What's your MAQ?

For companies, organizations, or operations that store and handle hazardous materials answering the MAQ question is critical. The MAQ is the "maximum allowable quantities" of hazardous materials that may be stored, used, or dispensed within a single control area. Allowable quantities and process for determining the MAQ is outlined in NFPA 1, Chapter 60.

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Unless you deal with hazardous materials on a daily basis, "allowable quantities" and hazardous materials sections of the code can be daunting and overwhelming. Once you understand the basic components and process it becomes quite simple and straight-forward. Determining your MAQ can be broken down into a 4 step process.

Step 1. Determine your occupancy type.

Maximum allowable quantities can vary based on the type of occupancy that the materials will be stored or utilized in. There is a separate table for each of the following occupancy types:

• Assembly
• Educational
• Day-care
• Health care
• Ambulatory health care
• Detention and correctional
• Residential
• Mercantile
• Business
• Industrial
• Storage

These tables begin at NFPA 1:60.4.2.1.2.  For modifications, or occupancies not covered, reference Table 60.4.2.1.1.3.

Step 2. Determine the material type. 

NFPA 1:60.3.1 lists 14 hazardous materials classifications.  Determine which one of these classifications your hazardous material falls into:

1. Corrosive solids, liquids, or gases
2. Flammable solids
3. Flammable gases
4. Flammable cryogenic fluids
5. Inert cryogenic fluids
6. Inert gases
7. Organic peroxide formulations
8. Oxidizer solids or liquids
9. Oxidizing gases
10. Oxidizing cryogenic fluids
11. Pyrophoric solids, liquids, or gases
12. Toxic or highly toxic solids, liquids, or gases
13. Unstable (reactive) solids, liquids, or gases
14. Water-reactive solids or liquids

These are each defined within chapter 3 of NFPA 1 and in our Glossary of Hazardous Materials Classifications.

Step 3.  Determine the material class.

Many of these materials are further broken down in to classes.  These classes can be based on the state of the material, or the potential hazard it possesses.  These classes are defined in the materials definition (NFPA 1:3, or Glossary of Hazardous Materials Classifications).


Step 4.  Determine the material state.

Some hazardous materials can be stored, used, or dispensed in different forms or states. Determine whether your material is a solid, liquid, or gas.

When we put these steps together, here is how the process should work:

As the owner of "Widget Business Solutions", I find that there is a need for organic peroxides on site.  I start by going to the table in NFPA 1:60.4.2.1.10.1. This table outlines the MAQ per control area in Business Occupancies.

In the "Material" column I find 'organic peroxides'.  I see that there are different allowances based on class.  Further, research into my product reveals that this is a Class III organic peroxide (these burn rapidly and present a moderate reactivity hazard).

Next I need to determine in what state the material will be in.  Per the table, the only options available are Solid or Liquid.  I choose to utilize this material in its solid form.  Under the column labeled "Solid" I see that I can house 1,500 gallons of Class III organic peroxides.

When working with Hazardous Materials, you may find our Glossary of Hazardous Materials Classifications to be helpful --> click here to download.

How to Store Hazardous Materials

Many industrial facilities, at some point, will find it necessary to create a hazardous material storage area.  Many of these materials and liquids will fall into the high hazard contents classification.  NFPA 101:6.2.2.4 defines a high hazard as contents “that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or from which explosions are likely”.  The storage of these materials is outlined in the storage occupancy chapter of NFPA 101.  Though there are a lot of code requirements and nuances when creating these facilities.  This article should serve as a basic primer, that will send you in the right direction for further research.

The required structural components of the building itself shall meet the following:

• Exit and Emergency Lighting - shall be provided within the space (101:42.2.8; 101:42.2.9; 101:42.2.10).
• Means of Egress - two separate and remote means of egress shall be in place (101:42.2.4.1).  
• 1-hr. Rated Fire Wall - the code states that any area having a degree of hazard greater than normal shall be enclosed with a 1-hour rated fire barrier (101:42.3.2; 101:8.7.1.1).

NFPA 1, Fire Code, section 60 outlines specific requirements and items that must be in place:

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to be available on the premises (1:60.5.1.2).
• Emergency Plan and Hazardous Materials Management Plan to be in place(1:60.1.5)
• “No Smoking” signage to be posted (1:60.5.1.5.1; 1:60.5.1.8.3).
• NFPA 704 placards to be posted near entrance to the building (1:60.5.1.8.2.1).
• All electrical wiring to be properly installed and covered (1:60.5.1.10.1).
• Incompatible materials are to be segregated and stored separately (1:60.5.1.12).

Other applicable codes and standards:

• NFPA 400, Hazardous Materials Code
• NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response

These facilities and processes can be adequately protected only when each of these codes and standards are utilized and applied together.