Index of Sections


SECTION 349B - SPECIAL HAZARDS
Code Plain English

349B.1 Storage of flammable liquids or hazardous materials.

349B.1.1 Allowable Materials and Quantities.

Individual F-7 or R-7 Occupancy JLWQ shall comply with Table 349B-A and as provided herein.

[view Table 349B-A]

Table 349B-A [located here] establishes limits on the use, storage and quantity of hazardous materials permitted in individual live-work spaces. The table has two columns but really addresses four situations.

  1. The amount of materials allowed in live/work (R-7 or R-8);
  2. The amount of materials allowed in work/live (F-7 or F-8); and
  3. The amount not shown on the chart, which does not exceeds limits rescribed by tables 3-D.1 and 3-E in the U.B.C.
  4. The amount not shown on the chart, which exceeds limits prescribed by tables 3-D.1 and 3-E in the U.B.C.

 

349B.1.2 Special Provision.

When the quantities of hazardous materials in such uses do not exceed Table 349B-A no additional requirements apply. If the quantities of hazardous materials in an individual F-7 Occupancy JLWQ exceed Table 349B-A but do not exceed those listed in Table No. 3-D.1 or 3-E, the requirements of Sections 304.2.2.1 and 305.2.4 apply and occupants in such individual spaces where the work area exceeds 200 square feet (which is the case for all individual spaces or JLWQ) shall have access to at least two exits from the room and all portions of the work area shall be within 75 feet of an exit. When the quantities of hazardous materials in such uses exceed those allowed by Table No. 3-D.1 or 3-E, the use shall be classified by the Building Official in the appropriate Group H Occupancy.

  Category #3 above approximates conditions in a working laboratory. The life safety measures outlined here ­ two means of egress and no exit more than 75 feet from any portion of the work area–acknowledge the hazard level of the materials within the unit. Category #4 above constitutes hazardous activity and is covered below.

349B.2 Hazardous Activities.

An F-7 Occupancy shall not be used for storage of flammable liquids or hazardous materials where welding, any work involving an open flame, or similar hazardous operations or processes are accomplished except as herein provided.

Exception:

  1. Open flame may be used for art work, craft work, or similar activities rovided the quantity of compressed gas or flammable liquid stored ithin an individual F-7 Occupancy JLWQ complies with Table 349B-A

  2. Open flame and welding may be permitted in an individual F-7 Occupancy LWQ if the individual F-7 Occupancy JLWQ with the open flame nd welding has an occupancy separation from the remainder of he building or other JLWQ in the building pursuant to Section 07 for the appropriate Group H occupancy.

349B.2 Hazardous Activities.

Hazardous occupancies are those in which welding, open flame, or similar operations occur. Hazardous occupancies must be separated from live/work occupancies by an occupancy separation (i.e. a fire wall or floor/ceiling ) according to UBC table 3-B.

According to exception #2, in an F-7 or F-8 occupancy such hazardous use can be seen as being a part of the designated work portion of the unit as long as the occupancy separation is provided as if it were an H-occupancy.

According to Table 3-B in the UBC, such a separation between the work area of an F-7 or R-7 and an H-3 occupany would be one-hour rated. The separation between H3 and a designated residential portion of an F-7 or F-8 unit or any portion of an R-7 or R-8 unit would be three-hour rated, which usually means a concrete or concrete block wall, or a minimum 62" thick concrete floor/ceiling (UBC table 7-C).

Exception #1 permits limited use of open flame in live/work units as long as it falls within the quantities prescribed in Table 349B-A.

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