FM Approved doorway spill barriers

Benefits

• FM Approvals is the only Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory that conducts full-scale performance tests on doorway spill barriers for hydrostatic leak resistance, deployment flow, fire test, and reliability.
• Performance-based testing provides assurance that FM Approved doorway spill barriers will meet application requirements and deliver reliable protection.
• FM Approved doorway spill barriers are listed in the Approval Guide, a source of vendor information for nearly 1,800 FM field engineers worldwide as well as thousands of FM customers, engineers, code authorities, designers, contractors and architects.
• The FM APPROVED certification mark delivers an immediate competitive advantage, including broader market potential and product differentiation.

The hazard

Nearly every industry uses ignitable liquids, including fuels, process chemicals, solvents, paints, coatings, adhesives, vegetable oils, waxes and polishes. The fire hazards of ignitable liquids are determined by the inherent physical properties of the liquid and external factors, such as the amount of liquid on site, container construction, container size and storage arrangement.

Managing the hazards associated with ignitable liquids requires a comprehensive approach, including proper transportation and handling, adequate sprinkler protection and passive construction features such as isolation (containment), and drainage. Ignitable liquids containment in particular presents a unique challenge because of the high heat content of the liquids and the fact that liquids flow freely past barriers that are not leak-proof.

Facilities that rely on ignitable liquids have to balance the need to provide adequate protection for and confinement of ignitable liquids in case of fire with the need to freely access and move those liquids as required by production processes. In cases where large quantities of ignitable liquids are stored in attached or internal cutoff rooms, even a small spill or small fire, if not immediately contained, can lead to a catastrophic pool or three- dimensional fire that can easily spread beyond the storage area.

Curbs installed across the entry to cutoff rooms and other storage areas can be an effective barrier against the spread of ignitable liquids due to their constant physical presence. Unfortunately, curbs can also be a detriment to the free movement of materials between the storage area and production. One alternative is to install a door- way spill barrier across the openings to cutoff rooms and other areas where ignitable liquids may be stored.

Testing required for FM Approvals

Doorway spill barriers that supplement fire walls and fire doors are important elements in protecting against fire in occupancies handling, processing or transferring ignitable liquids.

Doorway spill barriers remain in a retracted or an unobtrusive position under normal operations, allowing free access for vehicular and personnel traffic. In the event of a spill, doorway spill barriers deploy and contain the flow of ignitable liquids and contaminated water from sprinklers or firefighting runoff.

FM Approved doorway spill barriers undergo performance testing in accordance with Approval Standard 4985, Doorway Spill Barriers. Testing is conducted on the widest barrier and at the maximum liquid depth for which Approval is sought. Barriers are tested to determine their ability to:

• resist leakage and/or seepage when subjected to a 16-hour hydrostatic loading test,
• withstand a 30-minute heptane pool fire,
• perform reliably under simulated usage, and
• allow for timely deployment.

Success stories

Preventing a major chemical spill

In one case, a buoyancy-driven automatic doorway spill barrier system, installed in an industrial facility, worked perfectly to prevent a major spill when a chemical tank valve was inadvertently left open overnight. The liquid automatically triggered the spring-powered barrier, causing it to raise and block the opening. All of the ignitable liquid was contained in the cutoff room, enabling faster clean-up and reducing the risk of fire and contamination.

Related standards

Conformance to the following standards verifies that doorway spill barriers meet the stated safety and performance criteria, providing assurance in their ability to protect against hazardous spills.

FM 4985
Doorway Spill Barriers