Hazard Classification for Gas Golf Cart Parking?

6/29/2023

I’m trying to find some back-up support for sprinkler protection hazard classification for propane (LPG) golf carts, stored at a Golf Course.

Judgement wise, I can go with OH2, as NFPA 13 says vehicle parking garages are OH1, and repair garages are OH2.

But.... is there anything included somewhere in any of the NFPA standards that addresses this specifically?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

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6 Comments

Peter Howard

6/29/2023 07:12:33 am

An earlier handy dandy meyer fire thread on the subject:

https://www.meyerfire.com/daily/hazard-classification-for-golf-cart-storage-area

Yours are propane and that discussion went with a lot of electric.

I'd be worried about the propane tanks, as they can explode.

You can probably still get an AHJ to go with OH2 (it's not a showroom and parking garages got moved to OH2 in 2019 edition, and regular cars still have explosive gasoline in them too, though less 'exposed' gasoline as a car's gas tank is typically better protected by steel than a golf cart's propane tank on the back), but it wouldn't hurt to talk to your local AHJ beforehand to see if they are in line with your thinking.

For personal reasons, I'd also make sure the height of the propane tank on the cart doesn't exceed 5'-0" above floor, but as all of these things are on wheels and clearly intended to move, I can't really call it permanent storage so I can't claim any code specific reason I'd want that, I just want it.

Dan Wilder

6/29/2023 08:17:43 am

OHII would be the minimum that I've ever designed to, some of our AHJ's have gone into EH1 just because of the shielding (canopy) and the amount of plastics and rubber that the carts have on them.

Glenn Berger

6/29/2023 08:44:26 am

Propane-fuel golf carts are not much different than standard gas-fuel vehicles, just smaller with the tank not as protected. OH1 would be the minimum design criteria required, but OH2 would be recommended.

JP link

6/29/2023 09:16:05 am

NFPA 13 Table A.20.4(a) Examples of Commodities Not Addressed by Classifications in Section 20.4 specifically addresses propane cylinders and states that these commodities are outside the scope of NFPA 13 protection.

That being said, the arrangement and quantity of storage will need to be considered when designing the sprinkler system. I tend to agree that OH2 is likely the best for this application, but a quick conversation with the local fire department and/or AHJ would go a long way.

Jesse

6/29/2023 01:39:32 pm

I'd definitely go OH2

Franck

7/3/2023 02:46:48 pm

You can have a look at NFPA 88A (parking structures) and 88B (repair garages) for additional insight.

OH gr 2 is now the minimum requirement for vehicles (NFPA13) and may become EH gr 1 in the very next future.

In your case, all is based on numbers. Only 1-2 carts, not a big concern. Dozens of carts… well, be careful, it is like having gas bottle storage arrangement. And then maybe wise to use standard for storage of combustible gas cylinders (NFPA 55 ?)

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Hazard Classification for Gas Golf Cart Parking?

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