Commerce Township Fire Department

Main Phone Number: 248-560-0051

Flammable liquids include gasoline and Coleman white gas.

  • Maximum residential storage of flammable liquids (gasoline and white gas) shall be limited to 30 gallons – preferably stored in an unattached garage or shed.
    • Of this 30 gallons total, no more than 10 gallons can be stored in an attached garage, and absolutely no flammable liquid storage is allowed in a basement. (2021 International Fire Code (IFC) 5704.3.4.2.7)
  • Empty containers shall be counted as full when calculating storage capacity. (2021 IFC 5704.3.3.4)
  • Flammable liquid storage containers shall be of an approved type. (2021 IFC 5704.3.1)
    • Most of these containers are labeled as approved for flammable liquid use and indicates the standards they are designed to meet. (Department of Transportation, American Society for Testing and Materials, National Fire Prevention Association 30, etc.)
    • Always use an approved or original retail container. No milk jugs.
  • If you decide to store flammable liquids at your home, you need at least one 2A20BC rated fire extinguisher located no closer than 10 feet to any flammable liquid and no further away than 50 feet. (2021 IFC 5704.3.7.5.2)
  • Control of sources of ignition is mandatory! All transfer and dispensing of flammable liquids require that special attention be paid to eliminating static spark discharge and ignition of flammable vapors.
  • Open flames and high-temperature devices must be controlled and approved for use with flammable liquids and smoking is prohibited in the storage area. (2021 IFC 5704.2.4) Flammable and combustible liquids in the fuel tanks of motor vehicles (gasoline, diesel, and 2-cycle blends) are exempt; therefore, these amounts will not be considered as part of your total home fuel storage quantities. (2021 IFC 5704.3.3)

 

Portable Propane Heaters and Fire Places.

  • Patio heaters shall not be located within 5 feet of an exit (2021 IFC 605.5.2.1.4) and not within 5 feet of combustible awnings, decorations, overhangs or similar combustible attachments to the building. (2021 IFC 605.5.2.1.3) (NFPA 58 2020 6.23.2.3)
  • Patio heaters shall be listed and used in accordance with their listing and the manufactures instructions. (NFPA 58 2020 6.23.2.2)
  • Propane tanks, empty or full can NEVER be stored inside the building (2021 IFC 605.5.2.3.4). Store a propane tank, no matter how large or small, outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Never store a tank in a basement, in your home or in an attached garage.
  • Propane is heavier than air and should always be stored away from cellar windows and doors.
  • Propane gas fired heating appliances are prohibited on exterior balconies.

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