The following permitting and reporting procedures have design and project approval implications for any facilities project.
1. California Building Code Chemical Inventory Report Procedure As noted in this and other sections, the quantity of hazardous chemicals planned for use and storage within a project area has a direct impact on how the project is designed. This procedure should be implemented at the point that a form I is submitted. The end result of the procedure is a summarized report showing the quantities of hazard classes planned for a project compared to the California Building Limits shown in Appendix 1 of this section. Contact the Stanford fire Marshal for further information.
2. Hazardous Materials Business Plan permit
County of Santa Clara Ordinance B11
City of Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 17
Every building at Stanford that stores chemicals must have a Hazardous Materials Business Plan permit from the city or county of jurisdiction before chemicals can be brought into the building. The Hazardous Materials Program Division of the Environmental Health and Safety Department submits these plans in order obtain a permit. However, it is the project proponent’s responsibility to provide the necessary information to EH&S for inclusion in the plan. An annual permit fee is required based on the quantities of materials stored.
3. BAAQMD New Source exemption or permit evaluation
BAAQMD Rule 2, regulation 5
Laboratory ventilation and fume hoods and some other laboratory equipment are considered sources of air pollution. All “new or modified sources” must obtain an “authority to construct” from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) unless the source is exempt.
All teaching laboratories are categorically exempt. Research laboratory projects with less than 25,000 net square feet or 50 fume hoods that implement “good laboratory practices” are categorically exempt. Research laboratory projects with greater than 25,000 net square feet or 50 fume hoods must implement “good laboratory practices” and pass a risk screen conducted by the University and reviewed by the BAAQMD to be exempt. If the risk screen is not passed various mitigations must be considered. Generally even large laboratory projects pass the risk screen. Contact the Environmental Programs Division of Environmental Health and Safety for guidance and assistance.
4. Hazardous Waste Generator “permit” for “off campus” facilities
Projects within the “campus site” are covered by the University’s existing Hazardous Waste Generator “permit”. Projects that are “off site” must obtain a Hazardous Waste Generator “permit” before procedures that result in chemical wastes can be conducted. Contact the Hazardous Waste Division of Environmental Health and Safety for guidance and assistance.
5. Regional Water Quality Control Plant permit documentation requirements
All projects must be reviewed by the Stanford Utilities Department if a new connection is made to the sanitary sewer. The University holds a comprehensive permit for the main campus within the County of Santa Clara boundaries. Separate permits are held for the Medical School areas within the City of Palo Alto boundaries and for “off campus” facilities. The Stanford Utilities Department Environmental Quality staff must review all projects involving wet lab construction or renovation. It is the project’s responsibility to provide the information necessary for obtaining the permits. Sewer connections cannot be made until the building permit documentation has been submitted to the Stanford Utilities Department Environmental Quality staff. The Stanford Utilities Environmental Quality staff will coordinate the review and submittals with the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant, as necessary.
