TAS Part I13 Premises for production of processing of isocyanates

(1) This Part is applicable to every building in which isocyanate production or processing is undertaken.

(2) Premises for production or processing of isocyanates must—

1. provide for the safety and comfort of workers; and
2. be constructed in a manner that will avoid the spread of fire within the building and to other buildings.

Work places in which an isocyanate industry is carried out must be divided into the following divisional areas:

1. Administration and staff amenities.
2. Workshop.
3. Bulk stores.
4. Curing room.
5. Processing plant.
6. Raw materials plant.
7. Manufacture.

(1) Each of the divisional areas required by TAS I13D2 other than the administration and staff amenities building, must be—

1. separated from each of the other divisional areas by means of an impervious wall with an FRL of not less than 120/120/120; or
2. separated from all other buildings by a clear space of not less than 6 m.

(2) Notwithstanding the distance requirements of (1), bulk stores of polyols and bulk stores of isocyanates must comply with the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act.

The building must be of single storey construction.

The floor area of any building or fire-separated section must not exceed the area shown in Table TAS I12D4.

(1) Every building and divisional area of a work place must have not less than 2 exits for escape purposes.

(2) The number and location of the exits must be such that any point on the floor is not more than 20 m from one of the exits.

(3) Only exits with vertically hinged swinging doors may be considered as exits for the purposes of this clause.

(1) A bulk store for polyols must be constructed from non-combustible materials and have a smooth impervious concrete floor and it must protect the polyols from direct exposure to the sun’s radiation.

(2) A bulk store for isocyanates must—

1. be constructed from non-combustible materials, have a smooth impervious concrete floor, and must protect the isocyanate containers from direct exposure to the sun; and
2. if it is used for the storage of either TDI or HDI and is not an open sided building, be fitted with mechanical ventilation so that the TLV is not exceeded at any time provided that the ventilation must provide not less than 6 air changes per hour.

(3) The area around both a polyol bulk store and an isocyanate bulk store must be bunded, the bund or bunds must ensure separation of the polyol and isocyanate areas and each bund must have a capacity of 10% more than the storage capacity of the largest tank it protects.

The curing room for the storage of newly produced flexible polyurethane foam must be constructed of non-combustible materials with a smooth impervious concrete floor and fitted automatic fire vents in the roof.