CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Hazardous Materials Storage Questions and Answers

Question 1

A facility has a designated hazardous waste storage area containing several 55-gallon drums of various liquid hazardous wastes. To comply with EPA's secondary containment requirements under 40 CFR 264.175, what is the minimum required capacity for the containment system?

Accepted Answer

Sufficient capacity to contain 10% of the volume of all containers or 100% of the volume of the largest container, whichever is greater.

Answer

According to EPA regulations (40 CFR 264.175), a secondary containment system for hazardous waste containers must have sufficient capacity to contain the greater of two values: 10% of the total volume of all containers in the area or 100% of the volume of the single largest container.

Question 2

A chemical manufacturing plant needs to store a new, highly flammable liquid (OSHA Category 1). According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.106, what is the maximum quantity of this liquid that can be stored in a single approved flammable storage cabinet?

Accepted Answer

60 gallons

Answer

OSHA's standard for flammable liquids, 29 CFR 1910.106, specifies that not more than 60 gallons of Category 1, 2, or 3 flammable liquids shall be stored in any one storage cabinet.

Question 3

A laboratory manager is setting up a new Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) for hazardous waste generated from an analytical process. Which of the following is a key requirement for an SAA under EPA's RCRA regulations (40 CFR 262.15)?

Accepted Answer

The SAA must be at or near the point of generation and under the control of the process operator.

Answer

Under 40 CFR 262.15, a key tenet of a Satellite Accumulation Area is that it must be located at or near the point where the waste is generated and be under the control of the operator of that process. The date is only required once the 55-gallon limit is exceeded, and weekly inspections are typically for Central Accumulation Areas. The limit is 55 gallons for non-acute waste.

Question 4

A hazardous materials manager is reviewing the storage of incompatible chemicals. A container of a strong oxidizing agent must be segregated from a container of a flammable organic solvent. According to best practices and common fire codes, what is a primary method for ensuring safe separation?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring a minimum separation distance of at least 20 feet or using a separate, approved storage cabinet.

Answer

Storing incompatible materials requires significant separation to prevent dangerous reactions. Best practices, often referenced in fire codes like those from the NFPA, recommend a separation distance of at least 20 feet or storage in separate, dedicated cabinets designed for the specific hazard class.

Question 5

During a facility audit, you observe several 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste stored outside on a paved area. The drums are properly labeled and closed. To be in compliance with EPA regulations regarding outdoor storage, which of the following is most critical?

Accepted Answer

The drums must be elevated on pallets and protected from contact with accumulated precipitation.

Answer

EPA regulation 40 CFR 264.175 requires that containment systems be designed to drain and remove liquids from leaks, spills, or precipitation, or that the containers are elevated or otherwise protected from contact with accumulated liquids. Storing drums on pallets is a common method to achieve this and prevent the containers from sitting in pooled water, which could lead to corrosion and leaks.

CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Practice Test

CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Practice Test

CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Hazardous Materials Storage Questions and Answers