15-26-090 Flammable compressed gas – Restrictions.

   No person shall manufacture or compress any fume or flammable compressed gas, as defined in Section 15-26-020, nor store more than 2,500 cubic feet of any such gas in any building other than a fume or flammable compressed gas building constructed in accordance with this Code.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

15-26-100 Safety clearances.

   Every building hereafter designed, erected, altered or converted for the purpose of manufacturing or storing for resale any fume or flammable compressed gas in a quantity exceeding 2,500 cubic feet during any 24-hour period shall be freestanding and isolated by a safety clearance of not less than 250 feet. Every building hereafter designed, erected, altered or converted for the purpose of manufacturing, compressing or storing acetylene gas at a pressure of more than 15 pounds per square inch shall be freestanding and isolated by a safety clearance of not less than 250 feet.

   Any building or group of buildings used for the purpose of the production, distribution or storage of any fume or flammable compressed gas shall be exempt from the provisions of the preceding paragraph with respect to any other building or structure within the same group and used for similar purposes. Any public utility engaged in the production, distribution or storage of illuminating gas shall also be exempt from the provisions of the preceding paragraph, except as prohibited or otherwise regulated in other provisions of this Code. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the storage for use on the premises of acetylene gas in cylinders in a quantity of 2,500 cubic feet or less or the generation of any such gas for use on the premises in a quantity of 2,500 cubic feet or less at a pressure of 15 pounds or less per square inch, or the use of any number of cylinders of any such gas which is in actual use or attached ready for use in any industrial process. Any mechanical refrigerating system built in accordance with Chapter 13-192 shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

 

Notes

13-192

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15-26-110 Floor area limits.

   Fume or Flammable Compressed Gas Buildings. Every fume or flammable compressed gas building shall have a floor area limited by the provisions of Chapter 13-48 for industrial units.

   Fume or Flammable Compressed Gas Rooms. No fume or flammable compressed gas room shall have a floor area of more than 600 square feet; provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to a room used for no purpose other than the operation of a water purification plant or refrigerating unit. Two sides, or two ends, or one side and one end of every fume or flammable compressed gas room shall be enclosed by an outside wall. Not more than two fume or flammable compressed gas rooms shall be permitted in any building; provided, however, that in a building equipped throughout with a standard system of automatic sprinklers not more than six such rooms shall be permitted.

   Manufactured Gas Building. Any building used exclusively for the production, distribution or storage of manufactured gas as public utility shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

15-26-120 Ventilation.

   Every fume or flammable compressed gas room shall have means of natural ventilation as required under Section 15-28-260 for material heating rooms. The combined area of ventilating openings with closures arranged to open automatically in case of explosion or fire shall be not less than five percent of the total wall area.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

15-26-130 Sign requirements.

   Every fume or flammable compressed gas building and every fume or flammable compressed gas room shall have the words “DANGER – POISONOUS GAS” where any fume hazard gas occurs, or the words “DANGER – FLAMMABLE GAS” where any flammable compressed gas occurs, painted in a conspicuous position on the outside of every entrance thereto; provided, however, that no such sign shall be required for any building or room in which not more than two standard cylinders of such gas are present at any time. No-smoking signs shall also be provided wherever flammable compressed gas is stored.

   Such wording shall be in plainly legible bright red letters on a white background with letters not less than six inches high and with the principal strokes thereof not less than three-fourths inch in width.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

15-26-140 Fume hazard gases – Storage and handling.

   The storage or handling of fume hazard gases shall comply with the following requirements:

   (1)   Containers having a pressure of 15 psi or less or a quantity less than 2,500 feet may be stored in suitably ventilated cabinets located outside of the main building, adequately protected from extreme heat and accumulations of snow and ice; if within a building they shall be in rooms complying with the preceding sections. No combustible material shall be allowed in such rooms or within ten feet of an outside cabinet. Quantities in excess of the above limits shall not be allowed in any building other than a fume hazard building complying with the requirements of this chapter.

   (2)   Signs having a white field with red letters four inches high and having a stroke of one-half inch shall be conspicuously posted. Such signs shall read “TOXIC GAS – HANDLE WITH CARE”.

   (3)   Defective containers which permit leakage or spillage shall be disposed of or repaired in an approved manner. No spilled materials shall be allowed to accumulate on floors or shelves.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

15-26-150 Tank storage.

   Tanks which contain more than 55 gallons of fume hazard and/or flammable compressed gases shall be located outside of any building or buried below ground level. When above ground, said tank or tanks containing liquids shall be diked. Each dike shall have a capacity of not less than one and one-half times the combined capacity of the tank or tanks it surrounds. Dike construction shall be as specified in Section 15-24-170 of this Code; provided, however, the materials of the dike walls shall be inert with respect to the materials contained within the tank or tanks.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

15-26-160 Emergency controls.

   The provisions of this section shall apply to all existing as well as newly installed tanks. All tanks, piping and fittings shall be compatible with the materials to be stored or handled. Outlets and inlets of all aboveground tanks shall have a shutoff valve as close as possible to the tank, with no branches or outlets between the tank and valve. All inlet pipes shall have an additional check valve as close as possible to the tank valve. In addition to any other valves, when the stored material is reactive with air or water there shall be a valve at each pipeline connection to any tank below the liquid level, which valve shall be effective inside the tank shell or head and can be operated manually to prevent the flow of liquid from the tank even though the pipelines are broken from the tank. All remote reach rods to valves shall be of substantial construction and shall be accessibly located and clearly marked “Emergency Shut-Off Valve”. There shall be an effective flexible connection between that tank valve and piping system or the piping shall be so arranged with swing joints to prevent stress and strain between the piping system and tank. Where the exterior piping and sides of the tank are not inert to the material being stored, the piping, piping supports and tank shall be made inert by coating or some other means to one and one-half times the height of the dike.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

15-26-170 Tank and tank cars – Safety clearances.

   Tanks or tank cars of fume hazard and/or flammable compressed gases of any capacity shall not be located within one-eighth mile from any school, institutional unit, multiple dwelling or place of public assembly.

(Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)