Utah Admin. Code R614-4-20 - Storage of Ammonium Nitrate

A. Storage

1. Except as provided in R614-4-12. this rule applies to the storage of ammonium nitrate in the form of crystals, flakes, grains, or prills, including fertilizer grade, dynamite grade, nitrous oxide grade, technical grade, and other mixtures containing 60 percent or more ammonium nitrate by weight but does not apply to blasting agents.

2. This rule does not apply to the transportation of ammonium nitrate.

3. The storage of ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate mixtures that are more sensitive than allowed by the "Definition of Test Procedures for Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer" (available from the Fertilizer Institute, 1015 18th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036) is prohibited.

4. Nothing in this rule shall apply to the production of ammonium nitrate or to the storage of ammonium nitrate on the premise of the producing plant.

5. The standards for ammonium nitrate (nitrous oxide grade) are those found in the "Specifications, Properties, and Recommendations for Packaging, Transportation, Storage, and Use of Ammonium Nitrate", Available from the Compressed Gas Association, Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036.

B. General.

1. This rule applies to all persons storing, having, or keeping ammonium nitrate, and to the owner or lessee of any building, premises, or structure in which ammonium nitrate is stored in quantities of 1,000 pounds or more.

2. Approval of large quantity storage shall be subject to due consideration of the fire and explosion hazards, including exposure to toxic vapors from burning or decomposing nitrate.

C. Storage Buildings.

1. Storage buildings shall not have basements unless the basements are open on at least one side. Storage buildings shall not be over one story in height.

2. Storage buildings shall have adequate ventilation, or be of a construction that will be self- ventilating in the event of fire.

3. The wall on the exposed side of a storage building within 50 feet of a combustible building, forest, piles of combustible materials and similar exposure hazards shall be of fire-resistive construction. In lieu of the fire-resistive wall, other suitable means of exposure protection such as a free standing wall may be used. The roof coverings shall be Class C or better, as defined in the Manual on Roof Coverings, NFPA 203M-1970 or latest edition thereof.

4. All flooring in storage and handling areas shall be of noncombustible materials or protected against impregnation by ammonium nitrate and shall be without open drains, traps, tunnels, pits or pockets into which any molten ammonium nitrate could flow and be confined in the event of fire.

5. The continued use of an existing storage building or structure not in strict conformity with this Rule may be approved in cases where such continued use will not constitute a hazard to life.

6. Buildings and structures shall be dry and free from water seepage through the roof, walls, and floors.

D. Storage of Ammonium Nitrate in Bags, Drums, or Other Containers.

1. Bags and Containers

a. Bags and containers used for ammonium nitrate must comply with specifications and standards required for use in interstate commerce.

b. Containers used on the premises in the actual manufacturing or processing need not comply with provisions of R614-4-20.D.1.a.

2. Storage

a. Containers of ammonium nitrate shall not be accepted for storage when the temperature of the ammonium nitrate exceeds 130 degrees F.

b. Bags of ammonium nitrate shall not be stored within 30 inches of the storage building walls and partitions.

c. The height of piles shall not exceed 20 feet. The width of piles shall not exceed 20 feet and the length 50 feet except that where the building is of noncombustible construction or is protected by automatic sprinklers the length of piles shall not be limited. In no case shall the ammonium nitrate be stacked closer than 36 inches below the roof or supporting and spreader beams over head.

d. Aisles shall be provided to separate piles by a clear space of not less than 3 feet in width. At least one service or main aisle in the storage area shall not be less than 4 feet in width.

E. Storage of Bulk Ammonium Nitrate.

1. Warehouses shall have adequate ventilation or be capable of adequate ventilation in case of fire.

2. Unless constructed of noncombustible material or unless adequate facilities for fighting a roof fire are available, bulk storage structures shall not exceed a height of 40 feet.

F. Bins

1. Bins shall be clean and free of materials which may contaminate ammonium nitrate.

2. Due to the corrosive and reactive properties of ammonium nitrate, and to avoid contamination, galvanized iron, copper, lead, and zinc shall not be used in a bin constructed unless suitably protected. Aluminum bins and wooden bins protected against impregnation by ammonium nitrate are permissible. The partitions dividing the ammonium nitrate storage from other products which would contaminate the ammonium nitrate shall be of tight construction.

3. The ammonium nitrate storage bins or piles shall be clearly identified by signs reading "Ammonium Nitrate" with letters at least 2 inches high.

G. General.

1. Piles or bins shall be so sized and arranged that all material in the pile is moved out periodically in order to minimize possible caking of the stored ammonium nitrate.

2. Height or depth of piles shall be limited by the pressure-setting tendency of the product. However, in no case shall ammonium nitrate be piled higher at any point than 36 inches below the roof or supporting and spreader beams over head.

3. Ammonium nitrate shall not be accepted for storage when the temperature of the product exceed 130 degrees F.

4. Dynamite, other explosives, and blasting agents shall not be used to break up or loosen caked ammonium nitrate.

H. Contaminants.

1. Ammonium nitrate shall be in a separate building or shall be separated by approved type fire-walls of not less than 1 hour fire-resistance rating from storage of organic chemicals, acids, or other corrosive materials, materials that may require blasting during processing or handling, compressed flammable and combustible materials or other contaminating substances, including but not limited to animal fats, baled cotton, baled rags, baled scrap paper, bleaching powder, burlap or cotton bags, caustic soda, coal, coke, charcoal, cork, camphor, excelsior, fibers of any kind, fish oils, fish meal, foam rubber, hay, lubricating oil, linseed oil, or other oxidizable or drying oils, naphthalene, oakum, oiled clothing, oiled paper, oiled textiles, paint straw, sawdust, wood shavings, or vegetable oils. Walls referred to in this subdivision need extend only to the underside of the roof.

2. In lieu of separation walls, ammonium nitrate may be separated from the materials referred to in R614-4-20.H.1. by a space of at least 30 feet.

3. Flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, solvents, and light fuel oils shall not be stored on the premises except when such storage conforms to R614-4-1, and when walls and sills or curbs are provided in accordance with R614-4-20.H.1. or 2.

4. LP-gas shall not be stored on the premises except when such storage conforms to 29 CFR 1910.110.

I. Storage.

1. Sulfur and finely divided metals shall not be stored in the same building with ammonium nitrate except when such storage conforms to R614-4-1. through 20.

2. Explosives and blasting agents shall not be stored in the same building with ammonium nitrate except on the premises of makers, distributors, and user-compounders of explosives or blasting agents.

3. Where explosives or blasting agents are stored in separate buildings, other than on the premises of makers, distributors, and user-compounders of explosives or blasting agents, they shall be separated from the ammonium nitrate by the distances and/or barricades specified in R614-4-21 but not less than 50 feet.

4. Storage and/or operations on the premises of makers, distributors and user-compounders of explosives or blasting agents shall be in conformity with R614-4-1. through 20. of these rules.

J. General Precautions.

1. Electrical

a. Electrical installations shall conform to the requirements of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S, for ordinary locations. They shall be designed to minimize damage from corrosion.

b. In areas where lightning storms are prevalent, lightning protection shall be provided. (See the Lightning Protection Code, NFPA 78-1979).

c. Provisions shall be made to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the ammonium nitrate storage area.

2. Fire Protection.

a. Not more than 2,500 tons of bagged ammonium nitrate shall be stored in a building or structure not equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems shall be approved type and installed in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.159.

b. Suitable fire control devices such as small hose or portable fire extinguishers shall be provided throughout the warehouse and in the loading and unloading area. Suitable fire control devices shall comply with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.157 and 1910.158.

c. Water supplies and fire hydrants shall be available in accordance with recognized good practices.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R614-4-20