Hanover Specialty Industrial
Flammable and/or Combustible
Liquids Flow Controls
Specific uses of flow control are
Because of the inherent hazards associated
with manufacturing, processing, storing,
or otherwise handling of flammable and/or
combustible liquids, the question of how
to safely transport the liquids looms large.
illustrated in the following graphic:
1. U
se self-closing valves at the end of
each dispensing line.
The purpose of flammable and/or
combustible liquids flow control is to limit
the size of any fire that may occur. In the
event of a fire, inadequate equipment
designs may result in the full or partial
discharge of a flammable or combustible
liquid from a large tank, reservoir, etc. that
could cause a relatively minor fire to become
a major catastrophe. Tools available to assist
management in controlling this loss exposure
include: 1) installing a fusible-link actuated,
self-closing valve at the end of each
dispensing line, 2) interlocking the solvent
transfer pumps with the fire sprinkler system
water-flow alarm, and 3) using ‘dead-man’
type transfer pump control switches.
2. Interlock the shut-down of the transfer
pumps with the water-flow alarm(s).
3. U
se ‘dead-man’ type transfer pump
control switches.
4. U
se automatic shut-off measurement
type meters.
5. U
se normally-closed valves controlled
by a ‘deadman’ control switch.
6. U
se self-closing valves installed prior
to any combustible hose.
7. U
se normally-open valves that close upon
activation of the water-flow alarm(s).
Liquid flow control, such as that listed
above, is necessary only if the container
from which the flammable and/or
combustible liquid originates
meets a minimum capacity
of > 55 gallons (all containers
of ≤ 55 gallons used for
dispensing flammable and/or
combustible liquids should
be provided with a UL Listed/FM
Approved self-closing ‘dead-man’
type valve).
The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard,
code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or
representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation.
Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any
insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you.
The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
©2015 The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
h a n o v e r. c o m
125-0072 (3/15)
LC 2014-309
The Hanover Insurance Company
440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01653