Questions which have been answered numerous times, or on a regular basis, by the department staff are submitted and posted here.
Q: How do I file a complaint? ...
A: Call the department's main phone number (408.378.4010) and follow the phone tree;
one of the options is for reporting a violation. This includes Hazardous Materials
and Fire Code violations.
Q: Can I file a complaint anonymously? ...
A: Yes, you can remain anonymous; call the department's main phone number (408.378.4010) and
follow the phone tree; the reporting process asks a number of questions, and when it
asks for your name, simply don't give an answer. It is important that all of the information that you
report is accurate; with an anonymous report there is no way for the department to get back in touch
with you, if it turns out that some of the information you report is inaccurate or not understood.
Q: Where can I find a ...
...Hazardous Materials Management Plan?
...Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement?
...Underground Storage Tank Closure Application and Guidelines?
...Underground Storage Tank Installation Application and Guidelines?
...list of environmental consultants?
...Facility Closure Guidelines?
A: The answer to all of these questions can be found on the
UNIDOCS, Uniform Documents Project website.
Q: Where can I get a copy of the California Fire Code?
A: From the International Fire Codes Institute by writing to 5360 Workman
Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601, or by calling them at 800.423.6587. In
addition, many local libraries carry past and/or current editions of the fire
codes.
Q: Where can I get a copy of the Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinance
(HMSO)?
A: Check with your local jurisdiction. For Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos
and Morgan Hill, a copy of the HMSO can be purchased for about ten dollars
from the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
Q: What activities require a Hazardous Materials Permit?
A: This is a tricky question, and there are two parts to address. The first
part concerns whether a material is regulated by the Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance (HMSO). The HMSO "technically" requires a "hazmat" permit
for just about any material which is "listed", unless the material is
categorically exempted from regulation or unless the material is specifically
exempted by the fire department. There is no lower quantity limit, but there
are many different types of categorical exemptions (i.e. janitorial supplies
and consumer products if they meet certain definitions), as well as specific
exemptions. Specific exemptions must consider the type and quantity of
hazardous material, and must deem that the material (in type and quantity)
does not pose a significant or potential risk to public safety or the
environment (i.e. check with you local jurisdiction regarding specific
exemption requests).
The second part concerns whether a "hazardous
material-related" permit is required by the California Fire Code (CFC). The
fire code lists permit amounts for every hazardous material category regulated
by the fire code (see CFC Tables 105 A-C). Many of these permit amounts are
for storage/use permits. For example, storing more than 5 gallons of a
flammable liquid indoors requires a fire code permit. Still other permit
amounts are for conducting certain activities. For example, a permit is
required to remove an aboveground flammable or combustible liquid tank. In
either case, a fire code permit is required by state law.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must repair garage facilities meet?
A: Article 29 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must automobile wrecking yard
facilities meet?
A: Article 34 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must dry cleaning facilities meet?
A: Article 36 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must spray painting, spray finishing
and powder coating facilities meet?
A: Article 45 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must magnesium facilities meet?
A: Article 48 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must organic coating facilities
meet?
A: Article 50 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must semiconductor facilities meet?
A: Article 51 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must motor vehicle fuel dispensing
facilities meet?
A: Article 52 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must industrial baking/drying oven
facilities meet?
A: Article 62 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must refrigeration facilities meet?
A: Article 63 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must lead-acid battery storage
facilities meet?
A: Article 64 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must compressed gas storage/use
facilities meet?
A: Article 74 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must cryogenic fluid facilities
meet?
A: Article 75 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must dust producing facilities meet?
A: Article 76 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must explosives facilities meet?
A: Article 77 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must fireworks, pyrotechnical, and
special effects facilities meet?
A: Article 78 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must flammable and combustible
liquid storage/use facilities meet?
A: Article 79 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must all hazardous materials
facilities meet?
A: Article 80 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must liquefied petroleum gas
facilities meet?
A: Article 82 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
Q: What hazardous materials requirements must aerosol facilities meet?
A: Article 88 of the California Fire Code and the local Hazardous Materials
Storage Ordinance.
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