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3404.3 Container Storage
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Storage of flammable and combustible liquids in closed containers that do not exceed 60 gallons (227 L) in individual capacity, and transfers incidental thereto, shall comply with the requirements of this section. It shall be unlawful to store flammable and combustible liquids in containers with an individual capacity of greater than 60 gallons (227 L).
The design, construction and capacity of containers for the storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall be in accordance with this section and NFPA 30. It shall be unlawful to store flammable and combustible liquids in portable tanks, intermediate bulk containers and fiber drums.
Only approved containers shall be used.
Where other sections of this code require that liquid containers be stored in storage cabinets, such cabinets and storage shall be in accordance with FC 3404.3.2.1 through 3404.3.2.3.
Design of liquid storage cabinets shall be in accordance with this section.
Cabinets shall be listed in accordance with UL 1275.
Cabinets shall be provided with a conspicuous label in red letters on contrasting background which reads: FLAMMABLE—KEEP FIRE AWAY.
Doors shall be well fitted, self-closing and equipped with a three-point latch.
The bottom of the cabinet shall be liquid-tight to a height of at least 2 inches (51 mm).
The combined total quantity of liquids in a cabinet shall not exceed 120 gallons (454 L).
Not more than three storage cabinets shall be located in a single fire area, except that in a Group F occupancy, additional cabinets are allowed to be located in the same fire area if the additional cabinets (or groups of up to three cabinets) are separated from other cabinets or groups of cabinets by at least 100 feet (30 480 mm).
Storage of flammable and combustible liquids indoors in containers shall be in accordance with this section.
Exceptions:
Exceptions:
- Liquids in the fuel tanks of motor vehicles, aircraft, marine vessel, watercraft or portable or stationary engines.
- The storage of distilled spirits and wines in wooden barrels or casks.
Materials that will react with water or other liquids to produce a hazard shall not be stored in the same room with flammable and combustible liquids in accordance with FC2703.9.8.
Storage of any liquids, including stock for sale, shall not be stored near or be allowed to obstruct physically the route of egress.
The storage of empty containers previously used for the storage of flammable or combustible liquids shall be stored as required for filled containers. Containers, when emptied, shall have the covers or plugs immediately replaced in openings, be removed to an outdoor location and, if not cleaned on the premises, the empty containers shall be removed from the premises as soon as practical, but at least daily.
Shelving shall be of approved noncombustible construction, adequately braced and anchored. Seismic requirements shall be in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.
Shelves shall be of sufficient depth and provided with a lip or guard to prevent individual containers from being displaced.
Exception: Shelves in storage cabinets or on laboratory furniture specifically designed for such use.
Exception: Shelves in storage cabinets or on laboratory furniture specifically designed for such use.
Shelf storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall be maintained in an orderly manner.
Where storage on racks is allowed elsewhere in this code, a minimum 4-foot-wide (1219 mm) aisle shall be provided between adjacent rack sections and any adjacent storage of liquids. Main aisles shall have a minimum of 8 feet (2438 mm).
Approved quantities of combustible materials may be stored in liquid storage areas, provided that a distance of not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) horizontally is maintained between the liquid storage area and combustible materials and fire protection systems are provided in accordance with this code and Chapter 9 of the Building Code.
Storage of empty or idle combustible pallets inside an unprotected liquid storage area shall be limited to a maximum pile size of 2,500 square feet (232 m2) and to a maximum storage height of 6 feet (1829 mm). Storage of empty or idle combustible pallets inside a protected liquid storage area shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B. Pallet storage shall be separated from liquid storage by aisles with a minimum width of 8 feet (2438 mm).
Containers in piles shall be stacked in such a manner as to provide stability and to prevent excessive stress on container walls. Adequate material-handling equipment shall be available to handle containers safely at the upper tier level.
Liquid storage quantity limitations shall comply with the requirements of FC 3404.3.4.1 through 3404.3.4.5.
For occupancies other than Group M wholesale and retail sales uses, indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area indicated in FC Table 2703.1.1(1) and shall not exceed the additional limitations set forth in this section. For Group M occupancy wholesale and retail sales uses, indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area indicated in FC Table 3404.3.4.1, except that no gasoline or flammable liquid motor fuel may be stored in portable containers for wholesale or retail sale. Storage of hazardous production material flammable and combustible liquids in Group H-5 occupancies shall be in accordance with FC Chapter 18.
FC TABLE 3404.3.4.1 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SALES USES PER CONTROL AREAa
FC TABLE 3404.3.4.1 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SALES USES PER CONTROL AREAa
| TYPE OF LIQUID | MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA (gallons) | ||
| Sprinkleredb per footnote densities and arrangements | Sprinklered per FC Tables 3404.3.6.3(4) through 3404.3.6.3(8) and FC Table 3404.3.7.5.1 and the construction codes, including the Building Code | Nonsprinklered | |
| Class IA | 60 | 60 | 30 |
| Class IB, IC, II and IIIA | 7,500c | 15,000c | 1,600 |
| Class IIIB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 13,200 |
| For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m2. |
| a. Control areas shall be separated from each other by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier wall. |
| b. To be considered as sprinklered, a building shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system with a design providing minimum densities as follows: |
| 1. For uncartoned commodities on shelves 6 feet or less in height where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those allowed with a minimum sprinkler design density of Ordinary Hazard Group 2. |
| 2. For cartoned, palletized or racked commodities where storage is 4 feet 6 inches or less in height and where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those allowed with a minimum sprinkler design density of 0.21 gallon per minute per square foot over the most remote 1,500-square foot area. |
| c. Where wholesale and retail sales or storage areas exceed 50,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable quantities are allowed to be increased by 2 percent for each 1,000 square feet of area in excess of 50,000 square feet, up to a maximum of 100 percent of the table amounts. A control area separation is not required. The cumulative amounts, including amounts attained by having an additional control area, shall not exceed 30,000 gallons. |
The quantity of flammable or combustible liquid stored shall be limited by occupancy as follows:
- Group A, B, E, F, I and S occupancies. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored only for lawful uses incidental to the occupancy, including maintenance and operation of equipment, and in quantities not to exceed that which is necessary for such use.
- Group M occupancies. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored only for lawful uses incidental to the occupancy, including maintenance and operation of equipment, and in quantities not to exceed that which is necessary for such use. The maximum allowable quantities for storage in wholesale and retail sales areas shall be in accordance with FC3404.3.4.1.
- Group R occupancies. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored only for maintenance and operation of equipment, and in quantities not to exceed that which is necessary for such use. Quantities within a dwelling unit shall be stored only for household use and in quantities below permit amounts. It shall be unlawful to store gasoline or other flammable liquid motor fuel within a dwelling unit.
- Gasoline and other flammable liquid motor fuel. Storage of gasoline and other flammable liquid motor fuel in portable containers in quantities requiring a permit is subject to the approval of the commissioner, regardless of the occupancy classification of the premises.
Quantities exceeding those allowed in control areas set forth in FC3404.3.4.1 shall be stored in liquid storage rooms or liquid storage warehouses in accordance with FC3404.3.7 and 3404.3.8.
In all occupancies, quantities of flammable and combustible liquids requiring a permit pursuant to FC105.6, used for maintenance purposes and the operation of equipment, shall be stored in liquid storage cabinets in accordance with FC3404.3.2. Quantities not requiring a permit pursuant to FC105.6 shall be stored in approved containers and locations.
Storage of flammable and combustible liquids in control areas shall be in accordance with FC 3404.3.5.1 through 3404.3.5.4.
Flammable liquids shall not be allowed in basements, cellars or other areas below grade. Combustible liquids shall be allowed to be stored in basements, cellars or other areas below grade provided that such basement, cellar or other area below grade is protected throughout by a sprinkler system, and other fire protection is provided in accordance with FC Chapter 9 and the construction codes, including the Building Code.
Exception: Class IIIB combustible liquids may be stored in basements, cellars and other areas below grade that are not protected throughout by a sprinkler system when stored in a room or other area that is segregated, vertically and horizontally, from surrounding spaces by a fire separation of not less than 2-hour fire-resistance rating and such room or other area is protected throughout by a sprinkler system.
Exception: Class IIIB combustible liquids may be stored in basements, cellars and other areas below grade that are not protected throughout by a sprinkler system when stored in a room or other area that is segregated, vertically and horizontally, from surrounding spaces by a fire separation of not less than 2-hour fire-resistance rating and such room or other area is protected throughout by a sprinkler system.
Containers having less than a 30-gallon (114 L) capacity which contain Class I or II liquids shall not be stacked more than 3 feet (914 mm) or two containers high, whichever is greater, unless stacked on fixed shelving or otherwise satisfactorily secured. Containers of Class I or II liquids having a capacity of 30 gallons (114 L) or more shall not be stored more than one container high. Containers shall be stored in an upright position.
Piles of containers shall not be stored closer than 3 feet (914 mm) to the nearest beam, chord, girder or other obstruction, and shall be 3 feet (914 mm) below sprinkler deflectors or discharge orifices of water spray or other overhead fire extinguishing system.
In areas that are inaccessible to the public, Class I, II and IIIA liquids shall not be stored in the same pile or rack section as ordinary combustible commodities unless such materials are packaged together as kits.
Flammable and combustible liquids in Group M occupancy wholesale and retail sales shall be in accordance with FC 3404.3.6.1 through 3404.3.6.5, or NFPA 30.
Containers for Class I liquids shall be metal.
Exception: In sprinklered buildings, an aggregate quantity of 120 gallons (454 L) of water-miscible Class IB and Class IC liquids is allowed in nonmetallic containers, each having a capacity of 16 ounces (0.473 L) or less.
Exception: In sprinklered buildings, an aggregate quantity of 120 gallons (454 L) of water-miscible Class IB and Class IC liquids is allowed in nonmetallic containers, each having a capacity of 16 ounces (0.473 L) or less.
Containers for Class I liquids shall not exceed a capacity of 5 gallons (19 L).
Exception: Metal containers not exceeding 55 gallons (208 L) are allowed to store up to 240 gallons (908 L) of the maximum allowable quantity per control area of Class IB and IC liquids in a control area. The building shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system in accordance with FC Table 3404.3.4.1. The containers shall be provided with plastic caps without cap seals and shall be stored upright. Containers shall not be stacked or stored in racks and shall not be located in areas accessible to the public.
Exception: Metal containers not exceeding 55 gallons (208 L) are allowed to store up to 240 gallons (908 L) of the maximum allowable quantity per control area of Class IB and IC liquids in a control area. The building shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system in accordance with FC Table 3404.3.4.1. The containers shall be provided with plastic caps without cap seals and shall be stored upright. Containers shall not be stacked or stored in racks and shall not be located in areas accessible to the public.
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