The quantity of hazardous materials (flammable, toxic, corrosive, etc.) allowed to be stored on-site is dictated by the International Building Code (IBB) and amendments stipulated in the MA Building Code. Use and occupancy types are defined in the IBB and allowable quantities of hazardous materials per control area are outlined, as well as the number of control areas permitted per floor. Local fire departments will enforce the established quantity limits when issuing flammable and hazardous material permits.
The higher the floor of the building, the more limited the storage allowances become. Facilities with large quantities of hazardous materials should operate on lower floors whenever possible – the limit for total Class I flammable liquids is twenty-four gallons per control area on the seventh floor and above!
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