Section 6303 — California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)

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:

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

Class 4 liquid and solid oxidizers shall be stored in hazardous materials storage cabinets complying with Section 5003.8.7.
Hazardous materials storage cabinets shall not contain other storage.

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

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.

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

STORAGE CONFIGURATION	LIMITS (feet)
STORAGE CONFIGURATION	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

OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

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 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.

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.

Exceptions & meaning →