414.2.5.1 Below-grade storage of flammable or combustible mixtures accessory to Group M establishments.
BC § 414.2.5.1
Class I liquids shall not be stored in below-grade locations. Storage of Class II and Class III liquids, accessory to retail stores, and partly or completely below grade shall be permitted, provided that such below-grade area is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and enclosed by fire barriers having a fire-resistance rating of at least 2 hours, constructed in accordance with the construction type of the building. Openings shall be protected by self-closing assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of at least 1 1/2 hours. Exception: Class IIIB liquids may be stored in below-grade locations that are not provided throughout with an automatic sprinkler system when such liquids are stored in a room that is separated, vertically and horizontally, from surrounding spaces by fire barriers of not less than 2-hour fire-resistance rating and such room is provided with an automatic sprinkler system. Table 414.2.5(1)Maximum Allowable Quantity per Indoor and Outdoor Control Area in Group M and S Occupancies Nonflammable Solids and Nonflammable and Noncombustible Liquids d, e, f ConditionMaximum Allowable Quantity per Control AreaMaterial aClassSolidspoundsLiquidsgallonsConditionMaximum Allowable Quantity per Control AreaMaterial aClassSolidspoundsLiquidsgallonsA. Health-hazard materials – nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids1. Corrosives b, cNot Applicable9,7509752. Highly toxicsNot Applicable20 b, c2 b, c3. Toxics b, cNot Applicable1,000100B. Physical-hazard materials – nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids1. Oxidizers b, c4Not AllowedNot Allowed31,150 g11522,250 h225118,000 i, j1,800 i, j2. Unstable (reactives) b, c4Not AllowedNot Allowed35505521,1501151Not LimitedNot Limited3. Water reactives3 b, c550552 b, c1,1501151Not LimitedNot Limited For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 gallon = 3.785 L. a. Hazard categories are as specified in the New York City Fire Code. b. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent in buildings that are sprinklered in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. When Note c also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively. c. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent when stored in approved storage cabinets, in accordance with the New York City Fire Code. When Note b also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively. d. See Table 414.2.2 for design and number of control areas. e. Allowable quantities for other hazardous material categories shall be in accordance with Section 307. f. Maximum quantities shall be increased 100 percent in outdoor control areas. g. Maximum amounts shall be increased to 2,250 pounds when individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager and do not exceed 10 pounds each. h. Maximum amounts shall be increased to 4,500 pounds when individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager and do not exceed 10 pounds each. i. The permitted quantities shall not be limited in a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. j. Quantities are unlimited in an outdoor control area. Table 414.2.5(2)Maximum Allowable Quantity of Flammable and Combustible Liquids in Wholesale and Retail Sales Occupancies per Control Area a Type of LiquidMaximum Allowable Quantity per Control Area (gallons)Sprinklered in accordance with note b densities and arrangementsSprinklered in accordance with Tables 5704.3.6.3(4) through 5704.3.6.3(8) and Table 5704.3.7.5.1 of the New York City Fire CodeNonsprinkleredClass IA606030Class IB, IC, II and IIIA7,500 c15,000 c1,600Class IIIBUnlimitedUnlimited13,200 For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m2. a. Control areas shall be separated from each other by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier wall. b. To be considered as sprinklered, a building shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system with a design providing minimum densities as follows: 1. For uncartoned commodities on shelves 6 feet or less in height where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a minimum sprinkler design density of Ordinary Hazard Group 2.
2.For cartoned, palletized or racked commodities where storage is 4 feet 6 inches or less in height and where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a minimum sprinkler design density of 0.21 gallon per minute per square foot over the most remote 1,500-square-foot area. c. Where wholesale and retail sales or storage areas exceed 50,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable quantities are allowed to be increased by 2 percent for each 1,000 square feet of area in excess of 50,000 square feet, up to a maximum of 100 percent of the table amounts. A control area separation is not required. The cumulative amounts, including amounts attained by having an additional control area, shall not exceed 30,000 gallons. (Am. L.L. 2023/077, 6/11/2023, eff. 6/11/2023) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2023/077.
