NFPA 400 Hazardous

Materials Code
N A N CY P EA RCE CI H
S E NI OR F I R E P ROT ECTI ON E N G INEER
N AT IONA L F I R E P ROT EC TION A S S OCIATION

OSHA Comparison to NFPA

OSHA focus solely on worker protection
Few limits established for storage of hazardous materials
Few construction requirements for hazardous materials storage
NFPA focus on fire safety-protection of property and worker
Prevention focus
Addresses limits above which special construction and other requirements apply
Construction requirements

Hazardous Materials Storage Handling and Use

under OSHA
1910.106 Flammable Liquids
1910.119 Process Safety Management-prevent releases of toxic, reactive,
flammable, or explosive chemicals
1910.1200 Hazard Communication-information about hazards, safe handling,
storage and use, incompatibilities, PPE etc.
1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

NFPA 400 Purpose

Provide fundamental safeguards for the storage, use, and handling of
hazardous materials in all occupancies and facilities.
(1)

Ammonium nitrate solids and liquids

(2)

Corrosive solids and liquids

(3)

Flammable solids

(4)

Organic peroxide formulations

(5)

Oxidizer solids and liquids

(6)

Pyrophoric solids and liquids

(7)

Toxic and highly toxic solids and liquids

(8)

Unstable (reactive) solids and liquids

(9)

Water-reactive solids and liquids

(10)

Compressed gases and cryogenic fluids (NFPA 55)

NFPA Codes and Standards

Currently ~ 300 codes and standards
published by NFPA including the Life Safety
Code and the National Electrical Code

Codes and Standards are consensus and

are developed by a committee composed of
various backgrounds and interest

NFPA is NOT an enforcement agency

Codes and standards adopted by States,

Towns, Federal agencies are then enforced
by those entities

Virtually every building, process, service,

design, and installation in society today is
affected by NFPA documents
4/14/2015

Who enforces NFPA 400?

~ Half

the states adopt NFPA 1 Fire Code

NFPA 1 incorporates NFPA 400 as part of code requirement

Typically enforced by State fire marshal and/or local fire department

IFC has similar concept of MAQ

2015 edition of IFC incorporates NFPA 400 requirements for Ammonium nitrate

NFPA 400 Scope

Storage, handling, use of Hazardous Materials
Ammonium nitrate
Corrosive materials

Flammable solids
Organic peroxide formulations
Solid and liquid oxidizers
Pyrophoric materials

Toxic and highly toxic solids and

liquids
Unstable (reactive) solids and liquids
Water-reactive solids and liquids
Compressed gases and cryogenic
fluids as defined by NFPA 55,
Compressed Gases and Cryogenic
Fluids Code

Other NFPA Hazardous Materials Codes that

address storage, use and handling include:
NFPA 30 Flammable and
Combustible Liquids
NFPA 30B Aerosol Products
Combustible Dusts
NFPA 484 Metals
NFPA 654 Dusts
NFPA 664 Wood

NFPA 495 Explosives

LP Gases
NFPA 58
NFPA 59

Chapters in NFPA 400

Chapter 1 Scope, purpose, application

Chapter 11 Ammonium Nitrate

Chapter 2 References

Chapter 12 Corrosives

Chapter 3 Definitions

Chapter 13 Flammable Solids

Chapter 4 Classification

Chapter 14 Organic Peroxides

Chapter 5 Permissible storage and use (MAQ Tables) Chapter 15 Oxidizers

Chapter 6 Fundamental requirements

Chapter 16 Reserved

Chapter 7- Emergency

Chapter 17 Pyrophorics

Chapter 8-Reserved

Chapter 18 Toxics

Chapter 9-Security

Chapter 19 Unstable Reactives

Chapter 10-Performance based option

Chapter 20 Water Reactives

Chapter 21 Compressed Gases

NFPA 400
Classifies the hazardous material
Provides you with the maximum amount (MAQ) that should be stored in a
particular occupancy before requiring special construction requirements.
Provides methods for increasing amounts by using special protections
such as sprinklers or special storage requirements.
Provides storage use and handling requirements for all covered materials.

Key Definitions and Concepts

used in NFPA 400
Classification
Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ)
Control area
Protection level

Classify hazardous material

Determine quantity to be used or

stored

YES

Quantity exceeds
MAQ?

NO

Or
gate

Apply provisions
for protection
levels

Apply provisions
for multiple
control areas

No special
construction
features
required

12

Step One-Classify the Material

Example-Unstable Reactives

3.3.61.10.1* Class 1 Unstable (Reactive). Materials that in themselves are normally stable, but that can
become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
3.3.61.10.2* Class 2 Unstable (Reactive). Materials that readily undergo violent chemical change at
elevated temperatures and pressures.
3.3.61.10.3* Class 3 Unstable (Reactive). Materials that in themselves are capable of detonation or
explosive decomposition or explosive reaction, but that require a strong initiating source or that must be
heated under confinement before initiation.
3.3.61.10.4* Class 4 Unstable (Reactive). Materials that in themselves are readily capable of detonation
or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.

Where Do I get the information

Needed to Classify a Material?
Review Permits, SDS, Annex of NFPA 400 etc.

Classify hazardous material

Determine quantity to be used or

stored

YES

Quantity exceeds
MAQ?

NO

Or
gate

Apply provisions
for protection
levels

Apply provisions
for multiple
control areas

No special
construction
features
required

15

Step Two- Determine the MAQ

Allowable amounts per control area are dependent on the occupancy
Determine occupancy and go to MAQ table for that occupancy to see
if amount exceeds the MAQ
Note the MAQ can be increase depending on a number of factors not
including but not limited to
Sprinkler protection (allows doubling)
Storage in approved cabinets, safety cans etc (allows doubling)

Maximum Allowable Quantity

(MAQ) Concept
THRESHOLD above which you must have special construction (PROTECTION
LEVEL) and follow the material specific chapters in NFPA 400.
MAQs are dependent on the type of occupancy
Not maximums-Can be exceeded just need to follow additional requirements
MAQs are given per CONTROL AREA-Can have multiple control areas

Classify hazardous material

Determine quantity to be used or

stored

YES

Quantity exceeds
MAQ?

NO

Or
gate

Apply provisions
for protection
levels

Apply provisions
for multiple
control areas

No special
construction
features
required

19

Step Three-Determine if above or below the MAQ

If below MAQ per control area no further
requirements in material specific chapters just the
general requirements in chapters 6-9 apply

If above MAQ per control area then must use

special construction- Protection Levels 1-5 and the
material specific chapters apply

Control Area
A building or portion of a building or outdoor area within which hazardous materials
are allowed to be stored, dispensed, used, or handled in quantities not exceeding
the maximum allowable quantities (MAQ).
Can have multiple control areas up to a maximum depending on the floor level
and fire resistance
Control Areas are separated by particular fire resistance-1-2 hours (includes floors,
walls to completely separate from other areas)

Number of Control Areas

Lower than 2 levels below grade is not allowed

Control Areas
Flammable
Solid Storage =
MAQ is 125 lb.

Sprinkler
Protection
Provided =
Footnote D
allows a 100%
increase

Outdoor Control Areas

Outdoor control areas allow for greater storage amounts
More than one outdoor control area allowed depending on size of
property.
10,000 ft2 property- 2 separated by 50 feet
35,000 ft2 separated by 300 feet

Classify hazardous material

Determine quantity to be used or

stored

YES

Quantity exceeds
MAQ?

NO

Or
gate

Apply provisions
for protection
levels

Apply provisions
for multiple
control areas

No special
construction
features
required

25

Protection Level
Protection Level describes a tier of building safety that exceeds the
construction requirements for control areas
The MAQ is able to be exceeded due to the increased protective
measures associated with the Protection Level provisions imposed
The Protection Level required is dependent on the Hazard Level of
the contents
Protection Level construction allows you to exceed the MAQ

NFPA 400
Classifies the hazardous material
Provides you with the maximum amount (MAQ) that should be stored in a
particular occupancy before requiring special construction requirements.
Provides methods for increasing amounts by using special protections
such as sprinklers or special storage requirements.
Provides storage use and handling requirements for all covered materials.

NFPA 400 Quantity Requirements

In a Nutshell
Keep amounts below the (MAQ) per control
OR
Construct to appropriate Protection Level and follow the
material specific chapters

Other Requirements in NFPA 400

for Hazardous Material-Chapters 6-9
Fundamental requirements that apply to all
hazardous materials include:

Haz-Mat releases
Personnel training
Ignition source controls
Equipment and processes, tanks etc
Shelf construction
Separation of incompatibles

Additional requirements when above MAQ

Fire Protection Systems

Egress
Dispensing requirements
Chapter 7 Emergency planning
Chapter 9 Security planning

Permits and Plans

Permits are required in accordance with NFPA 1
The AHJ has the authority to require plans
Hazardous Material Inventory Statement (HMIS)
Hazardous Material Management Plan (HMMP)-above MAQ

Closure plan
Other plans as required may include Incident Investigation Plan, Security Plan
Emergency Action Plan-always required. Unauthorized releases activate the plan

Example
31

Calcium Hypochlorite
Industrial Occupancy

100-5 gallon buckets

Used in open containers

What Do I Need to Know to Apply NFPA 400?

What is the Material?
Calcium Hypochlorite
What is the Occupancy?
Industrial
How is the Material stored?
5 gallon pails in corner of building
How is the Material used-closed or open use?
Open use-1 bucket at a time (5 gal)

What is the Amount of Material?

~ 500 gallons in storage
5 gal in use
Are there Sprinklers?
No
What is the building construction?
One open building, single control area

Classify the Material

G.3.4 Class 3 Oxidizers. The following are typical Class 3
oxidizers:
(1)

Ammonium dichromate

(2)

Calcium hypochlorite (over 50 percent by weight

unless covered in other formulations in

(3)

Calcium hypochlorite (over 50 percent by weight)

(4)

Chloric acid (10 percent maximum concentration)

3.3.72.3 Class 3. An oxidizer that causes a severe increase in

the burning rate of combustible materials with which it
comes into contact or a solid oxidizer classified as Class 3
when tested in accordance with the test protocol set forth in
G.1.

Determining MAQ for the Occupancy

Classify hazardous material

Determine quantity to be used or

stored

YES

Quantity exceeds
MAQ?

NO

Or
gate

Apply provisions
for protection
levels

Apply provisions
for multiple
control areas

No special
construction
features
required

36

Amount Exceeds MAQ per Control Area

Must go to Protection Level Construction
Material is considered a High hazard level 3 as defined in standard so
therefore Protection Level 3 construction applies.
AND must follow Chapter 15 requirements for Class 3 Oxidizers

37

38

NFPA 400 and

Ammonium Nitrate
39

Fertilizer Plant Explosion

West, Texas
On April 17, 2013, at approximately
7:29 p.m. a fire was reported at the
West Fertilizer Plant in West, Texas.
Approximately 22 minutes later a large
explosion occurred. The explosion
caused damage in a 37 square block
area and destroyed numerous homes.
Several other homes were also
damaged. In the end, a crater 93 feet
wide was created at the seat of blast.

West Texas Plant before

41

West Texas Plant after

42

Preliminary Findings of CSB

The warehouse and bins were combustible and contained seeds

The building lacked a sprinkler system or other systems to automatically

detect or suppress fire.
Guidance for firefighters vague and confusing
No requirement for emergency planning under (EPCRA exempt)

NFPA 400 2016 edition

CSB FINDING

NFPA 400 CODE

The warehouse and bins were

combustible and contained
significant amounts of
combustible seeds, which likely
contributed to the intensity of
the fire.

All new construction required to

be noncombustible. All bins for
storage required to be non
combustible.

Separation of combustibles by a
1 hour fire barrier wall

NFPA 400 2016 edition

CSB FINDING

NFPA 400 CODE

The building lacked a sprinkler

system or other systems to
automatically detect or suppress
fire.

Automatic Sprinklers required for

all new construction
Automatic Sprinklers required for
existing structures if Type III, IV
or V combustible construction or
if combustible contents.

NFPA 400 2016 edition

CSB FINDING

NFPA 400 CODE

Guidance for firefighters vague

and confusing

Annex material with clear

instructions and information for
firefighters
Improved signage 704 Placard +
DO NOT FIGHT FIRE

NFPA 400 2016 edition

CSB FINDING

NFPA 400 CODE

No requirement for emergency

planning

Pre-incident planning
Notification and Alert System

1 Mile Evacuation Distance

2016 edition of NFPA 400

www.nfpa.org/400

48

Thank you!
Questions???
49