Propane (LP-gas) storage in Fort Smith is governed by the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code 2021 Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases), which adopts the 2021 IFC LP-gas rules and references NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) for setbacks. Above-ground residential tanks up to 125 gallons water capacity must be at least 10 feet from any important building, and aggregate residential storage on R-3 (single-family) lots is capped at 500 pounds water capacity (about 125 gallons of propane).
Fort Smith adopts the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code 2021, which is a state-amended version of the 2021 International Fire Code published by the Arkansas State Police - State Fire Marshal's Office under A.C.A. Section 12-13-101 et seq. Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases) governs propane storage. AFPC 6101.2 incorporates NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) for the design, construction, installation, and use of LP-gas systems, and NFPA 58 Table 6.4.1.1 governs above-ground tank setbacks: tanks up to 125 gallons water capacity must be at least 10 feet from any important building (including the dwelling), tanks of 125 to 500 gallons water capacity must be at least 10 feet from buildings and 10 feet from property lines, and tanks of 501 to 2,000 gallons water capacity must be at least 25 feet from buildings and property lines. AFPC 6109.13 caps the aggregate LP-gas stored in residential occupancies on Group R-3 lots at 500 pounds water capacity. AFPC 6109.7 prohibits LP-gas storage inside dwelling units and restricts portable cylinders on combustible balconies of multifamily structures to a single 20-pound (DOT-cylinder) tank serving a listed grill. Operational permits for LP-gas above the IFC 105.6 threshold (typically over 125 gallons aggregate) are issued by the Fort Smith Fire Marshal. Installation must be performed by a contractor licensed by the Arkansas Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board (Arkansas LP Gas Board), which administers separate rules under A.C.A. Section 15-75-301 et seq. Tanks must sit on a non-combustible pad, be protected from vehicle impact, and be labeled with the required NFPA 704 placard. The City of Fort Smith Building Services division (623 Garrison Avenue, Suite 405, 479-784-1051) coordinates gas-piping permits under the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code as adopted in the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code 2021.
Exceeding the 500-pound aggregate residential limit, violating NFPA 58 setbacks, or operating without a required Fire Marshal permit is an AFPC violation enforceable by the Fort Smith Fire Department under the local fire ordinance. Penalties under the general penalty (Section 1-9) run up to $500 per offense and up to 30 days in jail per A.C.A. Section 14-55-504, plus an order to remove non-compliant tanks at the owner's expense. The Arkansas LP Gas Board can separately suspend or revoke installer licenses under A.C.A. Section 15-75-301 et seq. and assess civil penalties.
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