1910.110(b)(6): Where LP-Gas Containers May Be Located
LP-Gas containers and first stage regulating equipment must be located outside buildings, except in listed cases such as buildings used only for container charging or gas distribution, necessary portable use, LP-Gas engines, industrial trucks, garaged vehicles, and containers stored awaiting use or resale. Each container must be spaced from the nearest important building according to Table H-23, based on water capacity.
Key takeaways
- 1910.110(b)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 48 times in the last 3 years, in 47 inspections, with $117,967 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (6), TN (4), CA (4).
- Related part: 1910.110(b) Basic rules (79 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.110(b)(6) ("Location of containers and regulating equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.110 Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 9 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
(6) Location of containers and regulating equipment. 48 citations
(i) Containers, and first stage regulating equipment if used, shall be located outside of buildings, except under one or more of the following: Open (b)(6)(i) 17 citations
(a) In buildings used exclusively for container charging, vaporization pressure reduction, gas mixing, gas manufacturing, or distribution.
(b) When portable use is necessary and in accordance with paragraph (c)(5) of this section.
(c) LP-Gas fueled stationary or portable engines in accordance with paragraph (e) (11) or (12) of this section.
(d) LP-Gas fueled industrial trucks used in accordance with paragraph (e)(13) of this section.
(e) LP-Gas fueled vehicles garaged in accordance with paragraph (e)(14) of this section.
(f) Containers awaiting use or resale when stored in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section.
(ii) Each individual container shall be located with respect to the nearest important building or group of buildings in accordance with Table H-23. Open (b)(6)(ii) 4 citations
| Water capacity per container | Minimum distances | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Containers | Between aboveground containers | ||
| Underground | Aboveground | ||
| Less than 125 gals. 1 | 10 feet | None | None. |
| 125 to 250 gals | 10 feet | 10 feet | None. |
| 251 to 500 gals | 10 feet | 10 feet | 3 feet. |
| 501 to 2,000 gals | 25 feet 2 | 25 feet 2 | 3 feet. |
| 2,001 to 30,000 gals | 50 feet | 50 feet | 5 feet. |
| 30,001 to 70,000 gals | 50 feet | 75 feet. 3 | |
| 70,001 to 90,000 gals | 50 feet | 100 feet. 3 | |
| 1 If the aggregate water capacity of a multi-container installation at a consumer site is 501 gallons or greater, the minimum distance shall comply with the appropriate portion of this table, applying the aggregate capacity rather than the capacity per container. If more than one installation is made, each installation shall be separated from another installation by at least 25 feet. Do not apply the MINIMUM DISTANCES BETWEEN ABOVE-GROUND CONTAINERS to such installations. | |||
| 2 The above distance requirements may be reduced to not less than 10 feet for a single container of 1,200 gallons water capacity or less, providing such a container is at least 25 feet from any other LP-Gas container of more than 125 gallons water capacity. | |||
| 3 1⁄4 of sum of diameters of adjacent containers. | |||
(iii) Containers installed for use shall not be stacked one above the other.
(iv) [Reserved]
(v) In the case of buildings devoted exclusively to gas manufacturing and distributing operations, the distances required by Table H-23 may be reduced provided that in no case shall containers of water capacity exceeding 500 gallons be located closer than 10 feet to such gas manufacturing and distributing buildings.
(vi) Readily ignitible material such as weeds and long dry grass shall be removed within 10 feet of any container. Open (b)(6)(vi) 23 citations
(vii) The minimum separation between liquefied petroleum gas containers and flammable liquid tanks shall be 20 feet, and the minimum separation between a container and the centerline of the dike shall be 10 feet. The foregoing provision shall not apply when LP-Gas containers of 125 gallons or less capacity are installed adjacent to Class III flammable liquid tanks of 275 gallons or less capacity. 2 citations
(viii) Suitable means shall be taken to prevent the accumulation of flammable liquids under adjacent liquified petroleum gas containers, such as by diking, diversion curbs, or grading. 1 citations
(ix) When dikes are used with flammable liquid tanks, no liquefied petroleum gas containers shall be located within the diked area.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.110.
Export the list: 47 inspections cited 1910.110(b)(6) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.110(b)(6).
At 12:31 p.m. on January 9, 2024, an employee was standing in front of a Mr. Heater MH42T triple burner propane heater (8,000-42,000 btu/hour) to warm-up. The employee stood for several minutes backed up to the heater, when the back bottom of his jacket caught…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: NC (6), TN (4), CA (4), AK (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAVIS IRON & METAL, INC. | VAN BUREN, AR | $16,938 |
| CTI READY MIX | CUMMING, IA | $12,500 |
| VIEJAS CASINO & RESORT | ALPINE, CA | $10,938 |
| CRUDECHEM TECHNOLOGY | MIDLAND, TX | $9,931 |
| LUXFER MAGTECH, INC. | TAMAQUA, PA | $7,300 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.110(b)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.110(b) Basic rules 79 citations
- 1910.110(b)(6)(vi) 23 citations
- 1910.110(b)(6)(i) 17 citations
- 1910.110(b)(6)(ii) 4 citations
- 1910.110(b)(16) Instructions 3 citations
- 1910.110(b)(14) Transfer of liquids 2 citations
- 1910.110(b)(17)(v) 2 citations
- 1910.110(b)(17) Electrical equipment and other sources of ignition 2 citations
- 1910.110(b)(9) Hose specifications 2 citations
- 1910.110(b)(9)(vii) 1 citations
- 1910.110(b)(14)(i)
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Frequently asked questions
Can LP-Gas containers be kept inside buildings?
Generally no; they must be outside, except in the specific cases the rule lists.
How is the distance from buildings decided?
By Table H-23, based on the water capacity per container.
What is the minimum distance for small containers under 125 gallons?
Table H-23 lists 10 feet for aboveground containers of less than 125 gallons, with footnote conditions.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.110 (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 2026-11-06
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.