HMBP Threshold Reporting Guidance

USE THIS PAGE TO HELP DETERMINE IF YOUR BUSINESS SHOULD BE REPORTING ITS HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INVENTORY

(THIS INFORMATION IS ONLY DESIGNED TO ASSIST AND DOES NOT REPLACE ANY EXISTING LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWS)


Click the link provided below that matches your industry type to determine whether or not your facility stores hazardous materials in amounts that are required to be reported to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). The following information has been created to help businesses identify common hazardous materials that are required to be reported.

If you think you might already be in the program, please confirm HERE prior to creating a new submission. If you meet the reporting thresholds, you will be required to submit a Hazardous Material Business Plan in CERS.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a "hazardous material"?

Hazardous materials are defined in HSC 25501. For most businesses in Los Angeles this will be any material that poses a Health or Physical Hazard. You can determine if your material has a Health or Physical Hazard by referring to Section 2 of the material's Safety Data Sheet (SDS). 

What quantity of hazardous materials requires reporting?

Reportable thresholds for hazardous materials and defined in HSC 25507. The thresholds are determined based on the physical state of the material (solid, liquid, or gas). Below are the basic thresholds for each physical state. 

  • Solids - 500 pounds
  • Liquids - 55 gallons
  • Gases - 200 cubic feet

Reportable Threshold Quick Guide

NOTE: There are many provisions in HSC 25507 that allow for thresholds to be reduced, increased, exempted or excluded. Refer to HSC 25507 to determine the reporting threshold for your specific material.

Why do I need to report hazardous materials to the CERS website?

To answer the question simply - it saves lives! All the information you report can be viewable by the Los Angeles City Fire Department. In the case of an emergency, first responders are able to see the chemicals stored at your facility and the locations in which they are stored allowing them to protect themselves and more effectively mitigate the emergency.

What will happen if I do not report?

HSC 25515 states the following:

(a) A business that violates section 25504 to 25508.2, inclusive, or Section 25511, shall be civilly liable to the unified program agency in the amount of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each day in which the violation occurs. If the violation results in, or significantly contributes to, an emergency, including a fire, the business shall also be assessed the full cost of the county or city emergency response, as well as the cost of cleaning up and disposing of the hazardous materials. 

(b) A business that knowingly violates Section 25504 to 25508.2, inclusive, or Section 25510.1, after reasonable notice of the violation shall be civilly liable to the unified program agency in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

How long will this take me to complete?

This answer depends on how proficient you are with a computer. We recommend this be completed by someone with basic computer skills. Completion of the CERS submittal can be as quick as an hour or as long as a couple of days. If you would prefer not to deal with any of it, please feel free to use one of the Third-Party Contractors provided on this LIST

Why have I never been told of this program before?

As a business owner, we understand it is sometimes difficult to keep up with all the rules! The hazardous materials reporting program began back in 1996. For many years, it was required that businesses send hardcopy paper versions to the local CUPA. This changed in 2013 when the California Environmental Reporting System or CERS was created. With the creation of CERS, it was required that everything be reported electronically in lieu of hardcopy paper versions.

Does my business have an exemption to this reporting?

The following is a list of common exemptions and their reporting thresholds. Items that meet these exemptions do not require reporting to CERS. Many business meet exemptions with some items, but still require reporting on others. Please pay special attention as this can cause your business to run into issues if you are required to report, but do not.

Material Threshold Amount
Mixtures consisting of less than 1% of a hazardous material​ or 0.1% for carcinogens All amounts exempt
Compressed air used for emergency response and safety​ ​All amounts exempt
​Extremely hazardous substances, as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, §355.61 Threshold planning quantity (Appendix A, Appendix B of Part 355) or 500 pounds, whichever is less
Simple asphyxiants (nitrogen, helium, argon, neon, krypton, xenon) and mixtures of these gases containing 21% or less of oxygen ​1,000 cubic feet
​Carbon dioxide ​1,000 cubic feet
​Oxygen, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide used at a health service facility (medical, veterinary, etc.) ​1,000 cubic feet
​Nonflammable refrigerant gases used in a refrigeration system ​1,000 cubic feet
​Gases in closed fire suppression systems ​1,000 cubic feet
​Refrigerants in a closed cooling system (not including ammonia or flammable gases) that is used for comfort cooling or to cool computer rooms ​All amounts exempt
Fluid in a hydraulic system All amounts exempt, if aggregate storage of oil at the facility is less than 1,320 gal
​Irritants and sensitizers ​550 gal if liquid, or 5,000 lbs if solid
Lubricating oil ​>55 gal of each type or >275 gal aggregate
​Oil-filled electrical equipment not contiguous to an electric facility ​All amounts exempt, if aggregate storage of oil at the facility is less than 1,320 gal
​Recyclable paint ​10,000 lbs solid or 1,000 gal liquid
​Propane used for cooking, heating employee work areas, or heating water at a business ​>500 gal
Radioactive materials ​Reportable if handled in quantities requiring an Emergency Plan per Schedule C of Part 30, Part 40, or Part 70 of 10 CFR Chapter 1
Combustible metal or metal alloy defined as a combustible dust, flammable solid, or magnesium 100 pounds

 

 

 

CUPA QUICK LINKS 

  -Obtain a Permit -Online Payment Portal -Instructional Videos
  -Hazardous Waste -Report a Release -Public Records
  -Underground Storage Tanks (UST) -Hazardous Materials -CALARP
  -Above Ground Storage Tank (APSA) -CUPA Main Page -Enforcement

 


CONTACT US

Email: lafdcupa@lacity.org

  ATTN: LAFD CUPA
  200 N Main St,
  Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

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