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:
1. Display and storage in Group M and storage in Group S occupancies complying with Section 5003.11.
2. Bulk oxygen systems at industrial and institutional consumer sites shall be in accordance with NFPA 55.
3. 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 105.6.
The following terms are defined in Chapter 2 :
BULK OXYGEN SYSTEM.
LIQUID OXYGEN AMBULATORY CONTAINER.
LIQUID OXYGEN HOME CARE CONTAINER.
OXIDIZER.
Class 4.
Class 3.
Class 2.
Class 1.
OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUID.
OXIDIZING GAS.
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 6303.1.1.3.
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:
1. Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 5003.8.7.
2. The hazardous materials storage cabinets shall not contain other storage.
Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall not be stored or used within Group R occupancies.
Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall not be stored or used in offices or retail sales areas of Group B, F, M or S occupancies.
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:
1. Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 5003.8.7.
2. Hazardous materials storage cabinets shall not contain other storage.
A maximum of 200 pounds (91 kg) of solid or 20 gallons (76 L) of liquid Class 3 oxidizer is allowed in Group I occupancies when such materials are necessary for maintenance purposes or operation of equipment. The oxidizers shall be stored in approved containers and in an approved manner.
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).
Medical gas systems and medical gas supply cylinders shall also be in accordance with Section 5306.
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 when 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 and use of oxidizing materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Section 5003.1 shall be in accordance with Chapter 50 and this chapter.
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.
Storage of liquid and solid oxidizers shall be in detached buildings when required by Section 5003.8.2.
In addition to the requirements of the International Building Code, detached storage buildings shall be located in accordance with Table 6304.1.2.
TABLE 6304.1.2
OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS—DISTANCE FROM DETACHED
BUILDINGS AND OUTDOOR STORAGE AREAS TO EXPOSURES
| OXIDIZER CLASS | WEIGHT (pounds) | MINIMUM DISTANCE TO BUILDINGS, LOT LINES, PUBLIC STREETS, PUBLIC ALLEYS, PUBLIC WAYS OR MEANS OF EGRESS (feet) |
| 1 | Note a | Not Required |
| 2 | Note a | 35 |
| 3 | Note a | 50 |
| 4 | Over 10 to 100 | 75 |
| 101 to 500 | 100 | |
| 501 to 1,000 | 125 | |
| 1,001 to 3,000 | 200 | |
| 3,001 to 5,000 | 300 | |
| 5,001 to 10,000 | 400 | |
| Over 10,000 | As required by the fire code official |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg.
a. Any quantity over the amount required for detached storage in accordance with Section 5003.8.2, or over the outdoor maximum allowable quantity for outdoor control areas.
Indoor storage rooms, areas and buildings containing Class 4 liquid or solid oxidizers shall be provided with explosion control in accordance with Section 911.
The automatic sprinkler system shall be designed in accordance with NFPA 430.
In addition to Section 5004.12, floors of storage areas for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be of liquid-tight construction.
An approved supervised smoke detection system in accordance with Section 907 shall be installed in liquid and solid oxidizer storage areas. Activation of the smoke detection system shall sound a local alarm.
Exception: Detached storage buildings protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.
The maximum quantity of oxidizers per building in detached storage buildings shall not exceed those quantities set forth in Tables 6304.1.7(1) through 6304.1.7(4).
The storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be as set forth in Tables 6304.1.7(1) through 6304.1.7(4).
Class 2 oxidizers shall not be stored in basements except when 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 6304.1.7(1)
STORAGE OF CLASS 1 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND
SOLIDS IN COMBUSTIBLE CONTAINERSa
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS (feet) |
| Piles Maximum length Maximum width Maximum height Minimum distance to next pile Minimum distance to walls | No Limit 50 20 3 2 |
| Maximum quantity per pile | No Limit |
| Maximum quantity per building | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Storage in noncombustible containers or in bulk in detached storage buildings is not limited as to quantity or arrangement.
TABLE 6304.1.7(2)
STORAGE OF CLASS 2 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDSa, b
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS | ||
| Segregated storage | Cutoff storage roomsc | Detached building | |
| Piles Maximum width Maximum height Minimum distance to next pile Minimum distance to walls | 16 feet 10 feet Note d 2 feet | 25 feet 12 feet Note d 2 feet | 25 feet 12 feet Note d 2 feet |
| Maximum quantity per pile | 20 tons | 50 tons | 200 tons |
| Maximum quantity per building | 200 tons | 500 tons | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
a. Storage in noncombustible containers is not limited as to quantity or arrangement, except that piles shall be at least 2 feet from walls in sprinklered buildings and 4 feet from walls in nonsprinklered buildings; the distance between piles shall not be less than the pile height.
b. Quantity limits shall be reduced by 50 percent in buildings or portions of buildings used for retail sales.
c. Cutoff storage rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 2-hour fire barriers.
d. Aisle width shall not be less than the pile height.
TABLE 6304.1.7(3)
STORAGE OF CLASS 3 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDSa, b
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS | ||
| Segregated storage | Cutoff storage roomsc | Detached building | |
| Piles Maximum width Maximum height Minimum distance to next pile Minimum distance to walls | 12 feet 8 feet Note d 4 feet | 16 feet 10 feet Note d 4 feet | 20 feet 10 feet Note d 4 feet |
| Maximum quantity per pile | 20 tons | 30 tons | 150 tons |
| Maximum quantity per building | 100 tons | 500 tons | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
a. Storage in noncombustible containers is not limited as to quantity or arrangement, except that piles shall be at least 2 feet from walls in sprinklered buildings and 4 feet from walls in nonsprinklered buildings; the distance between piles shall not be less than the pile height.
b. Quantity limits shall be reduced by 50 percent in buildings or portions of buildings used for retail sales.
c. Cutoff storage rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 2-hour fire barriers.
d. Aisle width shall not be less than the pile height.
TABLE 6304.1.7(4)
STORAGE OF CLASS 4 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS (feet) |
| Piles Maximum length Maximum width Maximum height Minimum distance to next pile | 10 4 8 8 |
| Maximum quantity per building | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
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.
Detached storage buildings for Class 4 oxidizer liquids and solids shall be located a minimum of 50 feet (15 240 mm) from other hazardous materials storage.
Liquid and solid oxidizers shall not be stored on or against combustible surfaces. Liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in a manner to prevent contamination.
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 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be located in accordance with Table 6304.1.2.
Outdoor storage areas for oxidizing gases shall be located in accordance with Table 6304.2.2.
TABLE 6304.2.2
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 UPON (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.
a. The minimum required distances shall not apply when 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 oxidizing gases shall be in accordance with Table 6304.2.2.
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 storage and use of liquid oxygen (LOX) in home health care in Group I-1, I-4 and R occupancies shall comply with Sections 6306.2 through 6306.6, or shall be stored and used in accordance with Chapter 50.
The seller of liquid oxygen shall provide the user with information in written form that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Manufacturer’s instructions and labeling for safe storage and use of the containers.
2. Locating containers away from ignition sources, exits, electrical hazards and high-temperature devices in accordance with Section 6306.3.3.
3. Restraint of containers to prevent falling in accordance with Section 6306.3.4.
4. Requirements for handling containers in accordance with Section 6306.3.5.
5. Safeguards for refilling containers in accordance with Section 6306.3.6.
6. Signage requirements in accordance with Section 6306.6.
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:
1. They can be overturned due to operation of a door;
2. They are in the direct path of egress;
3. They are subject to falling objects;
4. They can become part of an electrical circuit; or
5. 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:
1. Restraining containers to a fixed object with one or more restraints.
2. Restraining containers within a framework, stand or assembly designed to secure the container.
3. 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.
Containers shall be handled by use of a cart or hand truck designed for such use.
Exceptions:
1. Liquid oxygen home care containers equipped with a roller base.
2. Liquid oxygen ambulatory containers are allowed to be hand carried.
The filling of containers shall be in accordance with Sections 6306.3.6.1 through 6306.3.6.3.
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.
A drip pan compatible with liquid oxygen shall be provided under home care container fill and vent connections during the filling process in order to protect against liquid oxygen spillage from coming into contact with combustible surfaces, including asphalt.
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:
1. 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).
2. 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 a maximum of 31.6 gallons (120 L) of liquid oxygen per sleeping room.
Smoking shall be prohibited in rooms or areas where liquid oxygen is in use.
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.