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Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS

Section 5106 — RETAIL DISPLAY

2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

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

5106.1 General.

This section shall apply to the retail display of 500 pounds (227 kg) or more of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products and plastic aerosol 3 products.

5106.2 Aerosol display and normal merchandising not exceeding 8 feet in height.

Aerosol display and normal merchandising not exceeding 8 feet (2438 mm) in height shall be in accordance with Sections 5106.2.1 through 5106.2.5.

5106.2.1 Maximum quantities in retail display areas. Aerosol products, aerosol cooking spray products and plastic aerosol 3 products in retail display areas shall not exceed quantities needed for display and normal merchandising and shall not exceed the quantities in Table 5106.2.1.

TABLE 5106.2.1—MAXIMUM QUANTITIES OF LEVEL 2 AND 3 AEROSOL PRODUCTS,
AEROSOL COOKING SPRAY PRODUCTS AND PLASTIC AEROSOL 3 PRODUCTS IN RETAIL DISPLAY AREAS
MAXIMUM NET WEIGHT PER FLOOR (pounds)b
Floor Unprotecteda Protected in accordance with Section 5106.2a, c Protected in accordance with Section 5106.3c
Basement Not Allowed 500 500
Ground 2,500 10,000 10,000
Upper 500 2,000 Not Allowed
For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
a. The total quantity shall not exceed 1,000 pounds net weight in any one 100-square-foot retail display area.
b. Per 25,000-square-foot retail display area.
c. Minimum Ordinary Hazard Group 2 wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system throughout the retail sales occupancy.

5106.2.2 Aerosol cooking spray product storage and fire protection. The storage and handling of aerosol cooking spray products shall comply with this chapter and NFPA 30B.

5106.2.3 Display of aerosol products. Level 2 and 3 aerosol and plastic aerosol 3 products shall not be stacked more than 6 feet (1829 mm) high from the base of the aerosol product array to the top of the aerosol product array unless the aerosol products are placed on fixed shelving or otherwise secured in an approved manner. Where storage or retail display is on shelves, the height of such storage or retail display to the top of aerosol products shall not exceed 8 feet (2438 mm).

5106.2.4 Combustible cartons. Aerosol products located in retail display areas shall be removed from combustible cartons.

Exceptions:

  1. Display areas that use a portion of combustible cartons that consist of only the bottom panel and not more than 2 inches (51 mm) of the side panel are allowed.
  2. Where the display area is protected in accordance with Tables 7.4.2.7(a) through 7.4.2.7(l) of NFPA 30B, storage of aerosol products in combustible cartons is allowed.

5106.2.5 Retail display automatic sprinkler system. Where an automatic sprinkler system is required for the protected retail display of aerosol products, the wet-pipe automatic sprinkler system shall be in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. The minimum system design shall be for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 occupancy. The system shall be provided throughout the retail display area.

5106.3 Aerosol product display and normal merchandising exceeding 8 feet in height.

Aerosol product display and merchandising exceeding 8 feet (2438 mm) in height shall be in accordance with Sections 5106.3.1 through 5106.3.3.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

AEROSOLS

5106.3.1 Maximum quantities in retail display areas. Aerosol products in retail display areas shall not exceed quantities needed for display and normal merchandising and shall not exceed the quantities in Table 5106.2.1, with fire protection in accordance with Section 5106.3.2.

5106.3.2 Automatic sprinkler protection. Aerosol product and plastic aerosol 3 product display and merchandising areas shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system based on the requirements set forth in Tables 7.4.2.7(a) through 7.4.2.7(l) of NFPA 30B and the following:

  1. Protection shall be based on the highest level of aerosol product in the array and the packaging method of the storage located more than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the finished floor.
  2. Where using the cartoned aerosol products tables of NFPA 30B, uncartoned or display-cut Level 2 and 3 aerosol products and plastic aerosol 3 products shall not be permitted more than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the finished floor.
  3. The design area for Level 2 and 3 aerosol products and plastic aerosol 3 products shall extend not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) beyond the Level 2 and 3 aerosol product and plastic aerosol 3 product display and merchandising areas.
  4. Where ordinary and high-temperature ceiling sprinkler systems are adjacent to each other, noncombustible draft curtains shall be installed at the interface.

5106.3.3 Separation of Level 2 and 3 aerosol product and plastic aerosol 3 product areas. Separation of Level 2 and 3 aerosol product areas or plastic aerosol 3 product areas shall comply with the following:

  1. Level 2 and 3 aerosol product or plastic aerosol 3 product display and merchandising areas shall be separated from each other by not less than 25 feet (7620 mm). See Table 5106.2.1.
  2. Level 2 and 3 aerosol product or plastic aerosol 3 product display and merchandising areas shall be separated from flammable and combustible liquids storage and display areas by one or a combination of the following: 2.1. Segregating areas from each other by horizontal distance of not less than 25 feet (7620 mm). 2.2. Isolating areas from each other by a noncombustible partition extending not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the merchandise.

2.3. In accordance with Section 5106.5.

  1. Where Item 2.2 is used to separate Level 2 or 3 aerosol products or plastic aerosol 3 products from flammable or combustible liquids, and the aerosol products are located within 25 feet (7620 mm) of flammable or combustible liquids, the area below the noncombustible partition shall be liquid tight at the floor to prevent spilled liquids from flowing beneath the aerosol products.

5106.4 Maximum quantities in storage areas.

Aerosol products in storage areas adjacent to retail display areas shall not exceed the quantities in Table 5106.4.

TABLE 5106.4—MAXIMUM STORAGE QUANTITIES FOR STORAGE AREAS ADJACENT TO
RETAIL DISPLAY OF LEVEL 2 AND 3 AEROSOL PRODUCTS AND PLASTIC AEROSOL 3 PRODUCTS
MAXIMUM NET WEIGHT PER FLOOR (pounds)
Floor Unseparateda, b Separated Separated
Floor Unseparateda, b Storage cabinetsb 1-hour occupancy separation
Basement Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed
Ground 2,500 5,000 In accordance with Sections 6.4.4.3 and 6.4.4.4 of NFPA 30B
Upper 500 1,000 In accordance with Sections 6.4.4.3 and 6.4.4.4 of NFPA 30B
For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
a. The aggregate quantity in storage and retail display shall not exceed the quantity limits for retail display.
b. In any 50,000-square-foot area.

5106.5 Special protection design for Level 2 and 3 aerosol products adjacent to…

row racks. The display and merchandising of Level 2 and 3 aerosol products adjacent to flammable and combustible liquids in double-row racks shall be in accordance with Section 5106.3.3 or Sections 5106.5.1 through 5106.5.8.

5106.5.1 Fire protection. Fire protection for the display and merchandising of Level 2 and 3 aerosols in double-row racks shall be in accordance with Table 8.5.1 and Figure 8.5.1 of NFPA 30B.

5106.5.2 Cartoned aerosol products. Level 2 and 3 aerosol products displayed or merchandised more than 8 feet (2438 mm) above the finished floor shall be in cartons.

5106.5.3 Shelving. Shelving in racks shall be limited to wire mesh shelving having uniform openings not more than 6 inches (152 mm) apart, with the openings comprising not less than 50 percent of the overall shelf area. 5106.5.4 Aisles. Racks shall be arranged so that aisles not less than 7 [1] / 2 feet (2286 mm) wide are maintained between rows of racks and adjacent solid-piled or palletized merchandise.

5106.5.5 Flue spaces. Flue spaces in racks shall comply with the following:

  1. Transverse flue spaces—Nominal 3-inch (76 mm) transverse flue spaces shall be maintained between merchandise and rack uprights.

51-8 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

AEROSOLS

  1. Longitudinal flue spaces—Nominal 6-inch (152 mm) longitudinal flue spaces shall be maintained. 5106.5.6 Horizontal barriers. Horizontal barriers constructed of minimum [3] / 8 -inch-thick (10 mm) plywood or minimum 0.034inch (0.086 mm) (No. 22 gage) sheet metal shall be provided and located in accordance with Table 8.5.1 and Figure 8.5.1 of NFPA 30B where in-rack sprinklers are installed.

5106.5.7 Class I, II, III, IV and plastic commodities. Class I, II, III, IV and plastic commodities located adjacent to Level 2 and 3 aerosol products and plastic aerosol 3 products shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 13.

5106.5.8 Flammable and combustible liquids. Class I, II, III A and III B liquids shall be allowed to be located adjacent to Level 2 and 3 aerosol products where both of the following conditions are met:

  1. Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB liquid containers: Containers for Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB liquids shall be limited to 1.06-gallon (4 L) metal-relieving and nonrelieving style containers and 5.3-gallon (20 L) metal-relieving style containers.
  2. Fire protection for Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB Liquids: Automatic sprinkler protection for Class I, II, IIIA and IIIB liquids shall be in accordance with Chapter 57.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
  4. Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
  5. Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
  6. Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
  9. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  10. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  11. Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
  12. Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
  13. Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
  14. Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
  15. Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
  16. Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
  17. Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
  18. Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
  19. Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
  20. Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
  21. Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
  22. Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
  23. Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
  24. Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
  25. Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
  26. Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
  27. Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
  28. Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
  29. Chapter 36 — MARINAS
  30. Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
  31. Chapter 38 — RESERVED
  32. Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
  33. Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
  34. Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
  35. Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
  36. Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
  37. Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
  38. ▸ Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
    Overview
    1. Section 5101 — GENERAL
    2. Section 5102 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 5103 — CLASSIFICATION OF AEROSOL PRODUCTS
    4. Section 5104 — INSIDE STORAGE OF AEROSOL PRODUCTS
    5. Section 5105 — OUTSIDE STORAGE
    6. Section 5106 — RETAIL DISPLAY
    7. Section 5107 — MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
  39. Chapter 52 — RESERVED
  40. Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
  41. Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
  42. Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  43. Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
  44. Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
  45. Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  46. Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
  47. Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
  48. Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
  49. Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
  50. Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
  51. Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
  52. Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
  53. Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
  54. Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
  55. Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  56. Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
  57. Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
  58. Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  59. Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  60. Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  61. Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  62. Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
  63. Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
  64. Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
  65. Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
  66. Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
  67. Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
  68. Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
  69. Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
  70. Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
  71. Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
  72. Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
  73. Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
  74. Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
  75. Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…

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