Section 170.115  Safe Heat Required

a)         Heating systems in service stations that have rooms or stalls for greasing or servicing motor vehicles shall be of a type that will reduce the likelihood of gasoline vapor reaching the heaters. The following types are acceptable:

1)         Steam, hot water, or warm air furnaces, cut off from the balance of the building by eight-inch masonry walls. The ceiling shall be of two coats of cement plaster over metal lath or equivalent fire-resistive construction. The door to heater room shall open from the outside of the building. No openings shall be permitted on the inside walls except those necessary for passage of heat ducts. If warm air heat is used, no cold air return shall be closer than thirty inches from the level of the grease room floor.

2)         In some instances it is possible to have heater room door open from the office room, where heater room door is sufficiently distant from grease room door to make the travel of gasoline vapor to the heater room a remote possibility. Added safety is provided if the floor of the office is higher than the floor of the grease room, or if a six-inch concrete ledge is placed across the door opening at the floor in the grease room door or furnace room door, or both, as gasoline vapor is heavier than air and these features will tend to block its flow.

b)         The following types of heat are acceptable without enclosure:

1)         Suspended, approved type, oil or gas fired, warm air furnaces. These shall be suspended from the ceiling joists and shall be not less than eight feet above the level of the grease room floor. Cold air returns shall be not less than thirty inches from the level of the grease room floor.

2)         Gas or oil fired unit heaters shall be mounted not less than eight feet above the level of the grease room floor.

3)         Electric heating units and equipment located within the possible path of vapor travel shall be designed and installed so as not to create an ignition hazard and shall conform with the 1981 Edition of the National Electrical Code, NFPA Standard No. 70 Chapter 5, as published by the National Fire Protection Association.

4)         In single stall stations that have stoves installed for the service stall area, such stoves may continue in use until November 1, 1985, provided the stove is mounted eighteen inches above the floor.

5)         Stoves may be used in the office section if they are cut off by partitions from the grease room and the stoves are mounted above the floor level.

(Source:  Amended at 9 Ill. Reg. 9514, effective October 1, 1985)