What must dry cleaners obtain prior approval from the Fire Official for?

Dry cleaners must obtain prior approval from the Fire Official when they change the solvents they use. This requirement is crucial due to the potential hazards associated with different types of solvents. Each solvent may have distinct flammability characteristics, toxicity levels, and environmental impacts. The Fire Official's approval serves to ensure that any new solvent will comply with safety regulations and will not introduce new risks to the facility, employees, or the surrounding community.

Changing cleaning methods might not necessitate prior approval in the same way, as it can often involve adjustments that do not impact safety significantly. Operating outside normal hours may require notification, but it does not typically involve the safety concerns associated with the nature of solvents. Storing additional solvents could raise safety concerns; however, the specific act of changing solvents is more critical because it directly impacts fire safety and emergency response protocols. Thus, prior approval is essential when it comes to the chemicals that are fundamentally tied to fire risk in a dry-cleaning setting.