- Part Number:1910
- Part Number Title:Occupational Safety and Health Standards
- Subpart:1910 Subpart H
- Subpart Title:Hazardous Materials
- Standard Number:
- Title:Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia.
- GPO Source:
General -
Scope.
Definitions. As used in this section.
Appurtenances. All devices such as pumps, compressors, safety relief devices, liquid-level gaging devices, valves and pressure gages.
Cylinder. A container of 1,000 pounds of water capacity or less constructed in accordance with Department of Transportation specifications.
Code. The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Unfired Pressure Vessels of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) - 1968.
Container. Includes all vessels, tanks, cylinders, or spheres used for transportation, storage, or application of anhydrous ammonia.
DOT. U.S. Department of Transportation.
Design pressure is identical to the term Maximum Allowable Working Pressure used in the Code.
Farm vehicle (implement of husbandry). A vehicle for use on a farm on which is mounted a container of not over 1,200 gallons water capacity.
Filling density. the percent ratio of the weight of the gas in a container to the weight of water at 60 °F. that the container will hold.
Gas. Anhydrous ammonia in either the gaseous or liquefied state.
Gas masks. Gas masks must be approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR part 84 for use with anhydrous ammonia.
Capacity. Total volume of the container in standard U.S. gallons.
DOT specifications - Regulations of the Department of Transportation published in 49 CFR chapter I.
Basic rules. This paragraph applies to all paragraphs of this section unless otherwise noted.
Approval of equipment and systems. Each appurtenance shall be approved in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this section.
For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(1), the word listed means that equipment is of a kind mentioned in a list which is published by a nationally recognized laboratory which makes periodic inspection of the production of such equipment, and states such equipment meets nationally recognized standards or has been tested and found safe for use in a specified manner. Labeled means there is attached to it a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory which, makes periodic inspections of the production of such equipment, and whose labeling indicates compliance with nationally recognized standards or tests to determine safe use in a specified manner. Certified means it has been tested and found by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to meet nationally recognized standards or to be safe for use in a specified manner, or is of a kind whose production is periodically inspected by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, and it bears a label, tag, or other record of certification.
For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(1), refer to § 1910.7 for definition of nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Requirements for construction, original test and requalification of nonrefrigerated containers.
Marking nonrefrigerated containers.
With a notation “Anhydrous Ammonia.”
With a marking identifying compliance with the rules of the Code under which the container is constructed.
Under ground: Container and system nameplate.
Above ground: Container.
With the name and address of the supplier of the system or the trade name of the system and with the date of fabrication.
Under ground and above ground: System nameplate.
With the water capacity of the container in pounds at 60 °F. or gallons, U.S. Standard.
Under ground: Container and system nameplate.
Above ground: Container.
With the design pressure in pounds per square inch.
Under ground: Container and system nameplate.
Above ground: Container.
With the wall thickness of the shell and heads.
Under ground: Container and system nameplate.
Above ground: Container.
With marking indicating the maximum level to which the container may be filled with liquid anhydrous ammonia at temperatures between 20 °F. and 130 °F. except on containers provided with fixed level indicators, such as fixed length dip tubes, or containers that are filled with weight. Markings shall be in increments of not more than 20 °F.
Above ground and under ground: System nameplate or on liquid-level gaging device.
With the total outside surface area of the container in square feet
Under ground: System nameplate.
Above ground: No requirement.
Marking refrigerated containers. Each refrigerated container shall be marked with nameplate on the outer covering in an accessible place as specified in the following:
With the notation, "Anhydrous Ammonia."
Location of containers.
Storage areas shall be kept free of readily ignitible materials such as waste, weeds, and long dry grass.
Container appurtenances.
Piping, tubing, and fittings.
Cast iron fittings shall not be used but this shall not prohibit the use of fittings made specifically for ammonia service of malleable, nodular, or high strength gray iron meeting American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A47-68, ASTM 395-68, or ASTM A126-66 Class B or C all of which are incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
Hose specifications.
Where hose is to be used for transferring liquid from one container to another, "wet" hose is recommended. Such hose shall be equipped with approved shutoff valves at the discharge end. Provision shall be made to prevent excessive pressure in the hose.
On all hose one-half inch outside diameter and larger, used for the transfer of anhydrous ammonia liquid or vapor, there shall be etched, cast, or impressed at 5-foot intervals the following information.
“Anhydrous Ammonia” xxx p.s.i.g. (maximum working pressure), manufacturer's name or trademark, year of manufacture.
In lieu of this requirement the same information may be contained on a nameplate permanently attached to the hose.
Table H-36
[Minimum required rate of discharge in cubic feet per minute of air at 120 percent of the maximum permitted start to discharge pressure of safety relief valves]
Surface area (sq. ft.) | Flow rate CFM air |
---|---|
20 | 258 |
25 | 310 |
30 | 360 |
35 | 408 |
40 | 455 |
45 | 501 |
50 | 547 |
55 | 591 |
60 | 635 |
65 | 678 |
70 | 720 |
75 | 762 |
80 | 804 |
85 | 845 |
90 | 885 |
95 | 925 |
100 | 965 |
105 | 1,010 |
110 | 1,050 |
115 | 1,090 |
120 | 1,120 |
125 | 1,160 |
130 | 1,200 |
135 | 1,240 |
140 | 1,280 |
145 | 1,310 |
150 | 1,350 |
155 | 1,390 |
160 | 1,420 |
165 | 1,460 |
170 | 1,500 |
175 | 1,530 |
180 | 1,570 |
185 | 1,600 |
190 | 1,640 |
195 | 1,670 |
200 | 1,710 |
210 | 1,780 |
220 | 1,850 |
230 | 1,920 |
240 | 1,980 |
250 | 2,050 |
260 | 2,120 |
270 | 2,180 |
280 | 2,250 |
290 | 2,320 |
300 | 2,380 |
310 | 2,450 |
320 | 2,510 |
330 | 2,570 |
340 | 2,640 |
350 | 2,700 |
360 | 2,760 |
370 | 2,830 |
380 | 2,890 |
390 | 2,950 |
400 | 3,010 |
450 | 3,320 |
500 | 3,620 |
550 | 3,910 |
600 | 4,200 |
650 | 4,480 |
700 | 4,760 |
750 | 5,040 |
800 | 5,300 |
850 | 5,590 |
900 | 5,850 |
950 | 6,120 |
1,000 | 6,380 |
1,050 | 6,640 |
1,100 | 6,900 |
1,150 | 7,160 |
1,200 | 7,410 |
1,250 | 7,660 |
1,300 | 7,910 |
1,350 | 8,160 |
1,400 | 8,410 |
1,450 | 8,650 |
1,500 | 8,900 |
1,550 | 9,140 |
1,600 | 9,380 |
1,650 | 9,620 |
1,700 | 9,860 |
1,750 | 10,090 |
1,800 | 10,330 |
1,850 | 10,560 |
1,900 | 10,800 |
1,950 | 11,030 |
2,000 | 11,260 |
2,050 | 11,490 |
2,100 | 11,720 |
2,150 | 11,950 |
2,200 | 12,180 |
2,250 | 12,400 |
2,300 | 12,630 |
2,350 | 12,850 |
2,400 | 13,080 |
2,450 | 13,300 |
2,500 | 13,520 |
Surface Area = total outside surface area of container in square feet. When the surface area is not stamped on the nameplate or when the marking is not legible the area can be calculated by using one of the following formulas:
(1) Cylindrical container with hemispherical heads:
Area = overall length in feet times outside diameter in feet times 3.1416.
(2) Cylindrical container with other than hemispherical heads:
Area = (overall length in feet plus 0.3 outside diameter in feet) times outside diameter in feet times 3.1416.
(3) Spherical container:
Area = outside diameter in feet squared times 3.1416.
Flow Rate - CFM Air = cubic feet per minute of air required at standard conditions, 60 °F. and atmospheric pressure (14.7 p.s.i.a.).
The rate of discharge may be interpolated for intermediate values of surface area. For containers with total outside surface area greater than 2,500 square feet, the required flow rate can be calculated using the formula: Flow Rate CFM Air = 22.11 A0 82, where A = outside surface area of the container in square feet.
Safety relief devices.
Container safety-relief valves shall be set to start-to-discharge as follows, with relation to the design pressure of the container:
Containers | Minimum (percent) | Maximum (percent) |
---|---|---|
ASME-U-68, U-69 | 110 | 125 |
ASME-U-200, U-201 | 95 | 100 |
ASME 1959, 1956, 1952, or 1962 | 95 | 100 |
API-ASME | 95 | 100 |
U.S. Coast Guard | 95 | 100 |
As required by DOT Regulations.
Each container safety-relief valve used with systems covered by paragraphs (c), (f), (g), and (h) of this section shall be plainly and permanently marked with the symbol “NH3” or “AA”; with the pressure in pounds-per-square-inch gage at which the valve is set to start-to-discharge; with the actual rate of discharge of the valve at its full open position in cubic feet per minute of air at 60 °F. and atmospheric pressure; and with the manufacturer's name and catalog number. Example: “NH3 250-4050 Air” indicates that the valve is suitable for use on an anhydrous ammonia container, is set to start-to-discharge at a pressure of 250 p.s.i.g., and that its rate of discharge at full open position (subdivisions (ii) and (iii) of this subparagraph) is 4,050 cubic feet per minute of air.
General.
Charging of containers.
The filling densities for containers that are not refrigerated shall not exceed the following:
Type of container | Percent by weight | Percent by volume |
---|---|---|
Aboveground-Uninsulated | 56 | 82 |
Aboveground-Uninsulated | 87.5 | |
Aboveground-Insulated | 57 | 83.5 |
Underground-Uninsulated | 58 | 85 |
DOT - In accord with DOT regulations. |
Aboveground uninsulated containers may be charged 87.5 percent by volume provided the temperature of the anhydrous ammonia being charged is determined to be not lower than 30 °F. or provided the charging of the container is stopped at the first indication of frost or ice formation on its outside surface and is not resumed until such frost or ice has disappeared.
Transfer of liquids.
Tank car unloading points and operations.
Caution signs shall be so placed on the track or car as to give necessary warning to persons approaching the car from open end or ends of siding and shall be left up until after the car is unloaded and disconnected from discharge connections. Signs shall be of metal or other suitable material, at least 12 by 15 inches in size and bear the words "STOP - Tank Car Connected" or "STOP - Men at Work" the word, "STOP," being in letters at least 4 inches high and the other words in letters at least 2 inches high.
Liquid-level gaging device.
Electrical equipment and wiring.
Systems utilizing stationary, nonrefrigerated storage containers. This paragraph applies to stationary, nonrefrigerated storage installations utilizing containers other than those covered in paragraph (e) of this section. Paragraph (b) of this section applies to this paragraph unless otherwise noted.
Design pressure and construction of containers. The minimum design pressure for nonrefrigerated containers shall be 250 p.s.i.g.
Container valves and accessories, filling and discharge connections.
Safety-relief devices.
On underground installations where there is a probability of the manhole or housing becoming flooded, the discharge from vent lines shall be located above the high water level. All manholes or housings shall be provided with ventilated louvers or their equivalent, the area of such openings equalling or exceeding combined discharge areas of safety-relief valves and vent lines which discharge their content into the manhole housing.
Reinstallation of containers.
Installation of storage containers.
Containers with foundations attached (portable or semiportable tank containers with suitable steel "runners" or "skids" and commonly known in the industry as "skid tanks") shall be designed and constructed in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
Protection of appurtenances.
Damage from vehicles. Precaution shall be taken against damage to ammonia systems from vehicles.
Refrigerated storage systems. This paragraph applies to systems utilizing containers with the storage of anhydrous ammonia under refrigerated conditions. All applicable rules of paragraph (b) of this section apply to this paragraph unless otherwise noted.
Design of containers.
Containers with a design pressure exceeding 15 p.s.i.g. shall be constructed in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section, and the materials shall be selected from those listed in API Standard 620, Recommended Rules for Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks, Fourth Edition, 1970, Tables 2.02, R2.2, R2.2(A), R2.2.1, or R2.3 which are incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
Containers with a design pressure of 15 p.s.i.g. and less shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable requirements of API Standard 620 including its appendix R.
Installation of refrigerated storage containers.
Containers for product storage at less than 32 °F. shall be supported in such a way, or heat shall be supplied, to prevent the effects of freezing and consequent frost heaving.
Shutoff valves. When operating conditions make it advisable, a check valve shall be installed on the fill connection and a remotely operated shutoff valve on other connections located below the maximum liquid level.
Safety relief devices.
Possible refrigeration system upset such as
cooling water failure,
power failure,
instrument air or instrument failure,
mechanical failure of any equipment,
excessive pumping rates.
Fire exposure determined in accordance with Compressed Gas Association (CGA) S-1, part 3, Safety Relief Device Standards for Compressed Gas Storage Containers, 1959, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6, except that “A” shall be the total exposed surface area in square feet up to 25 foot above grade or to the equator of the storage container if it is a sphere, whichever is greater. If the relieving capacity required for fire exposure is greater than that required by (a) of this subdivision, the additional capacity may be provided by weak roof to shell seams in containers operating at essentially atmospheric pressure and having an inherently weak roof-to-shell seam. The weak roof-to-shell seam is not to be considered as providing any of the capacity required in (a) of this subdivision.
Protection of container appurtenances. Appurtenances shall be protected against tampering and physical damage.
Reinstallation of refrigerated storage containers. Containers of such size as to require field fabrication shall, when moved and reinstalled, be reconstructed and reinspected in complete accordance with the requirements under which they were constructed. The containers shall be subjected to a pressure retest and if rerating is necessary, rerating shall be in accordance with applicable requirements.
Damage from vehicles. Precaution shall be taken against damage from vehicles.
Refrigeration load and equipment.
Compressors.
A minimum of two compressors shall be provided either of which shall be of sufficient size to handle the loads listed in paragraphs (d)(8)(i) (a) and (b) of this section. Where more than two compressors are provided minimum standby equipment equal to the largest normally operating equipment shall be installed. Filling compressors may be used as standby equipment for holding compressors.
Compressor drives.
An emergency source of power of sufficient capacity to handle the loads listed in paragraphs (d)(8)(i) (a) and (b) of this section shall be provided unless facilities are available to safely dispose of vented vapors while the refrigeration system is not operating.
Automatic control equipment.
Separators for compressors.
[Reserved]
Condensers. The condenser system may be cooled by air or water or both. The condenser shall be designed for at least 250 p.s.i.g. Provision shall be made for purging noncondensibles either manually or automatically.
Receiver and liquid drain. A receiver shall be provided with a liquid-level control to discharge the liquid ammonia to storage. The receiver shall be designed for at least 250 p.s.i.g. and be equipped with the necessary connections, safety valves, and gaging device.
Insulation. Refrigerated containers and pipelines which are insulated shall be covered with a material of suitable quality and thickness for the temperatures encountered. Insulation shall be suitably supported and protected against the weather. Weatherproofing shall be of a type which will not support flame propagation.
Systems utilizing portable DOT containers -
Conformance. Cylinders shall comply with DOT specifications and shall be maintained, filled, packaged, marked, labeled, and shipped to comply with 49 CFR chapter I and the marking requirements set forth in § 1910.253(b)(1)(ii).
Storage. Cylinders shall be stored in an area free from ignitable debris and in such manner as to prevent external corrosion. Storage may be indoors or outdoors.
Heat protection. Cylinders filled in accordance with DOT regulations will become liquid full at 145 °F. Cylinders shall be protected from heat sources such as radiant flame and steampipes. Heat shall not be applied directly to cylinders to raise the pressure.
Protection. Cylinders shall be stored in such manner as to protect them from moving vehicles or external damage.
Valve cap. Any cylinder which is designed to have a valve protection cap shall have the cap securely in place when the cylinder is not in service.
Tank motor vehicles for the transportation of ammonia.
Paragraph (b) of this section applies to this paragraph unless otherwise noted. Containers and pertinent equipment for tank motor vehicles for the transportation of anhydrous ammonia, in addition to complying with the requirements of this section, shall also comply with the requirements of DOT.
Design pressure and construction of containers.
Container appurtenances.
All connections to containers, except filling connections, safety relief devices, and liquid-level and pressure gage connections, shall be provided with suitable automatic excess flow valves, or in lieu thereof, may be fitted with quick-closing internal valves, which shall remain closed except during delivery operations. The control mechanism for such valves may be provided with a secondary control remote from the delivery connections and such control mechanism shall be provided with a fusible section (melting point 208 °F. to 220 °F.) which will permit the internal valve to close automatically in case of fire.
Piping and fittings.
Safety relief devices.
Transfer of liquids.
[Reserved]
Chock blocks. At least two chock blocks shall be provided. These blocks shall be placed to prevent rolling of the vehicle whenever it is parked during loading and unloading operations.
Portable tank containers (skid tanks). Where portable tank containers are used for farm storage they shall comply with paragraph (c)(1) of this section. When portable tank containers are used in lieu of cargo tanks and are permanently mounted on tank motor vehicles for the transportation of ammonia, they shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Systems mounted on farm vehicles other than for the application of ammonia -
Application. This paragraph applies to containers of 1,200 gallons capacity or less and pertinent equipment mounted on farm vehicles (implements of husbandry) and used other than for the application of ammonia to the soil. Paragraph (b) of this section applies to this paragraph unless otherwise noted.
Design pressure and classification of containers.
Mounting containers.
A suitable "stop" or "stops" shall be mounted on the vehicle or on the container in such a way that the container shall not be dislodged from its mounting due to the vehicle coming to a sudden stop. Back slippage shall also be prevented by proper methods.
A suitable "hold down" device shall be provided which will anchor the container to the vehicle at one or more places on each side of the container.
Container appurtenances.
Marking the container. There shall appear on each side and on the rear end of the container in letters at least 4 inches high, the words, “Caution - Ammonia” or the container shall be marked in accordance with DOT regulations.
Farm vehicles.
Systems mounted on farm vehicles for the application of ammonia.
Design pressure and classification of containers.
Mounting of containers. All containers and flow-control devices shall be securely mounted.
Container valves and accessories.
No excess flow valve is required in the liquid withdrawal line provided the controlling orifice between the contents of the container and the outlet of the shutoff valve does not exceed seven-sixteenths inch in diameter.
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49748, Oct. 24, 1978; 49 FR 5322, Feb. 10, 1984; 53 FR 12122, Apr. 12, 1988; 61 FR 9227, March 7, 1996; 63 FR 1152, Jan. 8, 1998; 63 FR 33450, June 18, 1998; 72 FR 71069, Dec. 14, 2007]