Section 2311 — REPAIR GARAGES

Repair garages shall comply with this section and the California Building Code . Repair garages for vehicles that use more than one type of fuel shall comply with the applicable provisions of this section for each type of fuel used.

Where a repair garage includes a motor fuel-dispensing facility, the fuel-dispensing operation shall comply with the requirements of this chapter for motor fuel-dispensing facilities.

The storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids in repair garages shall comply with Chapter 57 and Sections 2311.2.1 through 2311.2.4.

2311.2.1 Cleaning of parts. Cleaning of parts shall be conducted in listed and approved parts-cleaning machines in accordance with Chapter 57.

2311.2.2 Waste oil, motor oil and other Class IIIB liquids. Waste oil, motor oil and other Class IIIB liquids shall be stored in approved tanks or containers, which are allowed to be stored and dispensed from inside repair garages.

2311.2.2.1 Tank location. Tanks storing Class IIIB liquids in repair garages are allowed to be located at, below or above grade, provided that adequate drainage or containment is provided.

2311.2.2.2 Liquid classification. Crankcase drainings shall be classified as Class IIIB liquids unless otherwise determined by testing.

2311.2.3 Drainage and disposal of liquids and oil-soaked waste. Garage floor drains, where provided, shall drain to approved oil separators or traps discharging to a sewer in accordance with the California 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.

2311.2.3.1 Disposal of liquids. 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 Chapter 57 until removed from the premises.

2311.2.3.2 Disposal of oily waste. Self-closing metal cans shall be used for oily waste.

2311.2.4 Spray finishing. Spray finishing with flammable or combustible liquids shall comply with Chapter 24.

Sources of ignition shall not be located within 18 inches (457 mm) of the floor and shall comply with Chapters 3 and 35.

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MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES

2311.3.1 Equipment. Appliances and equipment installed in a repair garage shall comply with the provisions of the California Building Code, the California Mechanical Code and the California Electrical Code .

2311.3.2 Smoking. Smoking shall not be allowed in repair garages except in approved locations.

Pits and below-grade work areas in repair garages shall comply with Sections 2311.4.1 through 2311.4.3.

2311.4.1 Construction. Pits and below-grade work areas shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code .

2311.4.2 Means of egress. Pits and below-grade work areas shall be provided with means of egress in accordance with Chapter 10.

2311.4.3 Ventilation. Where Class I liquids or LP-gas 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 California Mechanical Code, at a minimum rate of 1 [1] / 2 cubic feet per minute per square foot (cfm/ft [2] ) [0.008 m [3] /(s × m [2] )] to prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors.

Vehicles powered by LP-gas and the servicing of vehicles powered by LP-gas shall be in compliance with this chapter, Chapter 61 and NFPA 58.

LNG vehicles and CNG vehicles shall comply with Sections 2311.6.1 and 2311.6.2, as applicable.

2311.6.1 Liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG vehicle fuel system pressure shall be measured and recorded prior to entering the repair facility. The maximum allowable system pressure shall be not more than 170 psig (1172 kPa). Pressure greater than 170 psig (1172 kPa) shall be reduced by operating the vehicle or limited venting outdoors, as required.

2311.6.2 Compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG vehicle fuel system pressure and the ambient temperature shall be measured and recorded prior to entering the repair facility. Pressure greater than the indicated maximum pressure in accordance with Table 2311.6.2 shall be reduced by defueling the vehicle.

TABLE 2311.6.2—TEMPERATURE COMPENSATED CYLINDER PRESSURE TABLEa

Fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with Section 906.

The room, motor vehicle repair booth or motor vehicle repair space containing repair garage activities for the conversion or repair of vehicles that use CNG, LNG, hydrogen or other lighter-thanair motor fuels shall be in accordance with Sections 2311.8 through 2311.8.11 in addition to the other requirements of Section 2311. Repair garages for the repair of vehicles that use hydrogen fuel shall be in accordance with this code and NFPA 2.

Exceptions:

1. Repair garages where work is conducted only on vehicles where the motor vehicle fuel tank and system have been defueled and the motor vehicle fuel tank has been purged with nitrogen gas, and where standard operating procedures to document and maintain the fueling status throughout repair operations are approved.

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MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES

2. Repair garages where work is not performed on the fuel system and is limited to exchange of parts and maintenance not requiring open flame or welding on the CNG-, LNG-, hydrogen- or other lighter-than-air-fueled motor vehicle. Movement of a subassembly on which the motor vehicle fuel tank remains mounted to allow access to other parts of the vehicle that are not a portion of the fuel system shall be permitted.
3. Repair garages for hydrogen-fueled vehicles where work is not performed on the motor vehicle fuel tank and is limited to the exchange of parts and maintenance not requiring open flame or welding on the hydrogen-fueled vehicle. During the work, the entire hydrogen fuel system shall contain less than 400 cubic feet (11.3 m [3] ) of hydrogen.
4. Repair garages for natural-gas-fueled vehicles where work is not being performed on the motor vehicle fuel tank, and is limited to the exchange of parts and maintenance not requiring open flame or welding on the natural-gas-fueled vehicle. During the work, the natural gas in the motor vehicle fuel tank shall contain a pressure of not more than 250 psi at 70°F (1724 kPa at 21°C).

2311.8.1 Preparation of vehicles for repair. For vehicles powered by gaseous fuels, the fuel shutoff valves shall be closed prior to repairing any portion of the vehicle fuel system.

Vehicles powered by gaseous fuels in which the fuel system has been damaged shall be inspected and evaluated for fuel system integrity prior to being brought into the repair garage. The inspection shall include testing of the entire fuel delivery system for leakage.

2311.8.2 Repair garages used for the repair of hydrogen-fueled vehicles. Repair garages used for the repair of hydrogenfueled vehicles shall be provided with an approved exhaust ventilation system in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and Chapter 6 of NFPA 2.

2311.8.3 Motor vehicle repair rooms. Motor vehicle repair rooms shall be enclosed with not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code, or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both, with 1-hour-rated opening protectives.

2311.8.4 Motor vehicle repair booths. The design and construction of motor vehicle repair booths shall be in accordance with Sections 2311.8.4.1 through 2311.8.4.4.

2311.8.4.1 Construction. Motor vehicle repair booths shall be constructed of approved noncombustible materials. Where walls or ceiling assemblies are constructed of sheet metal, single-skin assemblies shall be not thinner than 0.0478 inch (18 gage) (1.2 mm) and each sheet of double-skin assemblies shall be not thinner than 0.0359 inch (20 gage) (0.9 mm). Structural sections of motor vehicle repair booths shall be sealed in an approved manner.

2311.8.4.2 Surfaces. The interior surfaces of motor vehicle repair booths shall be constructed to permit the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of the interior.

2311.8.4.3 Means of egress. Means of egress shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 10.

Exception: Means of egress doors from premanufactured motor vehicle repair booths shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in width by 80 inches (2032 mm) in height.

2311.8.4.4 Clear space. Motor vehicle repair booths shall be installed so that all parts of the booth be provided with ready access for cleaning. A clear area of not less than 3 feet (914 mm) wide shall be maintained on all sides of the motor vehicle repair booth. This clear area shall be kept free of any storage or combustible construction.

Exceptions:

1. This requirement shall not prohibit locating a motor vehicle repair booth closer than 3 feet (914 mm) to or directly against an interior partition, wall or floor/ceiling assembly that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, provided that the motor vehicle repair booth can be adequately maintained and cleaned.
2. This requirement shall not prohibit locating a motor vehicle repair booth closer than 3 feet (914 mm) to an exterior wall or a roof assembly, provided that the wall or roof is constructed of noncombustible material and the motor vehicle repair booth can be adequately maintained and cleaned.

2311.8.5 Motor vehicle repair spaces. Where such spaces are not separately enclosed, noncombustible spray curtains shall be provided to restrict the spread of flammable gases.

2311.8.6 Fire protection. Motor vehicle repair booths or spaces installed in a room or area protected by an automatic sprinkler system shall have the protection extended to include the inside of the motor vehicle repair booth or space.

2311.8.7 Fire extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers complying with Section 906 shall be provided for motor vehicle repair rooms, motor vehicle repair booths or motor vehicle repair spaces.

2311.8.8 Exhaust ventilation system. Repair garages used for the repair of CNG, LNG, or other lighter-than-air motor fuels other than hydrogen shall be provided with an approved mechanical ventilation system. The mechanical exhaust ventilation system shall be in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and Sections 2311.8.8.1 and 2311.8.8.2.

Exception: Where approved by the fire code official, natural ventilation shall be permitted in lieu of mechanical exhaust ventilation.

2311.8.8.1 Design. For 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.

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MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES

The exhaust ventilation rate shall be not less than 1 cubic foot per minute (0.03 m [3] /minute) per 12 cubic feet (34 m [3] ) of room volume.

2311.8.8.2 Operation. The mechanical exhaust ventilation system shall operate continuously.

Exceptions:

1. Mechanical exhaust ventilation systems that are interlocked with a gas detection system designed in accordance with Sections 2311.8.9 through 2311.8.9.2.
2. 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.

2311.8.9 Gas detection system. Repair garages used for repair of vehicles fueled by nonodorized gases, including, but not limited to, hydrogen and nonodorized LNG, shall be provided with a gas detection system that complies with Section 916. The 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.

2311.8.9.1 System activation. Activation of the gas detection alarm shall result in all of the following:

1. Initiation of local audible and visual alarms in approved locations.
2. Deactivation of heating systems located in the repair garage.
3. Activation of the mechanical exhaust ventilation system, where the ventilation system is interlocked with gas detection.

2311.8.9.2 Failure of the gas detection system. Failure 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 cause a trouble signal to sound in an approved location.

2311.8.10 Classified electrical area. Areas 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 California Electrical Code .

Exceptions:

1. Rooms with exhaust ventilation of not less than 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot (0.3 m [3] / min/m [2] ) 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.
2. Rooms used for the repair of hydrogen-fueled vehicles that have an approved exhaust ventilation system in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and NFPA 2.

2311.8.11 Defueling equipment required at vehicle maintenance and repair facilities. Facilities for repairing or replacing hydrogen fuel tanks on hydrogen-fueled vehicles shall have equipment to defuel vehicle storage tanks. Where work must be performed on a motor vehicle’s fuel tank for the purpose of maintenance, repair or cylinder certification, defueling and purging shall be conducted in accordance with Section 2309.6 and NFPA 2.

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CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 24 – FLAMMABLE FINISHES

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

• The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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