Florida Fire Code 49-01-4: Flammables/debris in utility room
Fire code 49-01-4 (Flammables/debris in utility room) is a Flammable Materials and Storage citation with 135 citations across Florida food establishments. Utility rooms contain ignition sources — water heaters with pilot lights, electrical panels, gas meters.
Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records and Florida fire safety statutes.
Legal reference: 61C-1.004(6) FAC
What the Code Says
49-01-4 — Flammables/debris in utility room
Flammable materials stored or debris present in a meter room, water heater room, or similar utility space where ignition sources are present.
— Florida Statutes & Administrative Code, DBPR Fire Safety Reporting
Fire Safety Risk
Utility rooms contain ignition sources — water heaters with pilot lights, electrical panels, gas meters. Storing flammable materials (cleaning chemicals, propane tanks, cardboard, paint) or allowing debris to accumulate in these spaces creates a direct path from ignition source to fuel. A gas water heater pilot light can ignite flammable vapors from stored chemicals or propane.
Legal Requirements
Meter rooms, water heater rooms, and utility spaces must be kept clean and free of all flammable materials, debris, and stored items. Only equipment essential to the room's function should be present. Regular cleaning and inspection of these spaces should be part of the establishment's fire safety routine.
Legal Basis
61C-1.004(6) FAC — Attics, basements, boiler rooms, meter rooms, laundry rooms, and storage rooms shall be kept clean and free of debris and flammables.
— 61C-1.004(6) FAC
References
- Florida State Fire Marshal
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Florida DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants
- Florida Statutes Chapter 509
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Florida fire code 49-01-4?
- Florida fire code 49-01-4 (Flammables/debris in utility room) falls under the Flammable Materials and Storage category. Flammable materials stored or debris present in a meter room, water heater room, or similar utility space where ignition sources are present.
- Why is fire code 49-01-4 (Flammables/debris in utility room) dangerous?
- Utility rooms contain ignition sources — water heaters with pilot lights, electrical panels, gas meters. Storing flammable materials (cleaning chemicals, propane tanks, cardboard, paint) or allowing debris to accumulate in these spaces creates a direct path from ignition source to fuel. A gas water heater pilot light can ignite flammable vapors from stored chemicals or propane.
- What are the requirements for fire code 49-01-4?
- Meter rooms, water heater rooms, and utility spaces must be kept clean and free of all flammable materials, debris, and stored items. Only equipment essential to the room's function should be present. Regular cleaning and inspection of these spaces should be part of the establishment's fire safety routine.
- How common is fire code 49-01-4 in Florida?
- Fire code 49-01-4 (Flammables/debris in utility room) has been cited 135 times across Florida food establishments. In the past 12 months, there have been 0 citations.
Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This reference is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Florida fire safety statutes (Chapter 509, Chapter 633).
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize regulatory data and fire safety standards, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Disclaimer: Fire safety codes are reported by DBPR food inspectors to the local fire authority or State Fire Marshal for follow-up. Code descriptions reflect Florida statutes and NFPA standards current at time of publication.
Editor: All content reviewed and verified by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org. How we collect and verify this data.