Does SDS Limit Extinguishing Agent Types?

1/11/2023

So I am dealing with a building who stores plastic containers, I asked for the SDS sheets to find out what they say as far as protection.

The SDS sheets only mention water fog, dry chemical, foam, and carbon dioxide as suitable extinguishing agents; no water spray. The building currently has water spray.

In the SDS under "Unsuitable Extinguishing Media" it lists "none known". Does this mean that water spray could be suitable for use even though it is not mentioned under extinguishing media?

Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

8 Comments

Alex

1/11/2023 07:37:09 am

What is the material classification? Is it water reactive? I would assume no with the information provided. Therefore, I would say you could make a case to utilize the existing extinguishers. If you are not the code consultant on the project, I would request a hazardous material management plan (HPPM) or a hazardous materials report that outlines allowed extinguishers.

Also, as a heads up, SDS stands for "Safety Data Sheets". Saying SDS Sheets is the same as saying ATM Machine.

Tom Reinhardt

1/11/2023 08:26:28 am

First of all I would never use an SDS to determine fire protection. Yes SDS’s are good to determine physical aspects of the material. Once you do that you need to find out quantity and storage method. Then the adopted code in your area. Go to NFPA 13. Look up the type of plastic and base your sprinkler protection on the height and density.

Eric R

1/11/2023 08:35:13 am

Be careful with SDS, as many of them don't get completed as much as they probably should be by manufacturers. The rules for creating SDS require the MFG to gather as much information as possible from available sources, but if no information can be found they aren't required to do anything besides document that fact.

Glenn Berger

1/11/2023 08:36:47 am

Your comment stated that they are storing plastic containers. I am assuming the the SDS is for the commodity in the containers, and not the container themselves.

If this is the case, then you need to follow the applicable building codes. Provide standard sprinklers at the roof or ceiling level would not be an issue.

In your case, the SDS is something that the fire department would need for their clean-up operations.

Todd E Wyatt

1/11/2023 08:39:50 am

SDS Section 5 : Fire-Fighting Measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire. This section is written for the firefighter.
• Recommendations of suitable extinguishing equipment, and information about extinguishing equipment that is not appropriate for a particular situation.
• Advice on specific hazards that develop from the chemical during the fire, such as any hazardous combustion products created when the chemical burns.
• Recommendations on special protective equipment or precautions for firefighters.

SDS Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures
5.1. Extinguishing Media
5.2. Special Hazards Arising from the Substance or Mixture
5.3. Advice for Firefighters

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are not referenced in NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
SDS are referenced (2) times in NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (2022) :

Chapter 5 — Selection of Portable Fire Extinguishers
5.5.4 Selection for Specific Hazards.
5.5.4.7* Areas Containing Oxidizers.

ENHANCED CONTENT
Water and foam are the only agents that are capable of safely extinguishing a fire involving oxidizers. Other agents are either ineffective or chemically incompatible. For example, dry chemicals that contain ammonium compounds can react with chlorine to produce the explosive compound nitrogen trichloride (NCl3).

5.5.4.7.3
Fire extinguishers intended for use where oxidizers are stored or used shall be selected and installed based on the specific recommendations contained within the material’s safety data sheet (SDS) for the oxidizer, surrounding conditions, and NFPA 400.

Chapter 4 — General Requirements
4.2* Identification of Contents.
A fire extinguisher shall have a label, tag, or stencil attached to it providing the following information:
(1) The content’s product name as it appears on the manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
(2) Listing of the hazardous material identification in accordance with Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) Implementation Manual [in Canada, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)]
(3) List of any hazardous materials that are in excess of 1.0 percent of the contents
(4) List of each chemical in excess of 5.0 percent of the contents
(5) Information as to what is hazardous about the agent in accordance with the MSDS
(6) Manufacturer’s or service agency’s name, mailing address, and phone number

NFPA 400 Hazardous Materials Code (2022) references “SDS” (20) times but (0) specifically referencing “SDS Section 5” or “Fire-Fighting Measures”.

Paul Pinigis

1/11/2023 08:43:13 am

The SDS is generally not written by, or with the input of, an FPE. The extinguishing methods may be valid, but I would put very little faith in them. I would pay attention to the unsuitable extinguishing options, but use the building code and NFPA 13 to define the appropriate extinguishing system.

Anthony

1/11/2023 09:20:38 am

As others have mentioned the SDS sheet may have more to do with portable extinguisher selection type (A, B, C, D and K) than the over head sprinkler functionality.

Will the storage arrangement, commodity and building fire protection (current sprinkler system) meet local codes, is a different question and the one I think you're actually asking.

Joe wrote a great article on the blog recently about understanding code paths and that's what we're going to need to use to understand what we're looking at and how to protect it.

To start off is there an architect involved and have they provided a life safety plan with building occupancy classification? Did the architect do their job right and properly classify the building or did they ::ehh-hmm::: "make a minor error"

Does that occupancy direct us to NFPA 13 or 30 etc.
if yes we need to know a bunch of information such as storage heights and arrangement.

Is there a non-code path we need to follow? For instance, is there an insurer involved that's doing a risk management analysis? Is FM involved? Is there a product inside the containers that could involve a water/chemical reaction that produces combustion or heat i.e. alkali metals?

Jesse

1/11/2023 12:02:00 pm

I would be reluctant to determine suppression modality by using an SDS.

By what you've written, it doesn't seem that this is a water-reactive product. I'd recommend getting into whatever code governs to determine design approach.

Does SDS Limit Extinguishing Agent Types?

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES