[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
For the purpose of this Part 1 and as used in this Part 1, the following words and terms shall have the meaning shown.
CORROSIVE LIQUID
Those acids, alkaline caustic liquids and other corrosive liquids which, when in contact with living tissue, will cause severe damage to such tissue by chemical action; or in case of leakage will materially damage or destroy other containers of other hazardous commodities by chemical action and cause the release of their contents; or are liable to cause fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals.
FLAMMABLE SOLID
A solid substance, other than one classified as an explosive, which is liable to cause fire through friction, through absorption of moisture, through spontaneous chemical changes, or as a result of retained heat from manufacturing or processing.
HIGHLY TOXIC MATERIAL
A material so toxic to man as to afford an unusual hazard to life and health during fire frighting operations. Examples are: parathion, TEPP (tetraethyl phosphate), HETP (hexaethyl terraphospate), and similar insecticides and pesticides.
INSPECTOR
The person designated by Borough Council for the Borough of Hummelstown.
OXIDIZING MATERIAL
Substances such as chlorates, permanganates, peroxides, or nitrates, that yield oxygen readily to stimulate combustion.
POISONOUS GAS
Any noxious gas of such nature that a small amount of the gas in air is dangerous to life. Examples are: chlorine, cyanogen, fluorine, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide, nitrogen tetaoxide and phosgene.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Any material or combination of material that spontaneously emits ionizing radiation.
SEALED SOURCE
A quantity of radiation so enclosed as to prevent the escape of any radioactive material but at the same time permitting radiation to come out for use.
STORAGE, ISOLATED
Storage away from incompatible materials in a different storage room or in a separate and detached building located at a safe distance from hazardous occupancies and important exposures.
STORAGE, SEPARATED
Storage in the same fire area but physically separated by as much space as practicable, using sills or curbs as safeguards, or by intervening storage of nonhazardous, compatible commodities.
UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) CHEMICAL
Any substance, other than on classified as an explosive or blasting agent, which will vigorously and energetically react, is potentially explosive, will polymerize, decompose instantaneously, undergo uncontrollable auto-reaction or can be exploded by heat, shock, pressure or combinations thereof. Examples are: organic peroxides, nitromethane, and ammonium and nitrate.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
A permit shall be obtained from the Inspector by the process herein defined, for the storage or handling of more than 30 gallons of corrosive liquids, or more than 200 pounds of oxidizing materials, or more than 10 pounds of organic peroxides, or more than 100 pounds of nitromethane, or 300 pounds or more of ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate fertilizers and fertilizer mixtures covered in § 10-115 or any amount of highly toxic material or poisonous gas. The numerical limits set forth in this paragraph, for gallons and pounds of material, shall be pertinent to a total amount of substances stored on any single premises. That is, if, on one premises material is stored at different locations, but the total gallons or pounds of that material equals the limitations of this paragraph, a permit shall be obtained.
2. 
A permit shall also be obtained for the storage or handling of any installation of more than one microcurie of radium not contained in a sealed source, or more than one millicurie of radium or other radioactive material in a sealed source or sources, or any amount of radioactive material for which a specific license from the United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is required in accordance with nationally recognized good practice.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
Any person issued a permit for the handling, processing or storage of hazardous substances must report immediately to the Borough any incident of seepage or vapors which indicates possible leakage from such storage facility or tank. All incidents reported to any other governmental body must also be reported to the Borough.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
A written application by the owner of the property shall be submitted to the Inspector on a form prescribed by the Inspector. The application shall be presented to the Planning Commission for its recommendation to Borough Council.
2. 
The applicant shall include the following information in its application:
A. 
A copy of the permit issued by the State Police Fire Marshall if applicable.
B. 
Map, drawn to scale, bearing the seal of a licensed architect, engineer, or surveyor, showing the size and location of the property, the ownership and use of all adjoining properties, together with the location of any buildings thereon, the size and location of tanks, the layout of pipes and the contour of the land including the location of flood plain. The information shown shall evidence proposed compliance with the requirements of this Part 1.
C. 
Whether the affected premises include any of the following uses: multiple dwelling; hotel or lodging house; or manufacture, sale or storage of paints, varnishes, lacquers, resin, turpentine, hemp or cotton dry goods or other highly flammable materials or explosives.
D. 
The property map and data shall show the following:
(1) 
The type, location, physical size and capacity of each facility for the handling, processing or storage of each regulated substance or class of substances, including indoor, outdoor and underground.
(2) 
All isolation distances, barriers, coverings, floorings or other containment, separation or safety applications.
(3) 
The type or types of containers used for each substance or class of substance, including individual container capacities, number of containers and total on-site capacity.
(4) 
All fire protection equipment, facilities and systems.
(5) 
All ventilation equipment, facilities and systems.
(6) 
All leak detection and other monitoring systems.
(7) 
Facilities and procedures for the safe containment, collection and flushing of any substances leaked or spilled, and procedures for the disposition of contaminated or discarded substances, including the place of disposition.
(8) 
Construction of layout, including valves for feed and discharge lines, grounding base foundation, venting emergency vents, height and location of vents and pipes for underground pipes, and such other construction, facilities and systems data as necessary for comprehensive emergency preparedness.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
The applicant shall submit with the application a permit fee for the installation and maintenance of a storage tank or facility. The filing fee or permit fee shall be in accordance with a schedule set by Borough Council by resolution.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
Plans and specifications relating to any handling, processing or storage facility which is governed by this Part shall be subject to the recommendation of the Planning Commission and the approval of the Borough Council.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
Any person, association, firm or corporation handling, processing or storing hazardous substances shall register said existing facility with the Planning Commission of the Borough of Hummelstown on or before December 1, 1981 and shall provide such a detailed and complete description of the facility as specified in § 10-104.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
General. The manufacture, storage, handling and use of hazardous materials and chemicals shall be safeguarded with such protective facilities as public safety requires. Where specific requirements are not otherwise established, storage, handling and use of hazardous materials and chemicals shall be in accordance with nationally recognized good practice. Where kept for retail sale in containers or packages usual to the retail trade, storage shall be neat and orderly and shelves shall be of substantial construction.
A. 
Facilities for which the permit is required in accordance with § 10-102 shall not be located within 300 feet of any property in use for residential purposes or zoned for conservation or residential purposes.
B. 
Facilities for which a permit is required in accordance with § 10-102 shall not be located within 600 feet of any property containing a building occupied as a school, hospital, church, public library, theatre, or other place of public amusement or assembly.
2. 
Dangerous Combinations or Proximities. The Borough may require the separation or isolation of any chemical that in combination with other substances may bring about a fire or explosion or may liberate a flammable or poisonous gas. The Borough may require separation from other storage facilities, dwellings, places of assembly, educational occupancies, railroads and public highways, when the quantity stored constitutes a material hazard. Limitations on storable quantities shall be considered with regard to proximity of these exposures and congested commercial and industrial districts.
3. 
Defective Containers. Defective containers which permit leakage or spillage shall be disposed of or repaired, in accordance with recognized safe practices; no spilled materials shall be allowed to accumulate on floor or shelves.
4. 
Fire Safety. The layout, arrangement and construction of buildings and structures in which hazardous chemicals are handled shall be provided with fire protection and fire extinguishment equipment. Buildings and structures and their service equipment shall be maintained in safe and sound condition as required by this Part 1.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
Satisfactory provisions shall be made for containing and neutralizing or safely flushing away leakage of corrosive liquids which may occur during storage or handling.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
General. Highly toxic materials shall be separated from other chemicals and combustible and flammable substances by storage in a room or compartment separated from other areas by walls and floor and ceiling assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour. The storage room shall be provided with adequate drainage facilities and natural or mechanical ventilation to the outside atmosphere.
2. 
Warning Signs. Legible warning signs and placards stating the nature and location of the highly toxic materials shall be posted at all entrances to areas where such materials are stored or used.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
Packaged oxidizing materials shall be stored in dry locations and separated from stored organic and other combustible materials. Bulk oxidizing materials shall not be stored on or against wooden surfaces.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
General. Storage of poisonous gases shall be in rooms of at least one hour fire-resistance rated construction and having natural or mechanical ventilation adequate to move leaking gas. Such ventilation shall not discharge to a point where the gases may endanger any person.
2. 
Warning Signs. Legible warning signs stating the nature of hazard shall be placed at all entrances to locations where poisonous gases are stored or used.
3. 
Safety Devices Required. Distributors of poisonous gases as herein defined shall provide and maintain on their premises at least one complete commercial type repair kit for each size and type poisonous gas cylinder stored or kept on said premises. Such repair kit(s) shall be so located that they will be accessible at all times for immediate use. Said repair kits shall be kept in durable containers and plainly marked as to the size of cylinder the repair kit is designed to service.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
General. Durable, clearly visible signs warning of radiation dangers shall be placed at all entrances to areas or rooms where radioactive materials are used or stored. In addition, on each container in which radioactive materials are used, stored, or transported shall be the three-bladed radiation symbol in magenta or purple on a yellow background in accordance with nationally recognized good practice. The use, storage and handling of radioactive materials shall comply with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations where provisions of this Part 1 do not specifically cover conditions and operations.
2. 
Containers. When not in use, radioactive materials shall be kept in adequately shielded fire-resistant containers of such design that the gamma radiation will not exceed 200 milliroentgens per hour or equivalent at any point of readily accessible surface.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
General - Separate storage. Unstable chemicals shall be stored away from all incompatible chemicals and contaminating and sensitizing materials. Unstable reactive chemicals shall not be stored in the same building with or in close proximity to explosives and blasting agents.
2. 
Isolation from Fire and Heat. Such chemicals shall be kept away from all heat-producing appliances and electrical devices and shall be protected from external heat, fire and explosion. All electric bulbs shall be equipped with guards to prevent breakage. Open lights or flames and smoking shall be prohibited in or near storage areas. Internal combustion motor vehicles or life trucks shall not be parked or stored in the room or compartment where such chemicals are located.
3. 
Maintenance. Good housekeeping shall be maintained. Uncontaminated contents of broken or cracked bags, packages or other containers shall be transferred to new and clean containers before storing. Other spilled materials and discarded containers shall be promptly gathered up and destroyed in an approved manner.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
All flooring in storage and handling areas shall be of noncombustible material and shall be without drains, traps, pits or pockets into which any molten ammonium nitrate could flow and be confined in case of fire.
1. 
Storage Piles-Each storage pile of bags or other authorized package and containers of such materials shall not exceed 20 feet in width and 50 feet in length. The length is not limited if the building is of fire-resistive or noncumbustible construction or sprinkler protected. For pile heights exceeding 15 feet a hydraulically engineered sprinkler system shall not be required. Such pile units shall be separated by a clear space of not less than three feet in width from the base to the top of the piles, serving as cross-aisles. At least one service or main aisle in the storage area shall be not less than four feet in width. A clearance of not less than 30 inches shall be maintained from building walls and partitions and of not less than three feet from ceilings or roof structural members with a minimum of 18 inches from sprinklers.
2. 
Separation. Ammonium nitrate storage areas shall be separated by a space of 30 feet with sills or curbs, or by approved type walls of not less than one hour fire-resistance rating, from stocks or organic chemicals, corrosive liquids, flammable compressed gases, flammable and combustible materials, such as coal, sawdust, charcoal, or flour where storage of such materials is permitted with ammonium nitrate.
3. 
Ventilation.
A. 
Quantities of ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate fertilizer, not having organic coating, in the form of crystals, flakes, grains or prills including fertilizer grade, dynamite grade, nitrous oxide grade and technical grade ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate phosphate (containing 60% or more ammonium nitrate by weight) of more than 50 tons total weight shall be stored in a well ventilated building of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction, or in buildings of other types of construction equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. In populated areas, quantities of 2,500 tons or more shall be stored in well ventilated buildings of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system, and combustible materials or ammonium nitrate sensitizing contaminants shall not be stored in this building.
B. 
Storage of ammonium nitrate, coated or mixed with organic anti-caking materials, except compounded blasting agents, shall not be permitted in populated and congested areas. Outside such areas, quantities of 500 tons or less may be stored in well ventilated buildings of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
A suitably insolated outdoor storage area shall be provided for nitromethane. Hazardous processing shall not be permitted in the vicinity of this storage area. Nitromethane shall be stored in the drums in which it is received or in an underground tank with suitable corrosion protection and a minimum of two feet of earth over the tank or in barricaded tanks above ground. If the drum storage is not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge type automatic sprinkler system, the storage of 2,000 pounds or more shall be located the following minimum distances from inhabited buildings shown in Table 1. Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of this chemical. Readily legible warning signs and placards shall be prominently placed in the storage and processing areas.
Table 1
Nitromethane Storage
Weight of Nitromethane
(pounds over)
(pounds not over)
Approximate Number of Drums
Distance
(feet)
Beginning
at 2,000
4
100
2,000
to 10,000
20
200
10,000
to 20,000
40
300
20,000
to 40,000
80
400
40,000
to 80,000
160
500
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
1. 
A detached, well isolated, ventilated and unheated storage building constructed with walls having a fire-resistance rating of not less than two hours, a noncombustible floor and a lightweight insulated roof shall be provided for the storage of 50 pounds or more of organic peroxides. If not adequately protected by a fast-acting deluge type automatic sprinkler system, the storage building shall be located the minimum distances from flammable liquid storage, combustible materials in the open and from any other building or highway, as indicated in Table 2.
2. 
The organic peroxides shall be stored in the original shipping containers (Department of Transportation containers). Care shall be taken to avoid rough handling or contamination of these chemicals. Readily legible warning signs and placards shall be prominently placed in the storage and processing areas.
3. 
Stock supplies stored inside production buildings shall be limited to 50 pounds at any one time.
Table 2
Organic Peroxide Storage
Weight of Organic Peroxide
(pounds)
Distance
(feet)
50 to 100
75
100 to 500
100
500 to 1,000
125
1,000 to 3,000
200
3,000 to 5,000
300
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981]
In the event that any permit has been issued under the terms of this Part 1 covering the storage of any substance, that permit shall only be valid for the storage of substances referred and described with particularity in the application for a permit and in the permit. In the event that there is a discontinuance of the storage of any such substance or in the event that another substance is substituted for that permitted, reapplication must be made under the provisions of this Part 1.
[Ord. 1981-7, 10/20/1981; as amended by Ord. 1-1986, 2/20/1986]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part 1 shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300; and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days. Every day that a violation of this Part 1 continues shall constitute a separate offense.