Recommended Practice for Handling Releases of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases - Effective Date: 4/30/2019

Abstract

This recommended practice provides methods for responding to fire and explosion hazards resulting from the release of a flammable or combustible liquid, gas, or vapor that can migrate to a subsurface structure.

Although this recommended practice is intended to address only fire and explosion hazards, other authorities should be consulted regarding the environmental and health impacts and other hazardous conditions of such releases.

This recommended practice outlines options for detecting and investigating the source of a release, for mitigating the fire and explosion hazards resulting from the release, and for tracing the release back to its source.

The options outlined in this recommended practice are not intended to be, nor should they be considered to be, allinclusive or mandatory in any given situation.

If better or more appropriate alternative methods are available, they should be used.

The procedures outlined in this recommended practice can apply to hazardous substances other than flammable and combustible liquids that might have adverse human health effects.

However, the physical characteristics of the specific hazardous substance released must be understood before any action is taken.

(See also 1.1.2.)

The purpose of this recommended practice is to provide regulatory officials, fire authorities, contractors, and owners of subsurface structures guidance on problems involving flammable and combustible liquids and gases that might be found in subsurface structures and other areas.

The responsibility for correct handling of a suspected release of a flammable or combustible liquid or gas or the potential hazard from such a release will be shared by various individuals, organizations, and regulatory agencies.

The successful handling of these problems will depend on the best possible cooperation among those individuals, organizations, and regulatory agencies.

This recommended practice is intended for the information of all organizations and persons involved.

Owners, operators, or others who become aware of a hazardous condition should notify the fire department, police, or other applicable authority.