For flammable and combustible liquids, what is the number of control areas allowed on the 2nd floor above grade level of a building?

The number of control areas permitted within a building is determined by the floor level relative to the grade plane. According to NFPA 1, Fire Code, this is a fundamental safety principle to limit the concentration of hazardous materials on upper floors. For the 2nd floor above grade level, the maximum number of control areas allowed is three. This tiered approach reduces the overall risk, as egress and firefighting operations become more challenging on higher floors. The type of hazardous material, such as flammable liquids, determines the quantities allowed within a control area, but not the number of areas per floor.

A. 2: This is the number of control areas permitted on the 3rd floor and above, not the 2nd floor.

C. 4: This is the maximum number of control areas permitted on the 1st floor (at grade level).

D. 5: This number is not a permissible value for the number of control areas on any single floor level according to the code.

1. NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2021 Edition. Chapter 60, Hazardous Materials. Table 60.4.2.1, "Design and Number of Control Areas". This table explicitly lists "3" as the "Maximum Number of Control Areas per Floor" for the "2nd" floor level above the grade plane.

2. International Fire Code (IFC), 2021 Edition. Chapter 50, Hazardous Materials. Table 5003.8.3.2, "Design and Number of Control Areas". This table, consistent with NFPA 1, specifies a maximum of three control areas for the second story above the grade plane.