Section 6109 — STORAGE OF PORTABLE LP-GAS CONTAINERS

6109.1 General. ¶

Storage of portable LP-gas containers of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) or less, whether filled, partially filled or empty, at consumer sites or distribution points, and for resale by dealers or resellers shall comply with Sections 6109.2 through 6109.15.1.

Exceptions:

LP-gas containers that have not previously been in LP-gas service.
LP-gas containers at distribution plants.
LP-gas containers at consumer sites or distribution points, which are connected for use.

6109.2 Exposure hazards. ¶

LP-gas containers in storage shall be located in a manner that minimizes exposure to excessive temperature rise, physical damage or tampering.

6109.3 Position. ¶

LP-gas containers in storage having individual water capacity greater than 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg) [nominal 1-pound (0.454 kg) LP-gas capacity] shall be positioned with the pressure relief valve in direct communication with the vapor space of the container.

6109.4 Separation from means of egress. ¶

LP-gas containers stored in buildings in accordance with Sections 6109.9 and 6109.11 shall not be located near exit access doors, exits, stairways or in areas normally used, or intended to be used, as a means of egress.

6109.5 Quantity. ¶

Empty LP-gas containers that have been in LP-gas service shall be considered as full containers for the purpose of determining the maximum quantities of LP-gas allowed in Sections 6109.9 and 6109.11.

6109.6 Storage on roofs. ¶

LP-gas containers that are not connected for use shall not be stored on roofs.

6109.7 Storage in basement, pit or similar location. ¶

LP-gas containers shall not be stored in a basement, pit or similar location where heavier-than-air gas might collect. LP-gas containers shall not be stored in above-grade underfloor spaces or basements unless such location is provided with an approved means of ventilation.

Exception: Department of Transportation (DOTn) specification cylinders with a maximum water capacity of 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg) for use in completely self-contained hand torches and similar applications. The quantity of LP-gas shall not exceed 20 pounds (9 kg).

6109.8 Protection of valves on LP-gas containers in storage. ¶

LP-gas DOTn cylinder valves shall be protected by screw-on-type caps or collars that shall be securely in place on all containers stored regardless of whether they are full, partially full or empty. Container and tank outlet valves shall be closed or plugged.

6109.9 Storage within buildings open to the public. ¶

Department of Transportation (DOTn) specification cylinders with maximum water capacity of 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg) used in completely self-contained hand torches and similar applications are allowed to be stored or displayed in a building open to the public. The quantity of LP-gas shall not exceed 200 pounds (91 kg) except as provided in Section 6109.11.

6109.10 Storage within buildings not open to the public. ¶

The maximum quantity allowed in one storage location in buildings not open to the public, such as industrial buildings, shall not exceed a water capacity of 735 pounds (334 kg) [nominal 300 pounds (136 kg) of LP-gas]. Where additional storage locations are required on the same floor within the same building, they shall be separated by not less than 300 feet (91 440 mm). Storage beyond these limitations shall comply with Section 6109.11.

6109.10.1 Quantities on equipment and vehicles. LP-gas containers carried as part of service equipment on highway mobile vehicles need not be considered in the total storage capacity in Section 6109.10, provided that such vehicles are stored in private garages and do not carry more than three LP-gas containers with a total aggregate LP-gas capacity not exceeding 100 pounds (45.4 kg) per vehicle. LP-gas container valves shall be closed.

6109.11 Storage within rooms used for gas manufacturing. ¶

Storage within buildings or rooms used for gas manufacturing, gas storage, gas-air mixing and vaporization, and compressors not associated with liquid transfer shall comply with Sections 6109.11.1 and 6109.11.2.

6109.11.1 Quantity limits. The maximum quantity of LP-gas shall be 10,000 pounds (4540 kg).

6109.11.2 Construction. The construction of such buildings and rooms shall comply with requirements for Group H occupancies in the California Building Code, Chapter 10 of NFPA 58 and both of the following:

Adequate vents shall be provided to the outside at both top and bottom, located not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from building openings.
The entire area shall be classified for the purposes of ignition source control in accordance with Section 6.25 of NFPA 58.

61-6 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES

6109.12 Location of storage outside of buildings. ¶

Storage outside of buildings of LP-gas containers awaiting use, resale or part of a cylinder exchange program shall be located in accordance with Table 6109.12.

TABLE 6109.12—SEPARATION FROM EXPOSURES OF LP-GAS CONTAINERS
AWAITING USE, RESALE OR EXCHANGE STORED OUTSIDE OF BUILDINGS

QUANTITY OF LP-GAS STORED (pounds)	MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FROM STORED LP-GAS CYLINDERS TO (feet):	MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FROM STORED LP-GAS CYLINDERS TO (feet):	MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FROM STORED LP-GAS CYLINDERS TO (feet):	MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FROM STORED LP-GAS CYLINDERS TO (feet):	MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FROM STORED LP-GAS CYLINDERS TO (feet):	MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FROM STORED LP-GAS CYLINDERS TO (feet):	MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FROM STORED LP-GAS CYLINDERS TO (feet):
QUANTITY OF LP-GAS STORED (pounds)	Nearest important building or group of buildings or line of adjoining property that has the potential to be built on	Line of adjoining property occupied by schools, places of religious worship, hospitals, athletic fields or other points of public gathering; busy thoroughfares; or sidewalks	LP-gas dispensing station	Doorway or opening to a building with two or more means of egress	Doorway or opening to a building with one means of egress	Combustible materials	Motor vehicle fuel dispenser
720 or less	0	0	5	5	10	10	20
721–2,500	0	10	10	5	10	10	20
2,501–6,000	10	10	10	10	10	10	20
6,001–10,000	20	20	20	20	20	10	20
Over 10,000	25	25	25	25	25	10	20
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg.

6109.13 Protection of containers. ¶

LP-gas containers shall be stored within a suitable enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering. Vehicle impact protection shall be provided as required by Section 6107.4.

Exception: Vehicle impact protection shall not be required for protection of LP-gas containers where the containers are kept in lockable, ventilated cabinets of metal construction.

6109.14 Alternative location and protection of storage. ¶

Where the provisions of Sections 6109.12 and 6109.13 are impractical at construction sites, or at buildings or structures undergoing major renovation or repairs, the storage of containers shall be as required by the fire code official.

6109.15 LP-gas cylinder exchange for resale. ¶

In addition to other applicable requirements of this chapter, facilities operating LPgas cylinder exchange stations that are open to the public shall comply with the following requirements.

Cylinders shall be secured in a lockable, ventilated metal cabinet or other approved enclosure.
Cylinders shall be available only by authorized personnel or by use of an automated exchange system in accordance with Section 6109.15.1.
A sign shall be posted on the entry door of the business operating the cylinder exchange stating “DO NOT BRING LP-GAS CYLINDERS INTO THE BUILDING” or similar approved wording.
An emergency contact information sign shall be posted within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the cylinder storage cabinet. The content, lettering, size, color and location of the required sign shall be as required by the fire code official.

6109.15.1 Automated cylinder exchange stations. Cylinder exchange stations that include an automated vending system for exchanging cylinders shall comply with the following additional requirements:

The vending system shall only permit access to a single cylinder per individual transaction.
Cabinets storing cylinders shall be designed such that cylinders can only be placed inside when they are oriented in the upright position.
Devices operating door releases for access to stored cylinders shall be permitted to be pneumatic, mechanical or electrically powered.
Electrical equipment inside of or within 5 feet (1524 mm) of a cabinet storing cylinders, including but not limited to electronics associated with vending operations, shall comply with the requirements for Class I, Division 2, equipment in accordance with the California Electrical Code.
A manual override control shall be permitted for use by authorized personnel. On newly installed cylinder exchange stations, the vending system shall not be capable of returning to automatic operation after a manual override until the system has been inspected and reset by authorized personnel.
Inspections shall be conducted by authorized personnel to verify that all cylinders are secured, access doors are closed and the station has no visible damage or obvious defects that necessitate placing the station out of service. The frequency of inspections shall be as specified by the fire code official.