Does NFPA 30 Chapter 16 Apply if Under MAQ?

11/7/2024

I don’t often dabble in NFPA 30, so I have some specific questions regarding the protection of flammable and combustible liquids that I am having issues finding straight answers to.

I have a sprinklered general-purpose warehouse that stores flammable liquids in container sizes less than or equal to those indicated in NFPA 30 (2021) Table 12.8.1. The total quantities (MAQs) of these containers are also less than those shown in Table 9.6.1.

NFPA 30 (2021) Section 12.8.1 indicates that “The liquid-container combinations listed in Table 12.8.1 shall be permitted to be stored in a general-purpose warehouse without quantity limits if protected in accordance with Chapter 16."

An older version of NFPA 30 (2015) Section 12.8.1(1) indicates that if “the applicable provisions of NFPA 13 for 20ft high storage of Class IV commodities based on the storage configuration of the liquids” is used for protecting these containers, no additional protection criteria is required barring the storage arrangements are in line with the rest of the Section 12.8.

My questions are as follows (per NFPA 13 -2021):

1. If combustible liquids are stored in amounts under the MAQs stated in Section 9.6.1 (and IFC) are the additional requirements of Section 16 (NFPA 30) required, no matter what?

2. If combustible liquids are stored in container sizes less than or equal to those set forth in Table 12.8.1 (NFPA 30), are the requirements of Section 16 still required?

3. Will the storage of these commodities within liquid storage cabinets negate the requirements set forth by Section 16?

The bones of the matter is that I am having a hard time finding a section directly indicating that the requirements of Section 16 are not required. Most if not all sections I can find only indicate that Section 16 is to be used when something is stated.

Thank you all ahead of time. As always this forum has always been a wealth of information.

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8 Comments

WC Boyte

11/7/2024 08:18:01 am

The MAQ does not apply if the "quantity limits" are exceeded. Then you will need to meet Chp. 16 or reduce the quantity to within the limit.

If you are under the "quantity limits" per the MAQ table, then Chp. 16 does not apply per the standard.

Regarding, cabinets, there are liquid quantity threshold limits that when below, eliminates the need to go to Chp. 16.

Patrick Drumm

11/7/2024 08:56:40 am

I read it a little differently than WC. The size requirements included in Table 12.8.1 reference "container size". The verbiage of "without quantity limits" in Section 12.8.1 is regarding to total quantity stored, meaning there is no limit of total liquids stored in the containers referenced in Table 12.8.1.

Section 12.10 simply states that the fire protection of the protected storage shall be in accordance with Chapter 16, so my interpretation is Chapter 16 applies to all sections within Chapter 12.

11/7/2024 09:22:29 am

I agree that if Chp. 16 protection is applied, then there are no quantity limits if we are fully within the standard.

But if we apply Chp. 16, for quantities within the MAQ limits, then the MAQ table/section serves no purpose.

I may not be clear, but we could be saying the same thing.

Brett

11/7/2024 12:47:25 pm

1. In general, if you're below the MAQ then chapter 16 doesn't apply. That said, the limitations of other codes/standards still apply. If the building is sprinklered and you're trying to store something that's outside the scope of NFPA 13 then, in my opinion, you're likely looking at a protection scheme from chapter 16 regardless because NFPA 13 points to NFPA 30 in that scenario. If anyone disagrees with this I'd love to hear your interpretation because this topic is so complex.

2. Yes, 12.8.1 explicitly states that protection in accordance with chapter 16 is required.

3. Storage in cabinets doubles the amount of MAQ per table 9.6.1, note 1.

Jerry Martin

1/18/2025 03:43:29 pm

You state that "In general, if you're below the MAQ then chapter 16 doesn't apply.". Can you point to a specific reference that says this?

I agree, that it seems that this should be true, otherwise any facility with a single 55 gallon drum of combustible liquid (less than the MAQ) would fall under the requirements of chapter 16, potentially requiring upgrades to the sprinkler system. If this is true, why have MAQs at all?

I'm looking for a specific reference that states Chapter 16 (or NFPA 30 as a whole) doesn't apply if your storage is below the MAQs.

Greg

11/7/2024 05:11:47 pm

I've ran into some of the same issues lately. NFPA 13 (2019) 26.2.1 and (2021) 27.2 directs sprinkler system discharge criteria for Flammable & Combustible Liquids to NFPA 30. NFPA 13 (2019) A20.4(a), "Flammable & Combustible Liquids-unless specifically identified otherwise" is not addressed by classifications in NFPA 13 Section 20.4 commodities.

Once in NFPA 30 (2018) there are some of the decision trees 16.4.1(a,b,c) that will point you back to NFPA 13 design criteria based on multiple variables, miscible, concentration %, container size, etc.

I to am looking for a code reference, that if you store the F/C Liquids inside a listed Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinet (FLSC), then the product inside does not have to meet NFPA 30 criteria or how to protect fire sprinkler wise, if inside these FLSC's.

I've seen some of the MAQ allowances being higher due to FLSC's but not how the fire sprinkler design would be affected if the F/C Liquid is stored inside FLSC's.

Any input please.

Wes

11/13/2024 10:33:34 am

We are in the design phase of F/C liquid in a fully sprinklered building. The AFSA published a Tech Update dated August 12, 2024 about protecting F/C Liquids. Per their opinion, if the quantities do not exceed the MAQ then protect per NFPA 13 EH2.

Greg J

11/18/2024 05:44:17 pm

I have not been able to get my hands on the AFSA update you mentioned. Is there a way you could send it through this website?

Does NFPA 30 Chapter 16 Apply if Under MAQ?

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