1926.152(c): Outdoor Flammable Liquid Storage
Employers storing flammable liquids outdoors must limit container piles to 1,100 gallons, keep piles 5 feet apart and at least 20 feet from buildings, and provide a 12-foot-wide access way within 200 feet. Storage areas must divert spills or be diked at least 12 inches high, be kept free of weeds and debris, and portable tanks must follow spacing and venting rules.
Key takeaways
- 1926.152(c) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart F).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $28,978 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (5), TN (2), NV (1).
- Related part: 1926.152(c)(3).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.152(c) ("Storage outside buildings") is one requirement inside 1926.152 Flammable liquids, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart F). 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
(c) Storage outside buildings. 11 citations
(1) Storage of containers (not more than 60 gallons each) shall not exceed 1,100 gallons in any one pile or area. Piles or groups of containers shall be separated by a 5-foot clearance. Piles or groups of containers shall not be nearer than 20 feet to a building. 1 citations
(2) Within 200 feet of each pile of containers, there shall be a 12-foot-wide access way to permit approach of fire control apparatus.
(3) The storage area shall be graded in a manner to divert possible spills away from buildings or other exposures, or shall be surrounded by a curb or earth dike at least 12 inches high. When curbs or dikes are used, provisions shall be made for draining off accumulations of ground or rain water, or spills of flammable liquids. Drains shall terminate at a safe location and shall be accessible to operation under fire conditions. Open (c)(3)
(4) Outdoor portable tank storage: 1 citations
(i) Portable tanks shall not be nearer than 20 feet from any building. Two or more portable tanks, grouped together, having a combined capacity in excess of 2,200 gallons, shall be separated by a 5-foot-clear area. Individual portable tanks exceeding 1,100 gallons shall be separated by a 5-foot-clear area. 1 citations
(ii) Within 200 feet of each portable tank, there shall be a 12-foot-wide access way to permit approach of fire control apparatus.
(5) Storage areas shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible material not necessary to the storage. 6 citations
(6) Portable tanks, not exceeding 660 gallons, shall be provided with emergency venting and other devices, as required by chapters III and IV of NFPA 30-1969, The Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. 3 citations
(7) Portable tanks, in excess of 660 gallons, shall have emergency venting and other devices, as required by chapters II and III of The Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA 30-1969.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.152.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: VA (5), TN (2), NV (1), MN (1), DE (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DOBCO, INC. | DOVER AFB, DE | $8,511 |
| JAMES N. GRAY COMPANY | ROCKVILLE, VA | $7,165 |
| NEXGEN CONTRACTING, LLC | ROCKVILLE, VA | $5,016 |
| JIM LUCA ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, INC. | ROCKVILLE, VA | $4,325 |
| 107520 - DORAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,440 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.152(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Spill containment of flammable or combustible liquids when a curb or earth dike is used. (1993-11-09)
Related parts of this rule
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Frequently asked questions
How much can be stored in one outdoor pile?
Not more than 1,100 gallons in any one pile or area, using containers of not more than 60 gallons each.
How far from a building must containers be?
Piles must not be nearer than 20 feet to a building, and portable tanks not nearer than 20 feet.
What access is needed for firefighting?
A 12-foot-wide access way within 200 feet of each pile or portable tank.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.152 (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 2026-10-19
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.