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June 10, 2025
If your facility stores or uses hazardous materials, you must meet maximum allowable quantity (MAQ) compliance requirements. Learn everything you need to know about MAQs, from factors that impact compliance to steps for achieving adherence.
Ensuring the safe storage and handling of hazardous materials is among the most vital and persistent jobs your facility must know how to do. First and foremost, it helps you protect the well-being of your employees and the citizens living in your surrounding community—all of whom, whether they know it or not, are putting their health and, in some cases, their lives completely in your hands. In addition, proper handling enables you to stay compliant with regulatory standards, therefore ensuring the continued future and prosperity of your business.
One of the key regulations governing the process of storage and handling is the maximum allowable quantity (MAQ) of hazardous materials, which limits how much of a substance can be stored or used in a specific area to minimize the risk of fire, explosions or other hazardous events.
In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through all the essential components of MAQ compliance. This includes but is not limited to the factors that influence MAQ limits, the steps to achieve and maintain compliance, common challenges you may encounter, and the solutions to address them. If you are already familiar with the basics, feel free to jump to a section you want to explore further via the anchor links below. Let’s get started!
Factors That Affect MAQ Compliance
Common MAQ Compliance Challenges & Solutions
Maximum allowable quantities (MAQs) are the maximum amount of hazardous material permitted in a control area of a building. This concept comes from the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) and is widely used by fire protection engineers.
The purpose of an MAQ is to:
A hazardous material is any substance that poses a risk to life, property or the environment due to its flammability, combustibility, toxicity, reactivity or corrosiveness. IBC Section 307 and IFC Chapter 50 define hazardous materials and categorize them based on their specific hazards. These categories include:
To comply with MAQ limits, buildings may establish multiple control areas that align with the facility’s operations. Consider a factory that:
Each hazardous material in these processes must be accounted for in a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS), which is required by code. The HMIS includes the MAQ limits for each type of hazardous material.
Each control area in a building has different maximum allowable quantities for storing and using hazardous materials. Typically, the allowable quantity for usage is lower than for storage. Storage refers to hazardous materials that remain unused in closed containers, while usage involves materials actively being used in a process.
Usage can be classified as open or closed—open usage occurs when the material is exposed to air, such as when a powder is dumped into a hopper, whereas closed usage involves sealed containers piped into different processes without direct exposure. The MAQ for open usage is typically lower than the MAQ for closed usage due to hazardous materials being less contained.
If the MAQ is exceeded in any control area, the building's occupancy classification changes from a moderate hazard occupancy (such as a factory or storage occupancy) to a high hazard occupancy (Group H occupancy). Common high-hazard occupancies include:
By adhering to MAQ limits, facilities can avoid costly reclassification while ensuring compliance with fire codes and enhancing safety for personnel and operations.
MAQ compliance ensures that the storage, usage and handling of hazardous materials in a building meet code requirements and are approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), typically the fire department. This process helps prevent safety hazards, ensures regulatory compliance and supports the safe operation of a facility.
Several factors can impact MAQ compliance, and understanding them is crucial to maintaining safety and regulatory adherence. Below are the key considerations that influence how MAQ compliance is achieved and maintained.
The first factor to consider is the hazardous materials present in the building and their classifications. When a client provides a list of hazardous materials, along with their associated Safety Data Sheets (SDS), the materials are categorized according to the IBC.
The classification directly affects the building’s compliance with the MAQ, as different hazardous materials come with varying requirements based on their specific risks.
The occupancy groups and construction type of the building play a significant role in MAQ compliance. Facilities typically have multiple occupancy types, such as:
Each occupancy type has specific fire protection requirements that can affect compliance. Considerations include:
If the building exceeds the MAQ or is reclassified as a Group H (high-hazard) area, these systems may need to be upgraded. Upgrades could include the addition of:
If a control area exceeds the MAQ, it may fall into a Group H occupancy. There are several ways to manage this:
Though building a Group H storage room can be expensive upfront, it may simplify operations and make compliance easier in the long run.
The way hazardous materials are stored and used within a facility is another critical factor in determining the safety and fire protection strategy. Fire protection engineers typically ask questions like:
These details influence the fire protection scheme, as different storage methods and material types require different levels of protection. These requirements will become especially important after the HMIS has been approved.
It’s also important to factor in potential changes in operations. As businesses evolve, new materials may be introduced, or existing ones may be used in larger quantities. This requires ongoing updates to the HMIS and possibly adjustments to:
Ensuring that any changes in operations are promptly reflected in your compliance plans is critical to maintaining ongoing safety and meeting the legal requirements for hazardous materials.
Achieving MAQ compliance involves a structured approach, particularly if you're a building owner or operations manager dealing with hazardous materials. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure that your facility meets the necessary safety and regulatory requirements.
To achieve MAQ compliance, involve a fire protection engineer early. They will ensure that the process is done correctly, safely and in accordance with applicable codes. The fire protection engineer will guide you through the compliance process, working alongside your team to analyze hazardous materials and their storage.
Next, you’ll need to supply a list of hazardous materials used or stored in the building, along with their SDS. The following information is necessary:
This information will allow the fire protection engineer to assess the materials and determine the appropriate fire safety measures.
To accurately assess compliance, the fire protection engineer will need to review the construction documents for your building. This includes identifying existing fire barriers, sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems. Some questions to address here include:
Answering these questions helps the fire protection engineer determine if the building is already compliant or if modifications are needed.
Once the necessary data is gathered, the fire protection engineer will create the HMIS, classifying all hazardous materials and determining if the MAQ has been exceeded. This analysis is often iterative, and the fire protection engineer may propose adjustments or recommendations to stay compliant with building codes.
The FPE will collaborate with the building owner to optimize operations while remaining compliant with MAQ regulations. Recommendations might include:
The goal is to align the facility’s operations with code requirements while considering future changes to the business.
You should know whether any upcoming operational changes could impact MAQ compliance. The fire protection engineer will ask questions like:
If the business plans to expand or modify its operations, the fire protection systems might need to evolve as well, ensuring that the facility remains compliant in the long term.
Once the HMIS is completed, it must be submitted to the local fire department or the AHJ for approval. This step is essential for ensuring that the proposed plan is reviewed and accepted by the regulatory body. Firefighters must know how to plan for and respond to incidents involving hazardous materials.
For existing buildings, modifications may be required to create control areas and implement fire barriers. This may involve working with:
The construction and installation of these systems will ensure that the building meets MAQ standards.
After the modifications and safety measures are in place, the building owner and facility operations manager are responsible for maintaining all relevant documentation. This includes:
Additionally, you should keep the HMIS updated and ensure compliance with recommendations for staying under the MAQ or utilizing a Group H room.
Regular audits and inspections are necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with fire safety regulations. This process typically involves:
Finally, hazardous materials pose unique challenges in the event of a fire or spill. Firefighters and emergency personnel must know the types, locations and quantities of hazardous materials present to plan and respond effectively.
Therefore, the building must maintain up-to-date emergency response plans and material inventory information to ensure the safety of workers and responders.
During the MAQ compliance process, various challenges can arise. Understanding these common hurdles and knowing how to address them will help you maintain compliance effectively.
Many facilities handle multiple hazardous materials, which can complicate MAQ compliance, especially when materials fall into different hazard categories.
Once the MAQ limits are set based on the materials you use, adjusting them can be difficult, especially if your operations evolve.
Regulations can change, particularly when states amend the fire and building codes. These changes can impact your ability to maintain compliance.
Training staff ensures everyone understands hazardous material safety and is aware of compliance requirements.
A building’s layout and the materials used within it can change significantly over time, impacting the accuracy of the hazardous material inventory and compliance with MAQ limits.
To manage hazardous materials safely in your facility, you must achieve and maintain MAQ compliance. By understanding the regulations and taking proactive steps to assess and monitor hazardous materials, you can significantly reduce risks to safety, property and the environment.
While the process may seem complex, working with experienced fire protection engineers and continuously reviewing your operations can help ensure compliance and keep your facility running safely and efficiently.
Partner with Performance Based Fire for MAQ services that maintain your facility’s compliance. Our licensed fire protection engineers understand the code requirements and have the experience to keep your facility and team safe while working with hazardous materials. Contact us today to begin the conversation.
