What to do when the fire hazard categories of materials vary according to different standards?
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Formic acid, commonly known as ant acid, is classified as Category B according to the examples of materials given in the building codes. However, according to the Refining Regulations and Petrochemical Regulations, it falls under Category C; in the material properties specified in the Explosives Regulations, the flash point of formic acid is 68 degrees, which clearly indicates it belongs to Category C. However, the fire classification of materials should not vary according to different codes; it can be said that, except as specified in the Building Code, formic acid falls under Category C. We are working on a project that involves formic acid; if it’s category B, the spacing will not be sufficient, but category C is acceptable. However, the applicable code is still the Building Code; we believe there is an error in the interpretation of the provisions of the Building Code. I’m curious to know what everyone thinks about this issue. Thank you!
Ah, this is a project for repurposing existing materials; if it were classified as Category B, this project would have been over from the very beginning. We’re also thinking of ways to get him to meet the standards
Regarding the classification of formic acid in terms of fire hazard under the Building Code, in the past it was possible to reach an agreement through consultation with the **Standard Management Group of the Building Code; they would then issue a stamped official letter stating that \"In light of... (reasons and basis)..., until the revision of GB 50016, the fire hazard of formic acid can be temporarily considered as belonging to Class C.\" ......”. Approval authorities across the country generally recognize that the validity of such special letters is essentially equivalent to that of the regulatory provisions themselves. However, it is likely difficult to follow this route at present, probably because the standard management team no longer has the authority to issue such stamped letters. The attachment is an example of a similar official letter from the **Standard Management Group of the Petrochemical Regulations** from many years ago; prior to GB 50160-92 (1999 edition), dichloromethane was classified as Category A B in the examples given in that standard ； It has been revised to Class C B since the 2008 edition.
Thank you so much. Was there any such explanation before? “In view of......(reasons and basis)......, prior to the revision of GB 50016, the fire hazard of formic acid can be temporarily considered as that of Class C. ......”. Or has the preparation team provided any explanations regarding formic acid?
This post was last edited by The power of a team on 2021-9-26 at 11:50. The flash point of formic acid is 69 degrees; it is classified as Category C according to petrochemical regulations. The building codes also consider factories producing benzoic acid to fall under Category C, as indicated on page 181. So, according to what you, Classmate Zhou, consider, where is it classified as Category B?
Table 3 on page 189: Fire hazard categories of stored items; Category B, item 1, the last one: formic acid
In the current version of the Building Code, Table 3, which lists the fire hazard categories of stored items, incorrectly classifies \"formic acid\" as Category B; this indicates that no one has formally raised any objections or requested a correction, or that although some people did express dissent, the standards management team responsible for GB 50016 refused to make the correction.
I wonder if you have encountered this problem before and how you resolved it?
Indeed, in theory, the fire hazard of liquids is classified based on their flash point. However, it can only be said that the regulations are incorrect; experts who review these regulations are responsible for that, and they certainly won’t overlook such mistakes. If one has to follow the building codes, then there’s really no other choice but to be strict. Find a way to create a safety distance or increase the fire resistance rating. For factories of categories A and B with fire resistance ratings of level 1 or 2, the distance between them should be 12 meters; for category B factories, 10 meters is sufficient, which is quite easy to achieve.