User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 63 addresses the hazards associated with solid, liquid, gaseous and cryogenic fluid oxidizing materials, including oxygen in home use, and establishes criteria for their safe storage and protection in indoor and outdoor storage facilities, minimizing the potential for uncontrolled releases and contact with fuel sources. Although oxidizers themselves do not burn, they pose unique fire hazards because of their ability to support combustion by breaking down and giving off oxygen.
The storage and use of oxidizing materials shall be in accordance with this chapter and Chapter 50. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 53. Oxidizing cryogenic fluids shall also comply with Chapter 55.
Exceptions:
- Display and storage in Group M and storage in Group S occupancies complying with Section 5003.11.
- Bulk oxygen systems at industrial and institutional consumer sites shall be in accordance with NFPA 55.
- Liquid oxygen stored or used in home health care in Group I-1, I-4 and R occupancies in accordance with Section 6306.
Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 105.5.
The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:
- Class 4.
- Class 3.
- Class 2.
- Class 1.
The storage and use of oxidizing materials in amounts not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Section 5003.1 shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003, 6301 and 6303. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 53.
The indoor storage and use of oxidizing materials shall be in accordance with Sections 6303.1.1.1 through 6303.1.1.2.
The storage and use of Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall comply with Sections 6303.1.1.1.1 through 6303.1.1.1.4.
In Group A, E, I or U occupancies, any amount of Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in accordance with the following:
- Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 5003.8.7.
- The hazardous materials storage cabinets shall not contain other storage.
In classrooms of Group B, F or M occupancies, any amount of Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in accordance with the following:
- Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 5003.8.7.
- Hazardous materials storage cabinets shall not contain other storage.
Except for cylinders of nonliquefied compressed gases not exceeding a capacity of 250 cubic feet (7 m3) or liquefied compressed gases not exceeding a capacity of 46 pounds (21 kg) each used for maintenance purposes, patient care or operation of equipment, oxidizing gases shall not be stored or used in Group A, E, I or R occupancies or in offices in Group B occupancies.
The aggregate quantities of gases used for maintenance purposes and operation of equipment shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantity per control area listed in Table 5003.1.1(1).
Compressed gas systems conveying oxidizing gases shall be provided with approved manual or automatic emergency shutoff valves that can be activated at each point of use and at each source.
A manual or automatic fail-safe emergency shutoff valve shall be installed on supply piping at the cylinder or bulk source. Manual or automatic cylinder valves are allowed to be used as the required emergency shutoff valve where the source of supply is limited to unmanifolded cylinder sources.
A manual or automatic emergency shutoff valve shall be installed on the supply piping at the point of use or at a point where the equipment using the gas is connected to the supply system.
Ignition sources in areas containing oxidizing gases shall be controlled in accordance with Section 5003.7.
The storage configuration of Class 1, 2 and 3 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be as set forth in Table 6303.1.4.
TABLE 6303.1.4
STORAGE OF CLASS 1, 2 AND 3 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS (feet) | ||
| Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | |
| Piles | |||
Maximum width | 24 | 16 | 12 |
Maximum height | 20 | Note c | Note c |
Maximum distance to aisle | 12 | 8 | 8 |
Minimum distance to next pile | 4a | Note a | Note a |
Minimum distance to walls | 2b | 2 | 4 |
| Maximum quantity per pile | 200 tons | MAQ | NA |
| Maximum quantity per building | No Limit | Note d | Note d |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
MAQ = Maximum Allowable Quantity.
NA = Not Applicable.
- The minimum aisle width shall be equal to the pile height, but not less than 4 feet and not greater than 8 feet.
- There shall not be a minimum distance from the pile to a wall for amounts less than 9,000 pounds.
- Maximum storage height in nonsprinklered buildings is limited to 6 feet. In sprinklered buildings, see NFPA 400 for storage heights based on ceiling sprinkler protection.
- Maximum quantity per building varies. See Chapter 50 for control areas and MAQs.
Indoor storage of oxidizing materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Table 5003.1.1(1) shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003 and 5004 and this chapter.
The automatic sprinkler system for oxidizer storage shall be designed in accordance with NFPA 400.
In addition to Section 5004.12, floors of storage areas for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be of liquid-tight construction.
The maximum quantity of oxidizers per building in storage buildings shall not exceed those quantities set forth in Tables 6304.1.5(1) through 6304.1.5(3).
The storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be as set forth in Table 6303.1.4 and Tables 6304.1.5(1) through 6304.1.5(3).
Class 2 oxidizers shall not be stored in basements except where such storage is in stationary tanks.
Class 3 and 4 oxidizers in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area set forth in Section 5003.1 shall be stored on the ground floor only.
TABLE 6304.1.5(1)
STORAGE OF CLASS 2 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS | |
| Group H occupancy storage | Detached storage | |
| Piles | ||
Maximum width | 25 feet | 25 feet |
Maximum height | Note a | Note a |
Maximum distance to aisle | 12 feet | 12 feet |
Minimum distance to next pile | Note b | Note b |
Minimum distance to walls | 2 feetc | 2 feetc |
| Maximum quantity per pile | 100 tons | 100 tons |
| Maximum quantity per building | 2000 tons | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
- Maximum storage height in nonsprinklered buildings is limited to 6 feet. In sprinklered buildings see NFPA 400 for storage heights based on ceiling sprinkler protection.
- The minimum aisle width shall be equal to the pile height, but not less than 4 feet and not greater than 8 feet.
- For protection level and detached storage under 4,500 pounds, there shall not be a minimum separation distance between the pile and any wall.
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS | |
| Group H occupancy storage | Detached storage | |
| Piles | ||
Maximum width | 16 feet | 20 feet |
Maximum height | Note a | Note a |
Maximum distance to aisle | 10 feet | 10 feet |
Minimum distance to next pile | Note b | Note b |
Minimum distance to walls | 4 feetc | 4 feetc |
| Maximum quantity per pile | 30 tons | 100 tons |
| Maximum quantity per building | 1200 tons | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
- Maximum storage height in nonsprinklered buildings is limited to 6 feet. In sprinklered buildings see NFPA 400 for storage heights based on ceiling sprinkler protection.
- The minimum aisle width shall be equal to the pile height, but not less than 4 feet and not greater than 8 feet.
- For protection level and detached storage under 2,300 pounds, there shall not be a minimum separation distance between the pile and any wall.
In addition to the requirements in Section 5003.9.8, Class 4 oxidizer liquids and solids shall be separated from other hazardous materials by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier or stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets.
Storage of liquid and solid oxidizers shall be in detached buildings where required by Section 5003.8.2.
Detached storage buildings for Class 4 oxidizer liquids and solids shall be located not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from other hazardous materials storage.
Outdoor storage of oxidizing materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area set forth in Table 5003.1.1(3) shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003, 5004 and this chapter. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 53.
Outdoor storage areas for oxidizing gases shall be located in accordance with Table 6304.2.1.
TABLE 6304.2.1
OXIDIZER GASES—DISTANCE FROM STORAGE TO EXPOSURESa
| QUANTITY OF GAS STORED (cubic feet at NTP) |
DISTANCE TO A BUILDING NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTION OF OXIDIZING GASES OR PUBLIC WAY OR LOT LINE THAT CAN BE BUILT ON (feet) |
DISTANCE BETWEEN STORAGE AREAS (feet) |
| 0—50,000 | 5 | 5 |
| 50,001—100,000 | 10 | 10 |
| 100,001 or greater | 15 | 10 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3.
- The minimum required distances shall not apply where fire barriers without openings or penetrations having a minimum fire-resistance rating of 2 hours interrupt the line of sight between the storage and the exposure. The configuration of the fire barrier shall be designed to allow natural ventilation to prevent the accumulation of hazardous gas concentrations.
Outdoor storage areas for oxidizing cryogenic fluids shall be located in accordance with Chapter 55.
Storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be in accordance with Table 6303.1.4 and Tables 6304.1.5(1) through 6304.1.5(3).
Storage configuration for oxidizing gases shall be in accordance with Table 6304.2.1.
The use of oxidizers in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Table 5003.1.1(1) or 5003.1.1(3) shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003, 5005 and this chapter. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 53.
The seller of liquid oxygen shall provide the user with information in written form that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Manufacturer's instructions and labeling for safe storage and use of the containers.
- Locating containers away from ignition sources, exits, electrical hazards and high-temperature devices in accordance with Section 6306.3.3.
- Restraint of containers to prevent falling in accordance with Section 6306.3.4.
- Requirements for handling containers in accordance with Section 6306.3.5.
- Safeguards for refilling containers in accordance with Section 6306.3.6.
- Signage requirements in accordance with Section 6306.6.
Containers of liquid oxygen in home health care shall be in accordance with Sections 6306.3.1 through 6306.3.6.3.
Liquid oxygen home care containers shall not exceed an individual capacity of 15.8 gallons (60 L) in Group I-1, I-4 and R occupancies. Liquid oxygen ambulatory containers are allowed in Group I-1, I-4 and R occupancies. Containers of liquid oxygen in home health care shall also be stored, used and filled in accordance with Section 6306 and Sections 5503.1 and 5503.2.
Containers shall be stored, used and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and labeling.
Containers shall not be located in areas where any of the following conditions exist:
- They can be overturned due to operation of a door.
- They are in the direct path of egress.
- They are subject to falling objects.
- They can become part of an electrical circuit.
- Open flames and high-temperature devices can cause a hazard.
Liquid oxygen home care containers shall be restrained while in storage or use to prevent falling caused by contact, vibration or seismic activity. Containers shall be restrained by one of the following methods:
- Restraining containers to a fixed object with one or more restraints.
- Restraining containers within a framework, stand or assembly designed to secure the container.
- Restraining containers by locating a container against two points of contact such as the walls of a corner of a room or a wall and a secure furnishing or object such as a desk.
Exceptions:
- Liquid oxygen home care containers equipped with a roller base.
- Liquid oxygen ambulatory containers are allowed to be hand carried.
Liquid oxygen home care containers and ambulatory containers shall be filled outdoors.
Exception: Liquid oxygen ambulatory containers are allowed to be filled indoors where the supply container is specifically designed for filling such containers and written instructions are provided by the container manufacturer.
The use of open flames and high-temperature devices shall be in accordance with Section 5003.7.2.
The maximum aggregate quantity of liquid oxygen allowed in storage and in use in each dwelling unit shall be 31.6 gallons (120 L).
Exceptions:
- The maximum aggregate quantity of liquid oxygen allowed in Group I-4 occupancies shall be limited by the maximum allowable quantity set forth in Table 5003.1.1(1).
- Where individual sleeping rooms are separated from the remainder of the dwelling unit by fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the International Building Code, and horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the International Building Code, or both, having a minimum fire-resistance rating of 1 hour, the maximum aggregate quantity per dwelling unit shall be increased to allow not more than 31.6 gallons (120 L) of liquid oxygen per sleeping room.
A sign stating "OXYGEN— NO SMOKING" shall be posted in each room or area where liquid oxygen containers are stored, used or filled.
Where required by the fire code official, each dwelling unit or sleeping unit shall have an approved sign indicating that the unit contains liquid oxygen home care containers.
Where required by the fire code official, the liquid oxygen seller shall notify the fire department of the locations of liquid oxygen home care containers.