According to NFPA 1, Fire Code, a permit is required for the outdoor storage of more than 500 tires. This requirement allows the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place. Large piles of tires represent a significant fire hazard due to their high heat of combustion, the production of large quantities of toxic smoke, and the difficulty of extinguishment. The permit process ensures that storage arrangements, fire department access, water supplies, and separation distances are reviewed and approved to mitigate these risks.

A. 200: This number is below the specific threshold established in NFPA 1, Fire Code, for requiring a permit for the outdoor storage of tires.

B. 300: This quantity is less than the 500-tire limit mandated by NFPA 1, and therefore would not trigger the requirement for a permit.

C. 400: This amount is also under the specified threshold in NFPA 1. Storing this quantity of tires outdoors would not require a permit.

1. NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2021 Edition. Chapter 34, "Tire Storage," Section 34.3.1.1 states: "A permit shall be required to store more than 500 tires outside."

2. Kirk, K. (2015). Fire Investigation: A Practical Guide for Students and Officers, Firefighters, and Fire Investigators. Brady/Prentice Hall. While not a direct codebook, academic texts on fire investigation often reference code requirements as part of understanding fire cause and prevention. Chapter 11, "Special Fire Investigations," discusses commodity-specific hazards, including tire fires, and the importance of code compliance (like NFPA 1) in preventing such incidents.

3. Cote, A. E. (Ed.). (2008). Fire Protection Handbook (20th ed., Vol. 2). National Fire Protection Association. Section 13, Chapter 1, "Storage of Rubber Tires," discusses the unique fire hazards of tires and references the storage requirements and permit thresholds found in NFPA 1. It explains the rationale for limiting quantities before official oversight is required.