Chapter 51 Aerosols

Aerosol products in plastic containers larger than 4 fluid ounces (118 ml), but not to exceed 33.8 fluid ounces (1000 ml), shall be allowed only where in accordance with this section. The commodity classification shall be Class III commodities, as defined in NFPA 13 where any of the following conditions are met:

1. Base product has no fire point where tested in accordance with ASTM D 92, and nonflammable propellant.
2. Base product has no sustained combustion as tested in accordance with Appendix H, "Method of Testing for Sustained Combustibility," in DOTn 49 CFR Part 173, and nonflammable propellant.
3. Base product contains up to 20 percent by volume (15.8 percent by weight) of ethanol and/or isopropyl alcohol in an aqueous mix, and nonflammable propellant.
4. Base product contains 4 percent by weight or less of an emulsified flammable liquefied gas propellant within an aqueous base. The propellant shall remain emulsified for the life of the product. Where such propellant is not permanently emulsified, the propellant shall be nonflammable.

Storage of quantities exceeding the maximum quantities indicated in Section 5104.2 shall be stored in separate inside flammable liquid storage rooms in accordance with Section 5104.5.

Storage consisting of solid pile, palletized or rack storage of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products not segregated into areas utilized exclusively for the storage of aerosols shall comply with Table 5104.3.1.

TABLE 5104.3.1
NONSEGREGATED STORAGE OF LEVEL 2 AND 3 AEROSOL PRODUCTS IN GENERAL PURPOSE WAREHOUSES^b

AEROSOL LEVEL	MAXIMUM NET WEIGHT PER FLOOR (pounds)b
	Palletized or solid-pile storage		Rack storage
	Unprotected	Protecteda	Unprotected	Protecteda
2	2,500	12,000	2,500	24,000
3	1,000	12,000	1,000	24,000
Combination 2 and 3	2,500	12,000	2,500	24,000

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m².

1. Approved automatic sprinkler system protection and storage arrangements shall comply with NFPA 30B. Sprinkler system protection shall extend 20 feet beyond the storage area containing the aerosol products.
2. Storage quantities indicated are the maximum permitted in any 50,000-square-foot area.

Storage of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products segregated into areas utilized exclusively for the storage of aerosols shall comply with Table 5104.3.2 and Sections 5104.3.2.1 and 5104.3.2.2.

TABLE 5104.3.2
SEGREGATED STORAGE OF LEVEL 2 AND 3 AEROSOL PRODUCTS IN GENERAL PURPOSE WAREHOUSES

STORAGE SEPARATION	MAXIMUM SEGREGATED STORAGE AREAa		SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS
	Percentage of building area (percent)	Area limitation (square feet)
Separation areae, f	15	20,000	Notes b, c
Chain-link fence enclosured	20	20,000	Notes b, c
1-hour fire-resistance-rated interior walls	20	30,000	Note b
2-hour fire-resistance-rated interior walls	25	40,000	Note b
3-hour fire-resistance-rated interior walls	30	50,000	Note b

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m².

1. The maximum segregated storage area shall be limited to the smaller of the two areas resulting from the percentage of building area limitation and the area limitation.
2. Automatic sprinkler system protection in aerosol product storage areas shall comply with NFPA 30B and be approved. Building areas not containing aerosol product storage shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
3. Automatic sprinkler system protection in aerosol product storage areas shall comply with NFPA 30B and be approved. Sprinkler system protection shall extend a minimum 20 feet beyond the aerosol storage area.
4. Chain-link fence enclosures shall comply with Section 5104.3.2.1.
5. A separation area shall be defined as an area extending outward from the periphery of the segregated aerosol product storage area as follows.
   1. The limits of the aerosol product storage shall be clearly marked on the floor.
   2. The separation distance shall be not less than 25 feet and maintained clear of all materials with a commodity classification greater than Class III in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
6. Separation areas shall only be permitted where approved.

Aerosol warehouses shall be protected by an approved wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 30B. Sprinkler protection shall be designed based on the highest classification level of aerosol product present.

Solid pile and palletized storage shall be arranged so the maximum travel distance to an aisle is 25 feet (7620 mm). Aisles shall have a minimum width of 4 feet (1219 mm).

Rack storage shall be arranged with a minimum aisle width of 8 feet (2438 mm) between rows of racks and 8 feet (2438 mm) between racks and adjacent solid pile or palletized storage. Where early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers provide automatic sprinkler protection, the minimum aisle width shall be 4 feet (1219 mm).

Combustible commodities other than flammable and combustible liquids shall be permitted to be stored in an aerosol warehouse.

Exception: Flammable and combustible liquids in 1-quart (946 mL) metal containers and smaller shall be permitted to be stored in an aerosol warehouse.

The storage of aerosol products in flammable liquid storage rooms less than or equal to 500 square feet (46 m²) in area shall not exceed the following quantities:

1. A net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 2 aerosol products.
2. A net weight of 500 pounds (227 kg) of Level 3 aerosol products.
3. A combined net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products.

The storage of aerosol products in flammable liquid storage rooms greater than 500 square feet (46 m²) in area shall not exceed the following quantities:

1. A net weight of 2,500 pounds (1135 kg) of Level 2 aerosol products.
2. A net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 3 aerosol products.
3. A combined net weight of 2,500 pounds (1135 kg) of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products.

The maximum aggregate storage quantity of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products permitted in separate inside storage rooms protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 30B shall be 5,000 pounds (2270 kg).

Spill control or drainage shall be provided to prevent the flow of liquid to within 8 feet (2438 mm) of the segregated storage area.

Sprinkler protection shall be designed based on the highest level of aerosol product present.

Fire doors or gates opening into the segregated storage area shall either be self-closing or provided with automatic-closing devices activated by sprinkler water flow or an approved fire detection system.

Aerosol products in retail display areas shall not exceed quantities needed for display and normal merchandising and shall not exceed the quantities in Table 5106.2.1.

TABLE 5106.2.1
MAXIMUM QUANTITIES OF LEVEL 2 AND 3 AEROSOL PRODUCTS IN RETAIL DISPLAY AREAS

MAXIMUM NET WEIGHT PER FLOOR (pounds)b
Floor	Unprotecteda	Protected in accordance with Section 5106.2a, c	Protected in accordance with Section 5106.3c
Basement	Not allowed	500	500
Ground	2,500	10,000	10,000
Upper	500	2,000	Not allowed

For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m².

1. The total quantity shall not exceed 1,000 pounds net weight in any one 100-square-foot retail display area.
2. Per 25,000-square-foot retail display area.
3. Minimum Ordinary Hazard Group 2 wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system throughout the retail sales occupancy.

Level 2 and 3 aerosol containers shall not be stacked more than 6 feet (1829 mm) high from the base of the aerosol array to the top of the aerosol array unless the containers are placed on fixed shelving or otherwise secured in an approved manner. Where storage or retail display is on shelves, the height of such storage or retail display to the top of aerosol containers shall not exceed 8 feet (2438 mm).

Aerosol products located in retail display areas shall be removed from combustible cartons.

Exceptions:

1. Display areas that use a portion of combustible cartons that consist of only the bottom panel and not more than 2 inches (51 mm) of the side panel are allowed.
2. When the display area is protected in accordance with Tables 6.3.2.7(a) through 6.3.2.7(l) of NFPA 30B, storage of aerosol products in combustible cartons is allowed.

Where an automatic sprinkler system is required for the protected retail display of aerosol products, the wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system shall be in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. The minimum system design shall be for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 occupancy. The system shall be provided throughout the retail display area.

Aerosol products in retail display areas shall not exceed quantities needed for display and normal merchandising and shall not exceed the quantities in Table 5106.2.1, with fire protection in accordance with Section 5106.3.2.

Aerosol display and merchandising areas shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system based on the requirements set forth in Tables 6.3.2.7(a) through 6.3.2.7(l) of NFPA 30B and the following:

1. Protection shall be based on the highest level of aerosol product in the array and the packaging method of the storage located more than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the finished floor.
2. Where using the cartoned aerosol tables of NFPA 30B, uncartoned or display-cut Level 2 and 3 aerosols shall be permitted not more than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the finished floor.
3. The design area for Level 2 and 3 aerosols shall extend not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) beyond the Level 2 and 3 aerosol display and merchandising areas.
4. Where ordinary and high-temperature ceiling sprinkler systems are adjacent to each other, noncombustible draft curtains shall be installed at the interface.

Separation of Level 2 and 3 aerosol areas shall comply with the following:

Fire protection for the display and merchandising of Level 2 and 3 aerosols in double-row racks shall be in accordance with Table 7.4.1 and Figure 7.4.1 of NFPA 30B.

Level 2 and 3 aerosols displayed or merchandised more than 8 feet (2438 mm) above the finished floor shall be in cartons.

Shelving in racks shall be limited to wire mesh shelving having uniform openings not more than 6 inches (152 mm) apart, with the openings comprising not less than 50 percent of the overall shelf area.

Racks shall be arranged so that aisles not less than 7¹/₂ feet (2286 mm) wide are maintained between rows of racks and adjacent solid-piled or palletized merchandise.

Flue spaces in racks shall comply with the following:

1. Transverse flue spaces—Nominal 3-inch (76 mm) transverse flue spaces shall be maintained between merchandise and rack uprights.
2. Longitudinal flue spaces—Nominal 6-inch (152 mm) longitudinal flue spaces shall be maintained.

Horizontal barriers constructed of minimum ³/₈-inch-thick (10 mm) plywood or minimum 0.034-inch (0.086 mm) (No. 22 gage) sheet metal shall be provided and located in accordance with Table 7.4.1 and Figure 7.4.1 of NFPA 30B where in-rack sprinklers are installed.

Class I, II, III, IV and plastic commodities located adjacent to Level 2 and 3 aerosols shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 13.

Class I, II, III A and III B Liquids shall be allowed to be located adjacent to Level 2 and 3 aerosol products where both of the following conditions are met:

1. Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB liquid containers: Containers for Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB liquids shall be limited to 1.06-gallon (4 L) metal-relieving and nonrelieving style containers and 5.3-gallon (20 L) metal-relieving style containers.
2. Fire protection for Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB Liquids: Automatic sprinkler protection for Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB liquids shall be in accordance with Chapter 57.