NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 37
CODES, STANDARDS
AND COMPLIANCE
provide hand sanitizer in so many locations throughout the building.
Dispensers are required to be separated from each other by at least 4 feet
horizontally. This limits the probability
that a fire could spread from dispenser
to dispenser. Also, dispensers cannot
be installed within specific distances
above, to the side of, or below an ignition source. Dispensers can be installed
above carpeted floors only where that
area of the building is sprinklered. This
limits the potential for combustible
floor covering to contribute to the fuel
NFPA 13
Water-based fire
protection systems
Alcohol-based
hand rub, part II:
sprinkler protection
for bulk quantities
By Brian O'Connor
lcohol-based hand rub
A
has been an important tool in preventing
the spread of COVID19, but this flammable
liquid can be hazardous when stored
in large quantities. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention recommends using an ABHR that contains
at least 60 percent alcohol. With flash-
load and fire growth should ABHR that
might have leaked or pooled on the
floor ignite. Finally, the code provides
a detailed requirement for the specific
operation of the dispensers. Ensuring
proper operation, whether the dispensers are manual or automatic, reduces
the likelihood that extra solution will
leak and form a pool of flammable
liquid on the floor below.
As these points demonstrate, the
issues related to ABHR extend well
beyond the storage and protection of
large amounts of the liquid. Safety
professionals also need to understand
the life-safety requirements related
to alcohol-based hand sanitizer and
dispensers, especially considering the
potentially long-term nature of the
current pandemic.
Kristin Bigda is technical lead for Engineering
Technical Services at NFPA. NFPA members and
AHJs can use the Technical Questions tab to post
queries on NFPA 101 at nfpa.org/101. To follow
the progress on the upcoming edition of the code,
visit nfpa.org/101next.
points typically around 63°F, NFPA 30,
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Code, classifies these liquids as Class
IB flammable liquids.
Because of the increased demand,
many occupancies types might find
themselves in need of a larger-thanusual storage of hand sanitizer. It is
important to understand the protection
criteria required for varying quantities
and methods of ABHR storage.
To make the correct design decisions
to protect stored ABHR, it is important to know which standards to use.
For ABHR with less than 20 percent
alcohol, the storage requirements can
be found in NFPA 13, Standard for
the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
For ABHR above 20 percent alcohol, consult NFPA 30, Flammable and
Combustible Liquids Code.
To determine the design criteria, you
need to know how much ABHR you
need to store. It is important to note
that the quantity of sanitizer stored
does not include the sanitizer in use,
such as the liquid contained in wallmounted dispensers. Requirements
for the use and storage of small quantities of ABHR are included in NFPA
101®, Life Safety Code®. Quantities of
more than 5 gallons must be protected
according to NFPA 30.
You also need to know how the sanitizer is being stored: in racks, palletized
on shelves, or stacked. You need to be
aware of what containers the sanitizer
is stored in, as they can vary; acceptable materials include metal, plastic,
and glass. The container material
will also affect the volumetric size of
the container in which ABHR can be
stored. A list of acceptable containers
can be found in section 9.4.1 of NFPA
30.
Once you know the storage details,
you can use the concept of maximum
allowable quantities (MAQ) to determine how to protect it properly. MAQ
is the amount of hazardous materials that might be stored, used, or
dispensed within a single control area.
If you use a flammable liquids storage cabinet, then the MAQ increases
100 percent. The MAQ increases
another 100 percent if the storage
N F PA . O R G / J O U R N A L * NFPA JOURNAL
In Compliance_11.20 DCS FINAL 10.29.20.indd 37
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10/29/20 4:23 PM
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NFPA Journal - November/December 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - November/December 2020
Contents
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - Cover1
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - Cover2
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 1
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 2
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 3
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - Contents
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 5
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 6
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 7
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 8
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 9
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - 10
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NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - Cover3
NFPA Journal - November/December 2020 - Cover4
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