MINISTRY OF LABOR NR-20

Brazilian Regulations

NR 20 – Combustible and Inflammable Liquids

20.1. Combustible Liquids.

20.1.1. For the effect of this regulation NR, combustible liquid is defined as any liquid
having the flash point equal or above 70 degrees C but below 93.3 degrees C.
20.1.1.1. The combustible liquid defined on item 20.1.1 is considered a Class III
combustible liquid.
20.1.2. Storage tanks for combustible liquids shall be constructed of steel or concrete, unless
the characteristics of the liquid require a special material, according to official technical
standards in force in the Country.
20.1.3. All storage tanks for combustible liquids, surface mounted type or provided with
emergency vents shall be arranged according to the Table A.

TABLE A

DISTANCE FROM TANK TO MINIMUM DISTANCE

TANK CAPACITY
BORDER OF ADJACENT FROM TANK TO PUBLIC
(liters)
PROPERTY PLACES
from 250 to 1,000 1.5 m 1.5 m
from 1,001 to 2,800 3m 1.5 m
from 2,801 to 45,000 4.5 m 1.5 m
from 45,001 to 110,000 6m 1.5 m
from 110,001 to 200,000 6m 3m
from 200,001 to 400,000 15 m 4.5 m
from 400,001 to 2,000,000 25 m 7.5 m

from 2,000,001 to 4,000,000 30 m 10.5 m

from 4,000,001 to 7,500,000 30 m 13.5 m

from 7,500,001 to 10,000,000 50 m 16.5 m

10,000,001 and above 52.5 m 18 m

20.1.4. The distance between 2 storage tanks for combustible liquids shall not be less than
1.0 meter.
20.1.5. The minimum spacing between 2 storage tanks for different combustible liquids, or
for any other combustible shall be 6.0 meters.
20.1.6. All surface tanks shall have a device to relieve excessive internal pressure caused by
exposition to heat.

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MINISTRY OF LABOR NR-20
Brazilian Regulations

20.2. Inflammable Liquids.

20.2.1. For the effect of this regulation NR, inflammable liquid is defined as any liquid with a
flash point of less than 70 degrees C and vapor pressure not exceeding 2.8 kg/cm2 absolute at
37.7 degrees C.
20.2.1.1. If the inflammable liquid has the flash point below 37.7 degrees C it is
classified as combustible liquid Class I.
20.2.1.2. If the inflammable liquid has the flash point above 37.7 degrees C but below
70 degrees C it is classified as combustible liquid Class II.
20.2.1.3. It is defined “unstable liquid” or “reactive liquid” when a liquid in its pure,
commercial, as produced or transported form polymerizes, decomposes or condenses
in a strong manner or becomes self-reactive under shock, pressure or temperature
conditions.
20.2.2. Storage tanks for inflammable liquids shall be constructed of steel or concrete, unless
the characteristics of the liquid require a special material, according to official technical
standards in force in the Country.
20.2.3. All storage tanks for combustible liquids, surface mounted type or provided with
emergency vents shall be arranged according to the Table A of item 20.1.3 and Table B:

TABLE B

DISTANCE FROM TANK TO

TYPE OF MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM
PROTECTION BORDER OF ADJACENT
TANK TANK TO PUBLIC PLACES
PROPERTY
One and one half times the distance
One and one half times the distance of
Against explosion of Table “A” but not less than 7.5
Table “A” but not less than 7.5 meters
meters
All Types
One and one half times the distance Three times the distance of Table “A”
None of Table “A” but not less than 7.5 but not less than 15 meters
meters

20.2.4. The spacing between surface storage tanks for inflammable liquids shall follow the
provisions of items 20.1.4 and 20.1.5.
20.2.5. All surface tanks used for storage of unstable liquids shall be arranged in accordance
with Table A of item 20.1.3 and Table C:

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MINISTRY OF LABOR NR-20
Brazilian Regulations

TABLE C

DISTANCE FROM TANK TO MINIMUM DISTANCE

TYPE OF TANK PROTECTION BORDER OF ADJACENT FROM TANK TO PUBLIC
PROPERTY PLACES
Water mist or
inertized or Same as Table “A” but not less
Horizontal or Not less than 7.5 meters
isolated and cooled or than 7.5 meters
vertical with
barriers
emergency vents to
Two and one half the distance of
avoid pressure
2 Exposure protection Table “A” but not less than 7.5 Not less than 15 meters
above 0.l75 kg/m
meters
gauge (2,5 psig)
Five times the distance of Table
None Not less than 30 meters
“A” but nor less than 30 meters
Water mist or
Horizontal or inertized or Twice the distance of Table “A”
Not less than 15 meters
vertical with isolated and cooled or but not less than 15 meters
emergency vents barriers
allowing pressure Four times the distance of Table
Exposure protection Not less than 30 meters
above 0.175 kg/cm2 “A” but not less than 30 meters
gauge (2,5 psig) Eight times the distance of table
None Not less than 45 meters
“A” but not less than 45 meters

20.2.6. Underground tanks for storage of inflammable liquids shall comply with the
following minimum distances:
a) 1.0 meters from the border of adjacent properties
b) 0.3 meters from foundations, walls, wells or basements.
20.2.7. Storage tanks for inflammable liquids shall only be installed inside buildings as
underground tanks.
20.2.8. Storage tanks for inflammable liquids shall be provided with pressure-vacuum device
or flame arresters.
20.2.9. Underground tank vents shall be located outside buildings and at a minimum distance
of 3.5 meters above the ground.
20.2.10. All surface tanks shall be provided with devices to release excessive internal
pressure caused by the exposition to heat.
20.2.11. All storage tanks for inflammable liquids shall be grounded according to the
provisions of Regulation NR 10.
20.2.12. For the transference of inflammable liquids from one tank to another, or between a
tank and a tanker truck, both installations shall be grounded as per item 20.2.11, or connected
to the same electrical potential.

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MINISTRY OF LABOR NR-20
Brazilian Regulations

20.2.13. The storage of inflammable liquids inside buildings shall only be made in reservoirs
with maximum capacity of 250 liters per reservoir.
20.2.14. Internal storage rooms shall follow the items below:
a) walls, floors and ceilings shall be built of fire-resistant material in a way of
facilitate cleaning and to avoid producing sparks from friction with shoes or tools.
b) walkways and doors shall be provided with thresholds or ramps of at least 0.15
meters level difference, or open ditches covered by steel grating and leading to a safe
place.
c) electrical installations shall be explosion proof according to the provisions of
Regulation NR 10.
d) rooms shall be ventilated, preferably by natural ventilation.
e) rooms shall have fire-fighting equipment with appropriate fire extinguishers
located close to the access door;
f) On access doors it shall be visibly written “"Inflamável" (inflammable) and "Não
Fume"(don’t smoke).
20.2.15. Compartments and cabinets used to store inflammable combustible located inside
rooms shall be built of metal sheets or plates and marked with visible words: “Inflamável”
(inflammable).
20.2.16. Storage of Class I inflammable liquids in drums or barrels with capacity of up to 250
liters shall be made in a lot of 100 drums or barrels maximum.
20.2.16.1. The lots referred to on item 20.2.16 of between 30 and 100 drums or
barrels shall be a minimum 20 meters away from buildings or properties.
20.2.16.2. In case of more than one lot, existent lots shall keep a distance between
them of 15.0 meters minimum.
20.2.16.3. All access to the storage location shall have written signs: "Não Fume"
(don’t smoke) and "Inflamável" (inflammable).
20.2.17. All locations for discharge of inflammable liquids shall have appropriate grounding
cable according to Regulation NR 10 to ground any static electricity of trucks and tankers
prior to the discharge of the inflammable liquid.
20.2.17.1. Discharge shall happen only with the truck or tanker grounded to earth.
20.2.18. All electrical equipment used to handle inflammable liquids shall be special,
explosion proof, according to the recommendations of Regulation NR 10.

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MINISTRY OF LABOR NR-20
Brazilian Regulations

20.3. Liquefied Petroleum Gas – LPG

20.3.1. For the effect of this Regulation, Liquefied Petroleum Gas is defined as the product
composed predominantly of hydrocarbon propane, propene, butane and butene.
20.3.2. Stationary reservoirs (with more than 250 liters capacity) for the storage of LPG shall
be built according to official technical standards in force in the Country.
20.3.2.1. The maximum allowable capacity for each storage reservoir of LPG shall be
115 thousand liters, except in refineries, distribution facilities or port terminal.
20.3.3. Each reservoir for storage of LPG shall have a visible metal plate with the
following permanent written information:
a) indication of construction standard or code;
b) identification marks and stamps as required by construction standard or
code;
c) indication that the reservoir is appropriate for underground installation, if
this is the case;
d) capacity of reservoir in liters;
e) manufacturer identification;
f) working pressure;
g) identification of allowable vapor pressure at 38 degrees C for the products
to be stored in the reservoir;
h) external area of surface, in square meters.
20.3.4. All valves directly connected to the storage reservoir shall have a minimum working
pressure of 18 kg/cm2.
20.3.4.1. All valves and fittings used on LPG installations shall be of material and
construction appropriate for such an application and shall not be built of cast iron.
20.3.5. All connections to the reservoir, except the connections for safety valves, liquid level
measurement devices or blinded connections shall have quick closing valves close to the
reservoir.
20.3.6. The filling connection, outlet and process connection for LPG shall be provided with
non-return valve or excessive flow valve.
20.3.7. All reservoirs for storage of LPG shall be equipped with safety valve.

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MINISTRY OF LABOR NR-20
Brazilian Regulations

20.3.7.1. The discharge of the safety valves shall be at least 3.0 meters away from
openings of buildings located on levels below discharge level.
20.3.7.2. The discharge shall be through vertical piping with a minimum height of 2.5
meters above reservoir or above the ground, when the reservoir is underground.
20.3.8. Reservoirs for storage of LPG shall comply with the following distances:
20.3.8.1. Reservoirs with volume between 500 to 8,000 liters shall keep a minimum
distance of 1.0 meter between them.
20.3.8.2. Reservoirs with volume above 8,000 liters shall keep a minimum distance of
1.5 meters between them.
20.3.8.3. Reservoirs with volume above 500 liters shall be away from buildings and
borders of adjacent properties according to the Table D:

TABLE D
RESERVOIR CAPACITY MINIMUM DISTANCE
(LITERS) (METERS)
from 500 to 2,000 3.0
from 2,000 to 8,000 7.5
above 8,000 15.0

20.3.8.4. A minimum distance of 6.0 meters shall be kept between LPG storage
reservoirs and any other reservoir containing inflammable liquids.
20.3.9. It is not permitted the installation of LPG storage reservoirs on the roof or terrace of
buildings, including underground buildings.
20.3.10. LPG storage reservoirs shall be dully grounded as per the provisions of Regulation
NR 10.
20.3.11. LPG storage reservoirs installed underground shall not be situated under buildings.
20.3.12. Vehicles discharge connections for LPG reservoir filling shall keep the following
distances:
a) 3.0 meters from public places;
b) 7.5 meters from buildings and borders of properties that may be built on.
c) 3.0 meters from buildings with pumps or discharge compressors.

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MINISTRY OF LABOR NR-20
Brazilian Regulations

20.3.13. The LPG storage area, including discharge connection and its devices and fittings
shall be enclosed and surrounded by a fence with minimum height of 1.8 meters made of
perforated material (or wire net) to allow good ventilation.
20.3.13.1. For underground LPG storage reservoirs the area limitation is waived.
20.3.13.2. The distance between fence and reservoir shall follow the Table E:

TABLE E
RESERVOIR MINIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN
CAPACITY FENCE AND RESERVOIR
(LITERS) (METERS)
from 500 to 2,000 1.5
from 2,000 to 8,000 3.0
above 8,000 7.5

20.3.13.3. The fence shall be a minimum 3.0 meters away from the pump or
compressors building, and 1.5 meters from discharge connection.
20.3.13.4. A sign shall be located in a visible place at the fence with the words
“Proibido Fumar” (don’t smoke) and “Inflamável” (inflammable).
20.3.13.5. Fire extinguishers and other fire fighting equipment shall be installed, if it
is the case, next to the fence.
20.3.14. Portable LPG storage reservoirs shall be manufactured according to official
technical standards in force in the Country.
20.3.15. It is not permitted the installation of portable reservoirs with capacity above 40 liters
inside buildings.
20.3.15.1. Exception for the provisions of item 20.3.15 is industrial installations,
which shall follow the official technical standards in force in the Country.
20.3.16. Piping systems with LPG in liquid phase shall not run inside buildings, except if the
building is built with necessary characteristics and exclusively for this purpose.
20.3.17. Indoor LPG piping shall not have pressure higher than 1.5 kg/cm2.

20.4 Other inflammable gases.

20.4.1. Items related to LPG are applicable to other inflammable gases, except items 20.3.1
and 20.3.4.

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