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97 2019 INDUSTRY RESOURCE DIRECTORY Storage Local fire departments or fire marshals in each community will have regulations concerning flammable liquids storage such as methanol. Many communities pattern their regulations after the requirements set forth in the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA's) Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code #30, which is available online at www.nfpa. org. Operators who will be using methanol are encouraged to review both the NFPA Code and the SDS documents provided with their methanol product prior to storing and mixing. Highlights of these documents include the following: A. Indoor storage of flammable materials can only be done in those rooms that were specifically designed for that purpose. Methanol should not be stored inside. B. Methanol can safely be stored in 55-gallon barrels if those barrels are isolated in an outdoor storage yard. The following requirements are listed: 1. No more than 40 barrels can be stored together in a group. Hot areas and direct sunlight should be avoided. 2. A five-foot distance must be maintained as an aisle between each group of 40 barrels. 3. Barrels should be at least 50 feet from adjoining property and at least 10 feet away from the nearest street, alley, or public way. 4. The storage area cannot be more than 200 feet away from a 12-foot-wide access into the yard for fire equipment. 5. A maximum of 20 barrels can be stored adjacent to a building located on the same premises and under management provided that the building is limited to one story of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction. 6. Storage yards should be constructed such that possible spills cannot drain onto neighboring building or property. Also, keep in mind that from a safety standpoint, the empty drums need to be handled just as carefully as the full ones due to the presence of vapors in the drums. Tossing the drums about may cause sparks and result in fire and/ or explosion. Safety Knowledge of the potential hazards of methanol is important for safety instruction. Note, especially, the following: • Methanol is highly toxic when ingested. It is harmful when prolonged inhalation of vapor or repeated skin contact occurs. • Personal protective measures can lessen these dangers. Eye protection with goggles and hand protection with gloves should be used by those persons directly responsible for mixing the antifreeze solutions. • Methanol should be handled in well-ventilated areas to reduce the buildup of flammable and toxic vapors. Suffocation can occur rapidly in closed areas. • NO SMOKING signs should be clearly posted where methanol is handled. All other sources of ignitions, such as sparks from electrical equipment, should be eliminated. Carbon dioxide or dry chemical fire extinguishers should be within reach. Handling and transferring methanol Use only equipment to handle methanol that has been approved, ESPECIALLY electric pumps. When transferring methanol from drums to the mixing tank, it is important that the operation be properly bonded and grounded. Flammable liquids, such as gasoline and methanol, can build up dangerous static electrical charges on the surface of the liquid. If a flammable vapor-air mixture is present and a static spark discharges, an explosion or fire could result. Connecting the drum to the mixing tank by means of conductive wire clamped firmly to each will minimize the static difference between the two. This is called bonding. Connecting a conductive wire from the mixing tank to the ground will ground the system of drum, tank, and ground. The connections among all containers should be inspected such that paint and other nonconductors will not interrupt the grounding. Methanol Safety If a fire occurs, DO NOT use water. A #2 chemical fire extinguisher is needed for fires involving methanol. Freezing: Protecting Your Units Better worksites. Better weekends. Better world. EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS-ONLY CONTENT REDACTED Join us now at www.psai.org for access to this valuable information.