[labnetwork] Silane Installation below grade

Fri Dec 8 12:46:30 EST 2017

We recently conducted a site analysis for a basement lab where the PI was looking to purchase an instrument that would use  toxic and pyrophoric gases.  The site was on a corner of campus that had frequent pedestrian traffic and was adjacent to a major street in the city.  The concern for public safety was paramount.   Retrofitting the building with proper fire protection, egress and areaway access to satisfy both the code and the local fire marshal was more than the University wanted to spend or risk so the project went on hold.   As an alternative, nearby off-campus single story industrial parks that allow lab build-outs are one way campuses are avoiding an uphill battle with codes.

Jennifer Swedell, AIA, LEED
Associate Principal, Laboratory Planner

CO ARCHITECTS
LA Office: 5055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
San Diego Office:  600 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Cell: 323.333.9237
jswedell at coarchitects.com<mailto:email at coarchitects.com>
www.coarchitects.com<http://coarchitects.com/>

From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu [mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of James C. Sturm
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2017 5:39 AM
To: Paul, Jack <Jack.Paul at hdrinc.com>; Michael Hume <michael.hume at ualberta.ca>; labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: Re: [labnetwork] Silane Installation below grade

One other note we ran up against in Princeton about 10-15 years ago:    The Harvard lab (built perhaps 15-20 years ago) is below grade, but on one side the ground was somewhat excavated to let some minimal daylight in, so you might claim it is not below grade.     As a result, they were able to either store (maybe) or use (that I’m fairly sure about) silane in the lab.    We were designing a new building in a tight space, with  some highly-paid consultants and architects who were supposedly experts on lab design and fire codes.    They  came up for us with something similar following the Harvard approach.   After the design was done (and we had paid them), it turned out we found out that the national code  (IBC, IFC??) that had allowed the Harvard approach had changed (which our “experts” were not at all aware of), so their design (and all the time we sunk into it) was worthless, and we had to start over (with new consultants.)   I don’t recall the exact technical details about H use and B use  (are those the right terms?) but that is the gist of the story.    )#)$#&*$(#&#$(#*(#&@!!
So Beware (and be safe)
Jim Sturm

********************************************
Prof. James C. Sturm
     Stephen R. Forrest Professor in Electrical Engineering
     Princeton University
     B410 E-Quad, Olden St.
    Princeton, NJ  08540
    609-258-5610, fax:  609-258-1177
    sturm at princeton.edu<mailto:sturm at princeton.edu>

From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> [mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of Paul, Jack
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2017 8:37 PM
To: Michael Hume <michael.hume at ualberta.ca<mailto:michael.hume at ualberta.ca>>; labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu>
Subject: Re: [labnetwork] Silane Installation below grade

Michael,
The building and fire codes in your jurisdiction (Edmonton) are probably different than the International Building and Fire Codes, but the general approach of those codes (IBC and IFC) is to restrict hazardous materials in basements because a) it is extremely difficult to fight fires at basement level, and b) basements are harder to exit, and c) typically basements cannot have explosion venting (as John Schott noted they had at Stanford).

As a pyrophoric gas, silane deflagrates extremely fast – almost fast enough to be officially labeled an “explosion” and thus when it is stored indoors it is often required to have an explosion vent (this is the lightly fastened roof structure that John mentioned in his email).

The IBC and IFC restrict the quantity of any pyrophoric material allowable in a single control area (i.e. one floor, or one fire-wall isolated area of a floor) to maximum of 4 lbs or 50 cu ft in storage, and 10 cu ft in “use-closed system”.  As I noted, your jurisdiction in Canada probably has not adopted the IBC and IFC, but my guess is that whatever code applies in your municipality, it will have similar restrictions.  Additionally, it may also refer to CGA G13 (as does the IFC) for design requirements for silane systems, thus adopting CGA-13 by reference.

In short – you may be violating building and fire code restrictions by placing the silane in the basement level.  Your campus architect or fire marshal should be able to provide guidance, or alternatively a friendly architect or lab planner.

Jack Paul, RA, LEED AP BD+C
D 602.474.3940  M 602.369.2086
hdrinc.com/follow-us<http://hdrinc.com/follow-us>

From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> [mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Hume
Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2017 11:05 AM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu>
Subject: [labnetwork] Silane Installation below grade

Hello Colleagues,

We are in the process if installing a new PECVD system which will use 100% SiH4. In reviewing CGA-G13, it states:

7.2 Indoor storage and use
Buildings, rooms, or areas used for silane storage shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the local AHJ. Silane shall not be stored in locations below grade and silane bulk sources shall not be located indoors. For transfilling exceptions, see Section 18.

In our case, an installation below grade may be preferred. I am wondering if anyone can provide any insight into the reasoning behind this. Does anybody store/use Silane below grade?

Thank-you,
-Mike.

--

PLEASE NOTE MY PHONE NUMBER HAS CHANGED: 780-953-5081

Michael Hume

Operations Manager

University of Alberta - nanoFAB

W1-060 ECERF Building

9107 - 116 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

Canada T6G 2V4
www.nanofab.ualberta.ca<http://www.nanofab.ualberta.ca/> Ph: 780-953-5081* (New)
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