Tire Rebuilding and Tire Storage

This chapter regulates tire rebuilding plants, tire storage, and tire byproduct facilities, covering construction, fire precautions, outdoor and indoor storage dimensions, fire department access, fencing, and water supply.

2501 — General

2501.1 Scope. Tire rebuilding plants, tire storage and tire byproduct facilities shall comply with this chapter, other applicable requirements of this code and NFPA 13. Tire storage in buildings shall also comply with Chapter 23.

2501.2 Permit required. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 105.6.

2502 — Definitions

2502.1 Terms defined in Chapter 2. Words and terms used in this chapter and defined in Chapter 2 shall have the meanings ascribed to them as defined therein.

2503 — Tire Rebuilding

2503.1 Construction. Tire rebuilding plants shall comply with the requirements of the International BUilding Code, as to construction, separation from other buildings or other portions of the same building, and protection.

2503.2 Location. Buffing operations shall be located in a room separated from the remainder of the building housing the tire rebuilding or tire recapping operations by a I-hour fire barrier.

Exception: Buffing operations are not required to be separated where all of the following conditions are met: Buffing operations are equipped with an approved continuous automatic water-spray system directed at the point of cutting action; Buffing machines are connected to particle-collecting systems providing a minimum air movement of 1,500 cubic feet per minute (cfm) (0.71 m3/s) in volume and 4,500 feet per minute (fpm) (23 m/s) in-line velocity; and The collecting system shall discharge the rubber particles to an approved outdoor noncombustible or fire-resistant container, which is emptied at frequent intervals to prevent overflow.

Exception: Buffing operations are not required to be separated where all of the following conditions are met:

Buffing operations are equipped with an approved continuous automatic water-spray system directed at the point of cutting action;
Buffing machines are connected to particle-collecting systems providing a minimum air movement of 1,500 cubic feet per minute (cfm) (0.71 m3/s) in volume and 4,500 feet per minute (fpm) (23 m/s) in-line velocity; and
The collecting system shall discharge the rubber particles to an approved outdoor noncombustible or fire-resistant container, which is emptied at frequent intervals to prevent overflow.

2503.3 Cleaning. The buffing area shall be cleaned at frequent intervals to prevent the accumulation of rubber particles.

2503.4 Spray rooms and booths. Each spray room or spray booth where flammable or combustible solvents are applied, shall comply with Chapter 15.

Worked example

Scenario: A client plans to open a new facility that combines tire sales with a tire rebuilding operation.

Explanation: The tire rebuilding portion must meet the construction, separation, and protection requirements of the International Building Code, in addition to this chapter's specific rules.

2504 — Precautions Against Fire

2504.1 Open burning. Open burning is prohibited in tire storage yards.

2504.2 Sources of heat. Cutting, welding or heating devices shall not be operated in tire storage yards.

2504.3 Smoking prohibited. Smoking is prohibited in tire storage yards, except in designated areas.

2504.4 Power lines. Tire storage piles shall not be located beneath electrical power lines having a voltage in excess of 750 volts or that supply power to fire emergency systems.

2504.5 Fire safety plan. The owner or individual in charge of the tire storage yard shall be required to prepare and submit to the fire code official a fire safety plan for review and approval. The fire safety plan shall include provisions for fire department vehicle access. At least one copy of the fire safety plan shall be prominently posted and maintained at the storage yard.

2504.6 Telephone number. The telephone number of the fire department and location of the nearest telephone shall be posted conspicuously in attended locations.

2505 — Outdoor Storage

2505.1 Individual piles. Tire storage shall be restricted to individual piles not exceeding 5,000 square feet (464.5 m2) of continuous area. Piles shall not exceed 50,000 cubic feet (1416 m3) in volume or 10 feet (3048 mm) in height.

2505.2 Separation of piles. Individual tire storage piles shall be separated from other piles by a clear space of at least 40 feet (12 192 mm).

2505.3 Distance between piles ofother stored products. Tire storage piles shall be separated by a clear space of at least 40 feet (12 192 mm) from piles of other stored product.

2505.4 Distance from lot lines and buildings. Tire storage piles shall be located at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from lot lines and buildings.

2505.5 Fire breaks. Storage yards shall be maintained free from combustible ground vegetation for a distance of 40 feet (12 192 mm) from the stored material to grass and weeds; and for a distance of 100 feet (30 480 mm) from the stored product to brush and forested areas.

2505.6 Volume more than 150,000 cubic feet. Where the bulk volume ofstored product is more than 150,000 cubic feet (4248 m3), storage arrangement shall be in accordance with the following:

Individual storage piles shall comply with size and separation requirements in Sections 2505.1 through 2505.5.
Adjacent storage piles shall be considered a group, and the aggregate volume of storage piles in a group shall not exceed 150,000 cubic feet (4248 m3).

Separation between groups shall be at least 75 feet (22 860 m) wide.

2505.7 Location of storage. Outdoor waste tire storage shall not be located under bridges, elevated trestles, elevated roadways or elevated railroads.

Worked example

Scenario: A tire distributor wants to store a large quantity of tires outdoors. They estimate a single pile containing 60,000 cubic feet of tires.

Explanation: This pile would exceed the 50,000 cubic feet volume limit and would need to be divided into at least two separate piles, each also complying with the 5,000 square feet area and 10 feet height restrictions.

2506 — Fire Department Access

2506.1 Required access. New tire storage yards shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads in accordance with Section 503 and Section 2506.2. Existing tire storage yards shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads where required in Chapter 46.

2506.2 Location. Fire apparatus access roads shall be located within all pile clearances identified in Section 2505.4 and within all fire breaks required in Section 2505.5. Access roadways shall be within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of any point in the storage yard where storage piles are located, at least 20 feet (6096 mm) from any storage pile.

Worked example

Scenario: A developer is designing a new outdoor tire storage yard for 100,000 cubic feet of tires.

Explanation: The design must include fire apparatus access roads according to Section 503 and Section 2506.2, ensuring proper access for emergency vehicles throughout the yard.

2507 — Fencing

2507.1 Where required. Where the bulk volume of stored material is more than 20,000 cubic feet (566 m3), a firmly anchored fence or other approved method of security that controls unauthorized access to the storage yard shall surround the storage yard.

2507.2 Construction. The fence shall be constructed of approved materials and shall be at least 6 feet (1829 mm) high and provided with gates at least 20 feet (6096 mm) wide.

2507.3 Locking. All gates to the storage yard shall be locked when the storage yard is not staffed.

2507.4 Unobstructed. Gateways shall be kept clear ofobstructions and be fully openable at all times.

Worked example

Scenario: An existing tire storage yard has 15,000 cubic feet of material. The owner plans to expand, increasing the volume to 25,000 cubic feet.

Explanation: Once the bulk volume exceeds 20,000 cubic feet, the storage yard must be surrounded by a firmly anchored fence or other approved security method to control unauthorized access.

2508 — Fire Protection

2508.1 Water supply. A public or private fire protection water supply shall be provided in accordance with Section 508. The water supply shall be arranged such that any part of the storage yard can be reached by using not more than 500 feet (152m) of hose.

2508.2 Fire extinguishers. Buildings or structures shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers in accordance with Section 906. Fuel-fired vehicles operating in the storage yard shall be equipped with a minimum 2-A:20-B:C rated portable fire extinguisher.

Worked example

Scenario: A new outdoor tire storage yard is being planned across a large property with a maximum hose reach of 500 feet.

Explanation: A public or private fire protection water supply conforming to Section 508 must be provided and arranged so that all parts of the storage yard are reachable by a fire hose not exceeding 500 feet in length, which may require multiple hydrants or connections.

2509 — Indoor Storage Arrangement

2509.1 Pile dimensions. Where tires are stored on-tread, the dimension of the pile in the direction of the wheel hole shall not be more than 50 feet (15 240 mm). Tires stored adjacent to or along one wall shall not extend more than 25 feet (7620 mm) from that wall. Other piles shall not be more than 50 feet (15 240 mm) in width.

Worked example

Scenario: A warehouse stores tires on-tread. The design team is planning the layout for maximum storage efficiency.

Explanation: Individual piles of tires stored on-tread cannot exceed 50 feet in the direction of the wheel hole. If stored adjacent to or along one wall, piles can extend a maximum of 25 feet from that wall, and other interior piles are limited to 50 feet.

Frequently asked questions

What codes apply to tire rebuilding plants?

Tire rebuilding plants must comply with this chapter, other applicable requirements of the IFC, and NFPA 13. Construction requirements specifically refer to the International Building Code.

What are the limits for outdoor tire storage piles?

Outdoor tire piles are limited to 5,000 square feet of continuous area, 50,000 cubic feet in volume, and 10 feet in height.

When is fencing required for a tire storage yard?

A fence or other approved security method is required around the storage yard if the bulk volume of stored material exceeds 20,000 cubic feet.