If your warehouse stores A2L refrigerants, you could be out of compliance with fire code even if you think you’re playing by the rules.
That’s because while the 2024 model fire codes offer more flexibility for storing A2Ls, most jurisdictions haven’t adopted the new standards yet. If your local fire marshal is enforcing an older code (and many are) you’re still bound by outdated storage limits.
What Changed in the 2024 Code
The new code updates how flammable gases are classified. Instead of lumping everything into one category, it now distinguishes between:
- Category 1A gases (like propane and acetylene), which are highly flammable and chemically unstable
- Category 1B gases (including A2L refrigerants), which are mildly flammable and far less volatile
This shift allows for higher storage limits of A2Ls, but only in jurisdictions that have formally adopted the 2024 code. Until then, older limits still apply. And in many cases, that means you’re limited to just 300 pounds per control area.
Why It Matters for Your Business
If you’re over the limit under your current code, you’re at risk of:
- Write-ups or citations during inspections
- Forced inventory reductions
- A potential shutdown until you comply
This has nothing to do with the actual risk A2Ls pose. It’s simply a legal compliance issue you can address if you know what to do.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Know your code. Find out whether your state follows the International Fire Code (IFC) or NFPA standards, and which year’s version is currently adopted.
- Check your inventory. Review how much A2L refrigerant you're storing per control area and calculate your MAQ (Maximum Allowable Quantity) under your current code.
- Adjust or apply. If you’re over the limit, either reconfigure your control areas or request a code modification from your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
- Get ahead of enforcement. Don’t wait for the fire marshal to flag your storage. Be proactive with documentation and layout plans based on your current limits.
Compliance Starts With the Right Info
The 2024 fire code brings helpful changes, but they don’t apply until your local jurisdiction adopts them. Until then, your business is judged by the version that’s already on the books, whether it reflects current science or not.
Check your code. Know your limits. And take action before it becomes a problem.
