inspection by a fire marshal at their dental office. The reason—
use of compressed gas like oxygen and nitrous oxide. Although
the Hazardous Use Permit 17-03 Regulation went into effect in
July 2003 for Montgomery County, fire inspectors have
recently been enforcing the little-known regulation. The
“regulation require all facilities using, processing, transferring,
storing, or manufacturing hazardous substances that exceed a
minimum threshold level” to obtain a permit from the County
and develop a plan in case of accidentally release or possible
explosion during a fire.
The hazardous substance definition can apply to any
explosive, flammable or compressed gases used or stored—
including certain compressed gases used in the dental office.
The County will need to determine whether an office is a high-
use facility ( has an inventory greater than 2000 pounds or 220
gallons), a general use facility (has an inventory between 2000-
500 pounds or between 220-55 gallons) or is a light-use facility
(has an inventory between 500-50 pounds or 55-5 gallons). If
your inventory falls below the light-use facility minimum
threshold, you may be exempt from needing a permit.
Also, some other exemptions apply to private domiciles and to
personal use (such as patients who require their own oxygen
tanks due to medical conditions).
Fees for light-use facilities are $175 for initial registration and
$100 for subsequent annual registration. For a complete print-
out of the regulation,go to
or contact Barbara Moore, Permit Coordinator at the
Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security, Emergency
Management/ Division of Fire and Rescue, 240-777-2327.
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