Hazardous Waste Building Emergency Response Plane OP-G-4.4
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Table of Contents

Purpose

The goal of this emergency plan is to minimize hazards to human health and the environment from fires, explosions, or any unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents to air, soil, or surface water.

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Emergency Coordinator and First Response Information

Hazardous Waste Facility Emergency Coordinator

Renee Murray, PhD
Florida State University
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Chemical Safety Officer
1021 Atomic Way (1200 Carothers Hall)
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4481
Office Telephone Number 850-644-7682

If the Emergency Coordinator is unavailable, contact alternates via EH&S (850-644-6895) during normal business hours or the Florida State University Police (850-644-1234) after hours or on holidays and weekends.

Florida State University Police

For emergency response contact the police using the telephone number 911. For routine calls 644-1234 can be used.

Tallahassee Fire Department

For emergency response contact the Tallahassee Fire Department using the telephone number 911.

This building has manual fire alarm pull stations located on the east and south exterior walls near entry doors. Activating these pull stations will sound the fire alarm, discharge the HALON 1301 and summon the FSU Police and the Tallahassee Fire departments automatically. After manual activation, immediately call FSUPD from a safe area and provide as much additional information as possible, in a clear and concise manner. The minimum should include identification of the person calling, the type and extent of the problem, and the location.

Hazardous Waste Cleanup/Disposal

Hazardous Waste vendors on contract with FSU EH&S to provide routine hazardous waste pickups are also tasked with providing emergency support as necessary. Emergency Coordinator or Purchasing can provide information concerning contractors. State of Florida contracts with emergency response contractors may also be utilized as needed, i.e. SWS First Response in Panama City, Florida may be contacted at 800-852-8878 by EH&S for assistance.

Additional Telephone Numbers

  • CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300
  • Pesticide Hotline 1-800-858-7378
  • National Response Center 1-800-424-8802
  • RCRA Superfund Hotline 1-800-424-9346

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Facility Description

The building is constructed of reinforced concrete and concrete block having a three-hour fire resistant rating. The walls are constructed of concrete block and the exterior is covered with brick. The roof is constructed of reinforced concrete and covered with a built-up roof membrane assembly. The building contains 1,365 gross square feet.

Facility features:

Halon 1301 Fire Detection and Fire Suppression System: Each chemical storage area is equipped with flame and heat detectors. The flammable vault has two flame and heat detectors. Two manual pull stations are located near Door #3 and between Doors #4 and #5. These pull stations will manually dump the Halon 1301 system. The alarm system is linked to the FSU Police for monitoring 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Fire Extinguishers Class ABC: Three Class ABC Fire Extinguishers are located at the building. One of these extinguishers is located (1) outside the building near Door #3, and the remaining two are located in the Entry Vault on the east and west walls.

Fire Extinguishers Class D: Two Class D Fire Extinguishers are staged in the Entry Vault. These extinguishers are on wheels and are designed to be rolled to the fire. One extinguisher uses a sodium chloride based agent and is designed for metal fires involving sodium, potassium and magnesium. The second extinguisher uses a copper based agent and is designed for lithium fires.

Burglar and Environmental Alarm System: Each exterior door is equipped with a sensor tied to an alarm panel to detect unauthorized entry. In addition, two sensors have been installed in the flammable vault to detect changing environmental conditions. One sensor detects temperature and is set to alarm at 125 degrees F and above. The second sensor is set to detect low or no airflow in the vault ventilation fan duct. This sensor also indicates power failure. The burglar alarm panel also receives a signal from the fire alarm panel in the event of a Halon 1301 system alarm. All alarms to this panel are relayed to the FSU Police for monitoring 24 hour per day, 7 days a week.

Communications: Communications are provided by telephone. The telephone is located on the outside of the building to the left of Door #3. This telephone is a push button type. The telephone can dial local calls and 1-800 numbers. Toll calls are restricted. The telephone number is 850-644-1729.

Ventilation: Ventilation is provided to the corrosive storage vault by a continuous flow-through system. A laboratory fume hood in the flammable vault provides ventilation. . All general ventilation fans and motors are rated for intrinsically safe operation.

There is also a chilled water supplied coil for cooling into the Entry Vault. The chilled water is supplied from the Satellite Plant (Bldg. 33) via underground pipes. The system is once through, with direct outside air. There is a disconnect that will shut the fan off when the fire suppression system is activated to preclude dilution of the Halon.

Electrical System: The electrical system in the vault areas is rated for intrinsically safe operation. (Article 500 NFPA National Electrical Code). Each electrical fixture is rated for 300-watt service. Currently each fixture is lamped with a 200 watt 130 volt service bulb. There is one electrical outlet in the entry vault for special service. The main electrical panel is located in the calibration room behind Door #1. The electrical service in the calibration room is not intrinsically safe. There are normal electrical outlets in the calibration room along with special electrical service to the compactor. The master disconnect switch for the building is located at the transformer adjacent to the ROTC building north of the Hazardous Waste Facility.

Emergency Lighting: Each vault is served with battery powered emergency lighting. This lighting is triggered by power failure. The lights in the vaults are rated for intrinsically safe operation. The battery pack serving this system is located to the left of the electrical panel in the calibration room behind door #1. The calibration room has its own additional battery powered emergency lighting. It is located inside above door #1.

Water Supply: City water is provided by hose bib in each vault, the laboratory fume hood and at the entry vault lab sink. In addition, there is a hose and bib installed next to the emergency shower and eyewash. The city water shut off valve is located at the rear of the facility, north side, beneath a green plastic cover.

Emergency Shower and Eyewash: An emergency shower and eyewash are located in the entry vault.

Explosion Relief Vents: Explosion relief vents are located in the ceilings of the entry vault and the flammable vault. These units are designed to vent the over pressure of an explosion. These vents must be kept clear and clean. No solvents should be used for cleaning and under no circumstances should they be painted.

Compactor: An industrial grade compactor is installed in the entry vault. This compactor is used to crush low-level radioactive waste into containers and crush old cans and other containers.

Spill Control System: All chemical storage vaults are bermed and sealed. In each chemical storage vault spill control equipment is kept stocked as well as in the calibration room behind Door #1.

First Aid Equipment: A first aid kit is located behind Door #3 Entry Vault. This kit contains standard first aid supplies including Band-Aids, gauze pads, roller bandages and a tourniquet.

The facility is divided into the following areas:

Entry Vault- (Exterior Door #3)

Central area with walk-in laboratory fume hood, compactor, small laboratory bench and sink. Area is bermed with a sealed floor.

Work in this area consists of chemical receiving and shipping, compacting, record keeping, container preparation and cleanup. The fume hood usually contains 2, 55-gallon drums. One drum is usually latex paint waste and the second is aerosol can waste. From time to time other chemicals are processed through this area into other vaults. Long storage is not permitted. Spill materials are present.

Flammable Vault- (Interior Door 7, Exterior Door 5)

This vault area is used for the bulking of solvent lab waste and storage of flammable and combustible materials. This includes:

  • Flammable Liquids
  • Flammable Gases
  • Flammable Solids
  • Dangerous When Wet Materials
  • Spontaneously Combustible Materials
  • Flammable and Combustible Mixtures
  • Shock Sensitive Materials

Materials are stored in this vault waiting shipment as hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The majority of materials in this vault are flammable liquids and are stored in 55 gallon metal drums. Usually there are no more than 12, 55-gallon liquid drums in this vault. Solids consist of rags, small quantities of laboratory flammable solids and flammable paint waste. Some flammable gas cylinders are received from time to time; generally speaking, these items are small lecture bottles and some "K" type high pressure gas cylinders. May include pyrophoric gases. This list is not conclusive.

Poison, Corrosive, Oxidizer, Organic Peroxide Vault (Interior Door 8, Exterior Door 2)

Materials are stored in this vault awaiting shipment as hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The majority of materials in this vault are small amounts of laboratory chemicals in less than 5-pound containers. Some 55-gallon drums of materials are routinely stored here. This includes spent photographic fixer, bulked metallic mercury, and batteries (lead acid, lithium, mercury). Acids collected include hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric, acetic and hydrofluoric; and bases include ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide to name the more common but not all materials passing through this vault. Sometimes gas cylinders are also stored here awaiting shipment. Poisons collected include cyanide compounds and a wide range of other poison items. Oxidizers can include calcium hypochlorite and benzoyl peroxide. This list is not conclusive.

Radioactive Vault (Interior Door 6, Exterior Door 4)

Materials stored in this vault are restricted to low level radioactive isotopes regulated by Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. All materials are from laboratory research and were used in such settings. There is no high level waste (waste from spent nuclear reactor fuel or fuel reprocessing) stored in this area. There are both long and short half-life materials stored here awaiting shipment or going through a decay process prior to legal burial. This vault is not regulated by Environmental Protection Agency or Florida Department of Environmental Protection and is under the control and monitoring FSU Radiation Safety Section at 644-8801.

Calibration Room (Exterior Door #1)

This is not a hazardous waste storage vault. This room contains a sealed radioactive source (Cs 137) used for calibration of radiation detection equipment. The source is used on a routine basis and between uses is kept locked with the key retained by FSU Radiation Safety. The room also contains the Fire Alarm Control Panel and Halon 1301 tanks and piping. The burglar alarm panel, electrical distribution panel, and emergency lighting panels are also housed here. The room is used as an equipment storage room for facility equipment and supplies.

Fire Extinguisher Locations

  1. White cabinet outside front door, main entrance (also contains DOT, Merck & Chemical Hazards Guides inside)
  2. Interior east and west walls, entry area

Spill Control Material Locations

  1. Each room of the Hazardous Waste Building, Building 293
  2. Room 131 (Chemistry Stockroom), Dittmer Chemistry Laboratory, Building 38
  3. EH&S Main Office Carothers Hall Room 1300, Building 55
  4. EH&S College of Medicine Storage Room G139, Building 4002

FACILITY MAP AND LOCATIONS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Forida State University

Hazardous Waste Management Facility

FSU Building #293 (Location: Woodward and Wildwood Streets, rear of FSU Buildings #77 & 78, Mendenhall Maintenance Complex)

In case of emergency contact FSU Police Department; telephone number 911, 311 or 644-1234.

For non-emergency situations, contact the EH&S Chemical Safety Section at 644-7682. After business hours contact FSU Police.

The facility is equipped with automatic fire detection and fire suppression (Halon 1301). There are also a burglar alarm and an environmental alarm. On the outside of the building there are visual and audible alarms as indicated below:

Alarm

Audible Indication

Visual Indication
Burglary (B) Horn Blue Strobe
Environmental (E) Horn Yellow Strobe
Fire (F) Horn Yellow Beacon
Red Strobe

A map of the facility is attached.

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Emergency Procedures

Duties of the Emergency Coordinator or Designee

  • Respond to any emergencies that may arise. Use established response protocols and personal protective equipment as needed. Summon aid as necessary. Evacuate as required.
  • In case of FIRE summon the Tallahassee Fire Department and the FSU Police by dialing 911. If there are injuries EMS can also be contacted by dialing 911. Remember to start evacuation if necessary.
  • If it can be accomplished safely fight the fire, but sound the alarm first before fighting any fire.
  • In the event of a spill, release or discharge, contain the flow of hazardous waste to the extent possible. Spills to the city sewer and/or stormwater systems must be reported to the City of Tallahassee. Call 911 and notify the Fire Department. Spills must also be reported to the State Warning Point (850) 488-1320, and/or the National Response Center 1-800-424-8802. Check SARA Title III Book located in 1200 Carothers Hall.
  • Clean up the hazardous waste and any contaminated materials or soil as soon as it is practical.
  • If the incident i.e. fire, explosion, or other release could threaten human health outside the facility or the generator has knowledge that a spill has reached surface water, notify the National Response Center Immediately at the following number: 1-800-424-8802

Report the following information:

  1. EPA ID Number: FSU Number is FLD 000608125
  2. Name of Generator: Florida State University
  3. Generator Address: Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4481
  4. Telephone Number: 850-644-6895
    Facility Number: 850-644-1729
    FSU Police Number: 850-644-1234
    EH&S Number: 850-644-6895
  5. Date, time and type of incident (i.e. Spill, Fire)
  6. Quantity and type of waste involved
  7. Extent of injuries involved in incident, if any
  8. Also check SARA Title III book in 1200 Carothers Hall for state warning point reporting requirements, Reportable Quantity reporting guidelines and written follow-up reporting.

Emergency Response: The following general steps should be followed to ensure that there is a systematic response to the situation:

Step One: Assess the problem

Step Two: Call for assistance, report problem

Step Three: Evacuate necessary

Step Four: Render aid as necessary

Step Five: Control problem

Step Six: Make reports and legal notifications

Step Seven: Return to "normal" as soon as possible

System Failure: If a system should fail or malfunction such as ventilation, water, fire protection, security, explosion venting or other mechanical, electrical or building system the problem must be reported to Facilities for correction as soon as possible. Critical systems such as fire alarm, electrical and ventilation must have immediate action taken to repair the problem. Call the Facilities Service Center (644-2424) or the FSU Police (644-1234) after normal working hours.

Break-In/Burglary: Any break-in/burglary should be reported to the FSU Police at 911 immediately. Evidence should be preserved and the scene untouched until the FSU Police release it. Assistance must be given to the FSU Police to prevent injury especially if chemicals are spilled or released. Chemical health and safety information must be passed immediately to the FSU Police to protect against adverse exposures. A police report must be made of all break-in or theft incidents no matter how small. Burglar alarm malfunctions must be immediately reported to the FSU Police for repair.

Severe Weather Plan: All work should be halted in the facility if severe weather warnings are issued. If time permits, all vaults should be inspected and chemicals secured. Alarms should be checked for function and set for response. After the weather has subsided the facility should be inspected. Follow the weekly inspection routine paying close attention to any potential storm impacts.

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Evacuation Guidelines

In the event of a spill, fire, or other situation that requires a heightened response evacuation may become necessary. Communication with the designated Incident Commander is mandatory, as the scope increases more outside resources will be necessary.

Evacuation Stages

Stage One: Evacuate Hazardous Waste Facility

Ensure that all personnel are out of the facility. Move away from facility and keep bystanders away. Make emergency notifications by outside telephone or through fire alarm if appropriate. Call FSU Police at 911.

If vapors or toxic materials are likely to be emitted move to Stage Two.

Command Post: EH&S or TFD location.

Stage Two: Evacuate Facility and Surrounding Buildings (250-Foot Range)

Give directions to move away from buildings and set up command post location with TFD consultation. (Potential site: Call and Woodward Streets)

Buildings to be evacuated:

  1. ROTC Building (Bldg. 121)
  2. Flammable Storage Building (Bldg. 292)
  3. Mendenhall Maintenance Building B (Bldg. 78)
  4. Mendenhall Maintenance Building A (Bldg. 77)
  5. Nursing Building (Bldg. 40)
  6. Tully Gym Building (Bldg. 132)
  7. Leach Center Building (Bldg. 26)
  8. Handball Courts (Bldg. 149)
  9. Speicher Tennis Complex (Bldg. 149)
  10. Safety Office Annex (Bldg. 431)
  11. Surrounding Parking Lots
    • Mendenhall
    • Tully Gym/Leach Center
    • ROTC
    • Hoffman/OSB
    • Nursing
    • Chemical Sciences Laboratories
  12. Street Control: Woodward, Wildwood, Chieftain, Varsity, Call

Reception Points: Moore Auditorium, Union Ballroom, and Montgomery Gym

Keep bystanders away from area. Have CUP turn off air conditioning to Stage Three Buildings as listed below.

Stage Three Evacuation: Evacuate Facility and Surrounding Buildings (1000 Ft Range)

Evacuate Facility and surrounding buildings.

Call FSU Police.

Set command post in consultation with TFD. (Potential Site: Woodward and Tennessee)

In addition to the buildings listed above:

Evacuate:

  1. Building #141 Woodward Street
  2. Building #140 Woodward Street
  3. Building #139 Woodward Street
  4. Central Utilities Plant (Bldg. 30)
  5. Basketball Courts/Tennis Courts Woodward St
  6. Biomedical Research Building (Bldg. 9)
  7. Hoffman Teaching Facility (Bldg. 35)
  8. Fisher Lecture Hall (Bldg. 37)
  9. Art Lab (Bldg. 34)
  10. Oceanography (Bldg. 36)
  11. BioUnit #1 Building (Bldg. 39)
  12. IMB (Bldg. 149)
  13. Dittmer (Bldg. 38)
  14. Dirac Science Library (Bldg. 20)
  15. Band Practice Field
  16. Intramural Field Track
  17. Track Building (Bldg. 91)
  18. All Buildings South of Wildwood on Woodward to Jefferson Street
  19. All buildings on Wildwood
  20. All buildings on West Park Street
  21. All buildings on College Avenue (West)
  22. All buildings on the North Side of Jefferson to Woodward
  23. Street control areas: Wildwood, Woodward, Jefferson, Chieftain, Varsity, Call (West)
  24. All parking lots to be evacuated and controlled near the above listed buildings

Evacuation Reception Point: Civic Center

Stage Four Evacuation: Evacuation Greater Than 1000 feet

Campus-wide community evacuation

Immediately contact FSU Police and Tallahassee Fire Department for assistance. Close all University buildings and evacuate. Close all University streets and deny campus access.

Turn off affected utilities and HVAC systems as required.

Recovery: As conditions improve evacuation orders should be rescinded. Determination of these actions will be the responsibility of the Incident Commander. Establishment and control of the designated perimeters will also come from the Incident Commander. Once the emergency is deemed over the "mode" will be considered one of recovery and the Emergency Coordinator will resume charge of the situation.

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Appendix 1: First Responder Guide

The attached floor plan contains information concerning the systems and equipment associated with the Hazardous Waste Facility. The following information is provided to enhance first responses to emergencies at the facility.

Florida State University Hazardous Waste Facility (Building 293)
EPA ID# FLD 000608125
Emergency Coordinator:
Renee Murray, PhD
Florida State University
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Chemical Safety Officer
1021 Atomic Way (1200 Carothers Hall)
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4481
Office Telephone Number 850-644-7682

If the Emergency Coordinator is unavailable, contact alternates via EH&S (850-644-6895) during normal business hours or the Florida State University Police (850-644-1234) after hours or on holidays and weekends.

General Information

Electrical: The building power panel is located in the Calibration Room adjacent to the door. The power is supplied from the transformer located on the southwest corner of the Harpe-Johnson Building (ROTC), Building 121.

Water Shutoff: The water shutoff for the building is located behind the building adjacent to the sewer clean-out.

Sewer: The building vaults do not have any drains in them. The only sewer connection in the building is from the sink in the entry vault. There is a sewer clean-out for that line in the rear of the building in the middle approximately 2 feet from the wall.

Storm Sewers/Drainage: The building is built up with sloping access on all sides. The closest storm sewers are in front of the building. Also, there is a storm water retention area and overflow located to the southwest of the facility, approximately 100 feet away.

The facility is equipped with automatic fire detection and fire suppression (Halon 1301). There are also a burglar alarm and an environmental alarm. On the outside of the building there are visual and audible alarms as indicated below:

Alarm

Audible Indication

Visual Indication
Burglary (B) Horn Blue Strobe
Environmental (E) Horn Yellow Strobe
Fire (F) Horn Yellow Beacon
Red Strobe

Hazardous Waste Facility Layout
(Building #293)

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