Section FC 6109: Storage of Portable LPG Containers
6109.1 General.
Storage of portable LPG containers shall comply with the requirements of FC 6109.2 through 6109.14, and shall be approved by the commissioner.
Exceptions:
1. Containers that have not previously contained LPG.
2. Containers stored for use at construction sites.
6109.2 Exposure hazards.
Containers in storage shall be stored in locations that minimize exposure to physical damage, tampering or excessive temperature rise.
6109.3 Position.
Containers in storage having individual capacity greater than 1 pound (0.454 kg) of LPG shall be positioned with the pressure relief valve in direct communication with the vapor space of the container.
6109.4 Separation from means of egress.
Containers shall not be stored or left unattended near exit access doors, exits, stairways, exit discharge areas, or other areas designed or used as a means of egress.
6109.5 Quantity.
Empty containers that have been in LPG service shall be considered as full containers for the purpose of determining the maximum quantities of LPG allowed in FC 6109.9 and 6109.11.
6109.6 Storage on roofs.
Containers shall not be stored, or connected for use in a stationary LPG installation, on the roof of any building or structure.
6109.7 Storage in basement, pit or other area below grade.
LPG containers shall not be stored in a cellar, basement, pit or other area below grade.
6109.8 Protection of valves on containers in storage.
Container valves shall be protected by screw-on-type caps or collars which shall be securely in place on all containers stored regardless of whether they are full, partially full or empty. Container outlet valves shall be closed.
6109.9 Storage within buildings accessible to the public.
LPG containers constructed in accordance with the United States Department of Transportation (DOTn) specifications with a maximum capacity of 16.4 ounces (0.465 kg) of LPG used in completely self-contained hand torches and similar devices are allowed to be stored for sale or displayed in a building accessible to the public. Buildings shall be protected by a sprinkler system in storage and display areas when quantities exceed permit amounts. The quantity of LPG shall not exceed 200 pounds (91 kg).
6109.10 Storage within buildings not accessible to the public.
The quantity of LPG containers allowed in one storage location in a building not accessible to the public, such as an industrial building, shall not exceed a maximum capacity of 300 pounds (136 kg) of LPG. Where LPG containers are stored in more than one location on the same floor of a building, the storage areas shall be separated by a minimum of 300 feet (91 440 mm).
Exception: Storage of LPG at construction sites shall be in accordance with the rules.
6109.11 Reserved.
6109.12 Location of outdoor storage.
Outdoor storage, including storage of containers for sale and containers connected for use, shall be located not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from building openings, 20 feet (6096 mm) from any motor vehicle fuel dispenser and 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible material and, as applicable, in accordance with FC Table 6109.12. Outdoor storage of LPG shall be limited to not more than 400 pounds (181.6 kg) of LPG and shall be located at or above grade level.
Exception: Storage of LPG at construction sites shall be in accordance with the rules.
FC Table 6109.12
Distances from Outdoor Lpg Storage Area to Exposures
Type of Outdoor Exposure LPG Storage Area More than 100 Pounds LPG up to Maximum 400 Pounds LPG Minimum Distance to Exposure (feet)
Building or structure of combustible construction 10
Subway entrance, exit or other opening 25
Flammable and combustible liquids Aboveground – 1,000 gallons or less 10 a
Flammable and combustible liquids Aboveground – in excess of 1,000 gallons 20 a
Flammable and combustible liquids Below ground tank – 1,000 gallons or less 10 a
Flammable and combustible liquids Below ground tank – 1,000 gallons or less Vent or fill opening of tank 15 a
Flammable and combustible liquids Below ground tank – in excess of 1,000 gallons 15 a
Flammable and combustible liquids Below ground tank – in excess of 1,000 gallons Vent or fill opening of tank 15 a
Flammable gas storage area, 1,500 SCF or less 10 a
Flammable gas storage area, More than 1,500 SCF up to maximum 3,500 SCF 20 a
Oxygen storage – 20,000 SCF or less In accordance with NFPA 51 a
Oxygen storage – in excess of 20,000 SCF In accordance with NFPA 55 a
Fast-burning solids, such as ordinary lumber, excelsior or paper 10 a
Slow-burning solids, such as heavy timber or coal 10 a
Air compressor intakes or inlets to heating, ventilating or air-conditioning equipment 5
Group A occupancies and public gathering places 25
Public sidewalks and parked motor vehicles 10
Public streets, private roads and lot lines 10 a
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
a. The minimum required distances may be reduced to 5 feet when protective structures having a minimum fire-resistance rating of 2 hours interrupt the line of sight between the container and the exposure. The protective structure shall be at least 5 feet from the exposure. The configuration of the protective structure shall be designed to allow natural ventilation to prevent the accumulation of hazardous gas concentrations.
6109.12.1 Proximity to hazards.
Storage shall not be located where the stored LPG would be exposed to the following hazards in the event of the failure of their structure or containment systems:
1. Electric power lines.
2. Piping containing flammable or combustible liquids.
3. Piping containing flammable gases.
4. Piping containing oxidizing materials.
6109.13 Protection of containers.
Containers shall be stored within a suitable enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering. Vehicular protection shall be provided as required by the commissioner.
6109.14 Electrical equipment.
Except as otherwise provided in NFPA 58, electrical equipment within 3 feet (914 mm) in any direction of an outdoor LPG facility shall comply with the Class I, Division 2 wiring requirements of the Electrical Code for hazardous locations, unless electrical equipment is separated from such area by a wall or other solid partition having no openings.
6109.15 LPG container storage for sale.
Outdoor storage of LPG for sale at mercantile establishments, including LPG container exchange stations, in areas accessible to the public, shall comply with the following requirements:
1. Each storage facility shall store no more than 400 pounds (181.6 kg) of propane, with individual container capacity of no more than 20 pounds (9.1 kg).
2. Containers shall be secured in a locked, fenced enclosure, ventilated listed cabinet or other approved location in accordance with the rules, or an automated container exchange system pursuant to FC 6109.15.1.
3. Containers shall be accessible only by certificate of fitness holders or by use of an automated exchange system in accordance with FC 6109.15.1.
4. A sign shall be posted at or near each entrance to the mercantile establishment stating "DO NOT BRING LPG CONTAINERS INTO THE BUILDING" or similar approved wording.
5. A durable sign shall be conspicuously posted at or near the cylinder storage enclosure or cabinet identifying the vendor/supplier of the LPG containers and providing emergency contact information for the vendor/supplier.
6109.15.1 Automated container exchange systems.
An automated container exchange system shall comply with the following additional requirements:
1. The system shall operate only during regular business hours under the general supervision of authorized personnel holding a certificate of fitness.
2. The system shall be designed and located with a full, unobstructed view of the system from within the mercantile establishment, either directly or with the use of mirrors or an approved closed-circuit television installation. The owner of the mercantile establishment shall take reasonable steps to ensure that system is monitored to prevent tampering or misuse.
3. The system shall only allow access to a single container per transaction.
4. The systems shall be designed such that containers can be placed inside only when they are oriented in the upright position.
5. The system's electrical components and all other electrical equipment within 3 feet (914 mm) of the system shall comply with the requirements for Class I, Division 2 equipment set forth in the Electrical Code.
6. The system shall be equipped with a manual override control that enables authorized personnel to access the stored containers and/or disable the system from automated container exchange. The system shall not be capable of returning to automated operation after a manual override until the system has been inspected and reset by a trained and knowledgeable person employed by the company supplying and servicing the system.
7. The system shall be inspected by a trained and knowledgeable person on a regular basis, but at least once a day, to confirm that there is no odor or other evidence of a gas leak, all compartments are closed and locked, and the system appears to be in good working order. If the system is not in good working order, the certificate of fitness holder and the company supplying and servicing the system shall be immediately notified and prompt corrective action shall be taken. Gas leaks shall be reported to the department by calling 911.
