Storing of Class 1 Liquids

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Shoe

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I have a client that has a large storage area with pallets of 55-gallon sealed drums containing Class 1 liquids (Class 1A). In reading NFPA 30 7.3.3,

It's very unclear to me if this qualifies as "Inside rooms or storage lockers used for the storage of Class 1 liquids" - requiring NEC Class 1 Div II or
if this qualifies as a "Indoor warehouse where there is no flammable liquid transfer" which is NEC Ordinary classification.

Does anyone have experiences they can share on this topic? I've been through NFPA 30, 497, NEC 500 etc. etc. and it's not giving me insight.

The area is currently "ordinary" and has been for decades - so anything equirement that I would state differently would be a significant issue.
 
The general answer is in Section 500.5(B)(2) IN No.2; i.e. "it depends." That may not be too satisfactory, but since it's been that way, "for decades", it's probably ok to leave it as unclassified. NFPA 497 [2017] Parts 5.5.1 and 5.6.4 should also be considered.

That said, a qualified consultant should evaluate the installation. A good "consultant" would be the facility's industrial insurer.
 
Thanks. I missed the informational note you reference. This actually answers my question perfectly and is about the best the code is going to give on this.
 
One of the essential elements of an unclassified location (a defined term in Art 100) is that is has been actively "determined" to be so - not just overlooked. If you do choose to leave it unclassified, you would do well to document the reasoning for liability purposes.
 
Yes good thought and I agree. I'm not sure which way to go on this until I can gather more information about the material being stored, it's handling and overall quantities.
 
rbalex said:
One of the essential elements of an unclassified location (a defined term in Art 100) is that is has been actively "determined" to be so - not just overlooked. If you do choose to leave it unclassified, you would do well to document the reasoning for liability purposes.
Click to expand...
I like that part. I may have to steal that turn of a phrase some time.
 
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