need expert opinion for fire extinguishing media 2

[EHSeng]

i am an environmental engineer currnetly working in semi-conductor industry. i am researching on fire protection requirements for sinks containing corrosives like HCl and NH4OH. these chemicals are used for wet Etching of gallium aresenide wafers.
currently we are using CO2 fire protection for our sinks containing above mentioned chemicals. CO2 ext is good for NFPA class B, C, but these chemicals do not belong to B and C class.i am asked to find out the fire protection requirements specifically for acid sinks.

sink is automatically operated containg acid(HCL)on one side and alkali(NH4OH)on other side? Any suggestions on it

 

[stookeyfpe]

No protection is required unless your dealing with plastic work stations where these liquids are heated. HCl and Nh4OH are corrosive liquids and do not present a physical hazard like flammable liquids, oxidizers or organic peroxides.

If the work stations are plastic and the liquids are heated, I suggest ensuring that the plastic is Factory Mutual approved for use in the consruction of semiconductor tools. Use of an approved polymeric material would waive any requirements for fire protection for the indicated hazardous materials.

No requirement exists for the protection of semiconductor tools that only contain health hazard materials in Chapter 18 of the 2006 International Fire Code.

 

[LCREP]

What Stookey said, also check out FM Data Sheet 7-7R
SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES, 2.5.3 Wet Benches

U can down load for free at

http://www.fmglobal.com/FMGlobalRegistration/default.aspx?action=new

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