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Class A MA Propane Storage in Garage

69gp
Explorer
Explorer
just looking for some info. I live in MA

I have a class A motor home with what I believe to be a 40 pound propane tank, I am building a garage attached to my house to store my RV in when I am not using it. I need to get a variance for side yard setback. One of the conditions the fire department is requiring is that I store no more than 2.7 pounds per living unit and no more than
5.4 aggregate pounds of propane in cylinders.

Was wondering if anyone knows a way around this requirement. The tank is built into the chassis so I cannot remove it and store it outside. So my feeling is do they want me to empty the tank before I put it into the garage.?


I will talk to the fire department to see if there is a misunderstanding about the tank.
Steve B
4100 lb 8.872@ 156 MPH naturally aspirated
Square peg in a round hole is the way to go
22 REPLIES 22

msmith1199
Explorer II
Explorer II
charwan wrote:
69gp wrote:
msmith1199 wrote:
You may wish to check with the language in the law. Specifically is a tank built into a motorhome considered "storage" per that law. They may just be talking about loose tanks like for a barbeque. But even at that this law doesn't seem to make sense as you can't even have a barbeque there since most tanks are bigger than that?



That's my thought. I would be more concerned about the 75 gallons of gas that is in the MH as I always top it off when I come home.


Don't mention that. They may want a fire proof wall between house and garage.


Isn't it already a requirement to have a certain level of fire resistance in a well between any garage and the house?

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

FlintlockCG
Explorer
Explorer
Sometimes overzealous building inspectors can make your life miserable and they get a kick out of doing it. Keep in mind that it is unlikely that they are going to come out after your garage is built to verify the amount of flammable materials you are storing.

Discussing with the fire department is probably just going to make it worse unless you have a good friend who is a Fire Captain.

If you tell them that you will comply, they will let you build it. Just don't run a meth lab in there and you will be OK.

msmith1199
Explorer II
Explorer II
Also, don't take somebodies word for it if they are telling you this verbally. Tell them you want to see it in writing. I can tell you several stories of City employees telling people they can't do something, only to find out they were wrong. It happens a lot.

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4

charwan
Explorer
Explorer
69gp wrote:
msmith1199 wrote:
You may wish to check with the language in the law. Specifically is a tank built into a motorhome considered "storage" per that law. They may just be talking about loose tanks like for a barbeque. But even at that this law doesn't seem to make sense as you can't even have a barbeque there since most tanks are bigger than that?



That's my thought. I would be more concerned about the 75 gallons of gas that is in the MH as I always top it off when I come home.


Don't mention that. They may want a fire proof wall between house and garage.
N4FAP

Trackrig
Explorer II
Explorer II
On the permit or did you tell them it was for storing your MH? They might start thinking about the fuel also......

Even if you did, just nod your head yes a few times and carry on.

Bill
Nodwell RN110 out moose hunting. 4-53 Detroit, Clark 5 spd, 40" wide tracks, 10:00x20 tires, 16,000# capacity, 22,000# weight. You know the mud is getting deep when it's coming in the doors.

charwan
Explorer
Explorer
It can be hard getting around fire codes. You could read it as no more than a half tank on the BBQ. Then the 2.7 would mean you can't store no more than 2.7 pounds of junk in the garage per the sq. ft. of your living space. Also ck. with HOA if you have one. I'd get a copy of the building codes that refer to that.
N4FAP

69gp
Explorer
Explorer
msmith1199 wrote:
You may wish to check with the language in the law. Specifically is a tank built into a motorhome considered "storage" per that law. They may just be talking about loose tanks like for a barbeque. But even at that this law doesn't seem to make sense as you can't even have a barbeque there since most tanks are bigger than that?



That's my thought. I would be more concerned about the 75 gallons of gas that is in the MH as I always top it off when I come home.
Steve B
4100 lb 8.872@ 156 MPH naturally aspirated
Square peg in a round hole is the way to go

msmith1199
Explorer II
Explorer II
You may wish to check with the language in the law. Specifically is a tank built into a motorhome considered "storage" per that law. They may just be talking about loose tanks like for a barbeque. But even at that this law doesn't seem to make sense as you can't even have a barbeque there since most tanks are bigger than that?

2021 Nexus Viper 27V. Class B+


2019 Ford Ranger 4x4