1926.153(k): Outdoor Storage of LP-Gas Containers
Employers storing LP-Gas containers outside buildings while awaiting use must keep them a set distance from the nearest building based on quantity: 500 lbs. or less 0 feet, 501 to 6,000 lbs 10 feet, 6,001 to 10,000 lbs 20 feet, and over 10,000 lbs 25 feet. Containers must be in a suitable ventilated enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering.
Key takeaways
- 1926.153(k) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart F).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $7,820 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (14), MD (1).
- Related part: 1926.153(k)(2) (15 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.153(k) ("Storage outside of buildings") is one requirement inside 1926.153 Liquefied petroleum gas (LP-Gas), an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart F). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. 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
(k) Storage outside of buildings. 15 citations
(1) Storage outside of buildings, for containers awaiting use, shall be located from the nearest building or group of buildings, in accordance with the following:
| Quantity of LP-Gas stored | Distance (feet) |
|---|---|
| 500 lbs. or less | 0 |
| 501 to 6,000 lbs | 10 |
| 6,001 to 10,000 lbs | 20 |
| Over 10,000 lbs | 25 |
(2) Containers shall be in a suitable ventilated enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering. Open (k)(2) 15 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.153.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 7 |
Top states: TN (14), MD (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WEIFIELD GROUP TENNESSEE INC. | FRANKLIN, TN | $1,750 |
| WOMBLE, LLC | COLUMBIA, TN | $1,500 |
| A & R MASONRY INC. | NASHVILLE, TN | $900 |
| A & F ELECTRIC COMPANY | OLD HICKORY, TN | $900 |
| THE R.G. ANDERSON COMPANY, INC. | MURFREESBORO, TN | $750 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.153(k), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.153(k).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.153(k)(2) 15 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How far from a building must 501 to 6,000 lbs of LP-Gas be stored outside?
10 feet, per Table F-3.
What is the distance for over 10,000 lbs?
25 feet from the nearest building or group of buildings.
Do stored containers need protection?
Yes. They must be in a suitable ventilated enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.153 (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 2026-10-20
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.