6404 Storage — 2025 California Fire Code

6404.1 Indoor storage.¶

Indoor storage of pyrophoric 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.

The storage of silane gas, and gas mixtures with a silane concentration of 1.37 percent or more by volume, shall be in accordance with ANSI/CGA G-13.

6404.1.1 Liquid-tight floor. In addition to the requirements of Section 5004.12, floors of storage areas containing pyrophoric liquids shall be of liquid-tight construction.

6404.1.2 Pyrophoric solids and liquids. Storage of pyrophoric solids and liquids shall be limited to a maximum area of 100 square feet (9.3 m [2] ) per pile. Storage shall not exceed 5 feet (1524 mm) in height. Individual containers shall not be stacked.

Aisles between storage piles shall be not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width.

Individual tanks or containers shall not exceed 500 gallons (1893 L) in capacity.

6404.1.3 Pyrophoric gases. Storage of pyrophoric gases shall be in detached buildings where required by Section 5003.8.2.

6404.1.4 Separation from incompatible materials. In addition to the requirements of Section 5003.9.8, indoor storage of pyrophoric materials shall be isolated from incompatible hazardous materials by 1-hour fire barriers with openings protected in accordance with the California Building Code.

Exception: Storage in approved hazardous materials storage cabinets constructed in accordance with Section 5003.8.7.

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6404.2 Outdoor storage.¶

Outdoor storage of pyrophoric materials in amounts exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area indicated in Table 5003.1.1(3) shall be in accordance with Sections 5001, 5003 and 5004, and this chapter.

The storage of silane gas, and gas mixtures with a silane concentration of 1.37 percent or more by volume, shall be in accordance with ANSI/CGA G-13.

PYROPHORIC MATERIALS

6404.2.1 Distance from storage to exposures. The separation of pyrophoric solids, liquids and gases from buildings, lot lines, public streets, public alleys, public ways or means of egress shall be in accordance with the following:

Solids and liquids. Two times the separation required by Chapter 57 for Class IB flammable liquids.
Gases. The location and maximum amount of pyrophoric gas per storage area shall be in accordance with Table 6404.2.1.

TABLE 6404.2.1—PYROPHORIC GASES—DISTANCE FROM STORAGE TO EXPOSURESa

MAXIMUM AMOUNT PER STORAGE AREA (cubic feet)	MINIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN STORAGE AREAS (feet)	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO LOT LINES OF PROPERTY THAT CAN BE BUILT ON (feet)	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO PUBLIC STREETS, PUBLIC ALLEYS OR PUBLIC WAYS (feet)	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO BUILDINGS ON THE SAME PROPERTY	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO BUILDINGS ON THE SAME PROPERTY	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO BUILDINGS ON THE SAME PROPERTY
MAXIMUM AMOUNT PER STORAGE AREA (cubic feet)	MINIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN STORAGE AREAS (feet)	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO LOT LINES OF PROPERTY THAT CAN BE BUILT ON (feet)	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO PUBLIC STREETS, PUBLIC ALLEYS OR PUBLIC WAYS (feet)	Nonrated construction or openings within 25 feet	Two-hour construction and no openings within 25 feet	Four-hour construction and no openings within 25 feet
250	5	25	5	5	0	0
2,500	10	50	10	10	5	0
7,500	20	100	20	20	10	0
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3. a. The minimum required distances shall be reduced to 5 feet where protective structures having a minimum fire resistance of 2 hours interrupt the line of sight between the container and the exposure. The protective structure shall be not less than 5 feet from the exposure. The configuration of the protective structure shall allow natural ventila- tion to prevent the accumulation of hazardous gas concentrations.

6404.2.2 Weather protection. Where overhead construction is provided for sheltering outdoor storage areas of pyrophoric materials, the storage areas shall be provided with approved automatic fire-extinguishing system protection.

Exceptions & meaning →