Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 3 - Use and Occupancy Classification › Section 307 - HIGH-HAZARD GROUP H › Subsection 307.1 - High-hazard Group H

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
High-hazard Group H occupancy includes, among others, the
				  use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the
				  manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that constitute a
				  physical or health hazard in quantities in excess of those allowed in
control areas
complying with Section 414, based on the maximum
				  allowable quantity limits for control areas set forth in Tables 307.1(1) and
				  307.1(2). Hazardous occupancies are classified in Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and
				  H-5 and shall be in accordance with this section, the requirements of Section
				  415 and the
International Fire Code
. Hazardous materials
				  stored, or used on top of roofs or canopies shall be classified as outdoor
				  storage or use and shall comply with the
International Fire
				  Code
. [F]
Exceptions:
The following shall not be
				  classified as Group H, but shall be classified as the occupancy that they most
				  nearly resemble.
1. Buildings and
				structures occupied for the application of flammable finishes, provided that
				such buildings or areas conform to the requirements of Section 416 and the
International Fire Code
.
2. Wholesale and retail sales and storage of
				flammable and combustible liquids in mercantile occupancies conforming to the
International Fire Code
.
3. Closed piping system containing flammable
				or combustible liquids or gases utilized for the operation of machinery or
				equipment.
4. Cleaning
				establishments that utilize combustible liquid solvents having a flash point of
				140°F (60°C) or higher in closed systems employing equipment
listed
by an
approved
testing agency,
				provided that this occupancy is separated from all other areas of the building
				by 1-hour
fire barriers
constructed in accordance with Section
				707 or 1-hour
horizontal assemblies
constructed in accordance
				with Section 712, or both.
5.
				Cleaning establishments that utilize a liquid solvent having a flash point at
				or above 200°F (93°C).
6.
				Liquor stores and distributors without bulk storage.
7. Refrigeration systems.
8. The storage or utilization of materials
				for agricultural purposes on the premises.
9. Stationary batteries utilized for facility
				emergency power, uninterrupted power supply or telecommunication facilities,
				provided that the batteries are provided with safety venting caps and
				ventilation is provided in accordance with the
International Mechanical
				Code
.
10. Corrosives shall
				not include personal or household products in their original packaging used in
				retail display or commonly used building materials.
11. Buildings and structures occupied for
				aerosol storage shall be classified as Group S-1, provided that such buildings
				conform to the requirements of the
International Fire
				Code
.
12. Display and
				storage of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid
				hazardous materials in quantities not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity
				per
control area
in Group M or S occupancies complying with
				Section 414.2.5.
13. The storage of
				black powder, smokeless propellant and small arms primers in Groups M and R-3
				and special industrial explosive devices in Groups B, F, M and S, provided such
				storage conforms to the quantity limits and requirements prescribed in the
International Fire Code
.
TABLE 307.1(1) MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL
				  AREA OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS POSING A PHYSICAL HAZARDa, j, m, n,
				  p [F]
MATERIAL
CLASS
GROUP WHEN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE
							 QUANTITY IS EXCEEDED
STORAGEb
USE-CLOSED
							 SYSTEMSb
USE-OPEN
							 SYSTEMSb
Solid pounds (cubic feet)
Liquid gallons (pounds)
Gas (cubic feet at NTP)
Solid pounds (cubic feet)
Liquid gallons (pounds)
Gas (cubic feet at NTP)
Solid pounds (cubic feet)
Liquid gallons (pounds)
Combustible liquidc,i
II IIIA IIIB
H-2 or H-3 H-2 or H-3 N/A
N/A
120d, e 330d,
							 e 13,200e, f
N/A
N/A
120d
							 330d 13,200f
N/A
N/A
30d
							 80d 3,300f
Combustible fiber
Loose Baledo
H-3
(100) (1,000)
N/A
N/A
(100) (1,000)
N/A
N/A
(20) (200)
N/A
Consumer fireworks
1.4G
H-3
125d, e, l
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Cryogenics, flammable
N/A
H-2
N/A
45d
N/A
N/A
45d
N/A
N/A
10d
Cryogenics, inert
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
NL
N/A
N/A
NL
N/A
N/A
Cryogenics, oxidizing
N/A
H-3
N/A
45d
N/A
N/A
45d
N/A
N/A
10d
Explosives
Division 1.1
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
Division 1.2
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
Division 1.3
H-1 or H-2
5e, g
(5)e, g
N/A
1g
(1)g
N/A
1g
(1)g
Division 1.4
H-3
50e, g
(50)e, g
N/A
50g
(50)g
N/A
N/A
N/A
Division 1.4G
H-3
125d, e, l
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Division 1.5
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
Division 1.6
H-1
1d, e, g
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Flammable gas
Gaseous
H-2
N/A
N/A
1,000d, e
N/A
N/A
1,000d, e
N/A
N/A
Liquefied
(150)d, e
N/A
(150)d, e
N/A
Flammable
							 liquidc
1A
H-2
N/A
30d, e
N/A
N/A
30d
N/A
N/A
10d
1B and 1C
or H-3
120d, e
120d
30d
Flammable liquid, combination (1A, 1B, 1C)
N/A
H-2 or H-3
N/A
120d, e, h
N/A
N/A
120d, h
N/A
N/A
30d, h
Flammable solid
N/A
H-3
125d, e
N/A
N/A
125d
N/A
N/A
25d
N/A
Inert gas
Gaseous Liquefied
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
NL NL
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
NL NL
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
Organic peroxide
UD
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
I
H-2
5d, e
(5)d, e
N/A
1d
(1)d
N/A
1d
(1)d
II
H-3
50d, e
(50)d, e
N/A
50d
(50)d
N/A
10d
(10)d
III
H-3
125d, e
(125)d, e
N/A
125d
(125)d
N/A
25d
(25)d
IV
N/A
NL
NL
N/A
NL
NL
N/A
NL
NL
V
N/A
NL
NL
N/A
NL
NL
N/A
NL
NL
Oxidizer
4
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
N/A
0.25g
(0.25)g
3k
H-2 or H-3
10d, e
(10)d, e
N/A
2d
(2)d
N/A
2d
(2)d
2
H-3
250d, e
(250)d, e
N/A
250d
(250)d
N/A
50d
(50)d
1
N/A
4,000e, f
(4,000)e, f
N/A
4,000f
(4,000)f
N/A
1,000f
(1,000)f
Oxidizing gas
Gaseous
H-3
N/A
N/A
1,500d, e
N/A
N/A
1,500d, e
N/A
N/A
Liquefied
N/A
(150)d, e
N/A
N/A
(150)d, e
N/A
N/A
N/A
Pyrophoric material
N/A
H-2
4e, g
(4)e, g
50e, g
1g
(1)g
10g
0
0
Unstable (reactive)
4
H-1
1e, g
(1)e, g
10g
0.25g
(0.25)g
2e, g
0.25g
(0.25)g
3
H-1 or H-2
5d, e
(5)d, e
50d, e
1d
(1)d
10d, e
1d
(1)d
2
H-3
50d, e
(50)d, e
250d, e
50d
(50)d
250d, e
10d
(10)d
1
N/A
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
NL
Water reactive
3
H-2
5d, e
(5)d, e
N/A
5d
(5)d
N/A
1d
(1)d
2
H-3
50d, e
(50)d, e
N/A
50d
(50)d
N/A
10d
(10)d
1
N/A
NL
NL
N/A
NL
NL
N/A
NL
NL
For SI: 1 cubic foot = 0.028
							 m3, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 gallon = 3.785
							 L.
NL = Not Limited; N/A = Not Applicable; UD = Unclassified
							 Detonable
a. For use of
control areas
, see Section
							 414.2.
b. The aggregate quantity in use and storage shall not
							 exceed the quantity listed for storage.
c. The quantities of
							 alcoholic beverages in retail and wholesale sales occupancies shall not be
							 limited providing the liquids are packaged in individual containers not
							 exceeding 1.3 gallons. In retail and wholesale sales occupancies, the
							 quantities of medicines, foodstuffs, consumer or industrial products, and
							 cosmetics containing not more than 50 percent by volume of water-miscible
							 liquids with the remainder of the solutions not being flammable, shall not be
							 limited, provided that such materials are packaged in individual containers not
							 exceeding 1.3 gallons.
d. Maximum allowable quantities shall be
							 increased 100 percent in buildings equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section
							 903.3.1.1. Where Note e also applies, the increase for both notes shall be
							 applied accumulatively.
e. Maximum allowable quantities shall be
							 increased 100 percent when stored in
approved
storage
							 cabinets, day boxes, gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures or in
listed
safety cans in accordance with Section 2703.9.10 of the
International Fire Code
. Where Note d also applies, the
							 increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
f. 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.
g. Permitted only in buildings equipped throughout with
							 an
automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section
							 903.3.1.1.
h. Containing not more than the maximum allowable
							 quantity per
control area
of Class IA, IB or IC flammable
							 liquids.
i. The maximum allowable quantity shall not apply to fuel
							 oil storage complying with Section 603.3.2 of the
International Fire
							 Code
.
j. Quantities in parenthesis indicate quantity units
							 in parenthesis at the head of each column.
k. A maximum quantity of
							 200 pounds of solid or 20 gallons of liquid Class 3 oxidizers is allowed when
							 such materials are necessary for maintenance purposes, operation or sanitation
							 of equipment. Storage containers and the manner of storage shall be
							 approved.
l. Net weight of the pyrotechnic composition of the
							 fireworks. Where the net weight of the pyrotechnic composition of the fireworks
							 is not known, 25 percent of the gross weight of the fireworks, including
							 packaging, shall be used.
m. For gallons of liquids, divide the
							 amount in pounds by 10 in accordance with Section 2703.1.2 of the
International Fire Code
.
n. For storage and
							 display quantities in Group M and storage quantities in Group S occupancies
							 complying with Section 414.2.5, see Tables 414.2.5(1) and
							 414.2.5(2).
o. Densely packed baled cotton that complies with the
							 packing requirements of ISO 8115 shall not be included in this material
							 class.
p. The following shall not be included in determining the
							 maximum allowable quantities:
1. Liquid or gaseous fuel in fuel
							 tanks on vehicles.
2. Liquid or gaseous fuel in fuel tanks on
							 motorized equipment operated in accordance with this code.
3.
							 Gaseous fuels in piping systems and fixed appliances regulated by the
International Fuel Gas Code.
4. Liquid fuels in
							 piping systems and fixed appliances regulated by the
International
							 Mechanical Code
.
TABLE 307.1(2) MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL
				  AREA OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL POSING A HEALTH
				  HAZARDa,b,c,i[F]
MATERIAL
STORAGE
							 d
USE-CLOSED
							 SYSTEMSd
USE-OPEN
							 SYSTEMSd
Solid pounds (cubic
							 feet)e,f
Liquid gallons
							 (pounds)e,f
Gas (cubic feet at NTP)
e
Solid poundse
Liquid gallons
							 (pounds)e
Gas (cubic feetat
							 NTP)e
Solid poundse
Liquid gallons
							 (pounds)e
Corrosive
5,000
500
Gaseous 810f Liquefied (150)h
5,000
500
Gaseous 810f Liquefied (150)h
1,000
100
Highly toxic
10
(10) h
Gaseous 20g Liquefied (4)g,h
10
(10)
Gaseous 20g Liquefied (4)g,h
3
(3) i
Toxic
500
(500) h
Gaseous 810f Liquefied (150)f,h
500
(500) i
Gaseous 810f Liquefied (150)f, h
125
(125)
For SI: 1 cubic foot = 0.028 m3, 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1
							 gallon = 3.785 L.
a. For use of control areas, see Section 414.2.
b. In retail and wholesale sales occupancies, the
							 quantities of medicines, foodstuffs, consumer or industrial products, and
							 cosmetics, containing not more than 50 percent by volume of water-miscible
							 liquids and with the remainder of the solutions not being flammable, shall not
							 be limited, provided that such materials are packaged in individual containers
							 not exceeding 1.3 gallons.
c. For storage and display quantities in Group M and
							 storage quantities in Group S occupancies complying with Section 414.2.5, see
							 Tables 414.2.5(1) and 414.2.5(2).
d. The aggregate quantity in use and storage shall not
							 exceed the quantity listed for storage.
e. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100
							 percent in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler
							 system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Where Note f also applies, the
							 increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
f. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100
							 percent when stored in approved storage cabinets, gas cabinets or exhausted
							 enclosures as specified in the
International Fire Code.
Where
							 Note e also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied
							 accumulatively.
g. Allowed only when stored in approved exhausted gas
							 cabinets or exhausted enclosures as specified in the
International Fire
							 Code.
h. Quantities in parenthesis indicate quantity units in
							 parenthesis at the head of each column.
i. For gallons of liquids, divide the amount in pounds
							 by 10 in accordance with Section 2703.1.2 of the
International Fire
							 Code.
307.1.1
Hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials in any quantity shall conform
				to the requirements of this code, including Section 414, and the
International Fire Code.