Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 3 - Use and Occupancy Classification › Section 307 - HIGH-HAZARD GROUP H › Subsection 307.2 - Definitions

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of
				  this section and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown
				  herein.
[F]
AEROSOL.
A product that is dispensed from an
				  aerosol container by a propellant.
Aerosol products shall be classified by means of the
				  calculation of their chemical heats of combustion and shall be designated Level
				  1, 2 or 3.
Level 1 aerosol products.
Those with a total
				  chemical heat of combustion that is less than or equal to 8,600 British thermal
				  units per pound (Btu/lb) (20 kJ/g).
Level 2 aerosol products.
Those with a total
				  chemical heat of combustion that is greater than 8,600 Btu/lb (20 kJ/g), but
				  less than or equal to 13,000 Btu/lb (30 kJ/g).
Level 3 aerosol products.
Those with a total
				  chemical heat combustion that is greater than 13,000 Btu/lb (30 kJ/g).
AEROSOL CONTAINER.
A metal can or a glass or
				  plastic bottle designed to dispense an aerosol. Metal cans shall be limited to
				  a maximum size of 33.8 fluid ounces (1000 ml). Glass or plastic bottles shall
				  be limited to a maximum size of 4 fluid ounces (118 ml).
BALED COTTON.
A natural seed fiber wrapped in
				  and secured with industry accepted materials, usually consisting of burlap,
				  woven polypropylene, polyethylene or cotton or sheet polyethylene, and secured
				  with steel, synthetic or wire bands or wire; also includes linters (lint
				  removed from the cottonseed) and motes (residual materials from the ginning
				  process).
BALED COTTON, DENSELY PACKED.
Cotton made into
				  banded bales with a packing density of at least 22 pounds per cubic foot (360
				  kg/m3), and dimensions complying with the following:
				  a length of 55 inches (1397 ± 20 mm), a width of 21 inches (533.4
				  ±; 20 mm) and a height of 27.6 to 35.4 inches (701 to 899 mm).
BARRICADE.
A structure that consists of a
				  combination of walls, floor and roof, which is designed to withstand the rapid
				  release of energy in an explosion and which is fully confined, partially vented
				  or fully vented; or other effective method of shielding from explosive
				  materials by a natural or artificial barrier.
Artificial barricade.
An artificial mound or
				  revetment a minimum thickness of 3 feet (914 mm).
Natural barricade.
Natural features of the
				  ground, such as hills, or timber of sufficient density that the surrounding
				  exposures that require protection cannot be seen from the magazine or building
				  containing explosives when the trees are bare of leaves.
BOILING POINT.
The temperature at which the
				  vapor pressure of a liquid equals the atmospheric pressure of 14.7 pounds per
				  square inch (psi) (101 kPa) gage or 760 mm of mercury. Where an accurate
				  boiling point is unavailable for the material in question, or for mixtures
				  which do not have a constant boiling point, for the purposes of this
				  classification, the 20-percent evaporated point of a distillation performed in
				  accordance with ASTM D 86 shall be used as the boiling point of the
				  liquid.
CLOSED SYSTEM.
The use of a solid or liquid
				  hazardous material involving a closed vessel or system that remains closed
				  during normal operations where vapors emitted by the product are not liberated
				  outside of the vessel or system and the product is not exposed to the
				  atmosphere during normal operations; and all uses of compressed gases. Examples
				  of closed systems for solids and liquids include product conveyed through a
				  piping system into a closed vessel, system or piece of equipment.
COMBUSTIBLE DUST.
Finely divided solid material
				  that is 420 microns or less in diameter and which, when dispersed in air in the
				  proper proportions, could be ignited by a flame, spark or other source of
				  ignition. Combustible dust will pass through a U.S. No. 40 standard
				  sieve.
COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS.
Readily ignitable and
				  free-burning materials in a fibrous or shredded form, such as cocoa fiber,
				  cloth, cotton, excelsior, hay, hemp, henequen, istle, jute, kapok, oakum, rags,
				  sisal, Spanish moss, straw, tow, wastepaper, certain synthetic fibers or other
				  like materials. This definition does not include densely packed baled
				  cotton.
COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID.
A liquid having a closed
				  cup flash point at or above 100°F (38°C). Combustible liquids shall be
				  subdivided as follows:
Class II.
Liquids having a closed cup flash
				  point at or above 100°F (38°C) and below 140°F (60°C).
Class IIIA.
Liquids having a closed cup flash
				  point at or above 140°F (60°C) and below 200°F (93°C).
Class IIIB.
Liquids having a closed cup flash
				  point at or above 200°F (93°C).
The category of combustible liquids does not include
				  compressed gases or cryogenic fluids.
COMPRESSED GAS.
A material, or mixture of
				  materials, that:
1. Is a gas at 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 pounds per
				  square inch atmosphere (psia) (101 kPa) of pressure; and
2. Has a boiling point of 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7
				  psia (101 kPa) which is either liquefied, nonliquefied or in solution, except
				  those gases which have no other health- or physical-hazard properties are not
				  considered to be compressed until the pressure in the packaging exceeds 41 psia
				  (282 kPa) at 68°F (20°C).
The states of a compressed gas are categorized as follows:
1. Nonliquefied compressed gases are gases, other than those
				  in solution, which are in a packaging under the charged pressure and are
				  entirely gaseous at a temperature of 68°F (20°C).
2. Liquefied compressed gases are gases that, in a packaging
				  under the charged pressure, are partially liquid at a temperature of 68°F
				  (20°C).
3. Compressed gases in solution are nonliquefied gases that
				  are dissolved in a solvent.
4. Compressed gas mixtures consist of a mixture of two or
				  more compressed gases contained in a packaging, the hazard properties of which
				  are represented by the properties of the mixture as a whole.
CONTROL AREA.
Spaces within a building where
				  quantities of hazardous materials not exceeding the maximum allowable
				  quantities per
control area
are stored, dispensed, used or
				  handled. See also the definition of "Outdoor control area" in the
International Fire Code
.
CORROSIVE.
A chemical that causes visible
				  destruction of, or irreversible alterations in, living tissue by chemical
				  action at the point of contact. A chemical shall be considered corrosive if,
				  when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the method described in
				  DOTn
				  49 CFR, Part
				  173.137, such a chemical destroys or changes
				  irreversibly the structure of the tissue at the point of contact following an
				  exposure period of 4 hours. This term does not refer to action on inanimate
				  surfaces.
CRYOGENIC FLUID.
A liquid having a boiling
				  point lower than -130°F (-89.9°C) at 14.7 pounds per square inch
				  atmosphere (psia) (an absolute pressure of 101 kPa).
DAY BOX.
A portable magazine designed to hold
				  explosive materials constructed in accordance with the requirements for a Type
				  3 magazine as defined and classified in Chapter 33 of the
International
				  Fire Code
.
DEFLAGRATION.
An exothermic reaction, such as
				  the extremely rapid oxidation of a flammable dust or vapor in air, in which the
				  reaction progresses through the unburned material at a rate less than the
				  velocity of sound. A deflagration can have an explosive effect.
DETONATION.
An exothermic reaction
				  characterized by the presence of a shock wave in the material which establishes
				  and maintains the reaction. The reaction zone progresses through the material
				  at a rate greater than the velocity of sound. The principal heating mechanism
				  is one of shock compression. Detonations have an explosive effect.
DISPENSING.
The pouring or transferring of any
				  material from a container, tank or similar vessel, whereby vapors, dusts,
				  fumes, mists or gases are liberated to the atmosphere.
EXPLOSION.
An effect produced by the sudden
				  violent expansion of gases, which may be accompanied by a shock wave or
				  disruption, or both, of enclosing materials or structures. An explosion could
				  result from any of the following:
1. Chemical changes such as rapid oxidation,
deflagration
or
detonation
, decomposition of
				  molecules and runaway polymerization (usually
detonation
s).
2. Physical changes such as pressure tank ruptures.
3. Atomic changes (nuclear fission or fusion).
EXPLOSIVE.
A chemical compound, mixture or
				  device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. The
				  term includes, but is not limited to, dynamite, black powder, pellet powder,
				  initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cord,
				  igniter cord, igniters and display fireworks, 1.3G (Class B, Special).
The term "explosive" includes any material determined to be
				  within the scope of USC Title 18: Chapter 40 and also includes any material
				  classified as an explosive other than consumer fireworks, 1.4G (Class C,
				  Common) by the hazardous materials regulations of DOTn 49 CFR, Parts 100 -
				  185.
High explosive.
Explosive material, such as
				  dynamite, which can be caused to detonate by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap
				  when unconfined.
Low explosive.
Explosive material that will
				  burn or deflagrate when ignited. It is characterized by a rate of reaction that
				  is less than the speed of sound. Examples of low explosives include, but are
				  not limited to, black powder; safety fuse; igniters; igniter cord; fuse
				  lighters; fireworks, 1.3G (Class B, Special) and propellants, 1.3C.
Mass-detonating explosives.
Division 1.1, 1.2
				  and 1.5 explosives alone or in combination, or loaded into various types of
				  ammunition or containers, most of which can be expected to explode virtually
				  instantaneously when a small portion is subjected to fire, severe concussion,
				  impact, the impulse of an initiating agent or the effect of a considerable
				  discharge of energy from without. Materials that react in this manner represent
				  a mass explosion hazard. Such an explosive will normally cause severe
				  structural damage to adjacent objects. Explosive propagation could occur
				  immediately to other items of ammunition and explosives stored sufficiently
				  close to and not adequately protected from the initially exploding pile with a
				  time interval short enough so that two or more quantities must be considered as
				  one for quantity-distance purposes.
UN/DOTn Class 1 explosives.
The former
				  classification system used by DOTn included the terms "high" and "low"
				  explosives as defined herein. The following terms further define explosives
				  under the current system applied by DOTn for all explosive materials defined as
				  hazard Class 1 materials. Compatibility group letters are used in concert with
				  the division to specify further limitations on each division noted (i.e., the
				  letter G identifies the material as a pyrotechnic substance or article
				  containing a pyrotechnic substance and similar materials).
Division 1.1.
Explosives that have a mass
				  explosion hazard. A mass explosion is one which affects almost the entire load
				  instantaneously.
Division 1.2.
Explosives that have a projection
				  hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.3.
Explosives that have a fire
				  hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both,
				  but not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.4.
Explosives that pose a minor
				  explosion hazard. The explosive effects are largely confined to the package and
				  no projection of fragments of appreciable size or range is to be expected. An
				  external fire must not cause virtually instantaneous explosion of almost the
				  entire contents of the package.
Division 1.5.
Very insensitive explosives. This
				  division is comprised of substances that have a mass explosion hazard, but that
				  are so insensitive there is very little probability of initiation or of
				  transition from burning to
detonation
under normal conditions
				  of transport.
Division 1.6.
Extremely insensitive articles
				  which do not have a mass explosion hazard. This division is comprised of
				  articles that contain only extremely insensitive detonating substances and
				  which demonstrate a negligible probability of accidental initiation or
				  propagation.
FIREWORKS.
Any composition or device for the
				  purpose of producing a visible or audible effect for entertainment purposes by
				  combustion, deflagration or
detonation
that meets the
				  definition of 1.4G fireworks or 1.3G fireworks as set forth herein.
Fireworks, 1.3G.
(Formerly Class B, Special
				  Fireworks.) Large fireworks devices, which are explosive materials, intended
				  for use in fireworks displays and designed to produce audible or visible
				  effects by combustion, deflagration or
detonation
. Such 1.3G
				  fireworks include, but are not limited to, firecrackers containing more than
				  130 milligrams (2 grains) of explosive composition, aerial shells containing
				  more than 40 grams (617 grains) of pyrotechnic composition, and other display
				  pieces which exceed the limits for classification as 1.4G fireworks. Such 1.3G
				  fireworks are also described as fireworks, UN0335 by the DOTn.
Fireworks, 1.4G.
(Formerly Class C, Common
				  Fireworks.) Small fireworks devices containing restricted amounts of
				  pyrotechnic composition designed primarily to produce visible or audible
				  effects by combustion. Such 1.4G fireworks which comply with the construction,
				  chemical composition and labeling regulations of the DOTn for fireworks,
				  UN0336, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as set forth in
				  CPSC 16 CFR: Parts 1500 and 1507, are not explosive materials for the purpose
				  of this code.
FLAMMABLE GAS.
A material that is a gas at
				  68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 pounds per square inch atmosphere (psia)
				  (101 kPa) of pressure [a material that has a boiling point of 68°F
				  (20°C) or less at 14.7 psia (101 kPa)] which:
1. Is ignitable at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) when in a mixture of
				  13 percent or less by volume with air; or
2. Has a flammable range at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) with air of
				  at least 12 percent, regardless of the lower limit.
The limits specified shall be determined at 14.7 psi (101
				  kPa) of pressure and a temperature of 68°F (20°C) in accordance with
				  ASTM E 681.
FLAMMABLE LIQUEFIED GAS.
A liquefied compressed
				  gas which, under a charged pressure, is partially liquid at a temperature of
				  68°F (20°C) and which is flammable.
FLAMMABLE LIQUID.
A liquid having a closed cup
				  flash point below 100°F (38°C). Flammable liquids are further
				  categorized into a group known as Class I liquids. The Class I category is
				  subdivided as follows:
Class IA.
Liquids having a flash point below
				  73°F (23°C) and a boiling point below 100°F (38°C).
Class IB.
Liquids having a flash point below
				  73°F (23°C) and a boiling point at or above 100°F
				  (38°C).
Class IC.
Liquids having a flash point at or
				  above 73°F (23°C) and below 100°F (38°C).
The category of flammable liquids does not include compressed
				  gases or cryogenic fluids.
FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.
A material capable of being
				  readily ignited from common sources of heat or at a temperature of 600°F
				  (316°C) or less.
FLAMMABLE SOLID.
A solid, other than a blasting
				  agent or explosive, that is capable of causing fire through friction,
				  absorption or moisture, spontaneous chemical change, or retained heat from
				  manufacturing or processing, or which has an ignition temperature below
				  212°F (100°C) or which burns so vigorously and persistently when
				  ignited as to create a serious hazard. A chemical shall be considered a
				  flammable solid as determined in accordance with the test method of CPSC 16
				  CFR; Part 1500.44, if it ignites and burns with a self-sustained flame at a
				  rate greater than 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) per second along its major axis.
FLASH POINT.
The minimum temperature in degrees
				  Fahrenheit at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors to form an
				  ignitable mixture with air near the surface or in the container, but will not
				  sustain combustion. The flash point of a liquid shall be determined by
				  appropriate test procedure and apparatus as specified in ASTM D 56, ASTM D 93
				  or ASTM D 3278.
HANDLING.
The deliberate transport by any means
				  to a point of storage or use.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.
Those chemicals or
				  substances that are physical hazards or health hazards as defined and
				  classified in this section and the
International Fire Code
,
				  whether the materials are in usable or waste condition.
HEALTH HAZARD.
A classification of a chemical
				  for which there is statistically significant evidence that acute or chronic
				  health effects are capable of occurring in exposed persons. The term "health
				  hazard" includes chemicals that are
toxic
or
highly
				  toxic
, and corrosive.
HIGHLY TOXIC.
A material which produces a
				  lethal dose or lethal concentration that falls within any of the following
				  categories:
1. A chemical that has a median lethal dose
				  (LD50) of 50 milligrams or less per kilogram of body
				  weight when administered orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300
				  grams each.
2. A chemical that has a median lethal dose
				  (LD50) of 200 milligrams or less per kilogram of body
				  weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death
				  occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between 2
				  and 3 kilograms each.
3. A chemical that has a median lethal concentration
				  (LC50) in air of 200 parts per million by volume or less
				  of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per liter or less of mist, fume or dust, when
				  administered by continuous inhalation for 1 hour (or less if death occurs
				  within 1 hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
Mixtures of these materials with ordinary materials, such as
				  water, might not warrant classification as
highly toxic
. While
				  this system is basically simple in application, any hazard evaluation that is
				  required for the precise categorization of this type of material shall be
				  performed by experienced, technically competent persons.
INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS.
Materials that, when
				  mixed, have the potential to react in a manner that generates heat, fumes,
				  gases or by products which are hazardous to life or property.
INERT GAS.
A gas that is capable of reacting
				  with other materials only under abnormal conditions such as high temperatures,
				  pressures and similar extrinsic physical forces. Within the context of the
				  code, inert gases do not exhibit either physical or health properties as
				  defined (other than acting as a simple asphyxiant) or hazard properties other
				  than those of a compressed gas. Some of the more common inert gases include
				  argon, helium, krypton, neon, nitrogen and xenon.
OPEN SYSTEM.
The use of a solid or liquid
				  hazardous material involving a vessel or system that is continuously open to
				  the atmosphere during normal operations and where vapors are liberated, or the
				  product is exposed to the atmosphere during normal operations. Examples of open
				  systems for solids and liquids include dispensing from or into open beakers or
				  containers, dip tank and plating tank operations.
OPERATING BUILDING.
A building occupied in
				  conjunction with the manufacture, transportation or use of explosive materials.
				  Operating buildings are separated from one another with the use of intraplant
				  or intraline distances.
ORGANIC PEROXIDE.
An organic compound that
				  contains the bivalent -O-O- structure and which may be considered to be a
				  structural derivative of hydrogen peroxide where one or both of the hydrogen
				  atoms have been replaced by an organic radical. Organic peroxides can pose an
				  explosion hazard (
detonation
or deflagration) or they can be
				  shock sensitive. They can also decompose into various unstable compounds over
				  an extended period of time.
Class I.
Those formulations that are capable of
				  deflagration but not
detonation
.
Class II.
Those formulations that burn very
				  rapidly and that pose a moderate reactivity hazard.
Class III.
Those formulations that burn rapidly
				  and that pose a moderate reactivity hazard.
Class IV.
Those formulations that burn in the
				  same manner as ordinary combustibles and that pose a minimal reactivity
				  hazard.
Class V.
Those formulations that burn with less
				  intensity than ordinary combustibles or do not sustain combustion and that pose
				  no reactivity hazard.
Unclassified detonable.
Organic peroxides that
				  are capable of
detonation
. These peroxides pose an extremely
				  high explosion hazard through rapid explosive decomposition.
OXIDIZER.
A material that readily yields oxygen
				  or other oxidizing gas, or that readily reacts to promote or initiate
				  combustion of combustible materials and, if heated or contaminated, can result
				  in vigorous self-sustained decomposition.
Class 4.
An oxidizer that can undergo an
				  explosive reaction due to contamination or exposure to thermal or physical
				  shock and that causes a severe increase in the burning rate of combustible
				  materials with which it comes into contact. Additionally, the oxidizer causes a
				  severe increase in the burning rate and can cause spontaneous ignition of
				  combustibles.
Class 3.
An oxidizer that causes a severe
				  increase in the burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes in
				  contact.
Class 2.
An oxidizer that will cause a moderate
				  increase in the burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes in
				  contact.
Class 1.
An oxidizer that does not moderately
				  increase the burning rate of combustible materials.
OXIDIZING GAS.
A gas that can support and
				  accelerate combustion of other materials.
PHYSICAL HAZARD.
A chemical for which there is
				  evidence that it is a combustible liquid, cryogenic fluid, explosive, flammable
				  (solid, liquid or gas), organic peroxide (solid or liquid), oxidizer (solid or
				  liquid), oxidizing gas, pyrophoric (solid, liquid or gas), unstable (reactive)
				  material (solid, liquid or gas) or water-reactive material (solid or
				  liquid).
PYROPHORIC.
A chemical with an autoignition
				  temperature in air, at or below a temperature of 130°F (54.4°C).
PYROTECHNIC COMPOSITION.
A chemical mixture
				  that produces visible light displays or sounds through a self-propagating,
				  heat-releasing chemical reaction which is initiated by ignition.
TOXIC.
A chemical falling within any of the
				  following categories:
1. A chemical that has a median lethal dose
				  (LD50) of more than 50 milligrams per kilogram, but not
				  more than 500 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered orally
				  to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
2. A chemical that has a median lethal dose
				  (LD50) of more than 200 milligrams per kilogram, but not
				  more than 1,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered by
				  continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with
				  the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between 2 and 3 kilograms each.
3. A chemical that has a median lethal concentration
				  (LC50) in air of more than 200 parts per million, but
				  not more than 2,000 parts per million by volume of gas or vapor, or more than 2
				  milligrams per liter but not more than 20 milligrams per liter of mist, fume or
				  dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for 1 hour (or less if death
				  occurs within 1 hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams
				  each.
UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIAL.
A material, other
				  than an explosive, which in the pure state or as commercially produced, will
				  vigorously polymerize, decompose, condense or become self-reactive and undergo
				  other violent chemical changes, including explosion, when exposed to heat,
				  friction or shock, or in the absence of an inhibitor, or in the presence of
				  contaminants, or in contact with incompatible materials. Unstable (reactive)
				  materials are subdivided as follows:
Class 4.
Materials that in themselves are
				  readily capable of
detonation
or explosive decomposition or
				  explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures. This class includes
				  materials that are sensitive to mechanical or localized thermal shock at normal
				  temperatures and pressures.
Class 3.
Materials that in themselves are
				  capable of
detonation
or of explosive decomposition or
				  explosive reaction but which require a strong initiating source or which must
				  be heated under confinement before initiation. This class includes materials
				  that are sensitive to thermal or mechanical shock at elevated temperatures and
				  pressures.
Class 2.
Materials that in themselves are
				  normally unstable and readily undergo violent chemical change but do not
				  detonate. This class includes materials that can undergo chemical change with
				  rapid release of energy at normal temperatures and pressures, and that can
				  undergo violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures.
Class 1.
Materials that in themselves are
				  normally stable but which can become unstable at elevated temperatures and
				  pressure.
WATER-REACTIVE MATERIAL.
A material that
				  explodes; violently reacts; produces flammable,
toxic
or other
				  hazardous gases; or evolves enough heat to cause autoignition or ignition of
				  combustibles upon exposure to water or moisture. Water-reactive materials are
				  subdivided as follows:
Class 3.
Materials that react explosively with
				  water without requiring heat or confinement.
Class 2.
Materials that react violently with
				  water or have the ability to boil water. Materials that produce flammable,
toxic
or other hazardous gases or evolve enough heat to cause
				  autoignition or ignition of combustibles upon exposure to water or
				  moisture.
Class 1.
Materials that react with water with
				  some release of energy, but not violently.