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Section 415 Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5
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[F] 415.1 General
The provisions of Sections 415.1 through 415.11 shall apply to the storage and use of hazardous materials in excess of the maximum allowable quantities per control area listed in Section 307.1.
[F] 415.2 Compliance
Buildings and structures with an occupancy in Group H shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 414 and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.3 Automatic Fire Detection Systems
Group H occupancies shall be provided with an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 907.2.
[F] 415.4 Automatic Sprinkler System
Group H occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5.
[F] 415.5 Emergency Alarms
Emergency alarms for the detection and notification of an emergency condition in Group H occupancies shall be provided as set forth herein.
[F] 415.5.1 Storage
An approved manual emergency alarm system shall be provided in buildings, rooms or areas used for storage of hazardous materials. Emergency alarm-initiating devices shall be installed outside of each interior exit or exit access door of storage buildings, rooms or areas. Activation of an emergency alarm-initiating device shall sound a local alarm to alert occupants of an emergency situation involving hazardous materials.
[F] 415.5.2 Dispensing, Use and Handling
Where hazardous materials having a hazard ranking of 3 or 4 in accordance with NFPA 704 are transported through corridors, interior exit stairways or ramps, or exit passageways, there shall be an emergency telephone system, a local manual alarm station or an approved alarm-initiating device at not more than 150-foot (45 720 mm) intervals and at each exit and exit access doorway throughout the transport route. The signal shall be relayed to an approved central, proprietary or remote station service or constantly attended on-site location and shall initiate a local audible alarm.
[F] 415.5.3 Supervision
Emergency alarm systems required by Section 415.5.1 or 415.5.2 shall be electrically supervised and monitored by an approved central, proprietary or remote station service or shall initiate an audible and visual signal at a constantly attended on-site location.
[F] 415.5.4 Emergency Alarm Systems
Emergency alarm systems required by Section 415.5.1 or 415.5.2 shall be provided with emergency or standby power in accordance with Section 2702.2.
[F] 415.6 Fire Separation Distance
[F] 415.6.1 Rooms for Flammable or Combustible Liquid Use, Dispensing or Mixing in Open Systems
Rooms for flammable or combustible liquid use, dispensing or mixing in open systems having a floor area of not more than 500 square feet (46.5 m2) need not be located on the outer perimeter of the building where they are in accordance with the International Fire Code and NFPA 30.
[F] 415.6.2 Liquid Storage Rooms and Rooms for Flammable or Combustible Liquid Use in Closed Systems
Liquid storage rooms and rooms for flammable or combustible liquid use in closed systems, having a floor area of not more than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) need not be located on the outer perimeter where they are in accordance with the International Fire Code and NFPA 30.
[F] 415.6.3 Spray Paint Booths
Spray paint booths that comply with the International Fire Code need not be located on the outer perimeter.
[F] 415.6.4 Group H Occupancy Minimum Fire Separation Distance
Regardless of any other provisions, buildings containing Group H occupancies shall be set back to the minimum fire separation distance as set forth in Sections 415.6.4.1 through 415.6.4.4. Distances shall be measured from the walls enclosing the occupancy to lot lines, including those on a public way. Distances to assumed lot lines established for the purpose of determining exterior wall and opening protection are not to be used to establish the minimum fire separation distance for buildings on sites where explosives are manufactured or used where separation is provided in accordance with the quantity distance tables specified for explosive materials in the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.6.4.1 Group H-1
[F] 415.6.4.2 Group H-2
Group H-2 occupancies shall be set back not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) where the area of the occupancy is greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) and it is not required to be located in a detached building.
[F] 415.6.4.3 Groups H-2 and H-3
Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies shall be set back not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) where a detached building is required (see Table 415.6.5).
[F] 415.6.4.4 Explosive Materials
Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies containing materials with explosive characteristics shall be separated as required by the International Fire Code. Where separations are not specified, the distances required shall be determined by a technical report issued in accordance with Section 414.1.3.
[F] 415.6.5 Detached Buildings for Group H-1, H-2 or H-3 Occupancy
The storage or use of hazardous materials in excess of those amounts specified in Table 415.6.5 shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 415.7 and 415.8.
[F] TABLE 415.6.5
DETACHED BUILDING REQUIRED
| A DETACHED BUILDING IS REQUIRED WHERE THE QUANTITY OF MATERIAL EXCEEDS THAT SPECIFIED HEREIN | |||
| Material | Class | Solids and Liquids (tons)a, b | Gases (cubic feet)a, b |
| Explosives | Division 1.1 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | Not Applicable |
| Division 1.2 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | ||
| Division 1.3 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | ||
| Division 1.4 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | ||
| Division 1.4c | 1 | ||
| Division 1.5 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | ||
| Division 1.6 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | ||
| Oxidizers | Class 4 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | Maximum Allowable Quantity |
| Unstable (reactives) detonable | Class 3 or 4 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | Maximum Allowable Quantity |
| Oxidizer, liquids and solids | Class 3 | 1,200 | Not Applicable |
| Class 2 | 2,000 | Not Applicable | |
| Organic peroxides | Detonable | Maximum Allowable Quantity | Not Applicable |
| Class I | Maximum Allowable Quantity | Not Applicable | |
| Class II | 25 | Not Applicable | |
| Class III | 50 | Not Applicable | |
| Unstable (reactives) nondetonable | Class 3 | 1 | 2,000 |
| Class 2 | 25 | 10,000 | |
| Water reactives | Class 3 | 1 | Not Applicable |
| Class 2 | 25 | Not Applicable | |
| Pyrophoric gasesd | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 2,000 |
For SI: 1 ton = 906 kg, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3, 1 pound = 0.454 kg.
- For materials that are detonable, the distance to other buildings or lot lines shall be in accordance with Section 415.6 of this code or Chapter 56 of the International Fire Code based on trinitrotoluene (TNT) equivalence of the material, whichever is greater.
- "Maximum Allowable Quantity" means the maximum allowable quantity per control area set forth in Table 307.1(1).
- Limited to Division 1.4 materials and articles, including articles packaged for shipment, that are not regulated as an explosive under Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) regulations or unpackaged articles used in process operations that do not propagate a detonation or deflagration between articles, provided that the net explosive weight of individual articles does not exceed 1 pound.
- Detached buildings are not required, for gases in gas rooms that support H-5 fabrication facilities where the gas room is separated from other areas by a fire barrier with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours and the gas is located in a gas cabinet that is internally sprinklered, equipped with continuous leak detection, automatic shutdown and is not manifolded upstream of pressure controls. Additionally, the gas supply is limited to cylinders that do not exceed 125 pounds (57 kg) water capacity in accordance with 49 CFR 173.192 for Hazard Zone A toxic gases.
[F] 415.6.5.1 Wall and Opening Protection
Where a detached building is required by Table 415.6.5, wall and opening protection based on fire separation distance is not required.
[F] 415.7 Special Provisions for Group H-1 Occupancies
Group H-1 occupancies shall be in detached buildings not used for other purposes. Roofs shall be of lightweight construction with suitable thermal insulation to prevent sensitive material from reaching its decomposition temperature. Group H-1 occupancies containing materials that are in themselves both physical and health hazards in quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area in Table 307.1(2) shall comply with requirements for both Group H-1 and H-4 occupancies.
[F] 415.7.1 Floors in Storage Rooms
Floors in storage areas for organic peroxides, pyrophoric materials and unstable (reactive) materials shall be of liquid-tight, noncombustible construction.
[F] 415.8 Special Provisions for Group H-2 and H-3 Occupancies
Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies containing quantities of hazardous materials in excess of those set forth in Table 415.6.5 shall be in detached buildings used for manufacturing, processing, dispensing, use or storage of hazardous materials. Materials specified for Group H-1 occupancies in Section 307.3 are permitted to be located within Group H-2 or H-3 detached buildings provided that the amount of materials per control area do not exceed the maximum allowed quantity specified in Table 307.1(1).
[F] 415.8.1 Multiple Hazards
Group H-2 or H-3 occupancies containing materials that are in themselves both physical and health hazards in quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area in Table 307.1(2) shall comply with requirements for Group H-2, H-3 or H-4 occupancies as applicable.
[F] 415.8.2 Separation of Incompatible Materials
Hazardous materials other than those specified in Table 415.6.5 shall be allowed in manufacturing, processing, dispensing, use or storage areas when separated from incompatible materials in accordance with the provisions of the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.8.3 Water Reactives
[F] 415.8.4 Floors in Storage Rooms
Floors in storage areas for organic peroxides, oxidizers, pyrophoric materials, unstable (reactive) materials and water-reactive solids and liquids shall be of liquid-tight, noncombustible construction.
[F] 415.8.5 Waterproof Room
[F] 415.9 Group H-2
[F] 415.9.1 Flammable and Combustible Liquids
The storage, handling, processing and transporting of flammable and combustible liquids in Group H-2 and H-3 occupancies shall be in accordance with Sections 415.9.1.1 through 415.9.1.9, the International Mechanical Code and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1.1 Mixed Occupancies
Where the storage tank area is located in a building of two or more occupancies and the quantity of liquid exceeds the maximum allowable quantity for one control area, the use shall be completely separated from adjacent occupancies in accordance with the requirements of Section 508.4.
[F] 415.9.1.1.1 Height Exception
Where storage tanks are located within a building not more than one story above grade plane, the height limitation of Section 504 shall not apply for Group H.
[F] 415.9.1.2 Tank Protection
Storage tanks shall be noncombustible and protected from physical damage. Fire barriers or horizontal assemblies or both around the storage tanks shall be permitted as the method of protection from physical damage.
[F] 415.9.1.3 Tanks
Storage tanks shall be approved tanks conforming to the requirements of the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1.4 Leakage Containment
A liquid-tight containment area compatible with the stored liquid shall be provided. The method of spill control, drainage control and secondary containment shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code.
Exception: Rooms where only double-wall storage tanks conforming to Section 415.9.1.3 are used to store Class I, II and IIIA flammable and combustible liquids shall not be required to have a leakage containment area.
[F] 415.9.1.5 Leakage Alarm
An approved automatic alarm shall be provided to indicate a leak in a storage tank and room. The alarm shall sound an audible signal, 15 dBa above the ambient sound level, at every point of entry into the room in which the leaking storage tank is located. An approved sign shall be posted on every entry door to the tank storage room indicating the potential hazard of the interior room environment, or the sign shall state, "WARNING, WHEN ALARM SOUNDS, THE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE ROOM MAY BE HAZARDOUS." The leakage alarm shall be supervised in accordance with Chapter 9 to transmit a trouble signal.
[F] 415.9.1.6 Tank Vent
Storage tank vents for Class I, II or IIIA liquids shall terminate to the outdoor air in accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1.7 Room Ventilation
Storage tank areas storing Class I, II or IIIA liquids shall be provided with mechanical ventilation. The mechanical ventilation system shall be in accordance with the International Mechanical Code and the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.9.1.8 Explosion Venting
[F] 415.9.1.9 Tank Openings Other Than Vents
Tank openings other than vents from tanks inside buildings shall be designed to ensure that liquids or vapor concentrations are not released inside the building.
[F] 415.9.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facilities
The construction and installation of liquefied petroleum gas facilities shall be in accordance with the requirements of this code, the International Fire Code, the International Fuel Gas Code, the International Mechanical Code and NFPA 58.
[F] 415.9.3 Dry Cleaning Plants
The construction and installation of dry cleaning plants shall be in accordance with the requirements of this code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code and NFPA 32. Dry cleaning solvents and systems shall be classified in accordance with the International Fire Code.
[F] 415.10 Groups H-3 and H-4
[F] 415.10.1 Flammable and Combustible Liquids
The storage, handling, processing and transporting of flammable and combustible liquids in Group H-3 occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 415.9.1.
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