Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
Section 2308
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS MOTOR
FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES
2308.1 General. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities for¶
compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel shall be in accordance
Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.
MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
with this section, Chapter 53 and Section 413 of the Interna- tional Fuel Gas Code .
2308.2 Approvals. Storage vessels and equipment used for¶
the storage, compression or dispensing of CNG shall be approved or listed in accordance with Sections 2308.2.1 through 2308.2.4.
2308.2.1 Approved equipment. Containers, compressors, pressure relief devices (including pressure relief valves), and pressure regulators and piping used for CNG shall be approved.
2308.2.2 Listed equipment. Hoses, hose connections, dispensers and electrical equipment used for CNG shall be listed. Vehicle-fueling connections shall be listed and labeled.
2308.2.3 Residential fueling appliance (RFA). Residential fueling appliances shall be listed and installed in accordance with the installation requirements of CSA/ANSI NGV 5.1, manufacturer’s installation instructions and Section 413 of the International Fuel Gas Code . The capacity of an RFA shall not exceed 5 cubic feet per minute (0.14 m 3 /min) of natural gas.
2308.2.4 Vehicle fueling appliance (VFA). Nonresidential fueling appliances shall be listed and installed in accordance with the installation requirements of CSA/ANSI NGV 5.2, manufacturer’s installation instructions and the requirements of Section 413 of the International Fuel Gas Code for VFAs. The capacity of the VFA shall not exceed 10 cubic feet per minute (0.28 m 3 /min) of natural gas.
2308.3 Location of dispensing operations and equipment.¶
Compression, storage and dispensing equipment shall be located above ground, outdoors.
Exceptions:
Compression, storage or dispensing equipment shall be allowed in buildings of noncombustible construction, as set forth in the California Building Code, that are unenclosed for three-quarters or more of the perimeter.
Compression, storage and dispensing equipment shall be allowed indoors or in vaults in accordance with Chapter 53.
2308.3.1 Location on property. In addition to the requirements of Section 2303.1, compression, storage and dispensing equipment not located in vaults complying with Chapter 53 shall be installed as follows:
Not beneath power lines.
Ten feet (3048 mm) or more from the nearest building or lot line that could be built on, public street, sidewalk or source of ignition.
Exception: Dispensing equipment need not be separated from canopies that are constructed in accordance with the California Building Code and that provide weather protection for the dispensing equipment.
Twenty-five feet (7620 mm) or more from the nearest rail of any railroad track and 50 feet (15 240 mm) or more from the nearest rail of any railroad main track or any railroad or transit line where power for train propulsion is provided by an outside electrical source, such as third rail or overhead catenary.
Fifty feet (15 240 mm) or more from the vertical plane below the nearest overhead wire of a trolley bus line.
2308.4 Private fueling of motor vehicles. Self-service¶
CNG-dispensing systems, including key, code and card lock dispensing systems, shall be limited to the filling of permanently mounted fuel containers on CNG-powered vehicles.
In addition to the requirements in Section 2305, the owner of a self-service CNG motor fuel-dispensing facility shall ensure the safe operation of the system and the training of users.
2308.5 Pressure regulators. Pressure regulators shall be¶
designed and installed or protected so that their operation will not be affected by the elements (freezing rain, sleet, snow or ice), mud or debris. The protection is allowed to be an integral part of the regulator.
2308.6 Valves. Gas piping to equipment shall be provided¶
with a remote, manual shutoff valve that is provided with ready access .
2308.7 Emergency shutdown control.¶
An emergency shutdown control shall be located within 75 feet (22 860 mm) of, but not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) from, dispensers and shall be provided in the compressor area. Upon activation, the emergency shutdown system shall automatically shut off the power supply to the compressor and close valves between the main gas supply and the compressor and between the storage containers and dispensers.
2308.8 Discharge of CNG from motor vehicle fuel storage¶
containers. The discharge of CNG from motor vehicle fuel cylinders for the purposes of maintenance, cylinder certification, calibration of dispensers or other activities shall be in accordance with Sections 2308.8.1 through 2308.8.1.2.6.
2308.8.1 Methods of discharge. The discharge of CNG from motor vehicle fuel cylinders shall be accomplished through a closed transfer system in accordance with Section 2308.8.1.1 or an approved method of atmospheric venting in accordance with Section 2308.8.1.2.
2308.8.1.1 Closed transfer system. A documented procedure that explains the logical sequence for discharging the cylinder shall be provided to the fire code official for review and approval. The procedure shall include what actions the operator will take in the event of a low-pressure or high-pressure natural gas release during the discharging activity. A drawing illustrating the arrangement of piping, regulators and equipment settings shall be provided to the fire code official for review and approval. The drawing shall illustrate the piping and regulator arrangement and shall be shown in spatial relation to the location of the compressor, storage vessels and emergency shutdown devices.
23-12 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.
2308.8.1.2 Atmospheric venting. Atmospheric venting of CNG shall comply with Sections 2308.8.1.2.1 through 2308.8.1.2.6.
2308.8.1.2.1 Plans and specifications. A drawing illustrating the location of the vessel support, piping, the method of grounding and bonding, and other requirements specified herein shall be provided to the fire code official for review and approval.
2308.8.1.2.2 Cylinder stability. A method of rigidly supporting the vessel during the venting of CNG shall be provided. The selected method shall provide not less than two points of support and shall prevent the horizontal and lateral movement of the vessel. The system shall be designed to prevent the movement of the vessel based on the highest gas-release velocity through valve orifices at the vessel’s rated pressure and volume. The structure or appurtenance shall be constructed of noncombustible materials.
2308.8.1.2.3 Separation. The structure or appurtenance used for stabilizing the cylinder shall be separated from the site equipment, features and exposures and shall be located in accordance with Table 2308.8.1.2.3.
TABLE 2308.8.1.2.3 SEPARATION DISTANCE FOR ATMOSPHERIC VENTING OF CNG
| EQUIPMENT OR FEATURE | MINIMUM SEPARATION (feet) |
|---|---|
| Buildings | 25 |
| Building openings | 25 |
| CNG compressor and storage vessels | 25 |
| CNG dispensers | 25 |
| Lot lines | 15 |
| Public ways | 15 |
| Vehicles | 25 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
2308.8.1.2.4 Grounding and bonding. The structure or appurtenance used for supporting the cylinder shall be grounded in accordance with the California Electrical Code . The cylinder valve shall be bonded prior to the commencement of venting operations.
2308.8.1.2.5 Vent tube. A vent tube that will divert the gas flow to the atmosphere shall be installed on the cylinder prior to commencement of the venting and purging operation. The vent tube shall be constructed of pipe or tubing materials approved for use with CNG in accordance with Chapter 53.
The vent tube shall be capable of dispersing the gas not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) above grade level. The vent tube shall not be provided with a rain cap or other feature that would limit or obstruct the gas flow.
At the connection fitting of the vent tube and the CNG cylinder, a listed bidirectional detonation flame arrester shall be provided.
MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
2308.8.1.2.6 Signage. Approved “No Smoking” signs complying with Section 310 shall be posted within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the cylinder support structure or appurtenance. Approved “Cylinder Shall Be Bonded” signs shall be posted on the cylinder support structure or appurtenance.
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