For those of you operating hazardous materials facilities, we would like to inform you about the "rationalization of regulations related to the Fire Service Act," which will be a major turning point in future facility maintenance, and our technical support services in response to it.
In April 2026, the Cabinet Order concerning the Regulation of Dangerous Goods, the Regulations concerning the Regulation of Dangerous Goods, and the Notification Specifying the Details of Technical Standards for the Regulation of Dangerous Goods were amended.
[Overview] Due to the legal revisions, the previously uniform regulations regarding "required open space (surrounding space)" for hazardous materials facilities and "safe distance" from high-pressure gas facilities, etc., now allow for exceptions to the regulations (shortening or exemption of distance) if certain fire prevention measures are taken. This is expected to solve problems such as "having to give up on expansion due to limited site space" and "wanting to achieve a more efficient layout."
■ What are the "essential conditions" for receiving regulatory exemptions?
[Owned vacant land]
In order to qualify for the special exemption, it is not enough to simply install fire-resistant walls or sprinkler systems; you must also quantitatively prove the following requirements.
I. In the event that a fire occurs at a hazardous materials facility, the radiant heat from the fire shall not cause any burning of the exterior walls, etc., of buildings, etc., adjacent to the hazardous materials facility, and shall not cause any damage that would impair fire safety or structural integrity.
II. In the event that a fire occurs in a building or other structure adjacent to a hazardous materials facility, the radiant heat from the fire shall not cause the exterior walls or other structures of the hazardous materials facility to burn and shall not suffer any damage that would impair fire safety or structural integrity.
[Security distance]
In order to qualify for the special exemption, it is not enough to simply install fire-resistant walls (explosion-proof walls) or sprinkler systems; the following requirements must be quantitatively demonstrated.
I. In the event of a fire occurring at a hazardous materials facility, high-pressure gas facilities, etc. adjacent to the hazardous materials facility shall not suffer any damage that would impair fire safety or structural integrity.
II. In the event that a fire or explosion occurs at a high-pressure gas facility, etc. adjacent to a hazardous materials facility, the hazardous materials facility shall not suffer any damage to its exterior walls, etc., that would impair its fire safety or structural integrity due to radiant heat or the blast pressure of the explosion.
▼Click here for details on the legal amendments.▼
Fire and Disaster Management Agency Notice No. 56: Promulgation of Cabinet Order Amending Part of the Cabinet Order Concerning the Regulation of Dangerous Goods, etc. (April 3, 2026)https://www.fdma.go.jp/laws/tutatsu/items/260403_kiho2.pdf
Results of the public comment period on the draft Cabinet Order amending part of the Cabinet Order concerning the regulation of dangerous goods, etc., and the promulgation of the amended Cabinet Order, etc. (April 3, 2026)https://www.fdma.go.jp/pressrelease/houdou/items/2057d9efeedbeade5ee02f13e42f33b7d08270bc.pdf
■ Technical support services provided by FPEC for optimizing "owned open space" and "safe distance"
FPEC provides the following related technical support, including calculating the thermal impact on adjacent facilities and blast pressure based on fire and explosion scenarios, verifying the effectiveness of reducing thermal impacts by firewalls and explosion-proof walls (height, width), water curtain systems and sprinkler systems, and the basic design of the equipment itself.
- Setting up fire and explosion scenarios
- Calculation/evaluation of thermal effects on adjacent buildings and equipment, blast pressure, etc.
This includes utilizing our proprietary disaster and disaster prevention simulations, and calculating ignition times based on the NFPA Handbook. - Planning and verification of reduction policies
Verification of the effectiveness of water curtain and sprinkler systems in reducing thermal impact, basic design of the equipment itself, and consideration of firewalls and explosion-proof walls. - Technical support for administrative consultations
Preparation of evaluation reports required when applying to fire authorities and related organizations.
Support for technical inquiries from authorities.
