NFPA restricts the vertical display of solid oxidizers that shoppers can reach because elevated product piles increase both fire load and difficulty of manual fire-fighting in mercantile occupancies that lack automatic sprinklers. NFPA 400 (Hazardous Materials Code) Chapter 14 (Oxidizers) requires that, in nonsprinklered retail sales areas open to the public, Class 2 oxidizers “shall not be displayed or stored higher than 5 ft (1.5 m).” Heights above this limit are reserved for lower-hazard Class 1 materials or for areas protected by sprinklers. Therefore, the maximum permitted height for the condition described is 5 ft.

A. 3 ft (1.0 m) – Limit applies to higher-hazard Class 3 oxidizers, not Class 2, per same table.

C. 6 ft (1.8 m) – Allowed for Class 1 oxidizers; Class 2 must be lower.

D. 12 ft (3.7 m) – Exceeds any height permitted in public retail areas, sprinklered or not.

1. NFPA 400: Hazardous Materials Code, 2019 ed., Table 14.5.3.3 “Maximum display height for oxidizers in retail sales areas,” p. 61 (Class 2 = 5 ft nonsprinklered).

2. NFPA 400: Hazardous Materials Code, 2022 ed., §14.5.3.3 & Table 14.5.3.3, p. 66 (identical limits).

3. NFPA 430: Code for the Storage of Oxidizers, 2004 ed., Table 5.5.2, p. 17 (Class 2 retail display ≤ 5 ft nonsprinklered).

4. NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 20th ed., Vol. II, Ch. 18 “Oxidizers,” p. 18-27 (summarizes height limits from NFPA 400/430).