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Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

Section 5806 — FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

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.

5806.1 General.

The storage and use of flammable cryogenic fluids shall be in accordance with Sections 5806.2 through 5806.4.8.3 and Chapter 55.

5806.2 Limitations.

Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as set forth in the fire code adoption ordinance or other regulation adopted by the jurisdiction.

5806.3 Above-ground tanks for liquid hydrogen.

Above-ground tanks for the storage of liquid hydrogen shall be in accordance with Sections 5806.3.1 through 5806.3.2.1.

5806.3.1 Construction of the inner vessel. The inner vessel of storage tanks in liquid hydrogen service shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section VIII, Division 1, of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and shall be vacuum jacketed in accordance with Section 5806.3.2.

5806.3.2 Construction of the vacuum jacket (outer vessel). The vacuum jacket used as an outer vessel for storage tanks in liquid hydrogen service shall be of welded steel construction designed to withstand the maximum internal and external pressure to which it will be subjected under operating conditions to include conditions of emergency pressure relief of the annular space

58-4 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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

FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

between the inner and outer vessel. The jacket shall be designed to withstand a minimum collapsing pressure differential of 30 psi (207 kPa).

5806.3.2.1 Vacuum-level monitoring. A connection shall be provided on the exterior of the vacuum jacket to allow measurement of the pressure within the annular space between the inner and outer vessel. The connection shall be fitted with a bellows-sealed or diaphragm-type valve equipped with a vacuum gauge tube that is shielded to protect against damage from impact.

5806.4 Underground tanks for liquid hydrogen.

Underground tanks for the storage of liquid hydrogen shall be in accordance with Sections 5806.4.1 through 5806.4.8.3.

5806.4.1 Construction. Storage tanks for liquid hydrogen shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section VIII, Division 1) and shall be vacuum jacketed in accordance with Section 5806.4.8.

5806.4.2 Location. Storage tanks shall be located outside in accordance with the following:

  1. Tanks and associated equipment shall be located with respect to foundations and supports of other structures such that the loads carried by the latter cannot be transmitted to the tank.
  2. The distance from any part of the tank to the nearest wall of a basement, pit, cellar or lot line shall be not less than 3 feet (914 mm).
  3. A minimum distance of 1 foot (305 mm), shell to shell, shall be maintained between underground tanks.

5806.4.3 Depth, cover and fill. The tank shall be buried such that the top of the vacuum jacket is covered with not less than 1 foot (305 mm) of earth and with concrete not less than 4 inches (102 mm) thick placed over the earthen cover. The concrete shall extend not less than 1 foot (305 mm) horizontally beyond the footprint of the tank in all directions. Underground tanks shall be set on firm foundations constructed in accordance with the California Building Code and surrounded with not less than 6 inches (152 mm) of noncorrosive inert material, such as sand.

Exception: The vertical extension of the vacuum jacket as required for service connections.

5806.4.4 Anchorage and security. Tanks and systems shall be secured against accidental dislodgement in accordance with this chapter.

5806.4.5 Venting of underground tanks. Vent pipes for underground storage tanks shall be in accordance with Section 5503.3.

5806.4.6 Underground liquid hydrogen piping. Underground liquid hydrogen piping shall be vacuum jacketed or protected by approved means and designed in accordance with Chapter 55.

5806.4.7 Overfill protection and prevention systems. An approved means or method shall be provided to prevent the overfill of all storage tanks.

5806.4.8 Vacuum jacket construction. The vacuum jacket shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section VIII of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and shall be designed to withstand the anticipated loading, including loading from vehicular traffic, where applicable. Portions of the vacuum jacket installed below grade shall be designed to withstand anticipated soil, seismic and hydrostatic loading.

5806.4.8.1 Material. The vacuum jacket shall be constructed of stainless steel or other approved corrosion-resistant material.

5806.4.8.2 Corrosion protection. The vacuum jacket shall be protected by approved or listed corrosion-resistant materials or an engineered cathodic protection system. Where cathodic protection is utilized, an approved maintenance schedule shall be established. Exposed components shall be inspected not less than twice a year. Records of maintenance and inspection events shall be maintained.

5806.4.8.3 Vacuum-level monitoring. An approved method shall be provided to indicate loss of vacuum within the vacuum jacket(s).

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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
  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
    Overview
    1. Section 5801 — GENERAL
    2. Section 5802 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 5803 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    4. Section 5804 — STORAGE
    5. Section 5805 — USE
    6. Section 5806 — FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
    7. Section 5807 — METAL HYDRIDE STORAGE SYSTEMS
    8. Section 5808 — HYDROGEN FUEL GAS ROOMS
    9. Section 5809 — ON-DEMAND HYDROGEN MOBILE FUELING OPERATIONS
  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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