Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
6104 Location of LP-Gas Containers — 2025 California Fire Code
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Cite as: 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) § 6104 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission
6104.1 General.¶
The storage and handling of LP-gas and the installation and maintenance of related equipment shall comply with NFPA 58 and be subject to the approval of the fire code official, except as provided in this chapter.
6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits.¶
For the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, storage of liquified petroleum gas shall not exceed an aggregate capacity in any one installation of 2,000 gallons (7570 L) within the limits established by law as set forth in the fire code adoption ordinance or other regulation adopted by the jurisdiction.
Exception: In particular installations, this capacity limit shall be determined by the fire code official, after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy, and proximity to buildings, capacity of proposed LP-gas containers, degree of fire protection to be provided and capabilities of the local fire department.
6104.3 Container location.¶
LP-gas containers shall be located with respect to buildings and lot lines of adjoining property that can be built on, in accordance with Table 6104.3.
TABLE 6104.3—LOCATION OF LP-GAS CONTAINERS
| LP-GAS ** CONTAINER CAPACITY** (water gallons) |
LP-GAS ** CONTAINER CAPACITY** (water gallons) |
LP-GAS ** CONTAINER CAPACITY** (water gallons) |
MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN LP-GAS CONTAINERS AND BUILDINGS, PUBLIC WAYSg OR LOT LINES OF ADJOINING PROPERTY THAT CAN BE BUILT ON |
MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN LP-GAS CONTAINERS AND BUILDINGS, PUBLIC WAYSg OR LOT LINES OF ADJOINING PROPERTY THAT CAN BE BUILT ON |
MINIMUM SEPARATION BETWEEN LP-GAS CONTAINERSb, c (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LP-GAS ** CONTAINER CAPACITY** (water gallons) |
LP-GAS ** CONTAINER CAPACITY** (water gallons) |
LP-GAS ** CONTAINER CAPACITY** (water gallons) |
Mounded or underground LP-gas containersa(feet) |
Above-ground LP-gas containersb(feet) |
Above-ground LP-gas containersb(feet) |
| Less than 125c, d | Less than 125c, d | Less than 125c, d | 10 | 5e | None |
| 125 to 250 | 125 to 250 | 125 to 250 | 10 | 10 | None |
| 251 to 500 | 251 to 500 | 251 to 500 | 10 | 10 | 3 |
| 501 to 2,000 | 501 to 2,000 | 501 to 2,000 | 10 | 25e, f | 3 |
| 2,001 to 30,000 | 2,001 to 30,000 | 2,001 to 30,000 | 50 | 50 | 5 |
| 30,001 to 70,000 | 30,001 to 70,000 | 30,001 to 70,000 | 50 | 75 | (0.25 of sum of diameters of adja- cent LP-gas containers) |
| 70,001 to 90,000 | 70,001 to 90,000 | 70,001 to 90,000 | 50 | 100 | 100 |
| 90,001 to 120,000 | 90,001 to 120,000 | 90,001 to 120,000 | 50 | 125 | 125 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
a.
Minimum distance for underground LP-gas containers shall be measured from the pressure relief device and the filling or liquid-level gauge vent connection at the container,
except that all parts of an underground LP-gas container shall be not less than 10 feet from a building or lot line of adjoining property that can be built on.
b.
For other than installations in which the overhanging structure is 50 feet or more above the relief-valve discharge outlet. In applying the distance between buildings and ASME
LP-gas containers with a water capacity of 125 gallons or more, not less than 50 percent of this horizontal distance shall also apply to all portions of the building that project more
than 5 feet from the building wall and that are higher than the relief valve discharge outlet. This horizontal distance shall be measured from a point determined by projecting the
outside edge of such overhanging structure vertically downward to grade or other level on which the LP-gas container is installed. Distances to the building wall shall be not less
than those prescribed in this table.
c.
Where underground multicontainer installations are composed of individual LP-gas containers having a water capacity of 125 gallons or more, such containers shall be
installed so as to provide access at their ends or sides to facilitate working with cranes or hoists.
TABLE 6104.3—LOCATION OF LP-GAS CONTAINERS
61-4 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
6104.3.1 Installation on roof prohibited. LP-gas containers used in stationary installations shall not be located on the roofs of buildings.
6104.3.2 Special hazards. LP-gas containers shall be located with respect to special hazards including, but not limited to, aboveground flammable or combustible liquid tanks, oxygen or gaseous hydrogen containers, flooding or electric power lines as specified in Section 6.5.3 of NFPA 58.
6104.4 Multiple LP-gas container installations.¶
Multiple LP-gas container installations with a total water storage capacity of more than 180,000 gallons (681.3 kL) [150,000-gallon (567.8 kL) LP-gas capacity] shall be subdivided into groups containing not more than 180,000 gallons (681.3 kL) in each group. Such groups shall be separated by a distance of not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm), unless the containers are protected in accordance with one of the following:
- Mounded in an approved manner.
- Protected with approved insulation on areas that are subject to impingement of ignited gas from pipelines or other leakage.
- Protected by fire walls of approved construction.
- Protected by an approved system for application of water as specified in Table 6.5.1.2 of NFPA 58.
- Protected by other approved means.
Where one of these forms of protection is provided, the separation shall be not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) between LP-gas container groups.
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