Each laboratory and science work area in which hazardous chemicals are used or stored must conform to the following:

1. (1) Each laboratory or science room utilizing hazardous chemicals must be separated from each other and from the rest of the building by a minimum of a one-hour fire-resistive separation. Existing construction may be considered as complying, if in the opinion of the fire official, a distinct hazard to life is not found to exist. No separation is required in fully sprinklered buildings;
2. (2) Each laboratory must contain at least one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A-10BC per 1500 square feet of lab area;
3. (3) Flammable and combustible liquids and hazardous chemicals must be stored in approved metal storage cabinets or in a storage room constructed of one-hour fire-resistive construction;
4. (4) Each laboratory and chemical storage room must be provided with mechanical exhaust;
5. (5) A manual shutoff valve must be provided for LP-gas and other bulk compressed gas systems. A valve must be provided at the point of supply and at each point of use. A valve that is located near the instructors workstation or an emergency valve is acceptable for the required valve located at the point of use; and
6. (6) The maximum water capacity of individual LP-gas cylinders used for experimentation in educational occupancies shall be 50 lbs. Cylinders not in use may not be stored within the building.

Source: 18 SDR 107, effective January 1, 1992; 23 SDR 32, effective September 11, 1996; 33 SDR 113, effective January 2, 2007.

General Authority: SDCL 13-25-2.

Law Implemented: SDCL 13-25-3 , 13-25-4.