Flammable liquid storage room ventilation NFPA Requirements 2

[cliff2]

I have a 24x24 room that we have been using as a storage/mixing room. In it we store paint,MEK,Tolulene. We have been told by our fire marshall that we need to update our conformance to meet NFPA 30 guidlines. One of the issues I'm having trouble with is that he said we need to have our ventilation system on a back up power source in case we lose electrical power during off hours. I haven't been able to find any where it says we need to do this, plus I'm not sure what I can purchase that can be a back up for my 240 v 3PH motor. It looks like there are differences in different states. My facility is in Indiana. Using the OSHA guidline is not an option. Any input or contacts I may be able to use would be greatly appreciated

 

[safetydan]

You might want to look into your local building codes. Sometimes municipalities have their own building codes that are much stronger than NFPA or other national codes. Anytime the local fire marshal is in one of my facilities, I have them give me the exact code they are referring to when they issue orders for me to change something. Sometimes it ticks them off, but it saves me a lot of hassle going through mountains of codes that I don't have the time to memorize.

 

[stookeyfpe]

I'm fairly certain the state of Indiana has adopted either the 2000 or 2003 edition of the International Fire Code. The IFC has a general provision for standby power in hazardous (Group H) occupancies. However, it also has specific provisions in Chapter 34 that govern flammable liquids. The IFC has no specific provision for standby power for mechanical ventilation systems in H occupancies storing flammable liquids.

If the fire marshal states it is a general provision in the hazardous materials chapter (chapter 27), advise him/her that Chapter 1 (administrative requirements) states that when one attempts to apply a general versus specific provision, the specific provision takes precedence.

NFPA 30 has no requirements for standby power unless it is included as an element of a performance design.

If you can find out what fire code is adopted I will be happy to perform a more thorough code analysis.