N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 5104: Section FC 5104: Indoor Storage of Aerosol Products

5104.1 General.

Indoor storage of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products shall comply with the requirements of FC 5104.2 through 5104.7 and NFPA 30B. Level I aerosol products, and Level 1, 2 and 3 aerosol products in plastic containers covered by FC 5101.6 Exception 3, shall be deemed a Class III commodity and shall comply with the requirements for palletized or rack storage set forth in NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B.

5104.2 Storage in buildings with Group A, B, E, F, I and R occupancies.

Except as otherwise provided in FC 5104.2.1, it shall be unlawful to store Level 2 and 3 aerosol products in excess of the following amounts in buildings that house Group A, B, E, F, I and R occupancies:

1. A net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 2 aerosol products.

2. A net weight of 500 pounds (227 kg) of Level 3 aerosol products.

3. A combined net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products.

5104.2.1 Excess storage.

Level 2 and 3 aerosol products exceeding the maximum quantities set forth in FC 5104.2 may be lawfully stored in accordance with FC 5104.2.1.1 and 5104.2.1.2.

5104.2.1.1 Storage cabinets.

Aerosol products in a quantity not to exceed 100 percent of the maximum storage limitation may be stored in storage cabinets in accordance with FC 5704.3.2.

5104.2.1.2 Storage rooms.

Level 2 and 3 aerosol products in a quantity exceeding that set forth in FC 5104.2 may be lawfully stored indoors in a flammable liquid storage room in accordance with FC 5104.5.

5104.3 Storage in general purpose warehouses.

Storage of aerosol products in general purpose warehouses, as defined in NFPA 30B, utilized only for warehousing-type operations involving mixed commodities shall comply with the requirements of FC 5104.3.1 or 5104.3.2.

5104.3.1 Nonsegregated storage.

Storage consisting of solid pile, palletized or rack storage of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products not segregated into areas utilized exclusively for the storage of aerosols shall comply with the requirements of FC Table 5104.3.1.

FC Table 5104.3.1 Nonsegregated Storage of Level 2 and 3 Aerosol Products in General Purpose Warehouses

b

Aerosol Level

Maximum Net Weight per Floor (pounds)

b

Palletized or solid-pile storage

Rack storage

Unprotected

Protected

a

Unprotected

Protected

a

2

2,500

12,000

2,500

24,000

3

1,000

12,000

1,000

24,000

Combination 2 and 3

2,500

12,000

2,500

24,000

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

.

a. Sprinkler system protection and storage arrangements shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 30B. Sprinkler system protection shall extend 20 feet beyond the storage area containing the aerosol products.

b. Storage quantities indicated are the maximum allowed in any 50,000-square-foot area.

5104.3.2 Segregated storage.

Storage of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products segregated into areas utilized exclusively for the storage of aerosols shall be in accordance with FC Table 5104.3.2 and FC 5104.3.2.1 and 5104.3.2.2.

FC Table 5104.3.2 Segregated Storage of Level 2 and 3 Aerosol Products in General Purpose Warehouses

Storage Separation

Maximum Segregated Storage Area

a

Sprinkler Requirements

Percentage of building area (percent)

Area limitation (square feet)

Separation area

e, f

15

20,000

Notes b, c

Chain-link fence enclosure

d

20

20,000

Notes b, c

1-hour fire-resistance-rated interior walls

20

30,000

Note b

2-hour fire-resistance-rated interior walls

25

40,000

Note b

3-hour fire-resistance-rated interior walls

30

50,000

Note b

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

.

a. The maximum segregated storage area shall be limited to the smaller of the two areas resulting from the percentage of building area limitation and the area limitation.

b. Sprinkler system protection in aerosol product storage areas shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 30B and be approved. Other building areas not containing aerosol product storage shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.

c. Sprinkler system protection in aerosol product storage areas shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 30B and be approved. Sprinkler system protection shall extend a minimum 20 feet beyond the aerosol storage area.

d.

Chain-link fence enclosures shall comply with the requirements of FC 5104.3.2.1.

e. A separation area shall be defined as an area extending outward from the periphery of the segregated aerosol product storage area as follows.

1. The limits of the aerosol product storage shall be clearly marked on the floor.

2. The separation distance shall be a minimum of 25 feet and maintained clear of all materials with a commodity classification greater than Class Ill in accordance with NFPA 13, as modified by FC Appendix B.

f. Separation areas shall be allowed when approved.

5104.3.2.1 Chain-link fence enclosures.

Chain-link fence enclosures required by FC Table 5104.3.2 shall comply with the following requirements:

1. The fence shall not be less than No. 9 gauge steel wire, woven into a maximum 2-inch (51-mm) diamond mesh.

2. The fence shall be installed from the floor to the underside of the roof or ceiling above.

3. Class IV and high-hazard commodities shall be stored outside of the aerosol storage area and a minimum of 8 feet (2438 mm) from the fence.

4. Access openings in the fence shall be provided with either self-closing or automatic-closing devices or a labyrinth opening arrangement preventing aerosol containers from rocketing through the access openings.

5. Not less than two means of egress shall be provided from the fenced enclosure.

5104.3.2.2 Aisles.

The minimum aisle requirements for segregated storage in general purpose warehouses shall be in accordance with FC Table 5104.3.2.2.

FC Table 5104.3.2.2 Segregated Storage Aisle Widths and Distance to Aisles in General Purpose Warehouses

Storage Condition

Minimum Aisle Width (feet)

Maximum Distance from Storage to Aisle (feet)

Solid pile or palletized

a

4 feet between piles

25

Racks with ESFR sprinklers

a

4 feet between racks and adjacent Level 2 and 3 aerosol product storage

25

Racks without ESFR sprinklers

a

8 feet between racks and adjacent Level 2 and 3 aerosol product storage

25

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

a. Sprinklers shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 30B.

5104.4 Storage in aerosol warehouses.

The total quantity of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products stored in an aerosol warehouse shall not be restricted provided such warehouse complies with the requirements of FC 5104.4.1 through 5104.4.4.

5104.4.1 Sprinkler system.

Aerosol warehouses shall be protected throughout by a wet-pipe sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 30B. Sprinkler protection shall be designed based on the highest classification level of aerosol product present.

5104.4.2 Pile and palletized storage aisles.

Solid pile and palletized storage shall be arranged so the maximum travel distance to an aisle is 25 feet (7620 mm). Aisles shall have a minimum width of 4 feet (1219 mm).

5104.4.3 Rack storage aisles.

Rack storage shall be arranged with a minimum aisle width of 8 feet (2438 mm) between rows of racks and 8 feet (2438 mm) between racks and adjacent solid pile or palletized storage. Where early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers provide sprinkler protection, the minimum aisle width shall be 4 feet (1219 mm).

5104.4.4 Combustible commodities.

Combustible commodities, other than flammable and combustible liquids, may be stored in an aerosol warehouse.

Exception: Flammable and combustible liquids in 1-quart (0.95 L) metal containers and smaller may be stored in an aerosol warehouse.

5104.5 Storage in indoor flammable liquid storage rooms.

Indoor flammable liquid storage rooms shall comply with the requirements of FC 5704.3.7. The maximum quantities of aerosol products shall comply with the requirements of FC 5104.5.1 or 5104.5.2.

5104.5.1 Storage rooms of 500 square feet or less.

The storage of aerosol products in flammable liquid storage rooms less than or equal to 500 square feet (46 m

2

) in area shall not exceed the following quantities:

1. A net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 2 aerosol products.

2. A net weight of 500 pounds (227 kg) of Level 3 aerosol products.

3. A combined net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products.

5104.5.2 Storage rooms greater than 500 square feet.

The storage of aerosol products in flammable liquid storage rooms greater than 500 square feet (46 m

2

) in area shall not exceed the following quantities:

1. A net weight of 2,500 pounds (1135 kg) of Level 2 aerosol products.

2. A net weight of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of Level 3 aerosol products.

3. A combined net weight of 2,500 pounds (1135 kg) of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products. The maximum aggregate storage quantity of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products allowed in separate indoor storage rooms protected by a sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 30B shall be 5,000 pounds (2270 kg).

5104.6 Storage in liquid warehouses.

The storage of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products in liquid warehouses, as defined in NFPA 30B, shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 30B. The storage shall be located within segregated storage areas in accordance with FC 5104.3.2 and FC 5104.6.1 through 5104.6.3.

5104.6.1 Containment.

Spill control or drainage shall be provided to prevent the flow of liquid to within 8 feet (2438 mm) of the segregated storage area.

5104.6.2 Sprinkler design.

Sprinkler protection shall be designed based on the highest level of aerosol product present.

5104.6.3 Opening protection into segregated storage areas.

Fire doors or gates opening into the segregated storage area shall either be self-closing or provided with automatic-closing devices activated by sprinkler water flow or an approved fire detection system.

5104.7 Storage in Group M occupancies.

Storage of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products in occupancies in Group M shall comply with the requirements of FC Table 5104.7. Retail display shall comply with the requirements of FC 5106.

FC Table 5104.7 Maximum Quantities of Level 2 and 3 Aerosol Products in Retail Storage Areas

Maximum Net Weight Per Floor (pounds)

Floor

Nonsegregated storage

a, b

Segregated storage

Storage cabinets

b

Separated from retail area

c

Basement, cellar or other area below grade

Not permitted

Not permitted

Not permitted

Ground floor

2,500

5,000

Note d

Upper floors

500

1,000

Note d

For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

.

a. The total aggregate quantity on display and in storage shall not exceed the maximum retail display quantity indicated in FC 5106.3.

b. Storage quantities indicated are the maximum allowed in any 50,000-square-foot area.

c. The storage area shall be separated from the retail area with a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated assembly.

d. See FC Table 5104.3.2.