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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 13. Housing
Agency 5. Department of Housing And Community Development
Chapter 51. Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code
6/10/2023

13VAC5-51-153. IFC Chapter 60 Highly Toxic and Toxic Materials.

A. Change Sections 6001.1 and 6001.2 to read:

6001.1 Scope. The outside storage and use of highly toxic and toxic materials and the maintenance and operational aspects of inside storage and use of highly toxic and toxic materials shall comply with this chapter. Compressed gases shall also comply with Chapter 53.

Exceptions:

1. Display and storage in Group M and storage in Group S occupancies complying with Section 5003.11.

2. Conditions involving pesticides or agricultural products as follows:

2.1. Application and release of pesticide, agricultural products and materials intended for use in weed abatement, erosion control, soil amendment or similar applications when applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction and label directions.

2.2. Transportation of pesticides in compliance with the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and regulations thereunder.

2.3. Storage in dwellings or private garages of pesticides registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be utilized in and around the home, garden, pool, spa and patio.

6001.2 Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 107.2.

B. Change Section 6003.1.4 to read:

6003.1.4 Indoor storage. Indoor storage of highly toxic and toxic solids and liquids shall comply with the applicable building code.

C. Delete Section 6003.2.5 and change Sections 6003.1.4.1 and 6003.1.4.2 to read:

6003.1.4.1 Floors. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 5004.12, where liquid-tight floors were required by the applicable building code, they shall be maintained.

6003.1.4.2 Separation—highly toxic solids and liquids. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 5003.9.8, unless approved in accordance with the applicable building code, highly toxic solids and liquids in storage shall be located in approved hazardous material storage cabinets or isolated from other hazardous material storage in accordance with the applicable building code.

D. Change Sections 6004.1.2 and 6004.1.3 to read:

6004.1.2 Gas cabinets. Gas cabinets containing highly toxic or toxic compressed gases shall comply with Section 5003.8.6 and the following requirements:

1. The average ventilation velocity at the face of gas cabinet access ports or windows shall be not less than 200 feet per minute (1.02 m/s) with not less than 150 feet per minute (0.76 m/s) at any point of the access port or window.

2. Gas cabinets shall be connected to an exhaust system.

3. Gas cabinets shall not be used as the sole means of exhaust for any room or area.

4. The maximum number of cylinders located in a single gas cabinet shall not exceed three, except that cabinets containing cylinders not exceeding 1 pound (0.454 kg) net contents are allowed to contain up to 100 cylinders.

5. Gas cabinets required by Section 6004.2 or 6004.3 shall be equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard. Alternative fire-extinguishing systems shall not be used.

6004.1.3 Exhausted enclosures. Exhausted enclosures containing highly toxic or toxic compressed gases shall comply with Section 5003.8.5 and the following requirements:

1. The average ventilation velocity at the face of the enclosure shall be not less than 200 feet per minute (1.02 m/s) with not less than 150 feet per minute (0.76 m/s).

2. Exhausted enclosures shall be connected to an exhaust system.

3. Exhausted enclosures shall not be used as the sole means of exhaust for any room or area.

4. Exhausted enclosures required by Section 6004.2 or 6004.3 shall be equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard. Alternative fire-extinguishing systems shall not be used.

E. Change Sections 6004.2.2.5, 6004.2.2.6, and 6004.2.2.8 to read:

6004.2.2.5 Piping and controls - stationary tanks. In addition to the requirements of Section 5003.2.2, piping and controls on stationary tanks shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Pressure relief devices shall be vented to a treatment system designed in accordance with Section 6004.2.2.7.

Exception: Pressure relief devices on outdoor tanks provided exclusively for relieving pressure due to fire exposure are not required to be vented to a treatment system provided that:

1. The material in the tank is not flammable.

2. The tank is located not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from combustible materials or structures or is shielded by a fire barrier complying with Section 6004.3.2.1.1.

2. Filling or dispensing connections shall be provided with a means of local exhaust. Such exhaust shall be designed to capture fumes and vapors. The exhaust shall be directed to a treatment system in accordance with Section 6004.2.2.7.

3. Stationary tanks shall be provided with a means of excess flow control on all tank inlet or outlet connections.

Exceptions:

1. Inlet connections designed to prevent backflow.

2. Pressure relief devices.

6004.2.2.6 Gas rooms. Gas rooms shall comply with Section 5003.8.4 and both of the following requirements:

1. The exhaust ventilation from gas rooms shall be directed to an exhaust system.

2. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in gas rooms shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 9 and the applicable building code.

6004.2.2.8 Emergency power. Emergency power shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 12, NFPA 70, and the applicable building code.

F. Delete Sections 6004.2.2.8.1, 6004.2.2.10, 6004.2.2.10.1, 6004.2.2.10.2, and 6004.2.2.10.3 and change Section 6004.2.2.9 to read:

6004.2.2.9 Automatic fire detection system—highly toxic compressed gases. Where provided in rooms or areas where highly toxic compressed gases are stored or used, an approved automatic fire detection system shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 9 and the applicable building code.

G. Change Section 6004.3.3 to read:

6004.3.3 Outdoor storage weather protection for portable tanks and cylinders. Weather protection in accordance with Section 5004.13 shall be provided for portable tanks and cylinders located outdoors and not within gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures. The storage area shall be equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the applicable NFPA 13 standard.

Exception: An automatic sprinkler system is not required when:

1. All materials under the weather protection structure, including hazardous materials and the containers in which they are stored, are noncombustible.

2. The weather protection structure is located not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from combustible materials or structures or is separated from such materials or structures using a fire barrier complying with Section 6004.3.2.1.1.

Statutory Authority

§ 27-97 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 16, eff. July 14, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 18, eff. October 16, 2018; Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. July, 2021.

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