§ 16.110.050. Placarding requirements.  


Latest version.
  • A.

    A person who handles hazardous materials, hazardous chemicals or hazardous wastes at a facility, other than a transshipment facility, in an amount equal to or greater than the quantities specified in section 16.110.030 shall post placards that give adequate warming to the public and to emergency response personnel of the type of hazardous materials, hazardous chemicals or hazardous wastes handled.

    B.

    A placard shall meet the standard specifications for size, lettering, numbers, colors and symbols established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for the 704 M system, unless an alternative placard has been approved for use by the municipal fire chief.

    C.

    The municipal fire chief shall determine which numbers and symbols shall be contained on placards for facilities, based on the inventory reports submitted in accordance with this chapter. Where a facility contains more than one class of hazardous materials, hazardous chemicals or hazardous wastes, the placard shall be based on the hazardous material, hazardous chemical or hazardous waste with the most severe degree of hazard.

    D.

    Any facility handling consumer commodities of a hazardous material or hazardous chemical in an amount equal to or greater than 1,000 pounds on any single day shall post a placard in a form designated by the municipal fire chief at a location allowed in subsection E of this section.

    E.

    Placards shall be placed as provided in this subsection:

    1.

    Unless alternative placarding locations have been approved in accordance with this subsection, placards shall be posted as follows:

    a.

    One placard shall be displayed on the exterior wall adjacent to the main street entrance.

    b.

    At least one placard shall be displayed on each side of the structure for which there is an entrance other than the main entrance.

    c.

    Each placard shall be posted on the latch side of the door. In the case of double door, the placard shall be displayed to the right side of the door.

    d.

    Each placard shall be posted within 24 inches of an entrance and placed at a height of 4.5 to 5.5 feet above the bottom edge of the entrance.

    e.

    No other sign shall be placed within six inches of any placard.

    f.

    Placards shall be securely mounted and maintained in such condition as to be easily read.

    2.

    A request for alternative placard locations, different than those described in subsections E.1 and E.3 of this section, shall be submitted to the municipal fire chief with an annual report or modification thereof. The request shall state the reasons why the location standards or approved alternative locations in this chapter should not apply or are otherwise inappropriate, and describe a proposed alternative placard location and explain how the alternative location will give adequate warning to the public and emergency response personnel. The alternative placard location may be used only upon written approval by the municipal fire chief.

    3.

    Subject to the written approval of the municipal fire chief, the following alternative placard locations to those described in subsection E.1 of this section may be used:

    a.

    Multiple-story buildings with interior fire panels. Placards may be posted at the interior fire panels showing the specific floors on which hazardous materials, hazardous chemicals or hazardous wastes are handled and the appropriate placard designations for each floor.

    b.

    Retail establishments. A placard does not need to be adjacent to the main customer entrance provided that the placard can be placed at a location on the exterior wall in a manner giving adequate warning to the public and emergency response personnel.

    F.

    The municipal fire chief may require a specific area or room within a facility to be placarded upon a request by a facility or upon his determination that the type or location of hazardous materials, hazardous chemicals or hazardous wastes may pose a significant health or safety threat to emergency personnel if the specific area or room is not placarded.

    G.

    A person shall post the placards, as designated by this section or by the municipal fire chief, within 30 days of receipt of notification from the municipal fire department that the placards have been designated.

    H.

    Placards shall be removed within 24 hours after hazardous material, hazardous chemicals or hazardous wastes are no longer being handled at a facility.