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FIR-7.05 - Placarding of Hazardous Materials Facilities

Administrative Rules Adopted by Bureaus Pursuant to Rule Making Authority (ARB)
Policy number
FIR-7.05
PLACARDING OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FACILITIES
Administrative Rule Adopted by Portland Fire & Rescue Pursuant to Rule-Making Authority
ARB-FIR-7.05

I SCOPE

A. This policy is established March 20, 2001.

B. The purpose of this policy is to establish recommended standards for posting hazardous material identification signs for rooms, businesses, buildings, facilities, and other interior or exterior locations where hazardous materials are stored, manufactured or used.

C. This policy applies to all occupancies storing, manufacturing or using hazardous materials within all areas in which Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) has fire prevention authority.

D. Under the guidelines of SARA Title III (Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act) PF&R is charged with enforcing the uniform placarding of hazardous materials sites. These placards are used to alert emergency responders of potential hazards.

II. SPECIFIC

A. References

1. 2016 Portland Fire Code
2. NFPA 704
3. 29CFR 1910, 40CFR Part 355, Sara Title III

B. Definitions

1. Category 3 Facility: A designation established by PF&R for a facility determined by the station officer to have hazardous materials in sufficient quantities to cause injury, death, or environmental destruction.
2. Control Area Placard: (Inside Buildings) Placards for a room or area separated from the rest of any building by a minimum 1-hour construction (e.g. flammable liquid storage room or laboratory).
3. Building Placard: Placards located on the exterior of a building or buildings. If no hazards exist in a building, no placard shall be applied to that building.
4. Facility Placard: Placards located at entrance points to the property. The placard should indicate the overall hazard of the area inside the fence or barrier for the entire facility, including multiple buildings and/or control areas.

III. GUIDANCE

A. Criteria for Designation of Facilities:

1. Facilities with hazardous materials in amounts which pose a potential exposure that would cause loss of life or injuries.
2. Facilities with hazardous materials on-site that may severely impact the environment in the event of a release.
3. Any facility that the Station Captain may designate.

B. Coordination of Placarding:

1. Placarding of the designated facilities will be performed and coordinated by the Inspector in the Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) designated for Hazardous Materials Planning.
2. The designated FMO Inspector will determine the hazard rankings for the Health, Fire, Reactivity and Special hazards categories using material safety data sheets (MSDS),
manufacturers information, or supplier’s information.

C. Control Area Placards: (Interior) - Recommended size varies. Use NFPA 704, Figure 6-2 to determine size.
Requirements:

1. Shall indicate only the hazards located inside the control area that they serve.
2. Placement should be:

a. Next to any personnel doors that may be used for entry to rooms containing hazardous materials.
b. 30” to 44” above the floor.
c. On the wall on the latch/handle side of the door(s) whenever possible.
d. Clearly visible. Avoid placing the placard on the door or on the wall too close to the hinged side of the door where the placard will be behind the door when it is open.

D. Building Placards: (Exterior) – Recommended placard size is 10” on each side (minimum 7” on each side).
Requirements:

1. Category 3 Haz Mat sites must include the posting of both the 10” NFPA 704 sign and the 7” PF&R sign.
2. Placards must indicate all the hazards located within that building.
3. Buildings should be placarded on each side where entrance into a building may be necessary.
4. Placement should be:

a. Next to any personnel doors that may be used for entry to buildings containing hazardous materials.
b. On the wall on the latch/handle side of the door(s) whenever possible.
c. 30” to 44” above the floor.
d. Clearly visible. Avoid placing the placard on the door or on the wall too close to the hinged side of the door where the placard will be behind the door when it is open.

5. Placards shall indicate only the hazards located inside the building that they serve.
6. Must be weather resistant and durable (as approved by PF&R).
7. For exterior placards, vandalism may dictate that placards are located 8 to 10 feet above the ground.

E. Facility Placards: (Exterior) – Recommended placard size is 10” on each side (minimum 7” on each side).
Requirements:

1. Category 3 Haz Mat sites must include the posting of both the 10” NFPA 704 sign and the 7” PF&R sign.
2. Placards must indicate the highest overall hazard that will be found at the entire facility or complex site.
3. Placement should be:

a. At the main entrance of a facility or complex.
b. Clearly visible. Avoid placing the placard on the door or on the wall too close to the hinged side of the door where the placard will be behind the door when it is open.
c. When a placard is placed on a metal or wooden backboard on fencing, placement of placards shall be located in such a manner that they will not be obstructed by fencing, gates, doors, or other obstacles which would obscure placards.
d. In cases where entry is not restricted into a complex (two or more buildings) or a facility with the same address, under common control by one individual, the facility placards may be mounted on a light pole next to the driveways or on a pole designated for the placard.

4. Must be weather resistant and durable (as approved by PF&R).
5. For exterior placards, vandalism may dictate that placards are located 8 to 10 feet above the ground.

F. Number on Placards:

1. If no hazards exist in the Health, Flammability, or Reactivity categories for a placard, then a “0” (ZERO) must be placed in the appropriate category diamond.
2. The 10-inch 704 diamond shall have 4” reflective numbers for the Health (blue) and Fire (red) backgrounds.
3. The 7-inch 704 placards shall have 3” reflective numbers for Health (blue) and Fire (red).

G. Placarding Cabinets: Cabinets, piping, and containers should be labeled when containing
hazardous materials.

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