5704.3.3.5.3 Orderly storage.

Shelf storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall be maintained in an orderly manner.

5704.3.3.6 Rack storage.

Where storage on racks is allowed elsewhere in this code, a minimum 4-foot-wide (1219 mm) aisle shall be provided between adjacent rack sections and any adjacent storage of liquids. Main aisles shall have a minimum of 8 feet (2438 mm).

5704.3.3.7 Pile or palletized storage.

Solid pile and palletized storage in liquid warehouses shall be arranged so that piles are separated from each other by at least 4 feet (1219 mm). Aisles shall be provided so that no container is more than 20 feet (6096 mm) from an aisle. Main aisles shall have a minimum width of 8 feet (2438 mm).

5704.3.3.8 Combustible materials storage.

Approved quantities of combustible materials may be stored in liquid storage areas, provided that a distance of not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) horizontally is maintained between the liquid storage area and combustible materials and fire protection systems are provided in accordance with this code and Chapter 9 of the Building Code.

5704.3.3.9 Idle combustible pallets.

Storage of empty or idle combustible pallets inside an unprotected liquid storage area shall be limited to a maximum pile size of 2,500 square feet (232 m 2) and to a maximum storage height of 6 feet (1829 mm). Storage of empty or idle combustible pallets inside a protected liquid storage area shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B. Pallet storage shall be separated from liquid storage by aisles with a minimum width of 8 feet (2438 mm).

5704.3.3.10 Containers in piles.

Containers in piles shall be stacked in such a manner as to provide stability and to prevent excessive stress on container walls. Adequate material-handling equipment shall be available to handle containers safely at the upper tier level.

5704.3.4 Quantity limits for storage.

Liquid storage quantity limitations shall comply with the requirements of FC 5704.3.4.1 through 5704.3.4.4.

5704.3.4.1 Maximum allowable quantity per control area.

For occupancies other than Group M wholesale and retail sales uses, indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area indicated in FC Table 5003.1.1(1) and shall not exceed the additional limitations set forth in this section. For Group M occupancy wholesale and retail sales uses, indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area indicated in FC Table 5704.3.4.1, except that no gasoline or flammable liquid motor fuel may be stored in portable containers for wholesale or retail sale. Storage of hazardous production material flammable and combustible liquids in Group H-5 occupancies shall be in accordance with FC Chapter 27.

FC Table 5704.3.4.1
Maximum Allowable Quantity of Flammable and Combustible Liquids in Wholesale and Retail Sales Uses per Control Area a

 

Type of Liquid	Maximum Allowable Quantity Per Control Area (gallons)
	Sprinklered b per footnote densities and arrangements	Sprinklered per FC Tables 5704.3.6.3(4) through 5704.3.6.3(8) and FC Table 5704.3.7.5.1 and the construction codes, including the Building Code	Nonsprinklered
Class IA	60	60	30
Class IB, IC, II and IIIA	7,500 c	15,000 c	1,600
Class IIIB	Unlimited	Unlimited	13,200

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m2.

a.   Control areas shall be separated from each other by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier wall.

b.   To be considered as sprinklered, a building shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system with a design providing minimum densities as follows:

   1.   For uncartoned commodities on shelves 6 feet or less in height where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those allowed with a minimum sprinkler design density of Ordinary Hazard Group 2.

   2.   For cartoned, palletized or racked commodities where storage is 4 feet 6 inches or less in height and where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those allowed with a minimum sprinkler design density of 0.21 gallon per minute per square foot over the most remote 1,500-squarefoot area.

c.   Where wholesale and retail sales or storage areas exceed 50,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable quantities are allowed to be increased by 2 percent for each 1,000 square feet of area in excess of 50,000 square feet, up to a maximum of 100 percent of the table amounts. A control area separation is not required. The cumulative amounts, including amounts attained by having an additional control area, shall not exceed 30,000 gallons.