NFPA 30 - 2021: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

There are significant dangers to life and property associated with storing, handling, and using ignitible liquids. NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, offers comprehensive requirements for safeguarding against related fire and explosion hazards. Content covers vital safety criteria for indoor and outdoor liquid storage containers and tanks, hazardous material storage lockers, tank vehicles, piping systems, electrical systems, storage areas, wharves, and processing facilities.

From dispensing, handling, transferring, and the utilization of ignitible liquids to operations, equipment, and fire prevention and risk control, NFPA 30 is a must-have for anyone responsible for flammable and combustible liquids compliance.

Enforceable under OSHA and many state and local regulations, NFPA 30 is the most current and complete publication for general requirements for storage of ignitible liquids in a broad range of occupancies and operations.

• Sweeping changes in the classification scheme for liquids, including the introduction of the term ignitible liquid to initiate a transition whereby the terms flammable liquid and combustible liquid are no longer used. This causes the requirements in NFPA 30 and other codes and standards to adopt a scheme based exclusively on the liquid physical state and property (i.e., the liquid flash point), for all liquids that can be ignited. The necessity for this change stems from the existence of multiple regulatory systems that use the terms flammable liquid and combustible liquid inconsistently, leading to confusion in how to apply regulations properly among overlapping regulatory authorities, such as fire officials, occupational safety officials, and transportation officials.
• The term ignitible liquid is now used to include all liquids with a measurable flash point. The terms flammable liquid and combustible liquid have been retained in a diminished capacity to assist existing code users in the transition. Unless otherwise specified, the term liquid means ignitible liquid.
• As a result of the change in approach for classifying liquids, Chapter 4 is no longer for defining the liquid classification but instead for establishing the classification scheme based on the introduced flash point and boiling point criteria. Chapter 3 now defines specific liquids.
• Revisions to Chapters 1, 3, and 4 to make the requirements consistent with each other in terms of the scope of the code, specific terminology, and the evaluation of liquids within the classification scheme
• Implementation of the new classification scheme outlined in Chapter 4 throughout the code and annexes