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In this episode, Mike and Bob talk to Jim Jaracz about codes and standards and how they apply to the world of hazmat.
Complete Show Notes
1:20 Background on Jim Jaracz
- Joined the fire service in 1989 and has worked in volunteer, professional, and industrial firefighting
- Has served in positions from firefighter all the way up to assistant chief
- MS in occupational safety management and holds several certificates for various codes and standards
- Also instructs code-related classes at various state entities through the National Fire Academy
2:00 Origin and Development of Hazmat Codes and Standards
- A lot of these date back to the early 1900s – policy changes are often a result of tragedy or other large-scale issues
- After World War II, we began to find more ways to apply and enhance hazardous materials – led to the need for new codes and standards
4:20 Important Players in the Field of Codes
- The International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provide the codes and the standards
- A code is what is required – i.e. an exit sign or sprinkler system in a building
- A standard tells you how things required by codes should be designed
- Many jurisdictions have adopted ICC – stemmed from what was known as the Southern Standard Code, the Uniform Code, and the Boca Code, all of which dated back to the early 1900s
- These code groups were combined in the 1990s to create the best code resource out there
- First modern code book that covers every field was published in 2000
- Since then, codes have continued to grow and change – cycles and code revisions generally occur every 3 years
7:15 Who Enforces These Codes and Standards?
- Local jurisdiction adapts standards and codes into effect and enforces them
- There are also state-wide codes – however, some states allow individual jurisdictions to adapt the code for themselves or use older codes
9:00 How Codes and Standards Apply to the Hazmat World
- Even though these codes are international, they’re still used on a local level – there are also EPA and OSHA requirements that go along with codes
- Fire Code is broken up into sets of chapters – Chapter 50 is the hazardous materials chapter
- There are also sections on flammable and combustible liquids, aerosols, oxidizers, etc.
- NFPA 400 is also enforceable if it’s adapted on a local level – same goes for NFPA 30
- Identify the product you’re dealing with and always reference the codes and standards sections that relate to it
- You have to do an environmental scan – identify different factors on-site so you can act effectively
13:05 Conflicts Among Different Codes
- Inspectors might sometimes be as stringent and strict as possible to cover their bases in case of conflicting codes
- Some jurisdictions might also call on a third-party consultant or get a code specialist to help them identify what needs to be enforced
- Keep in mind that codes are created via consensus with input from a variety of people in a variety of jobs
16:00 Reporting and Codes
- TIER II
- This report has to be submitted to the local fire department that identifies hazardous materials on-site if they exceed maximum allowable quantities for that product
- States what the hazmat is, where it is, and explains any contingency measures in place to reduce risk
- All reporting instructions and documents can be found on the EPA’s website
- Most counties have a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) – TIER II reports also have to go to them
- The State Emergency Response Committee (SERC) also gets a copy – they help you determine response and mitigation protocols
22:40 Role of the Inspector
- The inspector is the eyes and ears for that fire department – they’re the ones almost patrolling the jurisdiction to identify risk and look at new construction
- They have to understand which information will benefit the firefighting crew
- Some jurisdictions might have a civilian inspector, while others have former ladder crew firefighters
- The key to the relationship between inspectors and suppression staff is communication – it’s a two-way street
- They’ll also share SDS and MSDS with the crew so they know what they’re getting themselves into
26:10 The Future of Hazardous Materials and Codes
- More developments in chemicals, which means more hazards and dangerous situations
- Don’t be afraid of the code – instead, know your stuff and seek out resources if you don’t know what to do
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