CODE COMPLIANCE GUIDELINE

Gas- and Liquid-Fueled Vehicles

This page outlines the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (i.e., Fire Prevention Code or SFPC) fire safety requirements and prohibitions related to the display of gas- and liquid-fueled vehicles, boats, and other motorcraft inside of existing buildings and structures located within Fairfax County and the towns of Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna.

 

OVERVIEW

Vehicles are displayed inside buildings for a variety of reasons including advertisement marketing, promotional events, and decorative display. When displayed inside buildings and structures, gas- and liquid-fueled motor vehicles such as automobiles, boats, motorcycles, and motor homes, create a unique fire safety concern because of the types and amounts of fuel these vehicles can contain. Moreover, alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and hydrogen fuel cells (HYD), may pose unique hazards unlike those of common fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Regardless of the reason for the display or the type of fuel involved, gas- and liquid-fueled vehicles can be potentially hazardous to the occupants of a building or structure if not displayed in a safe and approved manner.

 

FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Liquid- or gas-fueled vehicles, boats or motorcraft shall not be located indoors except as follows:

• Batteries shall be disconnected. Fuel-electric hybrid vehicles shall be safeguarded to prevent operation of the vehicle. (314.2 #1)

• Fuel tanks shall contain a minimal amount of fuel not exceeding one-quarter (1/4) tank or 5 gallons (19 L), whichever is least. Tanks containing a gas or liquefied-gas fuel should have a means of determining the actual quantity of fuel such as a gauge or level. (314.2 #2)

• All vehicle fuel tanks and fill openings shall be closed and sealed in an approved manner to prevent tampering and the potential escape of fuel vapors. (314.2 #3)

• Fueling or de-fueling of vehicles shall be prohibited inside the building. (314.2 #4)

• Operation and/or repair of vehicles shall be prohibited inside the building. (313.1)

• A minimum of one 2A:20B:C fire extinguisher shall be provided within 50 feet of any vehicle on display. (906.1)

 

GENERAL PROHIBITIONS

• Storage, operation, or repair of fueled equipment including but not limited to motorcycles, mopeds, lawn-care equipment, and portable cooking equipment is prohibited inside. (313.1)        

  • Exceptions:

    •  Buildings or rooms constructed for such use in accordance with the Building Code.
    • Storage of equipment utilized for maintenance purposes is allowed in approved locations when the aggregate fuel capacity of the stored equipment does not exceed 10 gallons and the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

• Vehicles powered by flammable liquids, Class II combustible liquids, or compressed flammable gases shall not be stored within the living space of residential buildings, including one- and two-family dwellings such as houses and townhouses, multi-family dwellings such as apartment-style buildings, and transient occupancies such as motels and hotels. (313.2)

• No combustible goods, merchandise, or materials shall be displayed or stored in a roofed-over mall unless approved by the Fire Marshal. This includes vehicle displays. (408.12)

• Vehicle displays placed so as to obstruct any exterior door or required fire department access door shall be prohibited unless approved by the Fire Marshal. (504.2)

• The display of vehicles in main exit access aisles, corridors, covered malls, or within 5 feet of entrances to exits and exterior exit doors is prohibited when, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, a fire involving the vehicle would rapidly prevent or obstruct egress from the building or area. Vehicles shall not be displayed in exits or exit enclosures. (314.3 & 315.3.2)

• Vehicles shall not be displayed under the non-sprinklered eaves, canopies, projections, or overhangs of buildings required to be protected by automatic sprinklers. (315.4.1)