Chapter 23 Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages

Where motor fuel-dispensing facilities are located inside buildings and the dispensers are located above spaces within the building, openings beneath dispensers shall be sealed to prevent the flow of leaked fuel to lower building spaces.

Where dispensing devices are mounted at grade, they shall be protected at each end with a minimum of two concrete filled steel posts, 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter, having a minimum 3-foot-deep (914 mm) footing not less than 15 inches (38 mm) in diameter and projecting above grade at a minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) and be located not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) nor more than 5 feet (1524 mm) from fuel dispensers or point-of-sale devices, or equivalent means approved by the fire chief.

The height of the emergency disconnect switch shall be not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) and not more than 48 inches (1372 mm) measured vertically, from the floor level to the activating button.

Approved special-dispensing devices and systems such as, but not limited to, card- or coin-operated and remote-preset types, are allowed at motor fuel-dispensing facilities provided that there is not less than one qualified attendant on duty while the facility is open to the public. Remote preset-type devices shall be set in the "off" position while not in use so that the dispenser cannot be activated without the knowledge of the attendant.

Approved emergency controls shall be provided in accordance with Section 2303.2.

Dispenser operating instructions shall be conspicuously posted in approved locations on every dispenser.

Dispensing devices shall be in clear view of the attendant at all times. Obstructions shall not be placed between the dispensing area and the attendant.

The attendant shall be able to communicate with persons in the dispensing area at all times. An approved method of communicating with the fire department shall be provided for the attendant.

Where approved, unattended self-service motor fuel-dispensing facilities are allowed. As a condition of approval, the owner or operator shall provide, and be accountable for, daily site visits, regular equipment inspection and maintenance.

Dispensing devices shall comply with Section 2306.7. Dispensing devices operated by the insertion of coins or currency shall not be used unless approved.

Approved emergency controls shall be provided in accordance with Section 2303.2. Emergency controls shall be of a type that is only manually resettable.

Dispenser operating instructions shall be conspicuously posted in approved locations on every dispenser and shall indicate the location of the emergency controls required by Section 2304.3.3.

A telephone not requiring a coin to operate or other approved, clearly identified means to notify the fire department shall be provided on the site in a location approved by the fire code official.

Class I, II and IIIA liquids shall not be dispensed into a portable container unless such container does not exceed a 6-gallon (22.7 L) capacity, is listed or of approved material and construction, and has a tight closure with a screwed or spring-loaded cover so designed that the contents can be dispensed without spilling. Liquids shall not be dispensed into portable or cargo tanks.

A hose nozzle valve used for dispensing Class I liquids into a portable container shall be in compliance with Section 2306.7.6 and be manually held open during the dispensing operation.

Portable containers shall not be filled while located inside the trunk, passenger compartment or truck bed of a vehicle.

Where liquid delivery to above-ground storage tanks is accomplished by positive-pressure operation, tank vehicles shall be positioned not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) from tanks receiving Class I liquids and 15 feet (4572 mm) from tanks receiving Class II and IIIA liquids, measured from the tank to the nearest unloading valve on the tank vehicle.

The driver, operator or attendant of a tank vehicle shall, before making delivery to a tank, determine the unfilled, available capacity of such tank by an approved gauging device.

Delivery of flammable liquids to tanks more than 1,000 gallons (3785 L) in capacity shall be made by means of approved liquid- and vapor-tight connections between the delivery hose and tank fill pipe. Where tanks are equipped with any type of vapor recovery system, all connections required to be made for the safe and proper functioning of the particular vapor recovery process shall be made. Such connections shall be made liquid and vapor tight and remain connected throughout the unloading process. Vapors shall not be discharged at grade level during delivery.

Flammable and combustible liquid fuel-dispensing and containment equipment shall be periodically inspected where required by the fire code official to verify that the equipment is in proper working order and not subject to leakage. Records of inspections shall be maintained.

The fire code official is authorized to require damaged or unsafe containment and dispensing equipment to be repaired or serviced in an approved manner.

Automatic emergency shutoff valves required by Section 2306.7.4 shall be checked not less than once per year by manually tripping the hold-open linkage.

Leak detection devices required by Section 2306.7.7.1 shall be checked and tested not less than annually in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications to ensure proper installation and operation.

Underground tanks for the storage of Class I, II and IIIA liquid fuels shall comply with Chapter 57.

Above-ground tanks for the storage of Class I, II and IIIA liquid fuels are allowed to be located in buildings. Such tanks shall be located in special enclosures complying with Section 2306.2.6, in a liquid storage room or a liquid storage warehouse complying with Chapter 57, or shall be listed and labeled as protected above-ground tanks in accordance with UL 2085.

Above-ground tanks used for storage of Class I, II or IIIA liquid motor fuels are allowed to be installed in vaults located above grade or below grade in accordance with Section 5704.2.8 and shall comply with Sections 2306.2.4.1 and 2306.2.4.2. Tanks in above-grade vaults shall also comply with Table 2306.2.3.

Where approved by the fire code official, portable tanks are allowed to be temporarily used in conjunction with the dispensing of Class I, II or III liquids into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles or motorized equipment on premises not normally open to the public. The approval shall include a definite time limit.

Piping shall be located such that it is protected from physical damage.

Piping, valves, fittings and ancillary equipment for above-ground tanks storing Class I, II and III liquids shall comply with Sections 2306.6.2.1 through 2306.6.2.7.

Piping, valves, fittings and ancillary equipment for underground tanks shall comply with Chapter 57 and NFPA 30A.

Electrical equipment, dispensers, hose, nozzles and submersible or subsurface pumps used in fuel-dispensing systems shall be listed.

Class I and II liquids shall be transferred from tanks by means of fixed pumps designed and equipped to allow control of the flow and prevent leakage or accidental discharge.

Dispensing devices, except those installed on top of a protected above-ground tank that qualifies as vehicle-impact resistant, shall be protected against physical damage by mounting on a concrete island 6 inches (152 mm) or more in height, or shall be protected in accordance with Section 312. Dispensing devices shall be installed and securely fastened to their mounting surface in accordance with the dispenser manufacturer's instructions. Dispensing devices installed indoors shall be located in an approved position where they cannot be struck by an out-of-control vehicle descending a ramp or other slope.

An approved automatic emergency shutoff valve designed to close in the event of a fire or impact shall be properly installed in the liquid supply line at the base of each dispenser supplied by a remote pump. The valve shall be installed so that the shear groove is flush with or within ¹/₂ inch (12.7 mm) of the top of the concrete dispenser island and there is clearance provided for maintenance purposes around the valve body and operating parts. The valve shall be installed at the liquid supply line inlet of each overhead-type dispenser. Where installed, a vapor return line located inside the dispenser housing shall have a shear section or approved flexible connector for the liquid supply line emergency shutoff valve to function. Emergency shutoff valves shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, tested at the time of initial installation and not less than yearly thereafter in accordance with Section 2305.2.4.

Dispenser hoses shall be not more than 18 feet (5486 mm) in length unless otherwise approved. Dispenser hoses shall be listed and approved. When not in use, hoses shall be reeled, racked or otherwise protected from damage.

Remote pumping systems for liquid fuels shall comply with Sections 2306.7.7.1 and 2306.7.7.2.

Flammable liquids shall not be dispensed by gravity from tanks, drums, barrels or similar containers. Flammable or combustible liquids shall not be dispensed by a device operating through pressure within a storage tank, drum or container.

Vapor-recovery and vapor-processing systems shall be in accordance with Sections 2306.7.9.1 through 2306.7.9.2.4.

Dispensers shall be listed in accordance with UL 87A. Hoses, nozzles, breakaway fittings, swivels, flexible connectors or dispenser emergency shutoff valves, vapor recovery systems, leak detection devices and pumps used in alcohol-blended fuel-dispensing systems shall be listed for the specific purpose.

Dispensers shall be used only with the fuels for which they have been listed and that are marked on the product. Field-installed components including hose assemblies, breakaway fittings, swivel connectors and hose nozzle valves shall be provided in accordance with the listing and the marking on the unit.

Fuel-dispensing systems subject to change in contents from gasoline to alcohol-blended fuels shall be subject to fire code official review and approval prior to commencing dispensing operations.

Facilities dispensing alcohol-blended fuels shall be identified by an approved means.

Dispensers shall be marked in an approved manner to identify the types of alcohol-blended fuels to be dispensed.

Equipment shall be maintained and inspected in accordance with Section 2305.2.

Containers, pressure relief devices (including pressure relief valves), pressure regulators and piping for LP-gas shall be approved.

Hoses, hose connections, vehicle fuel connections, dispensers, LP-gas pumps and electrical equipment used for LP-gas shall be listed.

Hoses and piping for the dispensing of LP-gas shall be provided with hydrostatic relief valves. The hose length shall not exceed 18 feet (5486 mm). An approved method shall be provided to protect the hose against mechanical damage.

Dispenser hoses shall be equipped with a listed emergency breakaway device designed to retain liquid on both sides of the breakaway point. Where hoses are attached to hose-retrieving mechanisms, the emergency breakaway device shall be located such that the breakaway device activates to protect the dispenser from being displaced.

Where installed within 10 feet of vehicle traffic, LP-gas storage containers, pumps and dispensers shall be protected in accordance with Section 2307.5, Item 2.

Containers, compressors, pressure relief devices (including pressure relief valves), and pressure regulators and piping used for CNG shall be approved.

Hoses, hose connections, dispensers and electrical equipment used for CNG shall be listed. Vehicle-fueling connections shall be listed and labeled.

The discharge of CNG from motor vehicle fuel cylinders shall be accomplished through a closed transfer system in accordance with Section 2308.8.1.1 or an approved method of atmospheric venting in accordance with Section 2308.8.1.2.

Cylinders, containers and tanks; pressure relief devices, including pressure valves; hydrogen vaporizers; pressure regulators; and piping used for gaseous hydrogen systems shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapters 53, 55 and 58.

Hoses, hose connections, compressors, hydrogen generators, dispensers and electrical equipment used for hydrogen shall be listed or approved for use with hydrogen. Hydrogen motor-fueling connections shall be listed and labeled or approved for use with hydrogen.

Electrical installations shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code.

Generation, compression, storage and dispensing equipment shall be located in accordance with Sections 2309.3.1.1 through 2309.3.1.5.5.

Dispensing equipment need not be separated from canopies of Type I or II construction that are constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen gas and in accordance with Section 406.7 of the California Building Code.

Dispensing systems shall be equipped with an overpressure protection device set at not greater than 140 percent of the service pressure of the fueling nozzle it supplies.

Guard posts or other approved means shall be provided to protect hydrogen storage systems and use areas subject to vehicular damage in accordance with Section 312.

A manual emergency shutoff valve shall be provided to shut down the flow of gas from the hydrogen supply to the piping system.

In addition to the manual emergency shutoff valve required by Section 2309.5.2, a remotely located, manually activated emergency shutdown control shall be provided. An emergency shutdown control shall be located within 75 feet (22 860 mm) of, but not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) from, dispensers and hydrogen generators.

A documented procedure that explains the logic sequence for defueling or discharging operations shall be maintained on site and shall be provided to the fire code official upon request. The procedure shall include what actions the operator is required to take in the event of a low-pressure or high-pressure hydrogen release during discharging activity. Schematic design documents shall be maintained on site, illustrating the arrangement of piping, regulators and equipment settings. The schematic shall illustrate the piping and regulator arrangement and shall be shown in spatial relation to the location of the vehicle being defueled and, if applicable, to the compressor, storage vessels and emergency shutdown devices.

Class II or IIIA liquids stored or dispensed inside of buildings used for marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be stored in and dispensed from approved containers or portable tanks. Storage of Class II and IIIA liquids shall not exceed 120 gallons (454 L).

Heating equipment installed in Class I, II or IIIA liquid storage or dispensing areas shall comply with Section 2301.6.

Wharves, piers or floats at marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be used exclusively for the dispensing or transfer of petroleum products to or from marine craft, except that transfer of essential ship stores is allowed.

Marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall have an attendant or supervisor who is fully aware of the operation, mechanics and hazards inherent to fueling of boats on duty whenever the facility is open for business. The attendant's primary function shall be to supervise, observe and control the dispensing of Class I, II or IIIA liquids or flammable gases.

Dispensing of Class I, II or IIIA liquids into containers, other than fuel tanks, shall be in accordance with Section 2304.4.1.

Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders shall not be filled at marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities unless approved. Approved storage facilities for LP-gas cylinders shall be provided. See also Section 2307.

Fueling of floating marine craft with Class I fuels at other than a marine motor fuel-dispensing facility is prohibited.

Marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner. Accumulations of rubbish or waste oils in excessive amounts shall be prohibited.

Spills of Class I, II or IIIA liquids at or on the water shall be reported immediately to the fire department and jurisdictional authorities.

Vessels or craft shall not be made fast to fuel docks serving other vessels or craft occupying a berth at a marine motor fuel-dispensing facility.

Construction, maintenance, repair and reconditioning work involving the use of open flames, arcs or spark-producing devices shall not be performed at marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities or within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of the dispensing facilities, including piers, wharves or floats, except for emergency repair work approved in writing by the fire code official. Fueling shall not be conducted at the pier, wharf or float during the course of such emergency repairs.

Boat owners and operators shall not offer their craft for fueling unless the tanks being filled are properly vented to dissipate fumes to the outside atmosphere.

Fire hose, where provided, shall be enclosed within a cabinet, and hose stations shall be labeled: FIRE HOSE—EMERGENCY USE ONLY.

Materials shall not be placed on a pier in such a manner as to obstruct access to fire-fighting equipment or piping system control valves.

Where the pier is designed for vehicular traffic, an unobstructed roadway to the shore end of the wharf shall be maintained for access by fire apparatus.

Cleaning of parts shall be conducted in listed and approved parts-cleaning machines in accordance with Chapter 57.

Waste oil, motor oil and other Class IIIB liquids shall be stored in approved tanks or containers, which are allowed to be stored and dispensed from inside repair garages.

Garage floor drains, where provided, shall drain to approved oil separators or traps discharging to a sewer in accordance with the California Plumbing Code. Contents of oil separators, traps and floor drainage systems shall be collected at sufficiently frequent intervals and removed from the premises to prevent oil from being carried into the sewers.

Spray finishing with flammable or combustible liquids shall comply with Chapter 24.

Appliances and equipment installed in a repair garage shall comply with the provisions of the California Building Code, the California Mechanical Code and the California Electrical Code.

Smoking shall not be allowed in repair garages except in approved locations.

Pits and below-grade work areas shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code.

Pits and below-grade work areas shall be provided with means of egress in accordance with Chapter 10.

Where Class I liquids or LP-gas are stored or used within a building having a basement or pit wherein flammable vapors could accumulate, the basement or pit shall be provided with mechanical ventilation in accordance with the California Mechanical Code, at a minimum rate of 1¹/₂ cubic feet per minute per square foot (cfm/ft²) [0.008 m³/(s • m²)] to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors.

LNG vehicle fuel system pressure shall be measured and recorded prior to entering the repair facility. The maximum allowable system pressure shall be not more than 170 psig (1172 kPa). Pressure greater than 170 psig (1172 kPa) shall be reduced by operating the vehicle or limited venting outdoors, as required.

Repair garages used for the repair of hydrogen-fueled vehicles shall be provided with an approved exhaust ventilation system in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and Chapter 6 of NFPA 2.

Motor vehicle repair rooms shall be enclosed with not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code, or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both, with 1-hour rated opening protectives.

The design and construction of motor vehicle repair booths shall be in accordance with Sections 2311.8.4.1 through 2311.8.4.4.

Where such spaces are not separately enclosed, noncombustible spray curtains shall be provided to restrict the spread of flammable gases.

Motor vehicle repair booths or spaces installed in a room or area protected by an automatic sprinkler system shall have the protection extended to include the inside of the motor vehicle repair booth or space.

Portable fire extinguishers complying with Section 906 shall be provided for motor vehicle repair rooms, motor vehicle repair booths or motor vehicle repair spaces.

Repair garages used for repair of vehicles fueled by nonodorized gases including, but not limited to, hydrogen and nonodorized LNG, shall be provided with a gas detection system that complies with Section 916. The gas detection system shall be designed to detect leakage of nonodorized gaseous fuel. Where lubrication or chassis service pits are provided in garages used for repairing nonodorized LNG-fueled vehicles, gas sensors shall be provided in such pits.

Facilities for repairing or replacing hydrogen fuel tanks on hydrogen-fueled vehicles shall have equipment to defuel vehicle storage tanks. Where work must be performed on a vehicle's fuel storage tank for the purpose of maintenance, repair or cylinder certification, defueling and purging shall be conducted in accordance with Section 2309.6 and NFPA 2.