NFPA 485-1999 Standard for the Storage, Handling, Processing, and Use of Lithium Metal

NFPA 485-1999 Standard for the Storage, Handling, Processing, and Use of Lithium Metal. 3-1 General. 3-1.1 This chapter shall be applied to buildings or portions of buildings that are dedicated to the handling or storage of solid or molten lithium. 3-1.2* Buildings dedicated to the storage, handling, process- ing, or use of lithium shall be constructed of noncombustible materials. Exception: Other construction types shall be permitted if equivalent protection can be demonstrated. 3-1.3 Buildings shall comply with applicable provisions of NFPA 101 ® , Life Safety Code ® . 3-1.4* Roof decks shall be watertight. 3-1.5 Walls and ceilings shall be constructed with noncombus- tible insulation that has been tested in accordance with ASTM E 136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C. 3-1.6* In areas where solid lithium is stored, handled, or pro- cessed, floors shall be a solid surface, and shall be constructed with materials that are compatible and nonreactive with and capable of providing containment of the molten lithium resulting from fire. 3-1.6.1 Where gratings are used or lithium is handled over- head, accessibility to the area below shall be restricted. 3-1.7 Floor drains shall not be permitted. 3-1.8 Where molten lithium is handled, dispensed, or stored, the handling area shall be provided with compatible and non- reactive containment. The containment shall provide for a vol- ume of 110 percent of the maximum amount of material that is contained or could be spilled in the area. In areas where molten lithium is handled, wall-to-floor connections shall be sealed against the penetration of molten lithium. 4-1.2 The number of persons in lithium-handling areas during operations shall be limited to those necessary for the operation. 4-1.3 Access to lithium-handling areas by unauthorized per- sonnel shall not be permitted. 4-1.4 Lithium shall not be handled in the presence of incom- patible materials. (See also A-5-1.3.) 4-1.5 Primary storage of ordinary combustible materials and flammable and combustible liquids shall be prohibited in lith- ium-processing areas. 4-1.6* No open flames or electric or gas cutting, welding, or other spark-producing operations equipment shall be permit- ted in the section of the building where lithium is present unless approved hotwork procedures are followed by qualified personnel. 4-1.7* The quantity of lithium permitted in processing areas shall be limited to that necessary for operations, but it shall not exceed the quantity required in one shift. Exception: Melting/casting operations...