30.3 Repair Garages for Vehicles Powered by Alternate Fuels

Slip-resistant, nonabsorbent, interior floor finishes having a critical radiant flux not less than 9.87 Btu/in.²-hr (0.45 W/cm²), as determined by NFPA 253, shall be required. [30A:7.4.3.1]

Floors shall be liquidtight to prevent the leakage or seepage of liquids and shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of water, fuel, or other liquids to floor drains. [30A:7.4.3.2]

In areas of repair garages where vehicles are serviced, any floor drains shall be properly trapped and shall discharge through an oil/water separator to the sewer or to an outside vented sump. [30A:7.4.3.3]

Pits, belowgrade work areas, and subfloor work areas used for lubrication, inspection, and minor automotive maintenance work shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, in addition to other applicable requirements of NFPA 30A. [30A:7.4.4.1]

Walls, floors, and structural supports shall be constructed of masonry, concrete, steel, or other approved noncombustible materials. [30A:7.4.4.2]

In pits, belowgrade work areas, and subfloor work areas, the required number, location, and construction of means of egress shall meet the requirements for special purpose industrial occupancies in Chapter 40 of NFPA 101 or as determined in accordance with the adopted building code. [30A:7.4.4.3]

Pits, belowgrade work areas, and subfloor work areas shall be provided with exhaust ventilation at a rate of not less than 1 ft³/min/ft² (0.3 m³/min/m²) of floor area at all times that the building is occupied or when vehicles are parked in or over these areas. Exhaust air shall be taken from a point within 12 in. (0.3 m) of the floor. [30A:7.4.4.4]

The flammable gas detection system shall be calibrated to the types of fuels or gases used by vehicles to be repaired. [30A:7.4.6.1.1]

The gas detection system shall be designed to activate when the level of flammable gas exceeds 25 percent of the lower flammable limit (LFL). [30A:7.4.6.1.2]

Activation of the gas detection system shall result in all of the following:

1. Initiation of distinct audible and visual alarm signals in the repair garage
2. Deactivation of all heating systems located in the repair garage
3. Activation of the mechanical ventilation system, when the system is interlocked with gas detection

[30A:7.4.6.2]

Failure of the gas detection system shall result in the deactivation of the heating system and activation of the mechanical ventilation system and, where the ventilation system is interlocked with gas detection, shall cause a trouble signal to sound in an approved location. [30A:7.4.6.3]

The circuits of the detection system required by 30.3.2.6 shall be monitored for integrity in accordance with NFPA 72. [30A:7.4.6.4]

Forced air heating, air-conditioning, and ventilating systems serving a fuel dispensing area inside a building or a repair garage shall not be interconnected with any such systems serving other occupancies in the building. Such systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 90A. [30A:7.5.1]

Return air openings in areas of repair garages for vehicles powered by LP-Gas used for the repair or servicing of vehicles or in a fuel dispensing area shall be not less than 18 in. (455 mm) above floor level measured to the bottom of the openings.

Combined ventilation and heating systems shall not recirculate air from areas that are below grade level for repair garages for vehicles powered by LP-Gas.

For repair garages for vehicles powered by LP-Gas, exhaust duct openings shall be located so that they effectively remove vapor accumulations at floor level from all parts of the floor area. Where lighter-than-air gaseous fuel vehicles are repaired, exhaust duct openings shall be located so that they effectively remove vapor accumulations at the ceiling level.

Heat-producing appliances shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of 30.3.2.8. They shall be permitted to be installed in the conventional manner except as provided in 30.3.2.8. [30A:7.6.1]

Heat-producing appliances shall be listed for use in classified areas. [30A:7.6.2.1]

Solid fuel stoves, improvised furnaces, salamanders, and space heaters shall not be permitted in areas of repair garages used and repairing or servicing of vehicles or in a fuel dispensing area. [30A:7.6.2.2]

Heat-producing equipment in any lubrication room or service room where there is no dispensing or transferring of Class I or Class II liquids or LP-Gas, when installed in accordance with Chapter 7 of NFPA 30A shall be listed. [30A:7.6.2.3]

Heat-producing appliances shall be permitted to be installed in a special room that is separated from areas that are classified as Division 1 or Division 2, in accordance with Chapter 8 of NFPA 30A, by walls that are constructed to prevent the transmission of vapors, that have a fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour, and that have no openings in the walls that lead to a classified area within 8 ft (2.4 m) of the floor. Specific small openings through the wall, such as for piping and electrical conduit, shall be permitted, provided the gaps and voids are filled with a fire-resistant material to resist transmission of vapors. All air for combustion purposes shall be taken from outside the building. This room shall not be used for storage of combustible materials, except for fuel storage as permitted by the standards referenced in 30.2.8.9. [30A:7.6.3]

Heat-producing appliances using gas or oil fuel shall be permitted to be installed in a lubrication or service room where there is no dispensing or transferring of Class I liquids, including the open draining of automotive gasoline tanks, provided the bottom of the combustion chamber is at least 18 in. (455 mm) above the floor and the appliances are protected from physical damage. [30A:7.6.4]

Heat-producing appliances using gas or oil fuel listed for use in garages shall be permitted to be installed in lubrication rooms, service rooms, or fuel dispensing areas where Class I liquids are dispensed or transferred, provided the equipment is installed at least 8 ft (2.4 m) above the floor. [30A:7.6.5]

Where repairs are conducted on lighter-than-air-fueled vehicles, open flame heaters or heating equipment with exposed surfaces having a temperature in excess of 750°F (399°C) shall not be permitted in areas subject to ignitible concentrations of gas. [30A:7.6.6]

Electrical heat-producing appliances shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8 of NFPA 30A. [30A:7.6.7]

Fuels used shall be of the type and quality specified by the manufacturer of the heating appliance. Crankcase drainings shall not be used in oil-fired appliances, unless the appliances are specifically approved for such use. [30A:7.6.8]

Heat-producing appliances shall be installed to meet the requirements of NFPA 31, NFPA 54, NFPA 82, NFPA 90A, and NFPA 211, as applicable, except as hereinafter specifically provided. [30A:7.6.9]

Paragraph 30.3.3 shall apply to the construction of new buildings, existing buildings, and portions of buildings serving as repair garages and repair areas for CNG and LNG vehicles. [30A:7.8.1.1]

Major and minor repair areas, as defined in 30.3.3.4 for CNG and LNG vehicle repair, shall meet the requirements of 30.3.3. [30A:7.8.1.2]

This paragraph shall classify repair areas for CNG and LNG vehicles based on vehicle fuel system pressure status and permissible repair activities. [30A:7.8.4.1]

CNG vehicle repair areas shall be classified according to Table 30.3.3.4.2. [30A:7.8.4.2]

Table 30.3.3.4.2 Repair Area Classification Assignment for CNG Vehicles

Vehicle Status — Fuel System Pressure (psig) (Not to Exceed 3600 psig)	Type of Repair	Minimum Repair Area Classification
≤500	Minor ongoing repair work or unattended vehicle storage while undergoing minor repair	Minor repair area
≤500	Major ongoing repair work or unattended vehicle storage while undergoing major repair	Major repair area
>500	Ongoing major or minor repair work or unattended vehicle storage while undergoing major or minor repair	Major repair area

[30A:Table 7.8.4.2]

LNG vehicle repair areas shall be classified according to Table 30.3.3.4.3. [30A:7.8.4.3]

Table 30.3.3.4.3 Repair Area Classification Assignment for LNG Vehicles

Vehicle Status		Type of Vehicle Repair	Minimum Repair Area Classification
Vehicle Fuel System Pressure Status (psig)	Vehicle Fuel System Liquid Content Status (Onboard Fuel)
<65% of tank MAWP*	Any liquid volume	Minor ongoing repair work or unattended vehicle storage while undergoing minor repair	Minor (ongoing repair work) or major repair area (unattended vehicle storage)
		Major ongoing repair work or unattended vehicle storage while undergoing major repair	Major repair

*See 30.3.3.4.3.1 and 30.3.3.4.3.2.
[30A:Table 7.8.4.3]

All vehicles upon first entering the facility shall have a tank pressure less than 65 percent of the tank maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) as per the ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Code. [30A:7.8.4.3.1]

High-pressure fuel systems shall be depressurized in accordance with the original equipment manufacturers' recommended maintenance procedures. [30A:7.8.4.3.2]

If combustible materials are used in the floor assembly, they shall meet the provisions of 30.3.3.5.2. [30A:7.8.5.1]

Combustible materials used in the floor assembly shall be surfaced with approved, nonabsorbent, noncombustible material, except as indicated in 30.3.3.5.3. [30A:7.8.5.2]

Major repair garages and major repair areas serving LNG-fueled vehicles shall comply with the following:

1. Floor drains shall be designed with consideration for spilled LNG entering the drain.
2. Drains shall be designed to prevent excessive pressure buildup.
3. Drains shall not allow the migration of gas or liquid to adjacent areas of the facility.

[30A:7.8.5.3]

Where installed, slip-resistant, nonabsorbent interior floor finishes shall have a critical radiant flux of not less than 9.87 Btu/in.²-hr (0.45 W/cm²), as determined by NFPA 253. [30A:7.8.5.4]

Floors shall be liquidtight to prevent the leakage or seepage of liquids and be sloped to facilitate the movement of water, fuel, or other liquids to floor drains. [30A:7.8.5.5]

In areas of repair garages where vehicles are serviced, floor drains shall be properly trapped and discharge through an oil/water separator either to the sewer or to an outside vented sump. [30A:7.8.5.6]