Fruit and Crop Ripening

NYC Admin. Code tit. 29, ch. 2, ch. 25

in effect

NYC Fire Code § FC 2501 General

Section FC 2501: General 2501.1 Scope. This chapter shall govern the design, installation, operation and maintenance of facilities in which ethylene gas is used, other than in self-contained equipment, to promote the ripening of fruits, vegetables and other crops. Exception: Mixtures of ethylene and one or more inert gases in concentrations which prevent the gas from reaching greater than 25 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) when released to the atmosphere. 2501.2 Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in FC 105.6. 2501.3 Ethylene generators. Approved ethylene generators shall be operated and maintained in accordance with FC 2506. 2501.4 General. Facilities using ethylene gas to promote the ripening of fruits, vegetables and other crops shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with this chapter.

NYC Fire Code § FC 2502 Definitions

Section FC 2502: Definitions 2502.1 Terms defined in FC Chapter 2. Terms used in this chapter and defined in FC 202 shall have the meanings set forth therein.

NYC Fire Code § FC 2503 Ethylene Gas

Section FC 2503: Ethylene Gas 2503.1 Location. Ethylene gas shall be discharged only into approved rooms or enclosures designed and constructed for this purpose. 2503.2 Dispensing. Valves controlling discharge of ethylene shall provide positive and fail-closed control of flow and shall be set to limit the concentration of gas in air below 1,000 parts per million (ppm).

NYC Fire Code § FC 2504 Sources of Ignition

Section FC 2504: Sources of Ignition 2504.1 Ignition prevention. Sources of ignition shall be controlled or protected in accordance with this section and FC Chapter 3. 2504.2 Electrical wiring and equipment. Electrical wiring and equipment, including luminaires, shall be approved for use in Class I, Division 2, Group C hazardous (classified) locations. 2504.3 Static electricity. Devices, equipment and systems, including containers and piping, used to dispense ethylene, shall be bonded and grounded to prevent the discharge of static sparks or arcs. 2504.4 Lighting. Lighting shall be by approved electric lamps or luminaires only. 2504.5 Heating. Heating shall be by indirect means utilizing low-pressure steam, hot water, or warm air. Exception: Electric or fuel-fired heaters approved for use in hazardous (classified) locations which are installed and operated in accordance with the Electrical Code, the Mechanical Code or the Fuel Gas Code.

NYC Fire Code § FC 2505 Combustible Waste

Section FC 2505: Combustible Waste 2505.1 Housekeeping. Empty boxes, cartons, pallets and other combustible waste shall be removed from ripening rooms or enclosures and properly disposed of at the end of each work shift, but at least once a day.

NYC Fire Code § FC 2506 Ethylene Generators

Section FC 2506: Ethylene Generators 2506.1 Ethylene generators. Ethylene generators shall be listed and labeled by an approved testing laboratory and used only in approved rooms in accordance with the ethylene generator manufacturer's instructions. The listing evaluation shall include documentation that the concentration of ethylene gas does not exceed 25 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL). 2506.2 Ethylene generator rooms. Ethylene generators shall be used in rooms having a volume of not less than the minimum room size provided for in the manufacturer's specifications and testing laboratory listing, but in no case less than 1,000 cubic feet (28 m3). Rooms shall have air circulation to ensure even distribution of ethylene gas and shall be free from sparks, open flames or other ignition sources.

NYC Fire Code § FC 2507 Warning Signs

Section FC 2507: Warning Signs 2507.1 Required warning sign. Approved warning signs identifying the hazard and indicating the danger involved and necessary precautions shall be posted on all doors and entrances to the premises in accordance with FC Chapter 50.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-146439Fetched: 10/24/2026