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NFPA 30 (2021)PRACTICAL VIEWPOINTS TO ENSURECODE COMPLIANCEMike Snyder, PE, CSP, CFPS and Sarah Eck, PE, CCPSCSince 1913, NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, has served as the leading informationsource for safe handling and storage of “flammable and combustible liquids.” It is a widely usedRecognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practice (RAGAGEP) in the field of Flammable andCombustible Liquid Risk Management.IntroductionSince 1913, NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code,has served as the leading information source for safe handling andstorage of flammable and combustible liquids. It is a widely usedRecognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practice(RAGAGEP) in the field of Flammable & Combustible Liquid RiskManagement, and is applied by government authorities, emergencyresponders and end-users to ensure safe storage and handling ofliquids. Many state and regionally adopted Flammable andCombustible Liquid Codes are based on recent editions of NFPA 30.US-OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1910.106, Flammable Liquids, which isbased on the NFPA 30 (1969), and include a series of interpretiveletters and agency directives.This paper will overview the principles required to establish a basisof safety for proper handling and storage of liquids. Six significantchanges proposed for the 2021 edition of NFPA 30 will be highlightedand their implications to flammable and combustible liquid safetypractices reviewed. Practical tips for the Process Safety Professionalto efficiently navigate older versions of NFPA 30 that are adoptedinto present regulatory requirements.Establishing a Basis of Safety for LiquidUse and StorageThe main purpose of NFPA 30 is to provide information that servesas fundamental safeguards for storage, handling, and use of liquids.This is accomplished by, initially, requiring and recommendingmeasures that focus on preventing the ignition of fire. The fireprevention strategy relies on the reliable application of controls tobreak one or more than one of the legs of the Fire Triangle(Figure 1 on page 2).NFPA 30 is structured to recognize that reducing fire risk fromprevention, alone, is typically not adequate to address all aspects ofthe liquid risk. The standard provides additional requirements forthe use of fire and explosion safeguards or control systems toprovide life and structural safety in the event ignition occurs. Theextent of these protective systems is typically based on both theflammability characteristics of the liquids being stored, handled, orused and the quantity of material involved.1

Figure 1: The Fire TriangleFUEL Proper design of containers, piping, and tanks to reduce leakageand to provide containment of liquid in early stages offire exposure Use of low level and local exhaust ventilation to preventaccumulation of flammable vapors Operational procedures to control emissions from Class Iliquids in containers and tanks Housekeeping practice to control fuel sources that couldprovide initial fire exposure to liquids in use and storage Use of flash arrestor systems to limit exposure of flammablevapors within the headspace of tanksAIR/OXIDANT In limited situations, container transfers and tank headspacescan have oxygen concentration lowered through theintroduction of an inert gas. The basis of safety is to ensure that the oxygen concentration isreliably held below the lower oxygen concentration limitrequired for combustion. Personnel safety must be carefully considered when usingthis strategy to avoid worker exposure to asphyxiation risks.IGNITION SOURCES Section 6.5 of NFPA 30 provides an overview of fundamentalstrategies, focusing on 12 common sources of ignition inliquid operations Key focus on adequate electrical (hazardous) area classification(Chapter 7) Controls for electrostatic risks, particularly when transferring anddispensing liquids Control of hot work operationsThe fire and explosion safeguards typically utilized in NFPA 30 include: Drainage & containment Facility design, including use of fire walls, fire resistiveconstruction, and separation distances Fixed fire protection systems Emergency Plans Explosion protection (containment, relief venting, explosionsuppression)NOTE: Focus on this protection is needed when handling liquidsthat are highly volatile (Class IA & IB) or are chemically unstable.Overview of NFPA 30NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, is a widely usedRecognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practice(RAGAGEP) in the field of Flammable & Combustible Liquid RiskManagement. It is applied by government authorities, emergencyresponders and end-users to ensure safe storage and handling of liquids.NFPA 30 has been developed and updated through NFPA’s standardsdevelopment process that is a full, open, consensus-based process.NFPA 30 is revised and updated approximately every three years.The standard’s cycle takes approximately two years to complete.Each revision cycle proceeds according to a published schedule,which includes final dates for each stage in the standards developmentprocess, and provides several opportunities for all members of thepublic to provide input and commentary for changing, updating, andimproving the standard. This information is tracked on theDocument Info pages for each standard1.The four fundamental steps in the NFPA standards developmentprocess are: Public Input Public Comment NFPA Technical Meeting NFPA Standards Council Action (Appeals and Issuance ofStandard)The Regulations Governing the Development of NFPA Standardsdetail the procedures used during each step of the NFPA 30Standards development process2.2

NFPA Technical Committees serve as the principal consensus bodiesresponsible for developing and updating all NFPA codes andstandards. Committee members appointed by the NFPA StandardsCouncil, representing a balance of interests. NFPA membership is notrequired in order to participate on a NFPA Technical Committee.Appointment to a Technical Committee is based on such factors astechnical expertise, professional standing, commitment to publicsafety, and the ability to bring to the table the point of view of acategory of interested people or groups.Due to the comprehensive nature of NFPA 30, there are four technicalcommittees and one correlating committee that managethe standard’s revision and update. The purpose of the correlatingcommittee is to manage and coordinate the activities of the fourtechnical committees involved with NFPA 30 and to ensure that thedocument sections managed by each technical committee do notcontain conflicts or inconsistencies. The responsibilities for the fourtechnical committees (Fundamentals, Operations, Storage & Warehousing,and Tank Storage & Piping Systems) are summarized in Table 1.Common Methods for Safe Storage andHandling of Flammable LiquidsNFPA 30 is a widely used Recognized and Generally Accepted GoodEngineering Practice (RAGAGEP) in the field of flammable andcombustible liquid risk management. It is routinely applied bygovernment authorities, emergency responders and end-users toensure safe storage and handling of liquids. Successful management offlammable liquid risks are most efficiently provided by understandingthe structure of NFPA 30 and the source of its requirements andrecommendations. This allows one to effectively use this informationfor the design and operation of liquids operations.Table 1: Topical Coverage and Application of NFPA 30 ChaptersChapterApplicationNFPA TechnicalCommittee1-7 (5 is reserved)Requirements for all facilities where liquids are stored, handled, or usedFundamentals8Reserved9 through 12Storage of liquids in containers, portable tanks, and intermediate bulkcontainers in the occupancies covered by each chapter’s scope13Storage of liquids in containers, portable tanks, and intermediate bulkcontainers in detached unprotected buildings14Storage of liquids in containers, portable tanks, and intermediate bulkcontainers in hazardous materials storage lockers15Outdoor storage of liquids in containers, portable tanks, andintermediate bulk containers16Fire protection design criteria used to protect storage of liquid incontainers, portable tanks, and intermediate bulk containers17Design and construction of facilities where liquids are processed or used18General requirements related to handling, dispensing, transfer, anduse of liquids19Specific equipment & operations that use liquids (recirculating heattransfer systems, vapor recovery & processing systems, solvent distillation,and cooking oil storage tanks in commercial kitchens)20Reserved21 through 25Bulk storage of liquids in tanks.27Piping systems for transferring liquids28Loading and unloading systems associated with bulk storage ofliquids in tanks29Storage & Warehousingof Containers & PortableTanks (FLC-SWC)Operations (FLC-OPS)Tank Storage & PipingSystems (FLC-TAN)Operations (FLC-OPS)Wharves associated with bulk handling of liquids3