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Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

Section 6304 — STORAGE

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.

6304.1 Indoor storage.

Indoor storage of oxidizing materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Table 5003.1.1(1) shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003 and 5004 and this chapter.

6304.1.1 Explosion control. Indoor storage rooms, areas and buildings containing Class 4 liquid or solid oxidizers shall be provided with explosion control in accordance with Section 911.

6304.1.2 Automatic sprinkler system. The automatic sprinkler system for oxidizer storage shall be designed in accordance with NFPA 400.

6304.1.3 Liquid-tight floor. In addition to Section 5004.12, floors of storage areas for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be of liquidtight construction.

6304.1.4 Smoke detection. An approved supervised smoke detection system in accordance with Section 907 shall be installed in liquid and solid oxidizer storage areas. Activation of the smoke detection system shall sound a local alarm.

Exception: Detached storage buildings protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.

63-4 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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

OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

6304.1.5 Storage conditions. The maximum quantity of oxidizers per building in storage buildings shall not exceed those quantities set forth in Tables 6304.1.5(1) through 6304.1.5(3).

The storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be as set forth in Table 6303.1.4 and Tables 6304.1.5(1) through 6304.1.5(3).

Class 2 oxidizers shall not be stored in basements except where such storage is in stationary tanks.

Class 3 and 4 oxidizers in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area set forth in Section 5003.1 shall be stored on the ground floor only.

TABLE 6304.1.5(1)—STORAGE OF CLASS 2 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS

STORAGE CONFIGURATION LIMITS LIMITS
STORAGE CONFIGURATION Group H occupancy storage Detached storage
Piles Piles Piles
Maximum width 25 feet 25 feet
Maximum height Note a Note a
Maximum distance to aisle 12 feet 12 feet
Minimum distance to next pile Note b Note b
Minimum distance to walls 2 feetc 2 feetc
Maximum quantity per pile 100 tons 100 tons
Maximum quantity per building 2,000 tons No Limit
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
a. 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.
b. The minimum aisle width shall be equal to the pile height, but not less than 4 feet and not greater than 8 feet.
c. For protection level and detached storage under 4,500 pounds, there shall not be a minimum separation distance between the pile and any wall.

TABLE 6304.1.5(2)—STORAGE OF CLASS 3 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS

STORAGE CONFIGURATION LIMITS LIMITS
STORAGE CONFIGURATION Group H occupancy storage Detached storage
Piles Piles Piles
Maximum width 16 feet 20 feet
Maximum height Note a Note a
Maximum distance to aisle 10 feet 10 feet
Minimum distance to next pile Note b Note b
Minimum distance to walls 4 feetc 4 feetc
Maximum quantity per pile 30 tons 100 tons
Maximum quantity per building 1,200 tons No Limit
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 ton = 0.907185 metric ton.
a. 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.
b. The minimum aisle width shall be equal to the pile height, but not less than 4 feet and not greater than 8 feet.
c. For protection level and detached storage under 2,300 pounds, there shall not be a minimum separation distance between the pile and any wall.

TABLE 6304.1.5(3)—STORAGE OF CLASS 4 OXIDIZER LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS

STORAGE CONFIGURATION LIMITS (feet)
Piles Piles
Maximum length 10
Maximum width 4
Maximum height 8
Minimum distance to next pile 8
Maximum quantity per building No Limit
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm. For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

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

OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

6304.1.6 Separation of Class 4 oxidizers from other materials. In addition to the requirements in Section 5003.9.8, Class 4 oxidizer liquids and solids shall be separated from other hazardous materials by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier or stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets.

6304.1.7 Contamination. Liquid and solid oxidizers shall not be stored on or against combustible surfaces. Liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in a manner to prevent contamination.

6304.1.8 Detached storage. Storage of liquid and solid oxidizers shall be in detached buildings where required by Section 5003.8.2.

6304.1.8.1 Separation distance. Detached storage buildings for Class 4 oxidizer liquids and solids shall be located not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from other hazardous materials storage.

6304.2 Outdoor storage.

Outdoor storage of oxidizing materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area set forth in Table 5003.1.1(3) shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003, 5004 and this chapter. Oxidizing gases shall also comply with Chapter 53.

6304.2.1 Distance from storage to exposures for oxidizing gases. Outdoor storage areas for oxidizing gases shall be located in accordance with Table 6304.2.1.

TABLE 6304.2.1—OXIDIZER GASES—DISTANCE FROM STORAGE TO EXPOSURESa

QUANTITY OF GAS STORED
(cubic feet at NTP)		 DISTANCE TO A BUILDING NOT ASSOCIATED WITH
THE MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTION OF OXIDIZING GASES OR
PUBLIC WAY OR LOT LINE THAT CAN BE BUILT ON
(feet)		 DISTANCE BETWEEN STORAGE AREAS
(feet)
0–50,000 5 5
50,001–100,000 10 10
100,001 or greater 15 10
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3.
a. The minimum required distances shall not apply where fire barriers without openings or penetrations having a minimum fire-resistance rating of 2 hours interrupt the line of
sight between the storage and the exposure. The configuration of the fire barrier shall be designed to allow natural ventilation to prevent the accumulation of hazardous gas
concentrations.

6304.2.1.1 Oxidizing cryogenic fluids. Outdoor storage areas for oxidizing cryogenic fluids shall be located in accordance with Chapter 55.

6304.2.2 Storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers. Storage configuration for liquid and solid oxidizers shall be in accordance with Table 6303.1.4 and Tables 6304.1.5(1) through 6304.1.5(3).

6304.2.3 Storage configuration for oxidizing gases. Storage configuration for oxidizing gases shall be in accordance with Table 6304.2.1.

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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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