San Jose Municipal Code Part 9 Provisions Related to Storage, Handling, and Use of Regulated Materials

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. 31258, § 11, adopted Nov. 18, 2025, amended Part 9 of Ch. 17.12 in its entirety to read as set out herein. Former Part 9, §§ 17.12.900 - 17.12.965, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ords. 30327, 30836.

Except as otherwise provided for in this Chapter, Chapter 50 of the 2025 California Fire Code, including the Tables therein, are adopted and incorporated in this Chapter by reference and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.

(Ord. 31258.)

Subsection 5001.2.2.2 is amended to read as follows:

5001.2.2.2 Health hazards. The material categories listed in this section are classified as health hazards. A material with a primary classification as a health hazard can also pose a physical hazard.

1. Highly toxic and toxic materials.

2. Corrosive materials.

3. Moderately toxic gas.

(Ord. 31258.)

Subsection 5003.1.4 is amended to read as follows:

5003.1.4.1 Highly toxic, toxic, moderately toxic gases and similarly used or handled materials. The storage, use, and handling of highly toxic and toxic gases in quantities exceeding Tables 5003.1.1(1-4) shall be in accordance with this chapter and Chapter 60. Any highly toxic, toxic, or moderately toxic material (solid, liquid, or gas) that is used or handled shall be in accordance with the requirements listed in Chapter 60.

(Ord. 31258.)

Section 5003.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.1.5 Additional Spill Control and Secondary Containment Requirements. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 5004.2, approved containment is required for any quantity of hazardous materials that are liquids or solids at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) where a spill is determined to be a plausible event and where such an event would endanger people, property or the environment. Such containment may be required to include a combination of spill control and secondary containment meeting the design and construction requirements set forth in Section 5004.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code.

(Ord. 31258.)

Section 5003.2.2.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.2.2.1 Design and Construction. Piping, tubing, valves, fittings and related components used for hazardous materials shall be in accordance with the following:

1. Piping, tubing, valves, fittings and related components shall be designed and fabricated from materials that are compatible with the material to be contained and shall be of adequate strength and durability to withstand the pressure, structural and seismic stress, and exposure to which they are subject.

2. Piping and tubing shall be identified in accordance with ASME A 13.1 and the Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs Marking Requirements and Guidelines for Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste to indicate the material conveyed.

3. Manual valves or automatic remotely activated fail-safe emergency shutoff valves shall be installed on supply piping and tubing and provided with ready access at the following locations:

3.1.

The point of use;

3.2.

The tank, cylinder or bulk source.

4. Manual emergency shutoff valves and controls for remotely activated emergency shutoff valves shall be identified by means of a sign, clearly visible, and accessible.

5. Backflow prevention or check valves shall be provided where the backflow of hazardous materials could create a hazardous condition or cause the unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials.

Exceptions:

1. Piping for inlet connections designed to prevent backflow.

2. Piping or pressure relief devices.

3. When gases or liquids having a hazard ranking of:

6.1.

Health Class 3 or 4;

6.2.

Flammability Class 4; or

6.3.

Instability Class 3 or 4

in accordance with NFPA 704 are conveyed in pressurized piping above 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103 Kpa), then an approved means of leak detection, emergency shutoff, and excess flow control shall be provided. Where the piping originates from within a hazardous material storage room or area, the excess flow control shall be located within the storage room or area. Where the piping originates from a bulk source, the excess flow control shall be located as close to the bulk source as practical:

Exceptions:

1. Piping for inlet connections designed to prevent backflow.

2. Piping for pressure relief devices.

3. Secondary containment or equivalent protection from spills or leaks shall be provided for piping for liquid hazardous materials and for highly toxic and toxic corrosive gases above threshold quantities listed in table 5003.1.1(1-4). Secondary containment includes, but is not limited to, double-walled piping.

Exceptions:

1. Secondary containment is not required for toxic corrosive gases if the piping is constructed of inert materials.

2. Piping under sub-atmospheric conditions, if the piping is equipped with an alarm and fail-safe-to-close valve activated by a loss of vacuum.

3. Expansion chambers shall be provided between valves whenever the regulated gas may be subjected to thermal expansion. Chambers shall be sized to provide protection for piping and instrumentation and to accommodate the expansion of regulated materials.

(Ord. 31258.)

Section 5003.2.2.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.2.2.2 Additional Regulation for Supply Piping for Health Hazard Materials. Supply piping and tubing for gases and liquids having a health-hazard ranking of 3 or 4 in accordance with NFPA 704 shall be in accordance with ASME B 31.3 and the following:

1. Piping and tubing utilized for the transmission of highly toxic and toxic gases or highly volatile corrosive liquids and gases shall have welded or brazed connections throughout, except for connections within an exhausted enclosure if the material is a gas, or an approved method of drainage or containment is provided for connections if the material is a liquid.

2. Piping and tubing shall not be located within corridors, within any portion of a means of egress required to be enclosed in fire-resistance-rated construction, or in concealed spaces in areas not classified as Group H Occupancies.

Exception: Piping and tubing within the space defined by the walls of corridors and the floor or roof above or in concealed space above other occupancies where installed in accordance with Section 415.11.7.4 of the California Building Code as required for Group H 5 Occupancies.

3. All primary piping for highly toxic, toxic and moderately toxic gases shall pass a helium leak test of 1×10-9 cubic centimeters/second where practical, or shall pass testing in accordance with an approved nationally recognized standard. Test shall be conducted by a qualified "third party" not involved with the construction of the piping and control systems.

(Ord. 31258.)

Subsection 5003.3.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.3.1 Unauthorized discharges. Where hazardous materials are released in quantities reportable under state, federal or local regulations or when there is release or a threatened release that presents a threat to health, property or the environment, the fire code official shall be notified immediately in an approved manner and the following procedures required in accordance with Sections 5003.3.1.1 through 5003.3.1.4.

(Ord. 31258.)

Subsection 5003.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.5.2 Ventilation Ducting. Ducts for venting hazardous materials operations shall be labeled with the hazard class of the material being vented and the direction of flow.

5003.5.3 "H" Occupancies. In "H" Occupancies, all piping and tubing may be required to be identified when there is any possibility of confusion with hazardous materials transport tubing or piping. Flow direction indicators are required.

(Ord. 31258.)

Section 5003.9.8 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.9.8 Separation of Incompatible Materials. Incompatible materials in storage and storage of materials that are incompatible with materials in use shall be separated where the stored materials are in containers having a capacity of more than 5 pounds (2 kg) or 0.5 gallons (2 L) or any amount of compressed gas. Separation shall be accomplished by at least one of the following:

1. Segregating incompatible materials in storage by a distance of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) and in an independent containment system.

2. Isolating incompatible materials in storage by a noncombustible partition extending not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above and to the sides of the stored material in an independent containment system.

3. Storing liquid and solid materials in hazardous materials storage cabinets.

4. Storing compressed gases in cabinets or exhausted enclosures in accordance with Sections 5003.8.5 and 5003.8.6. Materials that are incompatible shall not be stored within the same cabinet or exhausted enclosure.

(Ord. 31258.)

Section 5003.9 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.9.11 Fire Extinguishing Systems for Workstations Dispensing, Handling, or Using Hazardous Materials. Workstations that can be used for materials with a hazard rating of 3 or 4 in the flammable or reactive category in accordance with NFPA 704 shall be protected by an approved automatic fire extinguishing system in accordance with Section 2703.10.

Exception: Internal fire protection is not required for Biological Safety Cabinets that carry NSF/ANSI certification where quantities of flammable liquids in use or storage within the cabinet do not exceed 500 ml.

(Ord. 31258.)

Subsection 5003.10.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5003.10.4 Elevators utilized to transport hazardous materials.

5003.10.4.1 When transporting hazardous materials, elevators shall have no other passengers other than the individual(s) handling the chemical transport cart.

5003.10.4.1.1 When transporting cryogenic or liquified compressed gases, there shall be no occupant in the elevator.

5003.10.4.2 Hazardous materials liquid containers shall have a maximum capacity of 20 liters (5.28 gal).

5003.10.4.3 Highly toxic, toxic, and moderately toxic gases shall be limited to a container of a maximum water capacity of 1 lb.

5003.10.4.4 When transporting cryogenic or liquified compressed gases, means shall be provided to prevent the elevator from being summoned to other floors.

(Ord. 31258.)

Section 5004.2.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5004.2.2 Secondary containment for hazardous materials liquids and solids. Where required by Table 5004.2.2 buildings, rooms or areas used for the storage of hazardous materials liquids or solids shall be provided with secondary containment in accordance with this section where exceeding 1.3 gallons.

Section 5004.2.2.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5004.2.2.2 Incompatible materials. Incompatible materials shall be separated from each other in independent secondary containment systems

(Ord. 31258.)

Section 5004.2.3 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5004.2.3 Containment Pallets. Where used as an alternative to spill control and secondary containment for outdoor storage in accordance with the exception in Section 5004.2 containment pallets shall comply with all of the following:

1. A liquid-tight sump with access for visual inspection shall be provided.

2. The sump shall be designed to contain not less than 66 gallons (250 L).

3. Exposed surfaces shall be compatible with material stored.

4. Containment pallets shall be protected to prevent collection of rainwater within the sump of the containment pallet.

Combustible containment pallets shall not be used inside buildings to comply with Section 5004.2 where the individual container capacity exceeds 55 gallons (208 L) or an aggregate capacity of multiple containers exceeds 1,000 gallons (3785 L) for liquids or where the individual container capacity exceeds 500 pounds (250 kg) or an aggregate of multiple containers exceeds 10,000 pounds (4540 kg) for solids.

(Ord. 31258.)