Warehouse Storage of Hazardous Materials The primary mission of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is to protect the community by preventing fires and other hazardous conditions through education and enforcement of life safety codes. This is accomplished by ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and ordinances. The storage and use of flammable chemicals presents one of the highest hazards in warehouses. This is due to the risk of fire either by direct ignition or fueling a fire that originated from another source. Other hazardous materials, such as corrosive and toxic substances, also become extreme health hazards in a fire. Two of the most common, and most hazardous, situations seen in warehouses is the use of unapproved containers for hazardous materials storage and excessive amounts of hazardous materials stored in a building. Classifying Chemicals The business owner or representative is responsible for knowing what classification of material is stored in the warehouse and how much is on site at any given time. Examples of material classifications are included in the table on the reverse of this handout. How to define the classification of a material:

• Refer to the California Fire Code (Chapter 2 Definitions and Appendix E Hazard Categories)

• Consult Safety Data Sheets for chemical properties • Use CERS Chemical Library as a resource • Hire an industry consultant – fire protection engineer or similar

Approved Containers The design, construction, and capacity of containers for storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code and NFPA 30.

• Plastic containers shall be no larger than 16 ounces • Containers larger than 16 ounces shall be metal and are approved up to 60

gallons in size • DOT plastic totes are NOT approved by SDFD for any type of hazardous

material storage in a building • Metal totes may be approved (at the discretion of the Fire Marshal) for

storage, but not for dispensing or mixing of flammable liquids

Plastic Tote NOT approved Metal Drum is approved Metal Tote may be approved

Refer to additional information on the reverse side of this handout

Fire-Rescue Department Community Risk Reduction Division

Page 2: Community Risk Reduction Warehouse Storage of Hazardous Materials

Duration of the chemical storage in a warehouse Material on the premises for any amount of time shall meet all fire code requirements and shall be within the quantity limitations below:

Maximum Allowable Quantities of Common Hazardous Materials*

*This is not a complete list of chemicals. Refer to 2013 CFC Section 5003.1.1 for all regulated classes of chemicals

Material Classification

Common Examples

Fully Sprinklered Maximum Amount Allowed

(Gallons)

Non-Sprinklered Maximum Amount Allowed

(Gallons) Storage /

Closed-Use Open-Use Storage/

Closed-Use Open-Use

Flammable Liquid 1A Flash Point <73o F Boiling Point <100 o F

Ethyl ether 60 Gallons 20 Gallons 30 Gallons 10 Gallons

Flammable Liquid 1B Flash Point <73 o F Boiling Point >100 o F

Acetone Alcohols Auto Paint Gasoline

240 Gallons 60 Gallons 120 Gallons 30 Gallons

Flammable Liquid 1C Flash Point >73 oF to <100oF

Poly Resin

240 Gallons 60 Gallons 120 Gallons 30 Gallons

Combustible Liquid II Flash Point 100 oF to <140 oF

Diesel Formaldehyde Naptha WD-40

240 Gallons 60 Gallons 120 Gallons 30 Gallons

Combustible Liquid IIIA Flash Point 140 oF to <200 oF

Transmission Fluid

660 Gallons 160 Gallons 330 Gallons 80 Gallons

Combustible Liquid IIIB Flash Point >200 oF

Motor Oil Hydraulic Fluid

13,200 Gallons

3,300 Gallons

13,200 Gallons

3,300 Gallons

Corrosives pH <2 or >12.5

Acids Ammonia Bleach

1000 Gallons 200 Gallons 500 Gallons 100 Gallons

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Butane Propane

300 Pounds 70 Gallons

n/a 150 Pounds 35 Gallons

n/a

Best Practices

• Examine the warehouse on each working shift. Repair or correct any unsafe equipment or conditions

• Provide and maintain clean, clear access to warehouses, storage areas and stored materials

• Keep aisles, travel ways and exits clear and free of slip and trip hazards

Questions? Contact: Darcy Davidson CEDMAT Supervising Deputy Fire Marshal 619-533-4489 DavidsonD@sandiego.gov