Operational Permits

Click here to download Carbon Dioxide System for Beverage Dispensing Requirements

With the adoption of the 2018 International Fire Code, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (LFRA) now requires leak detection for carbon dioxide (CO2) beverage dispensing systems larger than 100 pounds or any system system with any quantity of carbon dioxide having a remote fill connection. This new requirement is in response to incidents in restaurants, convenience stores, breweries and other locations around the country involving hazardous concentrations of leaking CO2 that resulted in injuries and death to customers, employees and emergency responders.

Effective Jan. 1, 2021, all newly constructed CO2 systems used in beverage dispensing operations with more than 100 pounds of CO2 in use or a remote fill connection shall comply with Section 5307 of the 2018 IFC. Existing CO2 systems in the LFRA jurisdiction shall be retrofitted and modified to comply with the Fire Code prior to January 1, 2024. 

Businesses that use CO2 subject to these requirements shall complete one of the following in order to be in compliance with the Fire Code:

• The business shall be issued an Operational Permit for the CO2 dispensing, and the system inspected and approved by LFRA.
• The business shall permanently reduce the quantity of carbon dioxide in use to 100 pounds or less.

Construction documents and specifications must be formally submitted to the LFRA Community Safety Division for review and issuance of the Operational Permit.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Construction permits are required to install, substantially modify, repair damage to, abandon, remove or place temporarily out of service, CO2 systems with more than 100 pounds of CO2 in use or storage or any combination thereof, and any CO2 system that utilizes remote filling.

Construction drawings and specifications shall be completed and of sufficient clarity to indicate the entire work proposed and show in detail that the CO2 system conforms to the adopted provisions of the 2018 International Fire Code and 2018 International Build Code.

A permit application and construction drawings shall be submitted and a permit obtained, prior to work commencing. Information about the permit application and how to apply for the permit, is available here.

DRAWING SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

 Only digital drawings stamped by a licensed design professional are accepted; LFRA does not accept paper drawings.

Drawings shall include the following:

• • Plans shall be dimensional and scaled
  • Floor plan of the building showing where gas is to be installed or is installed, distributed or stored and location(s) of all exits
  • Location of storage containers, both full and empty
  • Identification of the type of gas, quantity in cubic feet and pounds, and type of storage containers
  • Adequate separation of incompatible products
  • A full equipment listing, including manufacturer specifications, all UL or NRTL listings, and evaluations for all parts and materials used in the project
  • Piping design plan identifying routing of pipe and method of labeling of piping as per ANSI A13.1
  • Location of shutoff valves, relief valves and discharge points
  • Design pressure, maximum operating pressure and test pressure
  • Type, size and setting or pressure relief devices
  • Location and type of alarm system
  • Any gas cylinder storage room, including construction type, doors and ventilation
  • Method of securing cylinders from accident dislodgment or unauthorized access
  • Location of warning signs, and details for warning signs such as text, size, color and attachment method”
    • NFPA 704 diamond
    • Caution – Carbon Dioxide Gas