (UL, FM or PSB listed product) when the liquid are not needed for the day. The quantity of these liquid placed on benches and fume cupboards shall not
exceed 10% of the total allowable storage capacity within the lab unit. Liquids used for running and operating laboratory instruments or other work-in-progress which
may require some quantities of solvents to operate are exempted from the 10% limit.

B8
 Table 3: Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) in Laboratory for Gases

Item Types of Gases MAQ (L, litres per Lab W ork Floor Area with sprinkler protection)

1 Flammable gasses (i) 170 L or

(ii) 3.4 L/m2 per cluster

2 Oxidizing gasses (i) 170 L or

(ii) 3.4 L/m2 per cluster

3 Liquefied flammable gasses* (i) 30 L or

(ii) 0.6 L/m2 per cluster

4 Toxic gasses (i) 8L or

(ii) 0.16 L/m2 per cluster

Note:
i) The capacity in litres (L) is referred to the internal volume (water capacity) of the gas cylinder;
ii) Lab Work Area is not necessary be individual fire compartment but shall be housed within a lab unit;
iii) For item 1 to 3, the MAQ shall be halved for those building which is not protected with sprinkler system;
iv) Item 1 to 4 may be accommodated in a single cluster and be spaced at least 3 m apart from each cluster (6 m for building without sprinkler protection);
v) To comply with NFPA 45 for others requirements such as the ventilation (4 & 8 A/C), hazard identification and ”No Smoking”signs etc;
vi) The provision of sprinkler system shall be designed under the Ordinary Hazard Group 3 Special (CP52);
vii) No combustible materials shall be placed within 3m buffer range of the gas cylinder;
viii) No flammable or combustible liquid shall be placed within 6m buffer range of the gas cylinder;
ix) For storage and handling of Class 2 hazmat in enclosed space (including the concealed space of raised floor and ceiling), metal pipe sleeve and gas leak detection system
shall be provided to reduce the accumulation of gases and vapours that may cause danger to occupant, building and emergency response team. Oxygen-level monitoring
system shall be provided to prevent the possibility of oxygen-deletion (Asphyxiation) within the room;
x) The air-conditioning system and M/V system for laboratory unit shall not be shared with other occupied area.
* For LPG cylinders, only 2 x 4.5kg cylinders are allow for each lab unit.

B9