Expired January Chapter Meeting – HazMat and Fire + Building Codes

CEU Approval: 0.2 CEUs

Presentation Description:
The presentation focuses on the application of code requirements in the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Building Code (IBC) pertaining to hazardous material storage and use. The presentation will include the chemical classification process to ensure appropriate requirements are enforced. The IFC and IBC hazard classifications will be compared to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) classifications. The IFC and IBC Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) will also be discussed along with requirements when the MAQ is exceeded.

Learning Objectives:
1. Break down the code requirements enforced in the IBC versus the IFC.
2. Differentiate between IBC/IFC hazard classifications and GHS/DOT.
3. Develop a systematic approach to the hazard classification process.
4. Determine code impacts as a result of quantities being stored or used.
5. Identify Group H occupancy classification requirements and explain conditions that exempt
a building from Group H requirements.

Presenter Bio:

Joseph Chacon wears many hats in the world of fire protection. In addition to being a professional fire protection engineer, he is also a firefighter, HazMat technician for the city of Henderson, NV, and creator of the TheHazMatApp. Joe has an M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Joe is a registered fire protection engineer in seven states.

In his role as a fire protection engineer, Joe provides building/fire code consulting services, plan review, hazardous materials consulting, and hazard analysis/risk assessments. Joe’s responsibilities as a HazMat technician include responding to and mitigating hazards associated with spills or potential releases of hazardous substances. Joe’s expertise in the hazmat arena is renowned, resulting in his teaching building and fire code courses at the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals 2022 National Conference and the 18th Annual Fire Protection & Life Safety Forum.

Joe is a principal member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1620 — the NFPA Standard on Pre-Incident Planning. Joe is also an alternate on NFPA 420 — Standard on Fire Protection of Cannabis Growing and Processing Facilities.

As with all our technical meetings, this meeting will be online-only. Stay tuned on our Events page for the upcoming mixers and site tours that provide in-person gathering opportunities.

Technical meetings are always open to non-members as well as members.

Attendees can receive the join link for our Google Meet room by completing the free Virtual Attendance registration below (which helps us with Society-required program reporting). However, members will also receive the same link in their monthly email newsletters. Registration is not required, but is appreciated.

To save the date, download the *.ics Outlook file from the pushpin icon above, and you’ll notice the Location field contains the Google Meet link.