N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 5004: Section FC 5004: Storage

5004.1 General.

Hazardous materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area as set forth in FC 5003.1 shall be stored in accordance with FC 5001, 5003 and 5004. Hazardous materials in amounts not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area as set forth in FC 5003.1 shall be stored in accordance with FC 5001 and 5003. Nonflammable solid and nonflammable and noncombustible liquid hazardous materials in Group M retail occupancies and Group S wholesale storage shall be stored and displayed in accordance with FC 5003.11.

5004.2 Spill control and secondary containment for liquid and solid hazardous materials.

Buildings, structures, rooms or areas used for the storage of liquid or solid hazardous materials shall be provided with spill control and secondary containment in accordance with FC 5004.2.1 through 5004.2.3.

Exception: Outdoor storage of containers on approved containment pallets in accordance with FC 5004.2.3.

5004.2.1 Spill control for hazardous material liquids.

Buildings, structures, rooms or areas used for the storage of hazardous material liquids in individual vessels having a capacity of more than 55 gallons (208 L), or in which the aggregate capacity of multiple vessels exceeds 1,000 gallons (3785 L), shall be provided with spill control to prevent the flow of liquids to adjoining areas. Floors in indoor locations, and similar surfaces in outdoor locations, shall be designed to contain a spill from the largest single vessel by one of the following methods:

1. Liquid-tight sloped or recessed floors in indoor locations or similar protection in outdoor locations.

2. Liquid-tight floors and raised or recessed sills or dikes in indoor locations or similar protection in outdoor locations.

3. Sumps and collection systems.

4. Other approved engineered systems.

5004.2.1.1 Containment system construction.

Except for surfacing, the floors, sills, dikes, sumps and collection systems shall be constructed of noncombustible material, and the liquid-tight seal shall be compatible with the material stored. When liquid-tight sills or dikes are provided, they are not required at perimeter openings having an open-grate trench across the opening that connects to an approved collection system.

5004.2.2 Secondary containment for hazardous material liquids and solids.

Where required by FC Table 5004.2.2, buildings, structures, rooms or areas used for the storage of hazardous materials liquids or solids shall be provided with secondary containment in accordance with this section when the capacity of an individual vessel or the aggregate capacity of multiple vessels exceeds the following quantities:

1. Liquids: Capacity of an individual vessel exceeds 55 gallons (208 L) or the aggregate capacity of multiple vessels exceeds 1,000 gallons (3785 L).

2. Solids: Capacity of an individual vessel exceeds 550 pounds (250 kg) or the aggregate capacity of multiple vessels exceeds 10,000 pounds (4540 kg).

FC Table 5004.2.2 Required Secondary Containment – Hazardous Material Solids and Liquids Storage

Material

Indoor Storage

Outdoor Storage

Solids

Liquids

Solids

Liquids

Physical-hazard materials

Combustible liquids

Class II

Not Applicable

See FC Chapter 57

Not Applicable

See FC Chapter 57

Class IIIA

See FC Chapter 57

See FC Chapter 57

Class IIIB

See FC Chapter 57

See FC Chapter 57

Cryogenic fluids

See FC Chapter 55

See FC Chapter 55

Explosives

a

See FC Chapter 56

See FC Chapter 56

Flammable liquids

Class IA

Not Applicable

See FC Chapter 57

Not Applicable

See FC Chapter 57

Class IB

See FC Chapter 57

See FC Chapter 57

Class IC

See FC Chapter 57

See FC Chapter 57

Flammable solids

Not Required

Not Applicable

Not Required

Not Applicable

Organic peroxides, nondetonable

Class I

Required

Required

Not Required

Required

Class II

Required

Required

Not Required

Not Required

Class III

Class IV

Class V

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Oxidizers

Class 4

Required

Required

Not Required

Required

Class 3

Not Required

Class 2

Not Required

Class 1

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Pyrophorics, nondetonable

Not Required

Required

Not Required

Required

Unstable (reactives), nondetonable

Class 4

Required

Required

Required

Required

Class 3

Class 2

Class 1

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Water-reactives, nondetonable

Class 3

Required

Required

Required

Required

Class 2

Class 1

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Not Required

Health-hazard materials

Corrosives

Not Required

Required

Not Required

Required

Highly toxics

Required

Required

Required

Required

Toxics

a. Unclassified detonable organic peroxides (see FC Chapter 62), detonable pyrophoric materials (see FC Chapter 64), detonable unstable (reactive) materials (see FC Chapter 66) and detonable water-reactive materials (see FC Chapter 67) shall be treated as explosives for purposes of storage, handling and use (see FC Chapter 56).

5004.2.2.1 Containment and drainage methods.

The building, structure, room or area shall contain or drain the hazardous materials and fire protection water through the use of one of the following methods:

1. Liquid-tight sloped or recessed floors in indoor locations or similar protection in outdoor locations.

2. Liquid-tight floors and raised or recessed sills or dikes in indoor locations or similar protection in outdoor locations.

3. Sumps and collection systems.

4. Drainage systems leading to an approved location.

5. Other approved engineered systems.

5004.2.2.2 Incompatible materials.

Incompatible materials used in open systems shall be separated from each other in the secondary containment system.

5004.2.2.3 Indoor design.

Secondary containment for indoor storage areas shall be designed to contain a spill from the largest vessel plus the design flow volume of fire protection water calculated to discharge from the fire extinguishing system over the minimum required system design area or area of the room or area in which the storage is located, whichever is smaller. The containment capacity shall be designed to contain the flow for a minimum period of 20 minutes.

5004.2.2.4 Outdoor design.

Secondary containment for outdoor storage areas shall be designed to contain a spill from the largest individual vessel. If the area is open to rainfall, secondary containment shall be designed to include the volume of a 24-hour rainfall as determined by a 25-year storm but in no case less than 110 percent of the largest individual vessel and provisions shall be made to drain accumulations of ground water and rainwater.

5004.2.2.5 Monitoring.

Monitoring shall be provided to detect hazardous materials in the secondary containment system. The method of monitoring may be visual inspection of the primary or secondary containment, or other approved means. Where secondary containment is subject to the intrusion of water, a monitoring method for detecting water shall be provided. Where monitoring devices are provided, they shall be connected to approved audible or visible alarms.

5004.2.2.6 Drainage system design.

Drainage systems shall be in accordance with the Plumbing Code and the following requirements:

1. The slope of floors to drains in indoor locations, or similar protection in outdoor locations, shall not be less than 1 percent.

2. Drains from indoor storage areas shall be sized to carry the volume of the fire protection water as determined by the design density discharged from the fire extinguishing system over the minimum required system design area or area of the room or area in which the storage is located, whichever is smaller.

3. Drains from outdoor storage areas shall be sized to carry the volume of the fire flow and the volume of a 24-hour rainfall as determined by a 25-year storm.

4. Materials of construction for drainage systems shall be compatible with the materials stored.

5. Incompatible materials used in open systems shall be separated from each other in the drainage system.

6. Drains shall terminate in an approved location away from buildings, structures, valves, means of egress, fire access roadways, adjoining property and storm drains.

5004.2.3 Containment pallets.

When used as an alternative to spill control and secondary containment for outdoor storage in accordance with the exception set forth in FC 5004.2, containment pallets shall be in compliance with the following requirements:

1. A liquid-tight sump accessible for visual inspection shall be provided.

2. The sump shall be designed to contain not less than 66 gallons (250 L).

3. Exposed surfaces shall be compatible with material stored.

4. The containment pallet shall be protected to prevent collection of rainwater within the sump.

5004.3 Ventilation.

Indoor storage areas and storage buildings shall be provided with mechanical exhaust ventilation or natural ventilation where natural ventilation can be shown to be acceptable for the materials as stored.

Exception: Storage areas for flammable solids complying with the requirements of FC Chapter 59.

5004.3.1 System requirements.

Exhaust ventilation systems shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Installation shall be in accordance with the Mechanical Code.

2. Mechanical ventilation shall be at a rate of not less than 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot (0.00508 m

3

/s/m

2

) of floor area over the storage area.

3. Systems shall operate continuously unless alternative designs are approved.

4. A manual shutoff control shall be provided outside of the room in a position adjacent to the access door to the room or in an approved location. The switch shall be a break-glass or other approved type and shall be labeled: VENTILATION SYSTEM EMERGENCY SHUTOFF.

5. Exhaust ventilation shall be designed based on the density of the potential fumes or vapors released. For fumes or vapors that are heavier than air, exhaust shall be taken from a point within 12 inches (305 mm) of the floor. For fumes or vapors that are lighter than air, exhaust shall be taken from a point within 12 inches (305 mm) of the highest point of the room.

6. The design and location of exhaust and inlet air openings shall serve to provide air movement across all portions of the floor and room to prevent the accumulation of vapors.

5004.4 Separation of incompatible hazardous materials.

Incompatible materials shall be separated in accordance with FC 5003.9.8.

5004.5 Sprinkler systems.

Indoor storage areas and storage buildings shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system. The design of the sprinkler system shall not be less than that required for Ordinary Hazard Group 2 with a minimum design area of 3,000 square feet (279 m

2

). Where the materials or storage arrangement are required by other regulations to be provided with a higher level of sprinkler system protection, the higher level of sprinkler system protection shall be provided.

5004.6 Explosion control.

Buildings, structures and indoor rooms and other areas shall be provided with explosion control in accordance with FC 911.

5004.7 Emergency power.

Where mechanical ventilation, treatment systems, temperature control, alarm, detection or other electrically operated systems are required, such systems shall be provided with an emergency power system in accordance with the Electrical Code, and the construction codes, including the Building Code, 

and FC 604.

Exceptions:

1. Mechanical ventilation for storage of Class IB and Class IC flammable liquids and combustible liquids in closed containers not exceeding 6 1/2 gallons (25 L) capacity.

2. Storage areas for Class 1 and 2 oxidizers.

3. Storage areas for Class III, IV and V organic peroxides.

4. Storage areas for highly toxic or toxic materials, in accordance with FC 6004.2.2.8 and 6004.3.2.6.

5. Storage areas for which an approved fail-safe engineered system has been installed for mechanical ventilation, treatment systems or temperature control systems.

5004.8 Limit controls.

Limit controls shall be provided in accordance with FC 5004.8.1 and 5004.8.2.

5004.8.1 Temperature control.

Materials that must be kept at temperatures other than normal ambient temperatures shall be provided with an approved means to maintain the temperature within a safe range. Redundant temperature control equipment that will operate on failure of the primary temperature control system, or other approved means to maintain the required temperature range, shall be provided.

5004.8.2 Pressure control.

Stationary tanks and equipment containing hazardous material liquids that can generate pressures exceeding design limits because of exposure fires or internal reaction, shall have some form of construction or other approved means that will relieve excessive internal pressure. The means of pressure relief shall vent to an approved location outdoors or to an exhaust scrubber or treatment system in accordance with FC Chapter 60.

5004.9 Emergency alarm.

An approved manual emergency alarm system shall be provided in buildings, rooms or areas used for storage of hazardous materials. Emergency alarm-initiating devices shall be installed outside of each interior exit or exit access door of storage buildings, rooms or areas. Activation of an emergency alarm-initiating device shall sound a local alarm to alert occupants of an emergency situation involving hazardous materials.

5004.10 Supervision.

Emergency alarm, detection and fire extinguishing systems required by FC 5004 shall be supervised by an approved central, proprietary or remote station service or shall initiate an audible and visual signal at a constantly attended on-site location.

5004.11 Clearance from combustibles.

The area surrounding an outdoor storage area or tank shall be kept clear of vegetation, rubbish and other combustible waste, and storage of combustible materials, for a minimum distance of 25 feet (7620 mm).

5004.12 Noncombustible floor.

Except for surfacing, floors of storage areas shall be of noncombustible construction.

5004.13 Weather protection.

Outdoor hazardous material storage areas sheltered by overhead noncombustible construction shall not be considered indoor storage when the area is constructed in accordance with the requirements for weather protection as required by the construction codes, including the Building Code.

Exception: Storage of explosives shall be considered as indoor storage.