Franklin, TN Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)

Tennessee preempts most local LP-gas regulation through the Liquefied Petroleum Safety Act of Tennessee (TCA Title 68, Chapter 135) and Tennessee Rules 0780-02-17, which adopt NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code), 2020 edition, as the Tennessee LP-Gas Code. The State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) within the Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses LP-gas dealers, transporters, installers, and bulk facilities; TCA 68-135-108 governs container marking and restrictions on use of another owner's containers. Locally, the Franklin Fire Department enforces Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases) of the 2024 International Fire Code adopted under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code. Practical implications in Franklin: residential ASME (stationary) tanks have NFPA 58 separation distances that scale with tank size - for example, a tank of 125 to 500 gallons water capacity requires a minimum 10-ft separation from important buildings and from the line of adjoining property that may be built upon. Where a single LP-gas container exceeds 2,000 gallons water capacity, or the aggregate water capacity of LP-gas containers on the site exceeds 4,000 gallons, the installer must submit construction documents under NFPA 58 and the Tennessee LP-Gas Code. Per IFC Chapter 61 Section 6104.2 and NFPA 58, LP-gas containers larger than 2.5 lb water capacity may not be located or used on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings (1- and 2-family dwellings and fully sprinklered buildings are exempt); the standard 20-lb barbecue cylinder is therefore generally prohibited on apartment balconies. Sky lanterns and indoor use of cylinders larger than 1 lb are restricted under the IFC and NFPA 58. The Franklin Fire Marshal's Office (615-791-3270) reviews larger installations and refilling stations through the City's permit process.