1910.106(d)(4)(iv): Ventilation for Inside Storage Rooms
Employers must give every inside flammable liquid storage room a gravity or mechanical exhaust ventilation system that changes the room's air at least six times per hour. A mechanical system must be switched from outside the door, on the same switch as the lights, with a pilot light when certain flammable liquids are dispensed inside. Gravity systems need both the fresh air intake and exhaust outlet on the building's exterior.
Key takeaways
- 1910.106(d)(4)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 22 times in the last 3 years, in 22 inspections, with $54,426 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (5), MI (3), IL (2).
- Related part: 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage (357 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.106(d)(4)(iv) ("Ventilation") is one requirement inside 1910.106 Flammable liquids, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(iv) Ventilation. Every inside storage room shall be provided with either a gravity or a mechanical exhaust ventilation system. Such system shall be designed to provide for a complete change of air within the room at least six times per hour. If a mechanical exhaust system is used, it shall be controlled by a switch located outside of the door. The ventilating equipment and any lighting fixtures shall be operated by the same switch. A pilot light shall be installed adjacent to the switch if Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), are dispensed within the room. Where gravity ventilation is provided, the fresh air intake, as well as the exhaust outlet from the room, shall be on the exterior of the building in which the room is located. 22 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.106.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: VA (5), MI (3), IL (2), WI (2), NH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $13,415 |
| KAIZEN AUTO CARE, LLC | BRIGHTON, CO | $9,930 |
| VIRGINIA TRANSFORMER CORP. | TROUTVILLE, VA | $6,440 |
| OPUS WATER INC. | TONAWANDA, NY | $5,020 |
| JENSEN-SOUDERS & ASSOCIATES, INC. | ITASCA, IL | $4,800 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.106(d)(4)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.106(d)(4)(iv).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage 357 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2) Design, construction, and capacity of containers 125 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2)(i) General 83 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4) Design and construction of inside storage rooms 67 citations
- 1910.106(d)(3) Design, construction, and capacity of storage cabinets 65 citations
- 1910.106(d)(3)(ii) Fire resistance 59 citations
- 1910.106(d)(5) Storage inside building 55 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2)(iii) Size 39 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4)(i) Construction 26 citations
- 1910.106(d)(7) Fire control 23 citations
- 1910.106(d)(6) Storage outside buildings 22 citations
- 1910.106(d)(5)(i) Egress 20 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
How many air changes are required in an inside storage room?
A complete change of air at least six times per hour.
Where must the mechanical ventilation switch be?
Outside of the door, and it must also operate the lighting fixtures.
When is a pilot light required?
When Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), are dispensed within the room.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.106 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.