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Whenever in the following sections the words “safety clearance” are used, said words shall be construed to require a space open its entire area to the sky, and which shall be continuous on all sides of the building or structure; between such building and any other building, or property dividing lot line, or the lot line adjoining or adjacent to a public park, or any main line of street, electric, elevated railway or any other railway right-of-way.
(Prior code § 129.1-19)
The minimum required safety clearance for aboveground flammable liquid storage tanks in reference to any building or lot line shall be regulated as follows:
Wherever unstable liquid is used in this section it shall mean a liquid which in pure state or as commercially produced or transported will vigorously polymerize, decompose, condense or will become self- reactive under conditions of shock, pressure or temperature.
(a) Every aboveground tank for the storage of flammable or combustible liquids, except unstable liquids, operating at pressures not in excess of 2.5 p.s.i.g. shall be located in accordance with Table 15-24-260(a).(See Table 15-24-260(a).)
(b) Every aboveground tank for the storage of flammable liquids, except unstable flammable liquids, operating at pressures exceeding 2.5 p.s.i.g. shall be located in accordance with Table 15-24-260(b). (See Table 15-24-260(b).)
(c) Every aboveground tank for the storage of unstable liquids shall be located in accordance with Table 15-24-260(c). (See Table 15-24-260(c).)
Capacity Tank Gallons | Minimum Distance in Feet From Lot Line |
Capacity Tank Gallons | Minimum Distance in Feet From Lot Line |
275 or less | 5 |
276 to 750 | 10 |
751 to 12,000 | 15 |
12,001 to 30,000 | 20 |
30,001 to 50,000 | 30 |
50,001 to 60,000 | 50 |
Over 60,000 gallons | – |
The minimum distance for safety clearance shall be increased one foot for each additional 3,000 gallons increase in the capacity of tanks; provided, however, that the safety clearance need not exceed 250 feet. The aforesaid maximum safety clearance of 250 feet may be reduced to 175 feet where every tank is equipped with an approved floating raft or an approved permanently attached extinguishing system. No underground tank or dike shall be located nearer than 50 feet to the river, lake or other waterway. Truck loading docks and platforms shall be located not less than 25 feet from the storage tanks, plant buildings and property lines.
The safety clearance between tanks shall be regulated according to capacity as follows:
Capacity of the Larger of the Two Tanks (Gallons) | Minimum Clearance Between Tanks (Feet) |
Capacity of the Larger of the Two Tanks (Gallons) | Minimum Clearance Between Tanks (Feet) |
300 or less | 3 |
500 | 3 |
1,000 | 3 |
8,000 | 3 |
12,000 | 3 |
18,000 | 3 |
24,000 | 3 |
30,000 | 3 |
48,000 | 10 |
75,000 | 10 |
100,000 | 13 |
150,000 | 15 |
200,000 | 15 |
Over 200,000 | Distance equal to the diameter or the greatest horizontal dimension of the larger tank. |
A tolerance of ten percent in capacity shall be allowed in all tanks. The minimum required safety clearance for flammable liquid storage tanks aboveground, required by this section may be reduced to the minimum safety clearance between tanks, as provided above, whenever such tank is individually diked and protected by fire walls of four-hour fire-resistive construction, extending not less than three feet above and beyond each tank, and provided with a fender or return wall for each such fire wall of the same height and thickness at each end and extending not less than three feet on each side of such fire wall.
Nothing in this section shall be interpreted or construed to apply to any group of oil storage tanks, every part of which group has an open space of not less than 1,000 feet, continuous on all sides of the group of tanks or between such group of tanks and any building or property dividing line, or the opposite side of each adjoining and adjacent public way or public park or any main line of a steam, electric, elevated railway or any other railway right-of-way; provided, that the provisions of this paragraph shall apply only to oil storage tanks storing liquids above the ground, and which liquids have a flashpoint above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This paragraph shall not apply to any liquids stored under the ground.
Table 15-24-260(a)
Type of Tank | Protection | Minimum Distance in Feet from Lot Line |
Floating Roof | None | Diameter of tank but need not exceed 175 ft. |
Vertical with weak roof to shell seam. | Approved foam or inerting system on the tank. | 1/2 times diameter of tank and shall not be less than 5 ft. |
None | 2 times diameter of tank but need not exceed 350 feet. | |
Horizontal and vertical, with emergency relief venting to limit pressures to 2.5 p.s.i.g. | Approved inerting system on the tank or approved system on vertical tanks. | 1/2 times Table 15-24-260(A) but shall not be less than 5 ft. |
None | 2 times Table 15-24-260(A) |
Type of Tank | Minimum Distance in Feet from Lot Line |
Any type | 3 times Table 15-24-260(A) but shall not be less than 50 ft. |
Type of Tank | Protection | Minimum Distance in Feet from Lot Line |
Horizontal and vertical tanks with emergency relief venting to permit pressure not in excess of 2.5 p.s.i.g. | Tank protected with any one of the following: Approved water spray, approved inerting, approved insulation and refrigeration, approved barricade. | See Table 15-24-260(A), but the distance may not be less than 25 ft. |
None | 5 times Table 15-24-260(A), but not less than 100 ft. |
(Prior code § 129.1-20)
Tanks for flammable liquids inside of buildings other than structures used exclusively for the purposes of hazardous use units for the handling and storage of flammable liquids, shall be constructed as follows:
120 Gallons or Less. Tanks for Class II and III liquids having a capacity of 120 gallons or less shall be of steel or tin plate, soldered and tight. Material shall be of not less than No. 20 U.S. standard gauge; provided, however, that where tanks contain more than six gallons of liquid used in connection with and in the same room with oil-burning equipment, the provisions of the third paragraph shall apply. Nothing in the building provisions of this Code shall be construed as prohibiting the use of original barrels or drums as a source of supply, if such barrels or drums are substantially placed to prevent tipping or rolling. Pumps shall be inserted through a close-fitting connection in the side of the head of the container. These tanks shall be located in rooms constructed in accordance with Section 15-24-410 of this Code.
Location and Foundation. Tanks shall be located below the level of any piping to which they are connected, or else shall be equipped with standard antisiphoning devices, and shall be set on a substantial foundation. Tanks exceeding 2,500 gallons capacity shall be supported independently of the floor construction.
Storage Tanks for Fuel Oil in Connection with Oil- burning Equipment and Diesel Oil in Connection with Emergency Diesel-driven Equipment. Steel tanks containing more than 285 gallons and installed in connection with oil-burning equipment and diesel oil shall be constructed in accordance with the first paragraph of Section 15-24-280. Fuel oil tanks located inside of buildings shall be located in the basement or lowest story thereof, and shall not exceed 550 gallons individual or aggregate capacity if unenclosed. Fuel oil storage tanks having an aggregate capacity of more than 550 gallons shall be enclosed within walls of not less than four-hour fire-resistive construction extending at least one foot above the highest level of the tanks. The ceiling or enclosure above such tanks shall be of not less than four-hour fire-resistive construction, unless such tanks are surrounded with sand or earth within the enclosure and up to not less than one foot above the highest level of the tanks. In lieu of such enclosure, the tanks may be imbedded solidly in reinforced concrete not less than six inches thick at any point. Concrete fuel oil tanks shall have an enclosure as required by this paragraph for steel tanks. Walls of concrete tanks shall be constructed independently of and not in contact with the building walls or enclosing walls. In buildings of Type IIIA, IIIB or IIIC construction the gross capacity of fuel oil and diesel oil storage tanks shall not exceed 5,000 gallons. In buildings of Type IB, IC or II construction, the gross capacity of fuel oil and diesel oil storage tanks shall not exceed 10,000 gallons. In any room of a building of Type IA construction the gross capacity of fuel oil and diesel oil may have a capacity of 50,000 gallons, with an individual tank capacity not exceeding 25,000 gallons, provided tank or tanks shall have a separation of four-hour fire-resistive construction from any part of the building. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, in any room of a building of Type IB construction containing a technology center as defined in Section 13-56-121, tank capacity as in Type IA construction buildings shall be permitted if the story on which the fuel storage room is located, plus the first two stories above and the first two stories below the fuel storage room, meet the fire resistance standards of a Type IA construction building. The walls may be extended to and bonded to the underside of the construction above in lieu of a separate top. 15 inches clearance shall be left around the tank for the purpose of inspection. Such tank enclosure shall be capable of withstanding the hydrostatic pressure of the contents of the tank or tanks, and shall be provided with a liquid- tight noncombustible sill raised not less than six inches above the floor. An opening which is closed by a self- closing Class A fire door shall be provided above the liquid level. Provision shall be made for adequate ventilation of such enclosures prior to entering for inspection.
Not more than one integral tank shall be installed on each piece of diesel-driven equipment. It shall be securely mounted on the engine assembly, protected against vibration, physical damage, engine heat and the heat of exhaust piping. A return line shall be provided to return surplus oil from the engine tank to supply tank. A day tank shall not exceed 550 gallons capacity and shall be at a lower level than the engine tank. Doorways of rooms containing tanks, either installed as an integral part of the engine assembly, or day tanks, shall have a noncombustible liquid-tight sill raised not less than six inches above the floor.
(Prior code § 129.1-21; Amend Coun. J. 6-28-00, p. 36679, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 235)
Construction Materials. Underground and enclosed tanks for flammable liquids shall be constructed of galvanized steel, or open hearth steel, or of wrought iron of thickness and weight not less than provided in the following table:
Capacity (Gallons) | Minimum Thickness of Materials | |
U.S. Standard Gauge | Pounds Per Sq.Ft. | |
Capacity (Gallons) | Minimum Thickness of Materials | |
U.S. Standard Gauge | Pounds Per Sq.Ft. | |
1 to 285 | 16 | 2.5 |
286 to 560 | 14 | 3.125 |
561 to 1,100 | 12 | 4.375 |
1,101 to 4,000 | 7 | 7.5 |
4,001 to 12,000 | 1/4 in. | 10 |
12,001 to 20,000 | 5/16 in. | 12.5 |
Any tank built in accordance with Underwriters' Laboratories Standard 172 shall be acceptable.
All material used in underground and enclosed storage tanks, for which material is lighter than No. 7 U. S. Standard gauge shall be galvanized. If internal bracing is provided, tanks for the storing of Class III liquids, having a capacity of from 12,001 to 30,000 gallons, shall be built of steel plate not less than one- fourth-inch thick. All joints of tanks shall be riveted and caulked, brazed or welded. Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. labeled or any other nationally recognized testing laboratories approved glass-fiber reinforced plastic tanks may be used for underground storage of flammable liquids. Tanks shall be tight and sufficiently strong to bear without injury the most severe strains to which tanks are subjected. Shells of tanks shall be properly reinforced where connections are made. All connections shall be made through the top of the tank above the liquid level. Tanks and systems under pressure shall be designed for four times the maximum working pressure. All iron or steel tanks shall be coated on the outside with tar or asphaltum or heavy protective paint. All concrete tanks shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 13-136 of this Code. Compartmented tanks shall not be permitted. Inlet openings for flammable liquid tanks inside buildings shall be piped down to four inches from the bottom of the tank unless they are equipped with a trap. Gauging openings inside of buildings shall not be permitted.
All enclosed and underground tanks when installed shall be tested to a pressure equal to the static head of the height of the vent, but not smaller than five psi. Such test shall be held for not less than 30 minutes without loss of air of more than ten percent air pressure drop. When it is necessary to test such tank to a pressure of more than five psi, the test shall be of hydrostatic nature utilizing water. Pressure tanks shall be tested to one and one-half times their working pressure.
Covering for Metal Tanks. All flammable liquid tanks buried underground shall have the top of the tank not less than two feet below the surface of the ground except in lieu of such covering, tanks may be buried under not less than 12 inches of earth, with a cover of reinforced concrete not less than six inches in thickness provided over such tanks, which shall extend not less than one foot horizontally beyond projected limits of the tanks in all directions. All concrete work shall be in accordance with Chapter 13-136 of this Code. Where tanks are liable to be displaced because of moisture in the ground, all tanks shall be securely anchored or weighted. Where tanks are located under driveways, such tanks shall not be less than three feet below the top surface of the driveway; provided, however, that if such driveways are paved with concrete not less than six inches in thickness, the total coverage above the top of the tank shall be not less than two feet.
Covering for Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. Labeled Glass-fiber Reinforced Plastic Tanks.
Depth and Cover. Glass-fiber reinforced plastic tanks shall be set upon firm earth which has not been previously disturbed and may be set on a minimum of six inches of number 4 run gravel or sand. Glass-fiber reinforced plastic tanks shall be buried with two and one-half feet of compacted well graded granular soil, number 4 run gravel or sand, with a cover of reinforced concrete not less than six inches in thickness provided over such tanks, which shall extend not less than one foot horizontally beyond the projected limits of the tank in all directions, a minimum clearance of eighteen inches between tanks. When anchoring is required, hold down straps shall be installed. A minimum clearance of two inches between bottom end of pipe and tank bottom shall be maintained. Dipstick shall be made of wood without sharp tips. Means shall be provided not to allow dipstick to reach bottom of tank.
Capacity. The individual capacity of underground tanks is limited in respect to the lowest floor, basement or lot line as given in the following table:
Class I | Class II and III Gallons |
Class I | Class II and III Gallons | |
If top of tank is above the lowest floor, basement or part of any building with a clearance of 10 feet or less | 550 | 50,000 |
More than 10 feet | 551 to 2,000 | 50,001 to 75,000 |
More than 20 feet | 2,001 to 5,000 | 75,001 to 100,000 |
More than 25 feet | 5,001 to 15,000 | 100,001 to 150,000 |
More than 30 feet | 15,001 to 20,000 | 150,001 to 200,000 |
More than 40 feet | 20,001 to 50,000 | 200,001 to 500,000 |
More than 50 feet | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Clearances on the side adjacent to a public street or alley may be waived.
The capacity of any tank containing flammable liquid of Class I shall not exceed 15,000 gallons in any filling station.
Distance from sewers, conduits and vaults shall be the same as outlined in the above table. When said sewer, conduits, or vault are below the top of the tank, the term “sewer” includes a line out of the said site; provided, however, these clearances shall not be required from a sewer line out of said site if such sewer is constructed of cast iron with hot poured lead joints.
Abandonment or Removal of Underground Tanks. Underground tanks taken out of service shall be disposed of by any one of the three following means:
(a) Being placed in “temporarily out of service” condition; provided, however, that no temporarily out of service tank shall be built upon;
(b) Abandoned in place; or
(c) Removed.
Tanks Rendered “Temporarily Out of Service”.
“Tanks rendered ‘Temporarily Out of Service”' means flammable liquid storage tanks which are temporarily not being used for a period of time less than six months.
(a) Remove all flammable liquid that can be pumped out with the service pump;
(b) The fill line, gauge hatch and pump suction shall be capped and secured against tampering;
(c) The vent line shall be left open.
Abandoning Underground Tanks in Place.
(a) Remove all flammable liquid from tank and from all connecting lines;
(b) The suction, inlet, gauge and vent lines shall be disconnected;
(c) The tank shall be flooded with water, pumped out and then filled with an inert solid material;
(d) Remove all connecting lines below ground level, and cap or plug all tank openings below ground level.
Removal of Underground Tanks.
(a) Remove all flammable liquid from tank and connecting lines;
(b) Disconnect the suction, inlet, gauge and vent lines;
(c) The tank shall be flushed with water and cleaned until rendered gas-free as indicated by combustible gas indicator;
(d) If a tank is to be disposed of as junk, it shall be retested for explosive vapors, and rendered gas- free. Before releasing to a junk dealer, a sufficient number of holes or openings shall be made at the bottom of the tank. The net cross-sectional area for such holes shall not be less than 78 square inches per tank;
(e) The tank shall be removed immediately from said site.
Prohibition of Abandonment of Aboveground Flammable Liquid Tanks.
(a) Abandoned aboveground flammable liquid tanks shall be removed. The tank shall be flushed with water and cleaned until rendered gas-free as indicated by a combustible gas indicator.
(b) The tank shall be dismantled and junked. If in one piece before releasing to a junk dealer, a sufficient number of holes or openings shall be made in the tank. The net cross-sectional area for such holes shall not be less than 78 square inches per tank.
(Prior code § 129.1-22)
All flammable liquid tanks in use may be tested in accordance with Section 15-24-280 whenever the fire commissioner deems necessary.
(Prior code § 129.1-22.1; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 144)
ARTICLE III. CLOSED CONTAINER STORAGE (15-24-310 et seq.)
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