Section 5703 — California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)

5703.1 Electrical. Electrical wiring and equipment shall be¶

installed and maintained in accordance with Section 604 and the California Electrical Code .

5703.1.1 Classified locations for flammable liquids. Areas where flammable liquids are stored, handled, dispensed or mixed shall be in accordance with Table 5703.1.1. A classified area shall not extend beyond an unpierced floor, roof or other solid partition.

The extent of the classified area is allowed to be reduced, or eliminated, where sufficient technical justification is provided to the fire code official that a concentration in the area in excess of 25 percent of the lower flammable limit (LFL) cannot be generated.

5703.1.2 Classified locations for combustible liquids. Areas where Class II or III liquids are heated above their flash points shall have electrical installations in accordance with Section 5703.1.1.

Exception: Solvent distillation units in accordance with Section 5705.4.

5703.1.3 Other applications. The fire code official is authorized to determine the extent of the Class I electrical equipment and wiring location where a condition is not specifically covered by these requirements or the Califor- nia Electrical Code .

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5703.2 Fire protection. Fire protection for the storage, use,¶

dispensing, mixing, handling and on-site transportation of flammable and combustible liquids shall be in accordance with this chapter and applicable sections of Chapter 9.

5703.2.1 Portable fire extinguishers and hose lines. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with Section 906. Hose lines shall be provided in accordance with Section 905.

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5703.3 Site assessment.¶

In the event of a spill, leak or discharge from a tank system, a site assessment shall be completed by the owner or operator of such tank system if the fire code official determines that a potential fire or explosion hazard exists. Such site assessments shall be conducted to ascertain potential fire hazards and shall be completed and submitted to the fire department within a time period established by the fire code official, not to exceed 60 days.

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5703.4 Spill control and secondary containment. Where¶

the maximum allowable quantity per control area is exceeded, and where required by Section 5004.2, rooms, buildings or areas used for storage, dispensing, use, mixing or handling of Class I, II and IIIA liquids shall be provided with spill control and secondary containment in accordance with Section 5004.2.

5703.4.1 Spill control and secondary containment for tanks in underground areas. Tanks in underground areas and associated piping systems shall be provided with spill control and secondary containment that are designed and constructed as outlined in Section 5004.2, except as modi- fied by Section 5703.6.2.2.

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5703.5 Labeling and signage.¶

The fire code official is authorized to require warning signs for the purpose of identifying the hazards of storing or using flammable liquids. Signage for identification and warning such as for the inherent hazard of flammable liquids or smoking shall be provided in accordance with this chapter and Sections 5003.5 and 5003.6.

5703.5.1 Style. Warning signs shall be of a durable material. Signs warning of the hazard of flammable liquids shall have white lettering on a red background and shall read: DANGER—FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS. Letters shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height and ¹ /2 inch (12.7 mm) in stroke.

5703.5.2 Location. Signs shall be posted in locations as required by the fire code official. Piping containing flammable liquids shall be identified in accordance with ASME A13.1.

5703.5.3 Warning labels. Individual containers, packages and cartons shall be identified, marked, labeled and placarded in accordance with federal regulations and applicable state laws.

5703.5.4 Identification. Color coding or other approved identification means shall be provided on each loading and unloading riser for flammable or combustible liquids to identify the contents of the tank served by the riser.

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EXTENT OF CLASSIFIED AREA	Pits, boxes or spaces below grade level, any part of which is within the Division 1 or 2 classified area. Up to 18 inches above grade level within a horizontal radius of 10 feet from a loose-fill connection and within a horizontal radius of 5 feet from a tight-fill connection.	Within 3 feet of open end of vent, extending in all directions. Area between 3 feet and 5 feet of open end of vent, extending in all directions.	Within 3 feet of vent and fill opening, extending in all directions. Area between 3 feet and 5 feet from vent of fill opening, extending in all directions. Also up to 18 inches above floor or grade level within a horizontal radius of 10 feet from vent or fill opening.	Within 5 feet of any edge of such devices, extending in all directions, and up to 3 feet above floor or grade level within 25 feet horizontally from any edge of such devices. Within 3 feet of any edge of such devices, extending in all directions, and up to 18 inches above floor or grade level within 10 feet horizontally from an edge of such devices.	Entire area within pit if any part is within a Division 1 or 2 classified area. Entire area within pit if any part is within a Division 1 or 2 classified area. Entire pit.	Same as pits. Area up to 18 inches above ditch, separator or basin, and up to 18 inches above grade within 15 feet horizontal from any edge.	Within 3 feet of edge of dome, extending in all directions. Area between 3 feet and 15 feet from edge of dome, extending in all directions. Within 3 feet of point of venting to atmosphere, extending in all directions. Area between 3 feet and 15 feet from point of venting to atmosphere, extending in all direc- tions. Also up to 18 inches above grade within a horizontal radius of 10 feet from point of loading connection.
GROUP D DIVISION	1 2	1 2	1 2	2 2	1 2 2	1 or 2 2	1 2 1 2
LOCATION	Underground tank fill opening	Vent—Discharging upward	Drum and container filling Outdoor or indoor with adequate ventilation	Pumps, bleeders, withdrawal fittings, meters and similar devices Indoor Outdoor	Pits Without mechanical ventilation With mechanical ventilation Containing valves, fittings or piping, and not within a Division 1 or 2 classified area	Drainage ditches, separators, impounding basins Indoor Outdoor	Tank vehicle and tank carb Loading through open dome Loading through bottom connections with atmospheric venting

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EXTENT OF CLASSIFIED AREA	Within 3 feet of open end of vent, extending in all directions. Area between 3 feet and 15 feet from open end of vent, extending in all directions, and within 3 feet of edge of dome, extending in all directions. Within 3 feet of point of connection of both fill and vapor lines, extending in all directions. Within 3 feet of point of connection, extending in all directions, and up to 18 inches above grade within a horizontal radius of 10 feet from point of connection.	Pits or spaces below floor level. Area up to 18 inches above floor or grade level for entire storage or repair garage.	Where there is an opening to these rooms within the extent of an outdoor classified area, the entire room shall be classified the same as the area classification at the point of the opening.	—	Where there is an opening to these rooms within the extent of an indoor classified area, the room shall be classified the same as if the wall, curb or partition did not exist.	Area within 5 feet of any edge of such equipment, extending in all directions. Area between 5 feet and 8 feet of any edge of such equipment, extending in all directions, and the area up to 3 feet above floor or grade level within 5 feet to 25 feet horizontally from any edge of such equipment.c	Area within 3 feet of any edge of such equipment, extending in all directions. Area between 3 feet and 8 feet of any edge of such equipment extending in all directions, and the area up to 3 feet above floor or grade level within 3 feet to 10 feet horizontally from any edge of such equipment.	Area inside dike where dike height is greater than the distance from the tank to the dike for more than 50 percent of the tank circumference. Area within 10 feet from shell, ends or roof of tank. Area inside dikes to level of top of dike. Area within 5 feet of open end of vent, extending in all directions. Area between 5 feet and 10 feet from open end of vent, extending in all directions. Area above the roof and within the shell.	Where there is an opening to these rooms within the extent of an indoor classified location, the room shall be classified the same as if the wall, curb or partition did not exist.
GROUP D DIVISION	1 2 2 2	1 2	Ordinary	Ordinary	Ordinary	1 2	1 2	1 2 1 2 1	Ordinary
LOCATION	Tank vehicle and tank carb—continued Loading through closed dome with atmospheric venting Loading through closed dome with vapor control Bottom loading with vapor control or any bottom unloading	Storage and repair garage for tank vehicles	Garages for other than tank vehicles	Outdoor drum storage	Indoor warehousing where there is no flammable liquid transfer	Indoor equipment where flammable vapor/air mixtures could exist under normal operations	Outdoor equipment where flammable vapor/air mixtures could exist under normal operations	Tank—Above ground Shell, ends or roof and dike area Vent Floating roof	Office and restrooms

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5703.6 Piping systems. Piping systems, and their component¶

parts, for flammable and combustible liquids shall be in accordance with Sections 5703.6.1 through 5703.6.11.

5703.6.1 Nonapplicability. The provisions of Section 5703.6 shall not apply to gas or oil well installations; piping that is integral to stationary or portable engines, including aircraft, watercraft and motor vehicles; and piping in connection with boilers and pressure vessels regulated by the California Mechanical Code .

5703.6.2 Design and fabrication of piping systems and components. Piping system components shall be designed and fabricated in accordance with the applicable standard listed in Table 5703.6.2 and Chapter 27 of NFPA 30, except as modified by Section 5703.6.2.1 and 5703.6.2.2.

TABLE 5703.6.2 PIPING STANDARDS

PIPING USE	STANDARD
Power Piping	ASME B31.1
Process Piping	ASME B31.3
Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids	ASME B31.4
Building Services Piping	ASME B31.9

5703.6.2.1 Special materials. Low-melting-point materials (such as aluminum, copper or brass), materials that soften on fire exposure (such as nonmetallic materials) and nonductile material (such as cast iron) shall be acceptable for use underground in accordance with the applicable standard listed in Table 5703.6.2. Where such materials are used outdoors in aboveground piping systems or within buildings, they shall be in accordance with the applicable standard listed in Table 5703.6.2 and one of the following:

Suitably protected against fire exposure.
Located where leakage from failure would not unduly expose people or structures.
Located where leakage can be readily controlled by operation of remotely located valves in a location provided with ready access.

In all cases, nonmetallic piping shall be used in accordance with Section 27.4.6 of NFPA 30.

5703.6.2.2 Below-grade or underground piping sys- tems connected to a tank in an underground area. Below-grade or underground piping systems that are connected to a tank in an underground area shall have secondary containment. The building, room or area in which the flammable or combustible liquid is stored or located may be used as secondary containment if it meets the containment and drainage methods as described in Section 5004.2.2.1.

All portions of below-grade and underground pip- ing systems shall be monitored for leaks by one of the following methods:

1. A listed or approved leak detection system that either activates an audible and visual alarm or stops the flow of product when a leak is detected.

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS

2. Direct visual inspection conducted monthly by designated personnel.

3. Indirect visual inspection conducted monthly through the use of, but not limited to, mirrors, cameras or video equipment.

4. If the above methods cannot be met, an alterna- tive means shall be provided in accordance with Section 1.11.2.4.

Exceptions:

1. Piping systems connected to a tank in an underground area that is used solely in connection with a fire pump or emergency system, legally required standby system, or optional standby system as specified in Health and Safety Code Section 25270.2(o)(1)(C)(iii).

2. Piping systems connected to a tank in an underground area that contains petroleum to be used or previously used as a lubricant or coolant in a motor engine or transmission or oil-filled operational equipment or oil-filled manufacturing equipment, as described in Health and Safety Code Section 25270.2(o)(1)(C)(i).

3. Piping systems connected to a petroleum hazardous waste tank in an underground area that complies with the hazardous waste tank standards pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 15, Article 10 (commencing with Section 66265.190), and the facility has been issued a unified program facility permit pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 25404.2 for generation, treatment, accumulation, or storage of hazardous waste, as described in Health and Safety Code Section 25270.2(o)(1) (C)(ii).

5703.6.3 Testing. Unless tested in accordance with the applicable section of ASME B31.9, piping, before being covered, enclosed or placed in use, shall be hydrostatically tested to 150 percent of the maximum anticipated pressure of the system, or pneumatically tested to 110 percent of the maximum anticipated pressure of the system, but not less than 5 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (34.47 kPa) at the highest point of the system. This test shall be maintained for a sufficient time period to complete visual inspection of joints and connections. For not less than 10 minutes, there shall be no leakage or permanent distortion. Care shall be exercised to ensure that these pressures are not applied to vented storage tanks. Such storage tanks shall be tested independently from the piping.

5703.6.3.1 Existing piping. Existing piping shall be tested in accordance with this section where the fire code official has reasonable cause to believe that a leak exists. Piping that could contain flammable or combus

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tible liquids shall not be tested pneumatically. Such tests shall be at the expense of the owner or operator.

Exception: Vapor-recovery piping is allowed to be tested using an inert gas.

5703.6.4 Protection from vehicles. Guard posts or other approved means shall be provided to protect piping, valves or fittings subject to vehicular damage in accordance with Section 312.

5703.6.5 Protection from external corrosion and gal- vanic action. Where subject to external corrosion, piping, related fluid-handling components and supports for both underground and above-ground applications shall be fabricated from noncorrosive materials, and coated or provided with corrosion protection. Dissimilar metallic parts that promote galvanic action shall not be joined.

5703.6.6 Valves. Piping systems shall contain a sufficient number of manual control valves and check valves to operate the system properly and to protect the plant under both normal and emergency conditions. Piping systems in connection with pumps shall contain a sufficient number of such valves to control properly the flow of liquids in normal operation and in the event of physical damage or fire exposure.

5703.6.6.1 Backflow protections. Connections to pipelines or piping by which equipment (such as tank cars, tank vehicles or marine vessels) discharges liquids into storage tanks shall be provided with check valves or block valves for automatic protection against backflow where the piping arrangement is such that backflow from the system is possible. Where loading and unloading is done through a common pipe system, a check valve is not required. However, a block valve, located in an area where it is provided with ready access or remotely operable, shall be provided.

5703.6.6.2 Manual drainage. Manual drainage-control valves shall be located at approved locations remote from the tanks, diked area, drainage system and impounding basin to ensure their operation in a fire condition.

5703.6.7 Connections. Above-ground tanks with connections located below normal liquid level shall be provided with internal or external isolation valves located as close as practical to the shell of the tank. Except for liquids whose chemical characteristics are incompatible with steel, such valves, where external, and their connections to the tank shall be of steel.

5703.6.8 Piping supports. Piping systems shall be substantially supported and protected against physical damage and excessive stresses arising from settlement, vibration, expansion, contraction or exposure to fire. The supports shall be protected against exposure to fire by one of the following:

Draining liquid away from the piping system at a minimum slope of not less than 1 percent.
Providing protection with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
Other approved methods.

5703.6.9 Flexible joints. Flexible joints shall be listed and approved and shall be installed on underground liquid, vapor and vent piping at all of the following locations:

Where piping connects to underground tanks.
Where piping ends at pump islands and vent risers.
At points where differential movement in the piping can occur.

5703.6.9.1 Fiberglass-reinforced plastic piping. Fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) piping is not required to be provided with flexible joints in locations where both of the following conditions are present:

Piping does not exceed 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter.
Piping has a straight run of not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) on one side of the connection where such connections result in a change of direction.

In lieu of the minimum 4-foot (1219 mm) straight run length, approved and listed flexible joints are allowed to be used under dispensers and suction pumps, at submerged pumps and tanks, and where vents extend above ground.

5703.6.10 Pipe joints. Joints shall be liquid tight and shall be welded, flanged or threaded except that listed flexible connectors are allowed in accordance with Section 5703.6.9. Threaded or flanged joints shall fit tightly by using approved methods and materials for the type of joint. Joints in piping systems used for Class I liquids shall be welded where located in concealed spaces within buildings.

Nonmetallic joints shall be approved and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pipe joints that are dependent on the friction characteristics or resiliency of combustible materials for liquid tightness of piping shall not be used in buildings. Piping shall be secured to prevent disengagement at the fitting.

5703.6.11 Bends. Pipe and tubing shall be bent in accordance with ASME B31.9.

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