Click here for more information on CUPAs (CalEPA)

Click here to go to the Unified Program Consolidated Forms

Click here to go to the EPD Fact Sheets

Click here for Ordinance 990, Environmental Protection, Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code

Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (H&SC, Chap. 6.5)

Any business which generates a hazardous waste must obtain a permit from the CUPA. Waste is generally considered hazardous if it is flammable, corrosive, toxic, reactive, or if it can be shown to be detrimental to health and/or the environment. If the waste is detrimental to health or the environment it is usually listed specifically by the State as a regulated waste. Examples of hazardous waste includes waste automotive oil and antifreeze, waste cleaning solvents, waste acid or alkaline cleaners, waste plating solutions containing metals or cyanide etc.

Hazardous Waste Treatment Tiered Permit (H&SC, Chap. 6.5)

If a business treats the hazardous waste they generate, by altering its physical, chemical or biological state, the business would need a tiered treatment permit. Businesses which would treat their hazardous waste may include plating shops, photo developers, metal-etching shops, acid or alkaline chemical mixers etc. Treatment methods include precipitation, evaporation, absorption, phase separation, distillation, neutralization etc.

If the business does not treat their waste on-site (someone else comes and picks the waste up), the business does not need a tiered permit, but they do need a generator permit.

Underground Storage Tank Permit (H&SC, Chap. 6.7) (go to Underground Storage Tank Home Page)

All underground storage tank (UST) systems must be permitted. In addition to the annual CUPA operating permit, permits are also required to install, remove, or modify an UST system. A storage tank system includes the tank itself, the associated piping, the monitoring system, and related equipment. Since UST permits are specific to the individual tank, changes to the tank system usually requires a new permit. Examples of such changes are replacing monitoring equipment, installing overfill protection, or adding secondary containment to the tank or piping.

Aboveground Storage Tank Permit (H&SC, Sect. 25270.5)

All aboveground storage tanks (AST) containing a hazardous material must be permitted by the Fire Department under the Uniform Fire Code. In addition to the annual Fire Code permit, permits are also required to install, remove, or modify an AST system.

All facilities with petroleum derived product(s) (contains greater than 5% petroleum) in excess of 1,320 gallons are required to complete a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan. Examples of petroleum based products are fuel, solvent, lubricants, etc.

Hazardous Material Business Plan (H&SC, Chap. 6.95)

(also known as Hazardous Material Release Response Plans or Community-Right-to-Know)

All businesses in the City of Santa Fe Springs, as mandated by Chapter 6.95 of the California Health and Safety Code, are required to file a Hazardous Material Business Plan (HMBP) Statement with the Fire Department.

Businesses which have, or will have, quantities equal to or greater than 500 pounds, 55 gallons, or 200 cubic feet (at standard temperature and pressure) of any hazardous material or hazardous waste handled on-site at any time during the year, are required to submit a HMBP. Examples of common materials considered to be hazardous are all types of fuels (including propane), oils, paints, inks, solvents, any compressed gas over 15 psi and those materials which require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Businesses are required to immediately notify the Fire Department of any substantial change to their HMBP. This would include a 100 percent change in the quantity of any hazardous material handled, any new hazardous material handled over the disclosable quantities, or a change of business address, ownership or name. Handlers of hazardous materials shall, upon discovery, immediately report any release or threatened release of a hazardous material to 911, the Fire Department and to the Office of Emergency Services.

Accidental Release Prevention Program (H&SC, Chap. 6.95)

The California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program is defined by Section 25531 of the California Health and Safety Code. This program replaces the California Risk Management and Prevention Program (RMPP) and coordinates the CalARP with the federal Accidental Release Prevention Program (ARP). The intent of the program is to prevent the release of materials that could cause harm to the public or the environment, and to ensure there are proper mitigation measures in place should a release occur.

There are approximately 350 materials subject to this law. The regulated materials are either acutely toxic (such as chlorine, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen fluoride) or are highly flammable (such as propane, butane, hydrogen and acetylene). A facility that utilizes over a specified threshold quantity of one of these regulated substances must prepare a Risk Management Plan (RMP). Threshold quantities range from 1 pound to 20,000 pounds depending on the material. The main elements in the CalARP program include an accident history, a consequence analysis, a prevention program, and an emergency response program.

Industrial Waste Disposal Permit (go to Industrial Waste Home page)

Any business generating, treating, and disposing industrial (non-hazardous) waste to the sanitary sewer must obtain an industrial waste permit. There are two types of permits, a joint permit with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and a City permit. The type of permit required depends on the amount of the source of the waste and the method of disposal. Facilities hauling industrial waste off-site may also require a permit.

Industrial Waste Treatment Unit Closure Permit

Businesses removing underground equipment previously used to convey or treat industrial waste (i.e. a sump or a clarifier) must obtain a closure permit. If the equipment was permitted as an underground tank, then only the underground tank removal requirements apply.

California Fire Code

The purpose of the California Fire Code (CFC) is to prescribe regulations consistent with nationally recognized good practice for the safeguarding to a reasonable degree of life, the environment, and property from the hazards of fire and explosion. These hazards may arise from the storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life, the environment, or property in the occupancy of buildings or premises.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• The prevention, suppression or extinguishing of dangerous or hazardous fires.
• The storage, use and handling of hazardous materials.
• The installation and maintenance of automatic, manual and other private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment.
• The maintenance and regulation of fire escapes, exits, fire protection and elimination of fire hazards on land and in buildings, structures and other property, including those under construction.
• The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fire and unauthorized releases of hazardous materials.

Customer Service Committment

Fire Department personnel endeavor to work competently and professionally to assist our customers.We seek to know our customer, what they want, and expect.We strive for service excellence and to help find new ways to meet our customers’ expectations.