COLORADO CHAPTER ICC DENVER FIRE DEPARTMENT GASES AND THE FIRE CODE
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) and Inert Gas Awareness
E61 Response –Phoenix Fire • McDonalds • Phoenix, Arizona • May 31st, 2011 • 2106 Hours • Fall Injury Courtesy Phoenix Fire • 24 year old female • Pregnant Approximately 4 Months • Complaining Of Pain All Over Courtesy Phoenix Fire
E61 Response –Phoenix Fire • Patient is – Confused – Unable to Effectively Communicate – Distraught – Dizzy Courtesy Phoenix Fire – Pregnant Approximately 4 Months – Complaining Of Pain All Over
E61 Response –Phoenix Fire • Video: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY__H-CMvw0
Who has these CO 2 tanks??? Courtesy Phoenix Fire
What is Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 )? • Molecular Formula: CO 2 (Not to be confused with Carbon Monoxide (CO) • Specific Gravity (SG)/Vapor Density: 1.53 times heavier than air (SG = 1) • Appearance: Colorless • Odor: Odorless but with a slightly pungent odor and biting or acidic taste may be noticed at high concentrations • Always present around 400 ppm in our atmosphere • The second most widely delivered and used compressed gas after Oxygen – Very Common
Effects of Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 )? • A toxic gas often referred to mistakenly as only a simple asphyxiant • CO 2 can kill in two ways: Either by displacing Oxygen (O 2 ) or as a toxin in its own right • Target Organs: Respiratory system; central nervous system; heart • Acceptable levels less than 600 ppm • General drowsiness at 1,000 – 2,500 ppm • Adverse health effects expected at 2,500 – 5,000 ppm • Slightly intoxicating, breathing and pulse rate increase, nausea at 30,000 ppm • Headaches and sight impairment at 50,000 ppm • Unconscious at 100,000 ppm
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness
How did we get here today? • Historically gas cylinders of CO 2 were filled at the gas distributors’ facility • Approximately 20 years ago the beverage industry developed a system to fill larger storage vessels on-site
Where does the CO 2 leak? • Improperly vented to the outside of the building • Leaking fittings, connections, piping/tubing/hoses, or storage container plumbing • Leaking carbonators, syrup pumps, bag in box (BIB) racks, etc. • Leaking beer keg connections and equipment
Reported incidents of CO2 leaks • November 2012 – Evacuation of a restaurant in Brentwood Borough Pennsylvania. Patient complained of dizziness • September 2011 – Ten people hospitalized, including two firefighters, and one fatality at a fast food restaurant in Pooler, Georgia • June 2011 – Evacuation of a fast food restaurant in Dorchester, United Kingdom • May 2011 – Three hospitalized, including two firefighters, at a fast food restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona
Morereported incidents of CO2 leaks • May 2010 – Evacuation of a movie theater in Des Moines, Iowa • July 2008 – Two hospitalized from an incident in a bar in Benson, Nebraska • April 2008 – One fatality in a hotel in Victoria, Australia • August 2007 – Fatality of a waiter at a restaurant in Coronado, California
Morereported incidents of CO2 leaks • January 2005 – Two fatalities, employee and delivery driver, outside a fast food restaurant in Sanford, Florida • March 1998 – Two hospitalized and two treated at the scene at a fast food restaurant in the U.S. (location unknown) • 1996 – Fatality of a delivery driver outside a restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness SO WHA T’S THE BIG DEAL? IT IS A BIG DEAL –PEOPLE DIE!! NEW!!! 2015 IFC Section 5307 Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Systems Used In Beverage Dispensing Applications
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness • Denver Amended Section 5307 – Too General – Not Specific Enough – Input from gas industry – Input from Beverage and Restaurant Associations – Public meetings
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness WHA T IS REGULA TED? • Systems with more than 100 pounds of CO 2 • Equipment including tanks, cylinders, piping, tubing, fittings, valves • Automatic system shut-off valve(s) • Venting • Mechanical ventilation • Emergency alarm CO 2 gas detection system • Warning Signage
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness WHA T IS REGULA TED? • Filling CO 2 gases • Permits • Inspections and testing • Daily, monthly, semi-annually, and annually testing • Records • Training of all employees
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Typical Restaurant
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Typical Restaurant (McDonalds)
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Typical Restaurant (Below grade)
Who else has these CO 2 tanks??? • Swimming pools • Agriculture grow rooms • Breweries / wine rooms • Sporting events • Concerts • Night clubs • Movie theatres • Others
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Swimming Pools for PhBalancing
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Agriculture Grow Rooms • Section 5310 Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas enrichment systems using on-site supply tanks
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Agriculture Grow Rooms
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Breweries / Wine Rooms • Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) and Nitrogen (N 2 ) gases are used in beer dispensing • Nitrogen is: inert gas (typically non-reactive) simple asphyxiant Displaces oxygen It is not a toxic gas at high concentrations like Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Breweries / Wine Rooms (Pepsi Center)
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Breweries / Wine Rooms (Pepsi Center)
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Breweries / Wine Rooms
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Breweries / Wine Rooms
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Breweries / Wine Rooms
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Breweries / Wine Rooms
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Awareness Concerts and Sporting Events
Inert Gas Awareness • Section 5309 Inert Gas Systems Used In Commercial, Manufacturing or Industrial Applicatons – pH Balancing – Food Processing – Laboratories – Medical Equipment (MRI) – Medical Treatment – Others
Inert Gas Awareness • Section 5309 Inert Gas Systems versus Section 5307 Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Systems – Section 5307 is for Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) only – Section 5309 is for all other inert gases – If CO 2 is used for a non-beverage dispensing use, section 5309 refers back to 5307 – CO 2 detection versus Oxygen detection
Inert Gas Awareness Cryogenic Gas Therapy
Inert Gas Awareness New CryoSpa at Pepsi Center
Inert Gas Awareness New CryoSpa at Pepsi Center
Inert Gas Awareness CryoSpa Therapy
Inert Gas Awareness • Section 1107 Requirements For Existing Compressed Gas Systems – Section 1107.1 Compressed gas systems. Effective January 1, 2018, existing compressed gas systems located within existing buildings shall be retrofitted and modified in accordance with Sections 1107.1.1 through 1107.1.4.
Inert Gas Awareness • Section 1107.1.1 Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) systems used in beverage dispensing applications. Existing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) systems used in beverage dispensing applications shall comply with Section 5307. • Section 1107.1.2 Inert gas systems used in commercial, manufacturing or industrial applications. Existing inert gas systems used in commercial, manufacturing or industrial applications shall comply with Section 5309.
Inert Gas Awareness • Section 1107.1.3 Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas enrichment systems using on-site supply tanks and/or cylinders in plant growing (husbandry) applications. Existing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas enrichment systems using on-site supply tanks and/or cylinders in plant growing (husbandry) applications shall comply with Section 5310. • Section 1107.1.4 Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas enrichment systems using a natural gas burner in plant growing (husbandry) applications. Existing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas enrichment systems using a natural gas burner in plant growing (husbandry) applications shall comply with Section 5311.
Inert Gas Awareness • Challenges – Implementation – Drawing submittals for new and existing – What type of permit to issue? – Inspections? By Whom? Building, Fire or both? – Enforcement?
Questions?? Thank you! Contact Information www.denvergov.org J.D. Lanz Office: 720-865-2952 James.Lanz@denvergov.org Brad Emerick Office: 720-865-2964 Brad.Emerick@denvergov.org
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