Updated 2026-09-07

Building Code Glossary

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Building Code Definition

How the IFC 2009 define liquefied natural gas (lng), where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

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Last updated September 7, 2026 · Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

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Direct answer

Liquefied natural gas (lng) is a defined term in the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009, in Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages. The code's own words are: “A fluid in the liquid state composed predominantly of methane and which may contain minor quantities of ethane, propane, nitrogen or other components normally found in natural gas.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IFC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 3 chapters of this corpus, most often in Cryogenic Fluids (IFC 2009), Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages (IFC 2009), Definitions (IFC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.

What does this term mean?

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) — IFC 2009, Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages:

A fluid in the liquid state composed predominantly of methane and which may contain minor quantities of ethane, propane, nitrogen or other components normally found in natural gas.

Labeled code-term definition diagram: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Building Code Definition — How the IFC 2009 define liquefied natural gas (lng), where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

What must be verified before using this guidance?

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is defined once in this corpus, in the Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages chapter of the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009:

A fluid in the liquid state composed predominantly of methane and which may contain minor quantities of ethane, propane, nitrogen or other components normally found in natural gas.

Where liquefied natural gas (lng) is used in the code

The term appears in 3 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.

Chapter	Code	Mentions
Cryogenic Fluids	IFC 2009	2
Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages	IFC 2009	2
Definitions	IFC 2009	1

The terms liquefied natural gas (lng) is built out of

The definition above leans on 1 other defined term. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what liquefied natural gas (lng) covers:

Liquid — IBC 2009: A material that has a melting point that is equal to or less than 68°F (20°C) and a boiling point that is greater than 68°F (20°C) at 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) (101 kPa).

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): what to open, and in what order

Every row is a document this term depends on. The ICC code library and the ICC adoption maps cover the middle rows.

Check	Where	Confirmed
Read the definition in the adopted IFC	Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Cryogenic Fluids (IFC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages (IFC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Definitions (IFC 2009)
Confirm the dependent definition	Liquid
Local amendment to any of the above	Jurisdiction's amendment list

A research aid, not a code determination. The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.

Sources and method

Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The ICC code library publishes the current model text and the ICC adoption maps show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

Source links

Frequently asked questions

What is the code definition of liquefied natural gas (lng)?

The International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 defines it in Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages as: “A fluid in the liquid state composed predominantly of methane and which may contain minor quantities of ethane, propane, nitrogen or other components normally found in natural gas.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.

Which parts of the code depend on liquefied natural gas (lng)?

In this corpus the term is used across 3 chapters, led by Cryogenic Fluids in the IFC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.

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