California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 36 - Fire Protection and Prevention
Section 1931 - Inside Storage
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Inside storage rooms shall be constructed in accordance with NFPA 30-2012.
(b) Materials which will react with water shall not be stored in the same room with flammable or combustible liquids.
(c) Storage in inside storage rooms shall comply with the following:
| Automatic Fire Protection* Provided | Fire Resistance | Maximum Floor Area | Total Allowable Quantities Gals./sq. ft./floor area |
| yes | 2-hour | 500 sq. ft. | 10 |
| no | 2-hour | 500 sq. ft. | 4 |
| yes | 1-hour | 150 sq. ft. | 5 |
| no | 1-hour | 150 sq. ft. | 2 |
* Fire protection system shall be sprinkler, water spray, carbon dioxide, or other system approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for this purpose.
(d) Electrical wiring and equipment located in inside storage rooms shall be approved for Class I, Division 1 Hazardous Locations in accordance with the Low Voltage Electrical Safety Orders.
(e) Provisions shall be made for ventilation of inside storage rooms in accordance with General Industry Safety Orders, Section 5143.
Every inside storage room shall be provided with either a gravity or a mechanical exhausting system. Such system shall commence not more than 12 inches above the floor and be designed to provide for a complete change of air within the room at least 6 times per hour. If a mechanical exhausting system is used, it shall be controlled by a switch located outside of the door. The ventilating equipment and any lighting fixtures shall be operated by the same switch. An electric pilot light shall be installed adjacent to the switch if Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquids are dispensed within the room. Where gravity ventilation is provided, the fresh air intake, as well as the exhausting outlet from the room, shall be on the exterior of the building in which the room is located.
(f) In every inside storage room there shall be maintained one clear aisle at least three feet wide. Containers over 30 gallons capacity shall not be stacked one upon the other. Dispensing shall be by approved pump or self-closing faucet only.
(g) "Quantity." The quantity of flammable liquids and liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) (formerly designated Class IIIB Combustible liquids) kept in the vicinity of spraying operations shall be the minimum required for operations and should not exceed a supply for 1 day or one shift. Bulk storage of portable containers of flammable liquids and liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) (formerly designated Class IIIB Combustible liquids) shall be in a separate, constructed building detached from other important buildings or cut off in a standard manner. See Section 5451 of the General Industry Safety Orders for additional requirements.
1. Amendment filed 10-9-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 43).
2. Editorial correction of subsection (e) (Register 95, No. 21).
3. Amendment of section heading and section filed 5-5-2014; operative 5-6-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 19).
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
