{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-fc-2311","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 2311","heading":"Section FC 2311: Repair Garages","body":"2311.1 General.\n\nRepair garages shall comply with the requirements of this section and the construction codes, including the Building Code. Repair garages for vehicles that use more than one type of fuel shall comply with the applicable requirements of this section for each type of fuel used. Where a repair garage also includes a motor fuel-dispensing facility, the fuel-dispensing operation shall comply with the requirements of this chapter for motor fuel-dispensing facilities.\n\n2311.1.1 Supervision of defueling operations.\n\nThe defueling of liquid motor fuel from the fuel tank of a motor vehicle shall be supervised in accordance with FC 2301.8.\n\n2311.1.2 Supervision of repair garages for vehicles fueled by lighter-than-air motor fuels.\n\nThe defueling of motor fuel from the fuel tank of a motor vehicle fueled by lighter-than-air motor fuel, and the refueling of such vehicles, shall be conducted by or under the personal supervision of a person holding a certificate of fitness.\n\n2311.2 Storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids.\n\nThe storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids in repair garages shall comply with the requirements of FC Chapter 57 and FC 2311.2.1 through 2311.2.4.\n\n2311.2.1 Cleaning of parts.\n\nCleaning of parts shall be conducted in listed and approved parts-cleaning machines in accordance with FC Chapter 57.\n\n2311.2.2 Waste oil, motor oil and other Class IIIB liquids.\n\nWaste oil, motor oil and other Class IIIB liquids, including crankcase drainings shall be stored in approved tanks or containers, which are allowed to be stored and dispensed from inside repair garages.\n\n2311.2.2.1 Tanks storing waste oil.\n\nFor tanks of a capacity of 500 gallons (1893 L) or less, the fill connection may be located indoors provided that discharge of vapor from the fill port is prevented from entering the building or structure during and after filling. An automatic spring-loaded vertical check valve in the fill line or other device designed to prevent vapors from escaping shall be provided. The fill line shall be capped immediately after filling.\n\n2311.2.3 Draining and disposal of liquids and oil-soaked waste.\n\nGarage floor drains, where provided, shall drain to approved oil separators or traps discharging to a sewer in accordance with the construction codes, including the Plumbing Code. Contents of oil separators, traps and floor drainage systems shall be collected at sufficiently frequent intervals and removed from the premises to prevent oil from being carried into the sewers. Crankcase drainings and liquids shall not be dumped into sewers, streams or on the ground, but shall be stored in approved tanks or containers in accordance with FC Chapter 57 until removed from the premises. Self-closing metal cans shall be used for oily waste.\n\n2311.2.3.1 Draining of liquid motor fuel tanks.\n\nPortable equipment used for defueling and refueling shall be listed and labeled and shall have fuel storage tanks not exceeding 65 gallons (246 L). Stationary systems for defueling and refueling, shall be approved by the department.\n\n2311.2.4 Spray finishing.\n\nSpray finishing with flammable or combustible liquids shall comply with the requirements of FC Chapter 24.\n\n2311.3 Sources of ignition.\n\nSources of ignition shall not be located within 18 inches (457 mm) of the floor and shall comply with the requirements of FC Chapters 3 and 35.\n\n2311.3.1 Equipment.\n\nAppliances and equipment installed in a repair garage shall comply with the requirements of the construction codes, including the Building Code, the Mechanical Code and the Electrical Code.\n\n2311.3.2 Smoking.\n\nSmoking is prohibited in repair garages.\n\n2311.4 Below grade areas.\n\nPits and other work areas below grade in repair garages shall comply with the requirements of FC 2311.4.1 through 2311.4.3.\n\n2311.4.1 Construction.\n\nPits and other work areas below grade shall be constructed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.\n\n2311.4.2 Means of egress.\n\nPits and other work areas below grade shall be provided with means of egress in accordance with the Building Code.\n\n2311.4.3 Ventilation.\n\nWhere Class I liquids are stored or used within a building having a basement or pit wherein flammable vapors could accumulate, the basement or pit shall be provided with mechanical ventilation in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code, \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tat a minimum rate of 1.5 cubic feet per minute per square foot (0.008 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t/s/m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t) to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors.\n\n2311.5 Reserved.\n\n2311.6 Reserved.\n\n2311.7 Portable fire extinguishers.\n\nPortable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with FC 906.\n\n2311.8 Repair garages for vehicles fueled by lighter-than-air motor fuels.\n\nThe repair garage, or the room, booth or area thereof, for the conversion and/or repair of vehicles which use CNG, liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen or other lighter-than-air motor fuels shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with FC 2311.8.1 through 2311.8.8.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Repair garages where work is conducted only on vehicles that have been defueled and their systems purged with nitrogen gas, and which will not be re-fueled in the repair garage. Documentation of such purging shall be maintained on the premises and signage conspicuously posted that no lighter-than-air gas fueling shall be conducted in the repair garage.\n\n2. Repair garages where work is not performed on the fuel system and is limited to exchange of parts and maintenance requiring no open flame or welding on the CNG-, LNG-, hydrogen- or other lighter-than-air-fueled motor vehicle.\n\n3. Repair garages for hydrogen-fueled vehicles where work is not performed on the hydrogen storage tank and is limited to the exchange of parts and maintenance requiring no open flame or welding on the hydrogen-fueled vehicle. During the work, the entire hydrogen fuel system shall contain less than 200 cubic feet (5.6 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t) of hydrogen.\n\n4. Repair garages for natural-gas-fueled vehicles where work is not being performed on the fuel storage tank, and is limited to the exchange of parts and maintenance requiring no open flame or welding on the natural-gas-fueled vehicle. During the work, the natural gas in the vehicle fuel tank shall contain a pressure of not more than 250 psi at 70ºF (1724 kPa at 21ºC).\n\n2311.8.1 Construction requirements.\n\nAny room or booth in a repair garage that is used for motor vehicle repair shall be constructed in accordance with the Building Code and FC 2311.8.1.1 and 2311.8.1.2.\n\n2311.8.1.1 Motor vehicle repair spaces.\n\nWhen motor vehicle repairs are performed in an unenclosed interior space, noncombustible spray curtains shall be provided to restrict the spread of flammable gases.\n\n2311.8.1.2 Below grade areas.\n\nMotor vehicle repair rooms, booths and spaces shall not be constructed in below grade areas.\n\n2311.8.2 Fire protection.\n\nMotor vehicle repair booths or spaces installed in a room or area\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshall be protected by a sprinkler system as set forth in the Building Code.\n\n2311.8.3 Exhaust ventilation system.\n\nRepair garages used for the repair of vehicles fueled by CNG, LNG or other lighter-than-air motor fuels other than hydrogen shall be provided with an approved mechanical ventilation system designed in accordance with this section and the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code. Repair garages used for the repair of hydrogen-fueled vehicles shall be provided with an approved exhaust ventilation system in accordance with the construction codes, including the Mechanical Code,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand Chapter 6 of NFPA 2.\n\n2311.8.3.1 Design.\n\nFor indoor locations, air supply inlets and exhaust outlets for mechanical ventilation shall be arranged to provide uniformly distributed air movement with inlets uniformly arranged on walls near floor level and outlets at the high point of the room in walls or the roof. Failure of the ventilation system shall cause the fueling system to shut down. The exhaust ventilation rate shall be not less than 1 cubic foot per minute (0.03 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t/minute) per 12 cubic feet (34 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t) of room volume.\n\n2311.8.3.2 Operation.\n\nThe mechanical exhaust ventilation system shall operate continuously.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Mechanical exhaust ventilation systems that are interlocked with a gas detection system designed in accordance with FC 2311.8.4.\n\n2. Mechanical exhaust ventilation systems in repair garages that are used only for repair of vehicles fueled by liquid fuels or odorized gases, such as CNG, where the ventilation system is electrically interlocked with the lighting circuit.\n\n2311.8.4 Gas detection system.\n\nRepair garages used for repair of vehicles fueled by CNG, LNG or hydrogen shall be provided with a gas detection system in accordance with FC 908 and 2311.8.4.1 through 2311.8.4.3.\n\n2311.8.4.1 System design.\n\nThe gas detection system shall be designed to detect leakage of nonodorized gaseous fuel. Where lubrication or chassis service pits are provided in garages used for repairing nonodorized LNG-fueled vehicles, gas sensors shall be provided in such pits.\n\n2311.8.4.2 System activation.\n\nActivation of the gas detection system alarm shall initiate the following actions:\n\n1. Activation of local audible and visual alarms in approved locations.\n\n2. Deactivation of heating systems located in the repair garage.\n\n3. Activation of the mechanical exhaust ventilation system, where the ventilation system is interlocked with gas detection.\n\n2311.8.4.3 System failure.\n\nFailure of the gas detection system shall automatically deactivate the heating system, activate the mechanical exhaust ventilation system where the system is interlocked with the gas detection system, and transmit a supervisory signal to the control panel and a central station.\n\n2311.8.5 Electrical requirements.\n\nAreas within 18 inches (450 mm) of a ceiling within a motor vehicle repair room or motor vehicle repair booth shall be designed and installed in accordance with the requirements for Class I, Division 2 classified locations, as set forth in the Electrical Code.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Motor vehicle repair rooms with exhaust ventilation of not less than 1 cfm per square foot (0.03 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t/minute/m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t) of floor area, with suction taken from a point within 18 inches (450 mm) of the highest point in the ceiling in repair garages for vehicles that use CNG, liquefied natural gas (LNG) or other lighter-than-air motor fuels.\n\n2. Motor vehicle repair rooms used for the repair of hydrogen-fueled vehicles that have an approved exhaust ventilation system in accordance with the Mechanical Code and NFPA 2.\n\n2311.8.6 Preparation of vehicles for repair.\n\nFor vehicles powered by gaseous fuels, the fuel shutoff valves shall be closed prior to repairing any portion of the vehicle fuel system. Where the fuel system of a vehicle powered by a gaseous fuel has been damaged, the entire fuel system of the vehicle shall be inspected and evaluated for integrity prior to being brought into the repair garage.\n\n2311.8.7 Other requirements.\n\nRepair garages for vehicles fueled by lighter-than-air motor fuels shall comply with the requirements of FC 2311.1.2, 2311.3 and 2311.7 with respect to supervision, sources of ignition and portable fire extinguishers.\n\n2311.8.8 Defueling equipment required at vehicle maintenance and repair facilities.\n\nRepair garages that repair or replace hydrogen fuel systems on hydrogen-fueled vehicles shall have equipment to defuel hydrogen fuel storage tanks. Where work must be performed on a vehicle's fuel storage tank for the purpose of maintenance, repair or cylinder certification, defueling and purging shall be conducted in accordance with FC 2309.8 and NFPA 2.","path":["New York City Administrative Code","Title 29","Chapter 2: New York City Fire Code"],"source_url":"https://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/NewYorkCity/Admin/XML.zip","current_through":"Local Law 2026/135 (enacted August 31, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:48:57Z","sha256":"3f7c62a49b866b396f7d39977dad42df43a98bb625a15b6cbfa637a308b1a020","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":true,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-fc-2310","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-fc-2401"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}