Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2007 - (Page 41)

Hazardous HVAC in industrial environments Staying on top of the codes, keying in on ventilation requirements, and strategically designing exhaust systems help engineers best work with hazardous materials in industrial environments. BY TONY LOTT, PE, LEED AP, Project Manager, The RMH Group, Lakewood, Colo. wo criteria rise above others when designing for industrial environments: safety and functionality. In the industrial processes, materials being processed and applicable codes largely describe the design applications, but researching many variables related to hazardous materials and properly conceptualizing the project are fundamental for success. Power, lighting, grounding and controls, in addition to building architecture and structure, need to be considered when designing for the storage, use and handling of hazardous materials. Air flow, however, is paramount. Essentially, the full design team must work together to decide strategies for creating a safe and effective solution that also meets requirements from the authority having jurisdiction. Incidentally, early coordination with the building department to explain one’s approach to codes and occupant safety may facilitate permits as the project nears construction. T stood and accounted for to ensure successful outcomes.” Three factors help determine whether an area is considered an H occupancy by code: • The types of hazardous materials used and stored in the facility • The NFPA classification and hazard rating of the hazardous materials • The quantities of each type of hazardous material that can be stored or used in each control area, which is a building or portion of a building for the storage, use and dispensing of allowable quantities of hazardous materials. This last point is a balancing act. To a great extent, the industrial process, along with the owner’s preferences and practices, influences the optimized amounts. While either the industrial architect or the mechanical engineer programs the control areas—itemizing the materials, their quantities and their use classifications—it is up to the engineer to research, develop and recommend a code-safe ventilation and exhaust design solution. Furthermore, different quantities and classifications necessitate different design approaches, which mean different first costs H Code check One critical aspect of hazardous facilities design is understanding the codes, particularly the 2003 and 2006 International codes. Andy Harlow, Cleanroom/BioPharma sales manager for the Northeast at Camfil Farr, New York, said, “The difference between achieving classification at various occupancy states can be enormous and extremely process dependent. Many variables are absolutely critical and must be under- Consulting-Specifying Engineer • NOVEMBER 2007 41

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2007

Consulting-Specifying Engineer Contents Editor's Viewpoint Letters In The News M/E Roundtable Emergency Power for Healthcare 2007 Products of the Year Industrial-strength Lighting Hazardous HVAC Codes and Standards Management Report Jobs/Classifieds Specifier's Notebook On-Peak Performance Contents Best Battery Selector in Engine Starting Applications NEC 708: Practical Impact on Backup Power Systems Protecting Power: Specifying Outdoor Generator Enclosures Investing in Backup Power Systems Coes, Consultants, Manufacturers, and Standby Power Systems

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2007

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