Updated 2026-09-07

Building Code Glossary

Safety Can: Building Code Definition

How the IFC 2009 define safety can, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

On this page

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

Safety can is a defined term in the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009, in Hazardous Materials-general Provisions. The code's own words are: “An approved container of not more than 5-gallon (19 L) capacity having a spring-closing lid and spout cover so designed that it will relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.” 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 4 chapters of this corpus, most often in Hazardous Materials-general Provisions (IFC 2009), Dry Cleaning (IFC 2009), Flammable and Combustible Liquids (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?

Safety Can — IFC 2009, Hazardous Materials-general Provisions:

An approved container of not more than 5-gallon (19 L) capacity having a spring-closing lid and spout cover so designed that it will relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.

Labeled code-term definition diagram: Safety Can: Building Code Definition — How the IFC 2009 define safety can, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

What must be verified before using this guidance?

Safety Can is defined once in this corpus, in the Hazardous Materials-general Provisions chapter of the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009:

An approved container of not more than 5-gallon (19 L) capacity having a spring-closing lid and spout cover so designed that it will relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.

Where safety can is used in the code

The term appears in 4 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.

Chapter	Code	Mentions
Hazardous Materials-general Provisions	IFC 2009	9
Dry Cleaning	IFC 2009	4
Flammable and Combustible Liquids	IFC 2009	3
Definitions	IFC 2009	1

The terms safety can is built out of

The definition above leans on 3 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what safety can covers:

Container — IFC 2009: A vessel of 60 gallons (227 L) or less in capacity used for transporting or storing hazardous materials.
Approved — IBC 2009: Acceptable to the code official or authority having jurisdiction.
Cover — IBC 2009: Distance between surface of reinforcing bar and edge of member.

Safety Can: 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	Hazardous Materials-general Provisions
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Hazardous Materials-general Provisions (IFC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Dry Cleaning (IFC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Flammable and Combustible Liquids (IFC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Definitions (IFC 2009)
Confirm the dependent definition	Container
Confirm the dependent definition	Approved
Confirm the dependent definition	Cover
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 safety can?

The International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 defines it in Hazardous Materials-general Provisions as: “An approved container of not more than 5-gallon (19 L) capacity having a spring-closing lid and spout cover so designed that it will relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.” 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 safety can?

In this corpus the term is used across 4 chapters, led by Hazardous Materials-general Provisions 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.

What are building safety codes?

Building is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.” That is not the same as safety can, which the IFC 2009 defines as “An approved container of not more than 5-gallon (19 L) capacity having a spring-closing lid and spout cover so designed that it will relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.

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