BS 5908-1:2012

This standard BS 5908-1:2012 Fire and explosion precautions at premises handling flammable gases, liquids and dusts is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.220.20 Fire protection
• 71.020 Production in the chemical industry

This British Standard gives recommendations and guidance for the control of fire and explosion risks on sites at which chemicals are stored or processed in significant quantities.

NOTE 1 These precautions may extend well beyond those required under the fire safety legislation applicable to places of work, because of the wider range of risks. Additional legal requirements arise largely from the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) [1, 2], and the Health and Safety at Work legislation [3, 4].

NOTE 2 Annex A gives guidance on the classification of chemicals, while Annex B discusses ignition sources and Annex C covers hazards from smoke. Annex D gives guidance on the approaches to hazardous area classification.

The precautions recommended by this British Standard also address risks on and off site, within and external to buildings, that arise from the release of toxic materials, ejection of chemical containers from a fire, flowing fires where liquid products are handled, and special firefighting techniques.

The recommendations of his code of practice cover location, plant layout and design, separation distances, particular types of plant and facility with special fire hazards and other issues. Particular precautions might be relevant to preserving life safety or the health of persons on or off site; to property protection; and to protection of the environment.