Preliminary CODE review for the Electrolysis Unit Plant Process:

Summary of chemical process:

Facility will receive demineralized reactor grade water with an anticipated tritium
concentration in the range of 2 uCi/gm to 4 uCi/gm and negligible quantities of other
radioisotopes; and will convert the tritiated water to its individual elements (H2, HT,
O2) via electrolysis and release it to the atmosphere.
The hydrogen (and tritium) and oxygen are produced from the process at 80-150 psig and
dried in twin tower molecular sieve vessels in order to remove any electrolyte droplets.
H2 is a flammable gas,
O2 is an oxidizing gas.
Tritium is a radionuclide.
Feedstock piping is classified as non-seismic.
A nitrogen system is required to remove air from the electrolyzer vessels and piping prior
to start up to avoid the potential formation of an explosive mixture of hydrogen in air.
Continuous nitrogen purge will also be required for vent lines that carry hydrogen to
avoid back-diffusion of air and the potential formation of an explosive mixture of
hydrogen in air when hydrogen flow is restarted.
Electrolysis system equipment, valves, and controls shall be designed for fail-safe
operation.
Area monitors are required for hydrogen/combustible gas and the presence of tritium.
Per the 2000 International Fire Code, Table 911.1, Gaseous Flammable gas is not
required to have barricade construction, but required to have explosion venting or a
prevention systems.
IBC Code Review Preliminary
NRC Regulations are not part of this code review.
DEFINITIONS:
CONTROL AREA. Spaces within a building where quantities of hazardous materials
not exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area are stored, dispensed,
used or handled.
CLOSED SYSTEM. The use of a solid or liquid hazardous material involving a closed
vessel or system that remains closed during normal operations where vapors emitted by
the product are not liberated outside of the vessel or system and the product is not
exposed to the atmosphere during normal operations; and all uses of compressed gases.
Examples of closed systems for solids and liquids include product conveyed through a
piping system into a closed vessel, system or piece of equipment.

FLAMMABLE GAS. A material that is a gas at 68F (20C) or less at 14.7 pounds per
square inch atmosphere (psia) (101 kPa) of pressure [a material that has a boiling point of
68F (20C) or less at 14.7 psia (101 kPa)] which:
1.
Is ignitable at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) when in a mixture of 13 percent or less by
volume with air; or
2.
Has a flammable range at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) with air of at least 12 percent,
regardless of the lower limit.
The limits specified shall be determined at 14.7 psi (101 kPa) of pressure and a
temperature of 68F (20C) in accordance with ASTM E 681.
Hydrogen is a flammable gas per NFPA 50A, Appendix B.
OXIDIZING GAS. A gas that can support and accelerate combustion of other materials.
O2 is an oxidizing gas.
HEALTH HAZARD. A classification of a chemical for which there is statistically
significant evidence that acute or chronic health effects are capable of occurring in
exposed persons. The term health hazard includes chemicals that are toxic or highly
toxic, and corrosive.
PHYSICAL HAZARD. A chemical for which there is evidence that it is a combustible
liquid, compressed gas, cryogenic, explosive, flammable gas, flammable liquid,
flammable solid, organic peroxide, oxidizer, pyrophoric or unstable (reactive) or waterreactive material.
CHAPTER 3
USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION
Factory Industrial Group F.
Factory Industrial Group F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
structure, or a portion thereof, for assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing,
manufacturing, packaging, repair or processing operations that are not classified as a
Group H hazardous or Group S storage occupancy.
Factory Industrial F-1 Moderate-hazard Occupancy.
Factory industrial uses which are not classified as Factory Industrial F-2 Low Hazard
shall be classified as F-1 Moderate Hazard and may include: Electrolysis Process Plant.
High-hazard Group H.
High-hazard Group H occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or
storage of materials that constitute a physical or health hazard in quantities in excess of
those allowed in control areas constructed and located as required in Section 414.

High-hazard Group H-2.

Buildings and structures containing materials that pose a deflagration hazard or a hazard
from accelerated burning shall be classified as Group H-2. Such materials shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:
Flammable gases H2
High-hazard Group H-3.
Buildings and structures containing materials that readily support combustion or that pose
a physical hazard shall be classified as Group H-3. Such materials shall include, but not
be limited to, the following:
Oxidizing gases O2
High-hazard Group H-4.
Buildings and structures which contain materials that are health hazards shall be
classified as Group H-4. Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Corrosives
Highly toxic materials
Toxic materials: Assumed Tritium to be Radioactive Toxic NOT highly Toxic
chemical.
Exceptions: The following shall not be classified in Group H, but shall be classified in
the occupancy that they most nearly resemble:
2.
Buildings utilizing control areas in accordance with Section 414.2 that contain
not more than the maximum allowable quantities per control area of hazardous materials
as shown in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2).
TABLE 307.1(1)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA OF HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS POSING A PHYSICAL HAZARD:
MATERIAL

CLASS

STORAGE

Flammable gas

Gaseous

3,000 Cu Ft

Oxidizing gas

Gaseous

4,500 Cu Ft

IN USE-CLOSED SYSTEMS
3,000 Cu Ft
4,500 Cu Ft

(Shown increased quantity due to the use of sprinklers and approved containers in the
building)
TABLE 307.1(2)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA OF HAZARDOUS
MATERIAL POSING A HEALTH HAZARD:
MATERIAL
Toxic

IN-STORAGE
1500 gal

IN USE-CLOSED SYSTEM
1500 gal

(Shown increased quantity due to the use of sprinklers and approved containers in the
building)
Storage Group S occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure,
or a portion thereof, for storage that is not classified as a hazardous occupancy.
Low-hazard storage, Group S-2 for the Electrical & Controls Room
Includes, among others, buildings used for the storage of noncombustible materials,
electrical motors.
Incidental Use for the Mechanical Mezzanine
Refrigerant machinery rooms -1 hour or provide automatic sprinkler system.
CHAPTER 4
SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED
ON USE AND OCCUPANCY
Control areas shall comply with Sections 414.2.1 through 414.2.5 and the International
Fire Code.
Control areas shall be separated from each other by fire barriers constructed in
accordance with Section 706 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Percentage of maximum allowable quantities.
The percentage of maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials per control area
permitted at each floor level within a building shall be in accordance with Table 414.2.2.
TABLE 414.2.2
DESIGN AND NUMBER OF CONTROL AREAS
FLOOR LEVEL
1

% OF THE MAX ALLOW /CA

100%

NR OF CA / FL
4

FR
1-hr

CHAPTER 5
GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
A mezzanine or mezzanines in compliance with Section 505 shall be considered a
portion of the story below. Such mezzanines shall not contribute to either the building
area or number of stories as regulated by Section 503.1. The area of the mezzanine shall
be included in determining the fire area defined in Section 702. The clear height above
and below the mezzanine floor construction shall not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
505.2 Area limitation.
The aggregate area of a mezzanine or mezzanines within a room shall not exceed onethird of the floor area of that room or space in which they are located. The enclosed
portion of a room shall not be included in a determination of the floor area of the room in

which the mezzanine is located. In determining the allowable mezzanine area, the area of
the mezzanine shall not be included in the floor area of the room.
UNLIMITED AREA BUILDINGS
Sprinklered, one story.
The area of a one-story, Group B, F, M or S building, of other than Type V construction,
shall not be limited when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system
throughout in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and is surrounded and adjoined by
public ways or yards not less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in width.
Assume the Electrolysis Process Plant Building to be surrounded by 60 feet in width of
open space.
If not,
ALLOWABLE HEIGHT AND BUILDING AREAS:
Height limitations shown as stories and feet above grade plane.
Area limitations as determined by the definition of Area, building, per story:
Use Group F-1,with Type II Construction can be up to 3 story, 75 Ft Tall and 46,500
SF per floor.
The height number of stories, and area was increased per the use of sprinkler system in
the building as shown below.
Automatic sprinkler system increase.
Where a building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the value specified in Table 503 for maximum height
is increased by 20 feet (6096 mm) and the maximum number of stories is increased by
one.
Where a building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the area limitation in Table 503 is permitted to be
increased by an additional 200 percent (Is = 2) for buildings with more than one story
above grade plane and an additional 300 percent for buildings with no more than one
story above grade plane.
CHAPTER 6
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING ELEMENTS (hrs)
Structural frame
Bearing walls
Exterior
(If fire separation distance is 15 min)

0
0

Interior

Nonbearing Exterior walls and partitions

Nonbearing Interior walls and partitions

Floor construction (Including supporting beams and joists)

Roof construction (Including supporting beams and joists)

CHAPTER 10
MEANS OF EGRESS
MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA ALLOWANCES PER OCCUPANT
Fabrication and manufacturing areas = 200 gross
First Floor: 7,650 / 200 = 38 people
Storage areas = 300 gross
Mechanical Mezzanine: 2,550 / 300 = 9 people
Mezzanine levels.
The occupant load of a mezzanine level with egress onto a room or area below shall be
added to that room or areas occupant load, and the capacity of the exits shall be designed
for the total occupant load thus established.
Therefore, max occupant load for this building is = 47 people
EGRESS WIDTH PER OCCUPANT SERVED WITH SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Stairways
(inches per occupant)
0.2

Other egress components

(inches per occupant)
0.15

47 people X 0.2 = 9.4

47 people X 0.15 = 7.05

Use min stair width of 36

Use min exit door of 36

Size of doors.
The minimum width of each door opening shall be sufficient for the occupant load
thereof and shall provide a clear width of not less than 32 inches (813 mm). Clear
openings of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face of the
door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). Where this section requires a
minimum clear width of 32 inches (813 mm) and a door opening includes two door
leaves without a mullion, one leaf shall provide a clear opening width of 32 inches (813

mm). The maximum width of a swinging door leaf shall be 48 inches (1219 mm)
nominal.
Door swing.
Egress doors shall be side-hinged swinging.
Stairway width.
The width of stairways shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but such width
shall not be less than 44 inches (1118 mm). Exceptions:
1.
Stairways serving an occupant load of less than 50 shall have a width of not less
than 36 inches (914 mm).
Outdoor conditions.
Outdoor stairways and outdoor approaches to stairways shall be designed so that water
will not accumulate on walking surfaces.
Egress through intervening spaces. Exception:
Means of egress are not prohibited through adjoining or intervening rooms or spaces in a
Group H, S or F occupancy when the adjoining or intervening rooms or spaces are the
same or a lesser hazard occupancy group.
Common path of egress travel. Exceptions:
The length of a common path of egress travel in Group B, F and S occupancies shall not
be more than 100 feet (30 480 mm), provided that the building is equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
SPACES WITH ONE MEANS OF EGRESS
OCCUPANCY
F

MAXIMUM OCCUPANT LOAD

49

Two exits or exit access doorways.

Where two exits or exit access doorways are required from any portion of the exit access,
the exit doors or exit access doorways shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less
than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or
area to be served measured in a straight line between exit doors or exit access doorways.
Refrigeration machinery rooms.
Machinery rooms larger than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) shall have not less than two exits
or exit access doors. Where two exit access doorways are required, one such doorway is
permitted to be served by a fixed ladder or an alternating tread device. Exit access
doorways shall be separated by a horizontal distance equal to one-half the maximum
horizontal dimension of room.
All portions of machinery rooms shall be within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of an exit or exit
access doorway. An increase in travel distance is permitted in accordance with Section
1016.1.

Doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel, regardless of the occupant load served.
Doors shall be tight fitting and self-closing.
EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCE
Travel distance limitations.
Exits shall be so located on each story such that the maximum length of exit access
travel, measured from the most remote point within a story to the entrance to an exit
along the natural and unobstructed path of egress travel, shall not exceed the distances
given in Table 1016.1.
TABLE 1016.1
EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCE
OCCUPANCY
F-1

WITH SPRINKLER SYSTEM

250 (feet)

Roof vent increase.

In buildings that are one story in height, equipped with automatic heat and smoke roof
vents complying with Section 910 and equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the maximum exit access travel distance
shall be 400 feet (122 m) for occupancies in Group F-1 or S-1.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF EXITS FOR OCCUPANT LOAD
OCCUPANT LOAD (persons/story)
1-500

MIN NUMBER OF EXITS (per story)

2

Exit enclosures shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour where
connecting less than four stories. The number of stories connected by the exit enclosure
shall include any basements but not any mezzanines. An exit enclosure shall not be used
for any purpose other than means of egress.
Exceptions:
1.
In all occupancies, other than Group H and I occupancies, a stairway is not
required to be enclosed when the stairway serves an occupant load of less than 10 and the
stairway complies with either Item 1.1 or 1.2. In all cases, the maximum number of
connecting open stories shall not exceed two.
1.1.
The stairway is open to not more than one story above the story at the level of exit
discharge; or
1.2.
The stairway is open to not more than one story below the story at the level of exit
discharge.