Tukes Provides Guidance on Chemical Safety Permits for Data Centers
Data centers often store hazardous chemicals, such as fuels for backup generators and cooling agents. This may require the data center to apply for a chemical safety permit from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). The need for a permit is determined based on the classification and quantity of the stored chemicals. Additionally, the site location must meet land use planning and safety requirements.
Determining the Need for a Permit
Several data center projects are currently underway in Finland. These facilities typically store hazardous chemicals, with the most significant volumes often being backup generator fuels. In addition, smaller quantities of other hazardous chemicals, such as cooling agents and water treatment substances, are commonly stored.
Depending on the classification and quantity of stored chemicals, a Tukes chemical safety permit may be required. For example, if 1,000 tons or more of light fuel oil is stored, a chemical safety permit is necessary. However, the total volume of hazardous chemicals at the facility also affects the permit requirement, meaning that even if the amount of light fuel oil is below 1,000 tons, a permit may still be required.
It is advisable to determine the permit requirement as soon as the details of the stored chemicals are known. The permit requirement is based on a chemical ratio calculation. The ratio calculator available in the KemiDigi system can be used to assess this requirement. Instructions for using the calculator are available on the KemiDigi website.
In ratio calculations, the total amount of chemicals present at the facility at any given time is considered in tons. This includes the total capacity of storage tanks as well as the amounts contained in equipment and pipelines. If backup power is provided by battery storage, the chemicals contained in the batteries do not need to be considered when assessing permit obligations. In the ratio calculator, "diesel, light fuel oil, or gas oil" should be selected as the substance name for light fuel oil.
According to Tukes' experience, facilities with an electrical capacity of approximately 100 MW or more typically store chemical quantities that may require a chemical safety permit.
If the stored chemical quantities exceed the permit thresholds, an application must be submitted via the electronic service portal. Before submitting an application, it is recommended to review the required information on Tukes’ website .
Even if a chemical safety permit is not required, the facility may still be subject to notification requirements for emergency response authorities if the operations involve hazardous substances in smaller amounts.
Site Location
When selecting a site for a data center, it is important to consider land use planning restrictions that apply to facilities storing hazardous chemicals in significant quantities. The site and its surroundings must be planned to allow for such operations.
In practice, this means that the land use plan must allow industrial and/or storage activities, or specifically mention data center operations and their support functions. The data center's presence must not restrict the designated land use of its surrounding areas.
Before proceeding with a project, it is essential to verify that the land use plan is suitable and up to date. During the permit process, Tukes may confirm the plan’s suitability with the relevant planning authorities. However, land use planning compliance alone does not guarantee that the site is suitable for the intended operations, as factors such as the impact area of potential accidents must also be considered.
The effects of accidents are assessed in terms of thermal radiation, pressure impact, and the health and environmental hazards caused by chemical releases. Further details on accident impact thresholds and assessment methods can be found in Tukes’ Guide on the Siting of Industrial Facilities.
If ammonia is used for cooling in the data center, the potential hazard distance in the event of an ammonia release must also be considered when selecting the site.
Technical Requirements
Key aspects of facility design include preventing the spread of accidents, managing leaks and fire-extinguishing wastewater, and ensuring the structural integrity of storage tanks and pipelines.
Storage tanks for chemicals must be designed to withstand the effects of the stored substances and comply with the relevant standards. Tanks manufactured according to Tukes’ published list of standards are considered to meet the requirements of the Chemical Safety Act. Chemical pipelines must be built to meet at least PED Class I pressure equipment regulations. More information is available in Tukes’ Guide on the Safety Requirements for Chemical Pipelines.
Potential chemical leaks (during storage, filling, or emptying) must be properly managed. Outdoor tanks must be placed in containment basins, while indoor tanks must have leak containment measures such as basins, curbs, or equivalent protective systems. The largest transport container volume must be accounted for at filling and emptying stations. Additionally, measures must be in place to collect fire-extinguishing wastewater contaminated with chemicals in case of a fire. Further details are available in Tukes’ Guide on the Management of Chemical Leaks and Fire-Extinguishing Wastewater.
If the total volume of flammable liquids exceeds 500 m³, the requirements of the standard SFS 3357 must also be met. During the planning phase, particular attention should be given to firewater supply, firewater pipelines, and foam requirements of the bund, which necessitate foam extinguishing equipment and storage of extinguishing foam. Foam extinguishing requirements must also be considered when designing the firewater pipeline system.
General requirements for the siting and safety arrangements of hazardous chemical handling and storage facilities are available in Tukes’ Guide on Handling and Storing Hazardous Chemicals.
Layout Planning within the Facility
The layout of the facility must be designed to prevent the spread of accidents between different operations and to minimize the impact area of potential incidents. The goal is to ensure that, for example, fires do not spread from chemical storage areas to other sections of the facility and that chemical handling and storage areas are separated from spaces where personnel are engaged in other tasks. Chemical storage areas must be built as separate fire compartments with adequate structural fire protection. The intended use of adjacent spaces also influences fire resistance requirements.
If the total volume of flammable liquids exceeds 500 m³, the layout must also comply with the safety and hazard distance requirements of the standard SFS 3350.
Additional Information
Tukes Guide on Handling and Storing Hazardous Chemicals (in Finnish)
Tukes Guide on the Safety Requirements for Chemical Pipelines (in Finnish)
Tukes Guide on the Management of Chemical Leaks and Fire-Extinguishing Wastewater (in Finnish)
Tukes Guide on the Siting of Industrial Facilities (in Finnish)
Act on the Safe Handling and Storage of Dangerous Chemicals and Explosives 390/2005 (in Finnish)
Government Decree on the Safety Requirements for Industrial Handling and Storage of Dangerous Chemicals 856/2012 (in Finnish)
Contacts:
Senior Inspector Henna Kahilaniemi, Tel: +358 29 5052 790
Senior Inspector Matti Peippo, Tel: +358 29 5052 059
Email: [email protected]
