The purpose of the Business Emergency Plan (BEP)

 is to assist in reducing a release or threatened release of hazardous materials,

and to minimize any potential harm to public safety and the environment.

The four components of the BEP are:

Businesses that handle a hazardous material at any one time during the year

are required to establish and implement a BEP

 if the hazardous material is equal to or greater than:

          55 gallons of liquid

         200 cubic feet of gas

         500 pounds of a solid

A business’ BEP, including the chemical inventory,

 must be submitted to the EPS (forms may be obtained by contacting the EPS).

 This information assists the fire department and the business in planning

 for and handling emergencies involving hazardous materials;

thereby safeguarding the lives of emergency responders, workers, and the public.

 Chemical inventories are available for public review under "community-right-to-know" laws.