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Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

Section 414

California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

[F] 414.1 General. The provisions of Sections 414.1 through 414.6 shall apply to buildings and structures occupied for the manufacturing, processing, dispensing, use or storage of hazardous materials.

[F] 414.1.1 Other provisions. Buildings and structures with an occupancy in Group H shall comply with this section and the applicable provisions of Section 415 and the California Fire Code . See Section 453 for Group L occupancies.

[F] 414.1.2 Materials. The safe design of hazardous material occupancies is material dependent. Individual material requirements are found in Sections 307 and 415, the Cali- fornia Mechanical Code and the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.1.2.1 Aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products and plastic aerosol 3 products. Level 2 and 3 aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products and plastic aerosol 3 products shall be stored and displayed in accordance with the California Fire Code . See Section 311.2 and the California Fire Code for occupancy group requirements.

[F] 414.1.3 Information required. A report shall be submitted to the building official identifying the maximum expected quantities of hazardous materials to be stored, used in a closed system and used in an open system, and subdivided to separately address hazardous material classification categories based on Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2). The methods of protection from such hazards, including but not limited to control areas, fire protection systems and Group H occupancies shall be indicated in the report and on the construction documents. The opinion and report shall be prepared by a qualified person, firm or corporation approved by the building official and provided without charge to the enforcing agency.

For buildings and structures with an occupancy in Group H, separate floor plans shall be submitted identifying the locations of anticipated contents and processes so as to reflect the nature of each occupied portion of every building and structure.

[F] 414.2 Control areas. Control areas shall comply with Sections 414.2.1 through 414.2.5 and the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.2.1 Construction requirements. Control areas shall be separated from each other by fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both.

[F] 414.2.2 Percentage of maximum allowable quanti- ties. The percentage of maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials per control area permitted at each floor level within a building shall be in accordance with Table 414.2.2.

[F] 414.2.3 Number. The maximum number of control areas within a building shall be in accordance with Table 414.2.2. For the purposes of determining the number of control areas within a building, each portion of a building separated by one or more fire walls complying with Section 706 shall be considered a separate building.

[F] 414.2.4 Fire-resistance rating requirements. The required fire-resistance rating for fire barriers shall be in accordance with Table 414.2.2. The floor assembly of the control area and the construction supporting the floor of

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

[F] TABLE 414.2.2 DESIGN AND NUMBER OF CONTROL AREAS

STORY PERCENTAGE OF THE MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER
CONTROL AREAa		 NUMBER OF CONTROL
AREAS PER STORY		 FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING FOR
FIRE BARRIERS IN HOURSb
Above grade plane Higher than 9 5 1 2
Above grade plane 7−9 5 2 2
Above grade plane 6 12.5 2 2
Above grade plane 5 12.5 2 2
Above grade plane 4 12.5 2 2
Above grade plane 3 50 2 1
Above grade plane 2 75 3 1
Above grade plane 1 100 4 1
Below grade plane 1 75 3 1
Below grade plane 2 50 2 1
Below grade plane Lower than 2 Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed

a. Percentages shall be of the maximum allowable quantity per control area shown in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2), with all increases allowed in the notes to

those tables. b. Separation shall include fire barriers and horizontal assemblies as necessary to provide separation from other portions of the building.

the control area shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.

Exception: The floor assembly of the control area and the construction supporting the floor of the control area are allowed to be 1-hour fire-resistance-rated in buildings of Types IIA, IIIA, IV and VA construction, provided that both of the following conditions exist:

  1. The building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
  2. The building is three or fewer stories above grade plane.

[F] 414.2.5 Hazardous material in Group M display and storage areas and in Group S storage areas. Hazardous materials located in Group M and Group S occupancies shall be in accordance with Sections 414.2.5.1 through 414.2.5.3.

[F] 414.2.5.1 Nonflammable solids and nonflamma- ble and noncombustible liquids. The aggregate quantity of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid hazardous materials permitted within a single control area of a Group M display and storage area, a Group S storage area or an outdoor control area is permitted to exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area specified in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2) without classifying the building or use as a Group H occupancy, provided that the materials are displayed and stored in accordance with the California Fire Code and quantities do not exceed the maximum allowable specified in Table 414.2.5(1).

storage area or an outdoor control area is permitted to exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area specified in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2) without classifying the building or use as a Group H occupancy, provided that the materials are displayed and stored in accordance with the California Fire Code and quantities do not exceed the maximum allowable specified in Table 414.2.5(1).

[F] 414.2.5.2 Flammable and combustible liquids. In Group M occupancy wholesale and retail sales uses, indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per control area as indicated in Table 414.2.5(2), provided that the materials are displayed and stored in accordance with the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.2.5.3 Aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products or plastic aerosol 3 products. The maximum quantity of aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products or plastic aerosol 3 products in Group M occupancy retail display areas, storage areas adjacent to retail display areas and retail storage areas shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.3 Ventilation. Rooms, areas or spaces in which explosive, corrosive, combustible, flammable or highly toxic dusts, mists, fumes, vapors or gases are or have the potential to be emitted due to the processing, use, handling or storage of materials shall be mechanically ventilated where required by this code, the California Fire Code or the California Mechanical Code .

Emissions generated at workstations shall be confined to the area in which they are generated as specified in the Cal- ifornia Fire Code and the California Mechanical Code .

[F] 414.4 Hazardous material systems. Systems involving hazardous materials shall be suitable for the intended application. Controls shall be designed to prevent materials from entering or leaving process or reaction systems at other than the intended time, rate or path. Automatic controls, where provided, shall be designed to be fail safe.

[F] 414.5 Inside storage, dispensing , handling and use. The inside storage, dispensing and use of hazardous materials shall be in accordance with Sections 414.5.1 through 414.5.3 of this code and the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.5.1 Explosion control. Explosion control shall be provided in accordance with the California Fire Code as required by Table 414.5.1 where quantities of hazardous materials specified in that table exceed the maximum allowable quantities in Table 307.1(1) or where a structure, room or space is occupied for purposes involving explosion hazards as required by Section 415 or the Cali- fornia Fire Code .

4-38 2022 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

[F] TABLE 414.2.5(1) MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CONTROL AREA IN GROUP M AND S OCCUPANCIES OF NONFLAMMABLE SOLIDS AND NONFLAMMABLE AND NONCOMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS d, e, f

CONDITION MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA
Materiala Class Solids (pounds) Liquids (gallons)
A. Health-hazard materials—nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids
1. Corrosivesb, c Not Applicable 9,750 975
2. Highly toxics Not Applicable 20b, c 2b, c
3. Toxicsb, c Not Applicable 1,000k 100
B. Physical-hazard materials—nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids
1. Oxidizersb, c 4 Not Allowed Not Allowed
1. Oxidizersb, c 3 1,350g 115
1. Oxidizersb, c 2 2,250h 225
1. Oxidizersb, c 1 18,000i, j 1,800i, j
2. Unstable (reactives)b, c 4 Not Allowed Not Allowed
2. Unstable (reactives)b, c 3 550 55
2. Unstable (reactives)b, c 2 1,150 115
2. Unstable (reactives)b, c 1 Not Limited Not Limited
3. Water reactives 3b, c 550 55
3. Water reactives 2b, c 1,150 115
3. Water reactives 1 Not Limited Not Limited

For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 gallon = 3.785 L. a. Hazard categories are as specified in the California Fire Code . b. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent in buildings that are sprinklered in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Where Note c also

applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively. c. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent where stored in approved storage cabinets, in accordance with the California Fire Code . Where

Note b also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively. d. See Table 414.2.2 for design and number of control areas. e. Allowable quantities for other hazardous material categories shall be in accordance with Section 307. f. Maximum quantities shall be increased 100 percent in outdoor control areas. g. Maximum amounts shall be increased to 2,250 pounds where individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager and

do not exceed 10 pounds each. h. Maximum amounts shall be increased to 4,500 pounds where individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager and

do not exceed 10 pounds each. i. The permitted quantities shall not be limited in a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. j. Quantities are unlimited in an outdoor control area. k. Maximum allowable quantities of consumer products shall be increased to 10,000 pounds where individual packages are in the original, sealed containers

from the manufacturer and the toxic classification is exclusively based on the LC threshold and no other hazardous materials classifications apply.

[F] TABLE 414.2.5(2) MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SALES OCCUPANCIES PER CONTROL AREA a

TYPE OF LIQUID MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA (gallons)
TYPE OF LIQUID Sprinklered in accordance with
Note b densities and arrangements		 Sprinklered in accordance with Tables 5704.3.6.3(4) through
5704.3.6.3(8) and 5704.3.7.5.1 of theCalifornia Fire Code		 Nonsprinklered
Class IA 60 60 30
Class IB, IC, II and IIIA 7,500c 15,000c 1,600
Class IIIB Unlimited Unlimited 13,200

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m 2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m 2 . a. Control areas shall be separated from each other by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier wall. b. To be considered as sprinklered, a building shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system with a design providing minimum

densities as follows:

  1. For uncartoned commodities on shelves 6 feet or less in height where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a minimum sprinkler design density of Ordinary Hazard Group 2.
  2. For cartoned, palletized or racked commodities where storage is 4 feet 6 inches or less in height and where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a minimum sprinkler design density of 0.21 gallon per minute per square foot over the most remote 1,500-square-foot area. c. Where wholesale and retail sales or storage areas exceed 50,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable quantities are allowed to be increased by 2

percent for each 1,000 square feet of area in excess of 50,000 square feet, up to not more than 100 percent of the table amounts. A control area separation is not required. The cumulative amounts, including amounts attained by having an additional control area, shall not exceed 30,000 gallons.

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

[F] TABLE 414.5.1 EXPLOSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS a, h

MATERIAL CLASS EXPLOSION CONTROL METHODS
MATERIAL CLASS Barricade
construction		 Explosion (deflagration) venting or
explosion (deflagration) prevention systemsb
HAZARD CATEGORY
Combustible dustsc — Not Required Required
Cryogenic flammables — Not Required Required
Explosives Division 1.1 Required Not Required
Explosives Division 1.2 Required Not Required
Explosives Division 1.3 Not Required Required
Explosives Division 1.4 Not Required Required
Explosives Division 1.5 Required Not Required
Explosives Division 1.6 Required Not Required
Flammable gas Gaseous Not Required Required
Flammable gas Liquefied Not Required Required
Flammable liquid IAd Not Required Required
Flammable liquid IBe Not Required Required
Organic peroxides U Required Not Permitted
Organic peroxides I Required Not Permitted
Oxidizer liquids and solids 4 Required Not Permitted
Pyrophoric gas — Not Required Required
Unstable (reactive) 4 Required Not Permitted
Unstable (reactive) 3 Detonable Required Not Permitted
Unstable (reactive) 3 Nondetonable Not Required Required
Water-reactive liquids and solids 3 Not Required Required
Water-reactive liquids and solids 2g Not Required Required
SPECIAL USES
Acetylene generator rooms — Not Required Required
Electrochemical energy storage systemi — Not Required Required
Energy storage systemi — Not Required Required
Grain processing — Not Required Required
Liquefied petroleum gas-distribution facilities — Not Required Required
Where explosion hazards existf Detonation Required Not Permitted
Where explosion hazards existf Deflagration Not Required Required

a. See Section 414.1.3. b. See the California Fire Code. c. Combustible dusts where manufactured, generated or used in such a manner that the concentration and conditions create a fire or explosion hazard based on

information prepared in accordance with Section 104.8.2 of the California Fire Code. See definition of “Combustible dust” in Chapter 2. d. Storage or use. e. In open use or dispensing. f. Rooms containing dispensing and use of hazardous materials where an explosive environment can occur because of the characteristics or nature of the

hazardous materials or as a result of the dispensing or use process. g. A method of explosion control shall be provided where Class 2 water-reactive materials can form potentially explosive mixtures. h. Explosion venting is not required for Group H-5 fabrication areas complying with Section 415.11.1 and the California Fire Code. i. Where explosion control is required in Section 1207 of the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.5.2 Emergency or standby power. Where required by the California Fire Code or this code, mechanical ventilation, treatment systems, temperature control, alarm, detection or other electrically operated systems shall be provided with emergency or standby power in accordance with Section 2702. For storage and use areas for highly toxic or toxic materials, see Sections 6004.2.2.8 and 6004.3.4.2 of the California Fire Code .

r.** Where required by the California Fire Code or this code, mechanical ventilation, treatment systems, temperature control, alarm, detection or other electrically operated systems shall be provided with emergency or standby power in accordance with Section 2702. For storage and use areas for highly toxic or toxic materials, see Sections 6004.2.2.8 and 6004.3.4.2 of the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.5.2.1 Exempt applications. Emergency or standby power is not required for the mechanical ventilation systems provided for any of the following:

  1. Storage of Class IB and IC flammable and combustible liquids in closed containers not exceeding 6.5 gallons (25 L) capacity.

  2. Storage of Class 1 and 2 oxidizers.

4-40 2022 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

  1. Storage of Class II, III, IV and V organic peroxides.

  2. Storage of asphyxiant, irritant and radioactive gases.

[F] 414.5.2.2 Fail-safe engineered systems. Standby power for mechanical ventilation, treatment systems and temperature control systems shall not be required where an approved fail-safe engineered system is installed.

[F] 414.5.3 Spill control, drainage and containment. Rooms, buildings or areas occupied for the storage of solid and liquid hazardous materials shall be provided with a means to control spillage and to contain or drain off spillage and fire protection water discharged in the storage area where required in the California Fire Code . The methods of spill control shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code .

414.5.4 Hazardous material handling. The handling of hazardous materials shall be in accordance with Califor- nia Fire Code Section 5003.

[F] 414.6 Outdoor storage, dispensing and use. The outdoor storage, dispensing and use of hazardous materials shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code .

[F] 414.6.1 Weather protection. Where weather protection is provided for sheltering outdoor hazardous material storage or use areas, such areas shall be considered outdoor storage or use where the weather protection structure complies with Sections 414.6.1.1 through 414.6.1.3.

[F] 414.6.1.1 Walls. Walls shall not obstruct more than one side of the structure.

Exception: Walls shall be permitted to obstruct portions of multiple sides of the structure, provided that the obstructed area is not greater than 25 percent of the structure’s perimeter.

[F] 414.6.1.2 Separation distance. The distance from the structure to buildings, lot lines, public ways or means of egress to a public way shall be not less than the distance required for an outside hazardous material storage or use area without weather protection.

[F] 414.6.1.3 Noncombustible construction. The overhead structure shall be of approved noncombustible construction with a maximum area of 1,500 square feet (140 m 2 ).

Exception: The maximum area is permitted to be increased as provided by Section 506.

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▸Contents — California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
  2. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT
  3. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING
  4. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED
  5. Appendix N — REPLICABLE
  6. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED
  7. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
  8. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  9. ▸Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
    Overview
    1. Section 401
    2. Section 402
    3. Section 403
    4. Section 404
    5. Section 405
    6. Section 406
    7. Section 407
    8. Section 408
    9. Section 409
    10. Section 410
    11. Section 412
    12. Section 411
    13. Section 413
    14. Section 414
    15. Section 415
    16. Section 416
    17. Section 417
    18. Section 418
    19. Section 419
    20. Section 420
    21. Section 422
    22. Section 421
    23. Section 423
    24. Section 424
    25. Section 425
    26. Section 427
    27. Section 435
    28. Section 436
    29. Section 437
    30. Section 438
    31. Section 440
    32. Section 441
    33. Section 442
    34. Section 443
    35. Section 444
    36. Section 445
    37. Section 446
    38. Section 447
    39. Section 448
    40. Section 449
    41. Section 450
    42. Section 451
    43. Section 452
    44. Section 453
    45. Section 454
    46. Section 455
  10. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  11. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  12. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  13. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
  14. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  15. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  16. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  17. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  18. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  19. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  20. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  21. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  22. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  23. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  24. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  25. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  26. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  30. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  31. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  32. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM BOARD, GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  33. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  34. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  35. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  36. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  37. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  38. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  39. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  40. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  41. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  42. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  43. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  44. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  45. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  46. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  47. Appendix C — GROUP U – AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  48. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  49. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  50. Appendix H — SIGNS
  51. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  52. Appendix J — GRADING
  53. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES
  54. Appendix P — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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