fireman 9731
Member
The NFPA regs only apply if your local government has adopted them. The majority of America simply uses the NFPA codes as a guideline rather than an enforceable code. And even if your local government has adopted the NFPA regs and enforces it as a code, the local fire marshal has the authority to grant variances when some performance criteria have been met (ex: sprinkler systems, proper egress, tidy storage, ect.) so you could end up legally storing more than the regs state.
But with that being said, the local fire marshal also has the authority to limit the amounts to whatever he or she feels like, especially if your local government has not adopted NFPA.
But when it really comes down to it, if it is not a commercial structure, the fire marshal will likely just say "Well, if it ever catches on fire, we just wont put it out." or something of that nature.
In all likelihood though, the only reason I could ever see somebody making a fuss is if you are a store with an overzealous fire inspector or your nosy neighbor reports you. and then again, its much easier to get forgiveness than permission.
My advice is to keep as much as you want as long as you use some common sense storage techniques.
But with that being said, the local fire marshal also has the authority to limit the amounts to whatever he or she feels like, especially if your local government has not adopted NFPA.
But when it really comes down to it, if it is not a commercial structure, the fire marshal will likely just say "Well, if it ever catches on fire, we just wont put it out." or something of that nature.
In all likelihood though, the only reason I could ever see somebody making a fuss is if you are a store with an overzealous fire inspector or your nosy neighbor reports you. and then again, its much easier to get forgiveness than permission.
My advice is to keep as much as you want as long as you use some common sense storage techniques.
