Facility siting is an essential process that evaluates the potential hazards posed to buildings and personnel in industrial settings. As mandated by OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) standard (29 CFR Part 1910), this assessment is crucial for ensuring a safe working environment in facilities handling hazardous materials. Because industrial sites are constantly changing, keeping facility siting studies up to date is important. OSHA requires these studies to be revalidated at least every five years, or more frequently if significant site changes occur. While maintaining an up-to-date facility siting study can be complex, the benefits are substantial. Regular revalidation not only helps keep your facility in compliance but also contributes to a safer and more efficient operation.
What’s New in Facility Siting Regulations?
As of June 2024, facility siting regulation updates went into effect, including 62 new mandatory requirements aimed at improving safety in industrial environments. These changes affect how buildings are sited relative to process hazard sources such as explosions, fires, and toxic releases.
Key updates include:
• Expanded Guidance on Fire and Toxic Hazards: The new requirements broaden the scope of fire and toxic release hazard evaluations to ensure more comprehensive protection.
• Alignment with API RP 751: Toxic shelter recommendations have been updated to align with API RP 751, which covers safe operations of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Units.
• Treatment of Portable Buildings: Portable buildings used as permanent structures now fall under new guidelines, which provide clearer instructions on siting, construction, and personnel safety.
Additionally, portable buildings, except for light wood trailers, that are intended for long-term use in a specific location can now be sited under RP-752 (permanent buildings) rather than RP-753 (portable buildings). This change relaxes restrictions on non-essential personnel occupancy in these structures. Other critical updates include new considerations for self-framing panel buildings, guidance for shelter-in-place versus safe havens, and revised methods for determining the boundaries of hazard zones using Zoning Methods A and B.
How Do These Changes Affect You?
The updates to API’s Recommended Practices (RPs) will significantly impact how buildings in your facility are sited in relation to potential hazards. Many sites will need to review and update their existing facility siting studies to ensure compliance with the new standards. One key change involves portable buildings, as non-essential personnel restrictions are no longer tied strictly to Zone 1 determinations. Now, any building within 300 feet of a potential explosion or fire hazard must not house non-essential personnel, even if it is situated outside of Zone 1. Additionally, the new zoning methods offer more flexibility when determining hazard zone boundaries, allowing for assessments that are more tailored to specific site conditions, such as pressure levels or flammable congested volumes.
At IFO Group, our facility siting services are designed to ensure your site meets the latest regulatory standards while maintaining safety and compliance. We assist in achieving full compliance with OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) and the EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) requirements, ensuring your facility is in line with industry regulations. Our team also provides comprehensive hazard evaluations, conducting detailed assessments of fire, explosion, and toxic release hazards, while evaluating structural integrity, personnel protection, and shelter-in-place potential for both permanent and temporary buildings.
If your facility siting study is outdated and no longer reflects current processes or site configurations, we can help update it to meet the latest standards. Additionally, our hazard mitigation solutions address everything from siting new or temporary buildings to designing blast-resistant structures. We offer full-service architectural and engineering recommendations tailored to mitigate potential risks.
If you need assistance with facility siting or have questions related to the latest updates, contact IFO Group at info@ifogroup.com or at 832-403-2135.
