Evolution of NFPA Rules on Flammable and Combustible Liquids

The National Fire Protection Association has been developing rules and requirements for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids since 1912. The first edition of the code now known as NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, was published in 1913. Then titled Suggested Ordinance for the Storage, Handling, and Use of Flammable Liquids, it was written in the form of a municipal law.

For the next 40 years, the rules were continually improved to meet the needs of users and the enforcement community, as well as to address the ever-changing fire problems of liquids, and improvements in fire protection technology. In 1957, the code was rewritten in its present format.

The Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Committee now consists of a technical correlating committee, which oversees the project, and four technical committees, which are each responsible for different parts of NFPA 30: fundamentals (scope, definitions, classifications); operations; storage and warehousing of containers and portable tanks; tank storage and piping systems.