Fire hazard of sodium hypochlorite aqueous solutions
Thread Content
What is the fire hazard of sodium hypochlorite aqueous solutions – does it fall under Category 5 or Category 2 (an oxidizer that is not in Category 1)? Seeking advice
Under normal conditions, the decomposition products of sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution are NaOH, O2, and Cl2. According to the classification standards in \"GB 50016-2014 Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings\" or \"GB 50160-2008 Code for Fire Protection Design of Petrochemical Enterprises\", it is recommended to treat it as a Class B substance. For your reference
I always think classifying it as Category B is a bit too strict, after all it’s an aqueous solution
On page 91 of GB50160-2008r, in the examples of fire hazard classification, sodium hypochlorite storage areas are classified as Category B
Treat it as Category B. If we encounter someone who is very strict with audits, it will be difficult to explain
Treat the aqueous solution as Category V. GB50160－2008 lists sodium chlorite, not sodium hypochlorite; be sure not to get them mixed up.
But page 91 says it’s a sodium hypochlorite storage area
GB50160－2008 (2018 edition), Page 109, Table 7 (continued): Examples of fire hazard classification; specifies that sodium hypochlorite storage areas are classified as Category B
This standard seems to define solid sodium hypochlorite, rather than its aqueous solution. Where can I find information on the fire hazard of chemicals? For example, ammonia belongs to Category B, but is an ammonia solution with a concentration of 10% also classified as Category B? Where can I check it?
In the situation you described, if there are **no explicit provisions**, it is fine to apply the existing clauses as a guide. Taking the ammonia solution example, it’s fine to classify it as category B. If it’s category C, it’s likely to not be approved during the review. Since starting my career, I have met many veterans in the chemical industry as well as provincial experts. The conversations we have in our spare time often revolve around opinions regarding the shortcomings in current regulations. The chemical industry in this country started late, and the details of relevant standards have not been fully established yet; it will take time to make up for these shortcomings, and there is no other way around it. In the face of such unclear constraints, it is generally assumed that the stricter terms should be applied.
In the situation you described, if there are **no explicit provisions**, it is fine to apply the existing clauses as a guide. Taking the ammonia solution example, it’s fine to classify it as category B. If it’s category C, it’s likely to not be approved during the review. Since starting my career, I have met many veterans in the chemical industry as well as provincial experts. The conversations we have in our spare time often revolve around opinions regarding the shortcomings in current regulations. The chemical industry in this country started late, and the details of relevant standards have not been fully established yet; it will take time to make up for these shortcomings, and there is no other way around it. In the face of such unclear constraints, it is generally assumed that the stricter terms should be applied.