CLOSED CONTAINER STORAGE (15-24-310 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 15, ch. 15-24, art. III

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-310 General requirements.

15-24-310 General requirements. Storage in Containers. The storage of flammable liquids within buildings shall be as given in this paragraph; provided, however, that in a special room for flammable liquids, unlimited quantities of Class II or III flammable liquids may be stored therein as provided in Section 15-24-410 of this Code. (a) In Buildings of Type V Construction. Class I or II liquids, in sealed containers of safety cans of not more than one-gallon capacity, not exceeding a total of five gallons. Class III liquids, maximum limit of any tank or container, 60 gallons to a maximum aggregate amount of 60 gallons except as otherwise permitted in Sections 15-24-170, 15-24-270 and 15-24-280. (b) In Other Buildings. Class I liquids, in sealed containers or safety cans not more than one gallon capacity, not exceeding a total of ten gallons. Class II liquids in sealed containers or safety cans of not more than five gallons capacity or in barrels, drums or tanks not more than 60 gallons capacity, to a maximum aggregate amount of 60 gallons. Class III liquids in sealed containers of not more than five gallons capacity, in barrels, drums and tanks not exceeding 120 gallons capacity to a maximum aggregate amount of 120 gallons, except as otherwise permitted in Sections 15-24-170, 15-24-270 and 15-24-280 of this Code. (c) Whenever the amount of flammable liquid stored in a building exceeds the limits in subitems (a) or (b) given above, the excess flammable liquid shall be stored in a special room for flammable liquids. (d) Paint and Lettering. Portable containers of a capacity of ten gallons or less, used for storing Class I flammable liquids, shall be painted red, or shall be painted with a conspicuous band or stripe of red. Such containers shall be conspicuously lettered in black with the following words: "Dangerous – Keep Lights and Fires Away". Portable containers, used for storing Class III flammable liquids shall be painted blue, or shall be painted with a conspicuous band or stripe of blue. Such containers shall be conspicuously lettered in white with the following words: "Dangerous – Keep Light and Fire Away". Storage Cabinets. Where the total quantity of flammable liquids stored is more than ten gallons and less than 50 gallons, and no individual container exceeds five gallons capacity, storage cabinets constructed as follows shall be required: bottom, top and sides of cabinet shall be made of sheet iron, not less than No. 18 gauge in thickness. Said cabinet shall be double walled, with not less than one and one-half inches air space. Joints shall be riveted or welded. Doors shall be of a construction equivalent to walls and shall be provided with a three-joint lock. Door sill shall be raised not less than two inches above the bottom of the cabinet. The cabinet shall be conspicuously labeled in red letters: "Flammable – Keep Fire Away". (Prior code § 129.1-23; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 31)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-320 Inspections.

15-24-320 Inspections. All containers, tanks and other equipment used for the storage or use of flammable liquids and all buildings and premises wherein the same are stored or used shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Every container or tank for flammable liquids of a capacity of 60 gallons or more, either aboveground or within a building, and the premises and equipment used for the storage or handling of flammable liquids by any person subject to license under this chapter, shall be inspected by the fire commissioner at least once each year. (Prior code § 129.1-24; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 145)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-330 Labels on products for sale.

15-24-330 Labels on products for sale. All flammable liquids, flammable liquid compounds or flammable liquid mixtures, offered for sale at retail in containers shall be conspicuously marked or labeled "flammable" in easily legible type, which is in contrast by typography, layout or color with any other printed matter on the label. Labels shall not be required on beverages, articles of food or drugs, when the container is labeled in accordance with the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation or when the container is labeled in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act and Regulations. (Prior code § 129.1-25; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-22, p. 54984, § 12)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-340 Container construction.

15-24-340 Container construction. A container shall not exceed 60 gallons individual capacity and shall be made of metal or approved plastic, except that within buildings: (a) Plastic or glass containers having an individual capacity of not more than one pint may be used for Class I, II or III flammable liquids. (b) Nonreusable plastic containers larger than one pint, but not more than one gallon, may be used for Class II and Class III liquids in common consumer products, such as, floor care compounds, charcoal lighter and paint thinner. (c) Nonreusable plastic containers bearing Federal D.O.T. or other approval agency markings, having an individual capacity of more than a pint, but not more than two and one-half gallons, stored in buildings and areas with automatic sprinkler systems, in accordance with Chapter 14B-9, may be used for flammable liquids other than Class I. (d) Plastic or glass containers having an individual capacity of not more than one gallon, may be used for medicines, beverages, foodstuffs and toiletries that are flammable liquids. (e) Plastic or glass containers having an individual capacity of not more than one gallon, may be used in laboratories for flammable liquids whose chemical purity would be contaminated by metal containers. (Prior code § 129.1-26; Added Coun. J. 6-20-84, p. 7832; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 32)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-350 Automatic sprinklers.

15-24-350 Automatic sprinklers. For automatic sprinkler requirements, see Chapter 14B-9. (Prior code § 129.1-27; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 33)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-360 Transfer to portable containers.

15-24-360 Transfer to portable containers. Class I flammable liquids, other than motor fuels, shall be dispensed from tank trucks into portable containers under the following conditions: (a) The portable container and the tank truck shall be electrically interconnected and positively grounded during filling operations. (b) The container used shall be an approved safety can or a metal drum. (c) Smoking shall not be allowed during filling operations. No other ignition sources shall be within 20 feet unless necessary for the transfer of the flammable liquid. (d) Actual filling operations shall be conducted outside the building. Safety clearances of ten feet shall be maintained between the filling operations and any structure. Provided, however, filling operations may be conducted inside a building or room designed for flammable liquid use, if a fixed piping system is used from the truck located outside the building and entering directly into the building or room designed for flammable liquid use. (Prior code § 129.1-28)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-370 Standard fireproof vaults.

15-24-370 Standard fireproof vaults. The walls, floor and ceilings of a standard fireproof vault, whenever such a room is required by this Code, shall be built of reinforced concrete or masonry of not less than two-hour fire-resistive construction. The distance from the floor to the ceiling of a standard fireproof vault shall not exceed 11 feet. Where a standard fireproof vault is located within any building, the cubical contents of such standard fireproof vault shall not exceed 750 cubic feet. Where a standard fireproof vault is located outside of a building so that a safety clearance of not less than five feet is provided on not less than three sides of such fireproof vault, the cubical contents of such vault shall not exceed 1,500 cubic feet. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting more than one standard fireproof vault in any building or structure or on any lot or plot of ground. All openings in the floors, walls, or ceilings of standard fireproof vault, except required vent flue openings and window openings for ventilation, shall be equipped and protected with a 3-hour-rated fire door of the automatic type and shall have as its actuating mechanism to close such door, a thermostatic releasing device. No wood floor, wood racks, wood shelves, or any other combustible material other than the substance for which any standard fireproof vault is intended shall be allowed or permitted in such vault. Shelves or racks used to support the material stored in vault shall be of metal and of open construction, so arranged as to permit water from the sprinkler heads to pass between container or packages. Flammable Liquids. Whenever a standard fireproof vault is used for the storage of flammable liquids, there shall be a sill at every doorway thereto, constructed of noncombustible materials and six inches high above the level of the floor of the vault. All floor drains in a vault used for storing or keeping flammable or corrosive liquids shall have no connections with the drainage system of the building, but shall be arranged to drain to a location outside of the building remote from all connections or drains to the sewer system. (Prior code § 129.1-29; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 34)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-380 Automatic sprinklers in vaults.

15-24-380 Automatic sprinklers in vaults. For automatic sprinkler requirements, see Chapter 14B-9. (Prior code § 129.1-30; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 35)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-390 Lighting in vaults.

15-24-390 Lighting in vaults. Any lighting in a standard fireproof vault shall be by electricity only. The light shall be controlled by an indicating switch located on the outside of the vault. All such lights shall be equipped with wire guards, keyless sockets, and vaporproof globes. (Prior code § 129.1-31)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-400 Ventilation in vaults.

15-24-400 Ventilation in vaults. Every standard fireproof vault shall have a vent flue or window opening directly to the outer air. Such vent flue termination or window shall be located not less than ten feet measured vertically or five feet measured horizontally from any fire door or fire window, or not less than 20 feet measured vertically, or ten feet measured horizontally, from any unprotected opening. Such window or vent flue shall have a net open area of not less than five percent of the total wall area in the standard fireproof vault. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting on each floor, vent shaft connections from standard fireproof vaults into one vent shaft; provided, however, that not more than four such vaults on any one floor shall be connected to one such vent shaft. The area of the combined vent shaft shall be of such area as is required to vent the largest of the standard vaults for which said vent shaft provides ventilation. All vent flues or portions of vent flues shall have no inclination from the horizontal of less than 45 degrees. Nothing herein shall be construed as preventing more than one window or vent flue or combination of windows or vent flues to provide the necessary ventilating area. Any such vent flue shall be used for no other purpose than to provide ventilation from standard fireproof vaults. Such vent flue shall be constructed of brick, tile or concrete walls not less than four inches in thickness, and no combustible material shall be used in the construction or support of flues. Any vent flue opening in a standard fireproof vault shall be in the ceiling or as close as practicable to the ceiling. The unobstructed opening into the atmosphere shall be not less in area than the area of the vent flues. Every vent flue furnishing the required ventilation shall be equipped with not less than a 60-minute fire-resistive door which shall be held normally closed, and such fire door shall have as its actuating mechanism a thermostatic releasing device to open the door. Such a door in the vent flue shall be so arranged that when the door is opened, the entire required area of the vent flue shall be available for ventilation purposes. All required windows shall be so provided with thermostatic releasing devices that a fire or an explosion in the vault shall cause such windows to open for the entire required ventilation area. (Prior code § 129.1-32)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-410 Flammable liquid storage rooms.

15-24-410 Flammable liquid storage rooms. In any special room for flammable liquids, the door openings to other rooms or buildings shall be provided with noncombustible sills, raised not less than six inches above the floor or such special room. Where the total quantity of Class I liquids stored or handled in any room, does not exceed 200 gallons, such room shall have floors, walls and ceilings of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction. Floors shall be arranged to drain toward the outside of the building. Where the total quantity of Class I flammable liquids stored or handled in any rooms exceeds 200 gallons, but does not exceed 400 gallons, all floors, walls and ceilings of such room shall be of not less than two-hour fire-resistive construction. Where the total quantity of Class I flammable liquids stored or used exceeds 400 gallons, but does not exceed 600 gallons, the floors, walls and ceilings of such room shall be of not less than three- hour fire-resistive construction. Where the total quantity of Class I flammable liquids stored or used exceeds 600 gallons, the floors, walls and ceilings of such room shall be of not less than four-hour fire-resistive construction. Outside storage houses for the storage and handling of flammable liquids shall be constructed in accordance with this section. All door openings through the enclosures of such rooms into other rooms or buildings, shall have fire doors as required by Chapter 14B-7 for such fire-resistive walls. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to fuel oil storage tanks otherwise permitted by Section 15-24-270. Ventilation as required by Section 15-24-400 shall be provided. (Prior code § 129.1-33; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 36)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-420 Storage of oils, paints and varnishes.

15-24-420 Storage of oils, paints and varnishes. Unless otherwise specified in the building provisions of this Code, oils, paints, varnishes and similar fluids having a flashpoint above 200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the standard tests for flashpoint, shall, if stored in any building used for other purposes, in quantities exceeding ten barrels aggregate, be placed in approved metal tanks, and shall be drawn only by the use of approved pumps or other approved devices. Quantities less than ten barrels aggregate may be stored in barrels, or ordinary tanks, and if drawn on the premises, suitable drip pans shall be provided to catch the drips. Boxes of sawdust shall not be used for the purpose. The premises surrounding such tanks shall be kept clean at all times. Any absorbents used to clean flammable liquid spills shall be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. (Prior code § 129.1-34)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-430 Outside container storage.

15-24-430 Outside container storage. Closed containers stored outside in the open shall be of a type meeting the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation or as herein required. No more than 40 drums (55 gallon capacity per drum) of Class I flammable liquids shall be stored per pile and the pile shall be located at least 40 feet from the nearest building; except that the pile can be located ten feet from the nearest building located on the same premises and under the same management. No more than 80 drums (55 gallon capacity per drum) of Class II flammable liquids shall be stored per pile and the pile shall be located at least 30 feet from the nearest building; except that, the pile can be located ten feet from the nearest building located on the same premises and under the same management. Provided, however, where closed container drum storage on the premises is for resale only with no use other than repackaging the maximum amount of Class I flammable liquids stored per pile may be not more than 120 drums and not more than 160 drums for Class II flammable liquids. A minimum distance of five feet shall be maintained between all piles of Class I and/or Class II flammable liquids. There shall be a 12-foot wide access road within 200 feet of each container. If equipped with a deluge-type sprinkler system, the size of the piles can be doubled and all safety clearances reduced by one half. All storage shall be located so that runoff due to leakage is not toward any structure. (Prior code § 129.1-35; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-22, p. 54984, § 12)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2678421Fetched: 10/24/2026