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Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

Section 6303 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

6303.1 Quantities not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area.

The storage and use of oxidizing materials in amounts not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Section 5003.1 shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003, 6301 and 6303. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 53.

6303.1.1 Special limitations for indoor storage and use by occupancy. The indoor storage and use of oxidizing materials shall be in accordance with Sections 6303.1.1.1 through 6303.1.1.2.

6303.1.1.1 Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers. The storage and use of Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall comply with Sections 6303.1.1.1.1 through 6303.1.1.1.4.

6303.1.1.1.1 Group A, E, I or U occupancies. In Group A, E, I or U occupancies, any amount of Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in accordance with the following:

  1. Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 5003.8.7.

  2. The hazardous materials storage cabinets shall not contain other storage.

6303.1.1.1.2 Group R occupancies. Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall not be stored or used within Group R occupancies.

6303.1.1.1.3 Offices and retail sales areas. Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall not be stored or used in offices or retail sales areas of Group B, F, M or S occupancies.

6303.1.1.1.4 Classrooms. In classrooms of Group B, F or M occupancies, any amount of Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in accordance with the following:

  1. Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 5003.8.7.

  2. Hazardous materials storage cabinets shall not contain other storage.

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

OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

6303.1.1.2 Oxidizing gases. Except for cylinders of nonliquefied compressed gases not exceeding a capacity of 250 cubic feet (7 m [3] ) or liquefied compressed gases not exceeding a capacity of 46 pounds (21 kg) each used for maintenance purposes, patient care or operation of equipment, oxidizing gases shall not be stored or used in Group A, E, I or R occupancies or in offices in Group B occupancies.

The aggregate quantities of gases used for maintenance purposes and operation of equipment shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantity per control area listed in Table 5003.1.1(1).

Medical gas systems and medical gas supply cylinders shall also be in accordance with Section 5306.

6303.1.2 Emergency shutoff. Compressed gas systems conveying oxidizing gases shall be provided with approved manual or automatic emergency shutoff valves that can be activated at each point of use and at each source.

6303.1.2.1 Shutoff at source. A manual or automatic fail-safe emergency shutoff valve shall be installed on supply piping at the cylinder or bulk source. Manual or automatic cylinder valves are allowed to be used as the required emergency shutoff valve where the source of supply is limited to unmanifolded cylinder sources.

6303.1.2.2 Shutoff at point of use. A manual or automatic emergency shutoff valve shall be installed on the supply piping at the point of use or at a point where the equipment using the gas is connected to the supply system.

6303.1.3 Ignition source control. Ignition sources in areas containing oxidizing gases shall be controlled in accordance with Section 5003.7.

6303.1.4 Class 1, 2 and 3 oxidizer storage configuration. The storage configuration of Class 1, 2 and 3 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be as set forth in Table 6303.1.4.

TABLE 6303.1.4—STORAGE OF CLASS 1, 2 AND 3 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS

STORAGE CONFIGURATION LIMITS (feet) LIMITS (feet) LIMITS (feet)
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Piles Piles Piles Piles
Maximum width 24 16 12
Maximum height 20 Note c Note c
Maximum distance to aisle 12 8 8
Minimum distance to next pile 4a Note a Note a
Minimum distance to walls 2b 2 4
Maximum quantity per pile 200 tons MAQ NA
Maximum quantity per building No Limit Note d Note d
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
MAQ = Maximum Allowable Quantity.
NA = Not Applicable.
a. The minimum aisle width shall be equal to the pile height, but not less than 4 feet and not greater than 8 feet.
b. There shall not be a minimum distance from the pile to a wall for amounts less than 9,000 pounds.
c. Maximum storage height in nonsprinklered buildings is limited to 6 feet. In sprinklered buildings, see NFPA 400 for storage heights based on ceiling sprinkler protection.
d. Maximum quantity per building varies. See Chapter 50 for control areas and MAQs.

6303.1.5 Class 3 liquid and solid oxidizers. Not more than 220 pounds (99 kg) of solid or 22 gallons (83 L) of liquid Class 3 oxidizer is allowed in storage and use where such materials are necessary for maintenance purposes or operation of equipment. The oxidizers shall be stored in approved containers and in an approved manner.

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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
  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…
    Overview
    1. Section 6301 — GENERAL
    2. Section 6302 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 6303 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    4. Section 6304 — STORAGE
    5. Section 6305 — USE
    6. Section 6306 — LIQUID OXYGEN IN HOME HEALTH CARE
  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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