The storage and use of oxidizing materials shall be in accordance with this chapter and Chapter 27. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 30. Oxidizing cryogenic fluids shall also comply with Chapter 32.
Exceptions:
- Display and storage in Group M and storage in Group S occupancies complying with Section 2703.11.
- 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 4006.
Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 105.6.
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.
BULK OXYGEN SYSTEM. An assembly of equipment, such as oxygen storage containers, pressure regulators, safety devices, vaporizers, manifolds and interconnecting piping, that has a storage capacity of more than 20,000 cubic feet (566 m3) of oxygen at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) including unconnected reserves on hand at the site. The bulk oxygen system terminates at the point where oxygen at service pressure first enters the supply line. The oxygen containers can be stationary or movable, and the oxygen can be stored as a gas or liquid.
LIQUID OXYGEN AMBULATORY CONTAINER. A container used for liquid oxygen not exceeding 0.396 gallons (1.5 liters) specifically designed for use as a medical device as defined by 21 USC Chapter 9 that is intended for portable therapeutic use and to be filled from its companion base unit (a liquid oxygen home care container).
LIQUID OXYGEN HOME CARE CONTAINER. A container used for liquid oxygen not exceeding 15.8 gallons (60 liters) specifically designed for use as a medical device as defined by 21 USC Chapter 9 that is intended to deliver gaseous oxygen for therapeutic use in a home environment.
OXIDIZER. A material that readily yields oxygen or other oxidizing gas, or that readily reacts to promote or initiate combustion of combustible materials and, if heated or contaminated, can result in vigorous self-sustained decomposition.
Class 4. An oxidizer that can undergo an explosive reaction due to contamination or exposure to thermal or physical shock and that causes a severe increase in the burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes into contact. Additionally, the oxidizer causes a severe increase in the burning rate and can cause spontaneous ignition of combustibles.
Class 3. An oxidizer that causes a severe increase in the burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes in contact.
Class 2. An oxidizer that will cause a moderate increase in the burning rate of combustible materials with which it comes in contact.
Class 1. An oxidizer that does not moderately increase the burning rate of combustible materials.
OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUID. An oxidizing gas in the cryogenic state.
OXIDIZING GAS. A gas that can support and accelerate combustion of other materials more than air does.
The storage and use of oxidizing materials in amounts not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Section 2703.1 shall be in accordance with Sections 2701, 2703, 4001 and 4003. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 30.
The indoor storage and use of oxidizing materials shall be in accordance with Sections 4003.1.1.1 through 4003.1.1.3.
The storage and use of Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall comply with Sections 4003.1.1.1.1 through 4003.1.1.1.4.
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 2703.8.7.
- 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:
- Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 2703.8.7.
- 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 2703.1.1(1).
Medical gas systems and medical gas supply cylinders shall also be in accordance with Section 3006.
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 2703.7.
The storage and use of oxidizing materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Section 2703.1 shall be in accordance with Chapter 27 and this chapter.
Indoor storage of oxidizing materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Table 2703.1.1(1) shall be in accordance with Sections 2701, 2703 and 2704 and this chapter.
Storage of liquid and solid oxidizers shall be in detached buildings when required by Section 2703.8.2.
In addition to the requirements of the International Building Code, detached storage buildings shall be located in accordance with Table 4004.1.2.
| 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.
- Any quantity over the amount required for detached storage in accordance with Section 2703.8.2, 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 2704.12, 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 4004.1.7(1) through 4004.1.7(4).
The storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be as set forth in Tables 4004.1.7(1) through 4004.1.7(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 2703.1 shall be stored on the ground floor only.
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
The storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be as set forth in Tables 4004.1.7(1) through 4004.1.7(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 2703.1 shall be stored on the ground floor only.
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS (feet) |
| Piles | |
|
Maximum length
|
No Limit |
|
Maximum width
|
50 |
|
Maximum height
|
20 |
|
Minimum distance to next pile
|
3 |
|
Minimum distance to walls
|
2 |
| Maximum quantity per pile | No Limit |
| Maximum quantity per building | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
- Storage in noncombustible containers or in bulk in detached storage buildings is not limited as to quantity or arrangement.
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION |
LIMITS | ||
| Segregated storage |
Cutoff storage roomsc |
Detached building |
|
| Piles | |||
Maximum width |
16 feet | 25 feet | 25 feet |
Maximum height |
10 feet | 12 feet | 12 feet |
Minimum distance to next pile |
Note d | Note d | Note d |
Minimum distance to walls |
2 feet | 2 feet | 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.
- 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.
- Quantity limits shall be reduced by 50 percent in buildings or portions of buildings used for retail sales.
- Cutoff storage rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 2-hour fire barriers.
- Aisle width shall not be less than the pile height.
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION |
LIMITS | ||
| Segregated storage |
Cutoff storage roomsc |
Detached building |
|
| Piles | |||
|
Maximum width
|
12 feet | 16 feet | 20 feet |
|
Minimum distance to next pile
|
8 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet |
|
Maximum height
|
Note d | Note d | Note d |
|
Minimum distance to walls
|
4 feet | 4 feet | 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.
- 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.
- Quantity limits shall be reduced by 50 percent in buildings or portions of buildings used for retail sales.
- Cutoff storage rooms shall be separated from the remainder of the building by 2-hour fire barriers.
- Aisle width shall not be less than the pile height.
| STORAGE CONFIGURATION | LIMITS (feet) |
| Piles | |
|
Maximum length
|
10 |
|
Maximum width
|
4 |
|
Maximum height
|
8 |
|
Minimum distance to next pile
|
8 |
| Maximum quantity per building | No Limit |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
In addition to the requirements in Section 2703.9.8, 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 2703.1.1(3) shall be in accordance with Sections 2701, 2703, 2704 and this chapter. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 30.
Outdoor storage areas for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be located in accordance with Table 4004.1.2.
Outdoor storage areas for oxidizing gases shall be located in accordance with Table 4004.2.2.
| 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 | 15 | 10 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3.
- 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 32.
Storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be in accordance with Tables 4004.1.7(1) through 4004.1.7(4).
Storage configuration for oxidizing gases shall be in accordance with Table 4004.2.2.
The use of oxidizers in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Table 2703.1.1(1) or 2703.1.1(3) shall be in accordance with Sections 2701, 2703, 2705 and this chapter. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 30.
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 4006.2 through 4006.6, or shall be stored and used accordance with Chapter 27.
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 4006.3.3.
- Restraint of containers to prevent falling in accordance with Section 4006.3.4.
- Requirements for handling containers in accordance with Section 4006.3.5.
- Safeguards for refilling containers in accordance with Section 4006.3.6.
- Signage requirements in accordance with Section 4006.6.
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 Sections 4006, 3203.1 and 3203.2.
Containers shall be stored, used and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and labeling.
Containers shall not be located in areas where:
- 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; or
- 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.
Containers shall be handled by use of a cart or hand truck designed for such use.
Exceptions:
- Liquid oxygen home care containers equipped with a roller base.
- Liquid oxygen ambulatory containers are allowed to be hand carried.
The filling of containers shall be in accordance with Sections 4006.3.6.1 through 4006.3.6.3.
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 2703.7.2.
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 2703.1.1(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 712 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.