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Whenever the capacity of a tank or the aggregate capacity of tanks in one (1) location and in one (1) ownership exceeds one million (1,000,000) gallons, such tank or tanks shall be protected by approved fire extinguishing equipment utilizing foam or other approved extinguishing medium maintained on or adjacent to the premises by the owner of such tanks. An adequate supply of foam-producing material or other approved fire-extinguishing material, sufficient to extinguish a fire in the largest storage tank on the premises, shall be kept available on the premises at all times.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
(a) All above-ground storage tanks for flammable liquid which exceed two thousand (2,000) gallon individual or aggregate capacity shall be enclosed within liquid-tight dikes constructed of reinforced concrete, masonry or earth, except that dike walls shall not be required where the contour of the ground surface provides the approved equivalent thereof. Earthen dike walls shall have a flat section at the top not less than thirty-six (36) inches in width, and shall have slopes consistent with the angle of repose of the material of which they are constructed. Concrete or masonry dikes shall not be less than thirty (30) inches in height and earthen dikes shall not be less than three (3) feet in height. The height of the dike and the distance from the inner surface of the dike to the shell of the tank shall be such as to assure the scouring action of the wind and prevent the accumulation of combustible vapors within the dike. Where ground area permits, the maximum height of the dike walls shall be four (4) feet, and the maximum height under any conditions shall be six (6) feet.
(b) A dike surrounding a tank used for storing crude petroleum or other flammable liquid subject to boil-over shall have a capacity not less than one and one-half (1-1/2) times the capacity of the tank contained within the dike.
(c) Tanks containing flammable liquid subject to boil-over shall be separately and individually diked.
(d) When a dike surrounds a tank containing crude petroleum or other flammable liquid subject to boil-over it shall have, in addition to the required capacity, suitable copings or deflectors pointing inward constructed so as to minimize the effect of boil-over waves. Dikes surrounding large crude oil tanks shall not be less than fifty (50) feet from the shell of the tank surrounded.
(e) A dike surrounding tanks used for storing flammable liquids not subject to boil-over shall have a capacity equal to that of the largest tank contained within the dike plus ten percent (10%) of the aggregate capacity of all other tanks contained within the dike.
(f) Whenever tanks are interconnected within the diked area or so interconnected that they cannot be individually controlled and emptied from a safe location outside the diked area, such tanks shall be deemed to be one (1) tank in determining the required capacity of the dike.
(g) Up to, but not exceeding six (6) tanks containing flammable liquid not subject to boil-over may be contained within one (1) dike.
(h) Whenever outside above-ground tanks erected prior to June 27, 1949, do not fully conform to the provisions of this Fire Prevention Code governing material, construction and equipment of tanks, and such tanks are contained within one (1) dike, the Fire Chief may require that each tank within the diked area be isolated from every other tank within such diked area by division walls arranged to provide a separated space within the dike for each tank. Such division walls shall be approximately six (6) inches less in height than the enclosing dike wall. The location, arrangement and height of such division walls shall be as directed or approved by the Division of Fire.
(i) Dike walls and division walls shall have stairs for access to and egress from the diked areas.
(j) Where necessary for the removal of surface or ground water, diked areas shall have approved provisions for drainage. All drains located within a diked area which discharge directly or indirectly into the public sewer system or into natural watercourses shall have shut-off valves, normally kept closed, installed in the drainage piping at accessible locations outside the diked area.
(k) The surfaces within dikes and around dikes shall be kept free of all brush and debris.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
(a) Barrels, drums or other containers containing flammable liquid stored above-ground outdoors shall not be less than five (5) feet from a common property line, street line, alley line, property line abutting a public thoroughfare or railroad right-of-way; nor less than ten (10) feet from any building wall having a fire resistance rating of less than two (2) hours, nor less than ten (10) feet from any opening in the exterior wall of a building; provided that when such containers are arranged in piles, such distance shall in no case be less than twice the height of the pile. No such barrel, drum or other container shall be placed under any door, window or other opening in an exterior wall, and no barrels, drums or other containers shall be piled one on top of another without provisions for maintaining the piles in a stable condition by the use of pallets or other suitable supports. No open flame shall be permitted in any area where such barrels, drums or other containers of flammable liquid are stored, nor shall any means of access or egress be obstructed.
(b) Such barrels, drums or other containers shall be arranged in groups separated by aisles not less than twelve (12) feet wide. No group or pile of barrels or drums shall include more than three hundred twenty (320) barrels or drums of capacities of sixty (60) gallons each, or other containers aggregating more than seventeen thousand six hundred (17,600) gallons in capacity, and no pile shall be more than twelve (12) feet in height above grade level.
(c) Unless specifically approved by the Fire Chief, no container stored outdoors shall exceed sixty (60) gallon capacity, and all such containers shall be examined daily for signs of leakage. All leaking containers shall be immediately removed to a safe location and any flammable liquid that may have been discharged shall be removed or covered with sand or earth.
(d) Section 385.74(g) shall govern storage of empty barrels and drums.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
(a) The materials, construction and equipment of tanks and containers for storing or handling flammable liquid shall conform to the applicable provisions of statutes and rules or regulations promulgated by authority of statutes, the provisions of this Fire Prevention Code and accepted safe practice. When deemed necessary, the Board of Building Standards and Building Appeals may promulgate rules or regulations supplementary to this Code to further define accepted safe practice. In the absence of such rules or regulations, conformity with the requirements and recommendations of NFPA Standard No. 30 entitled “Flammable and Combustible liquids Code” for the materials, construction, connections, piping, venting and protection of tanks and containers for flammable liquids shall be accepted as conformity with accepted safe practice.
(b) When deemed necessary for safety to life or property, the Fire Chief may require compliance with any requirement or recommendation of NFPA Standard No. 30.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
(a) Where liquid with a flash point of one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit (120°F) or less is loaded or unloaded, loading or unloading docks for tank cars and loading docks for tank trucks shall be located distant from all sources of ignition and so that the distance from the tank on the car or truck to buildings other than the dock itself, above-ground storage tanks or to lot lines, except lot lines that form the inner boundary of a railroad siding or private siding right-of-way, shall be not less than twenty-five (25) feet.
(b) All tank cars and tank trucks shall be effectively grounded when loading or unloading.
(c) Bottom discharge from tank cars of flammable liquid with a flash point of one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit (120°F) or less, when top discharge is safe and feasible, is prohibited.
(d) A thirty (30) pound carbon dioxide first-aid fire extinguisher, or equivalent first-aid extinguishers approved by the Division of Fire, shall be provided and maintained available for immediate use at all loading and unloading docks.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
Kettles, vats, saturators and other process vessels used in manufacturing processes, containing more than five (5) gallons of flammable liquid having a flash point of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100°F) or less before, during or after processing, or in which materials of higher flash point are heated to or above their flash point, shall not be located within five (5) feet of combustible material nor within five (5) feet of any exit. All combustible flooring thereunder within a radius of ten (10) feet shall be protected with incombustible covering. All kettles and other open process vessels used for such flammable liquid shall be provided with substantial covers arranged to close automatically in case of fire, or which can be easily placed in position, or shall have approved attached automatic fire extinguishing equipment.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
(a) Rooms in which Class I or II liquid is used in open vats, pans or other vessels, or in which Class I, II or III liquid is heated or otherwise treated in such a manner as to produce flammable vapor, shall be well ventilated either by ample natural ventilation or by approved mechanical exhaust ventilation adequate to prevent fire and health hazards and as approved by the Fire Chief and the Commissioner of Air Pollution Control. Ventilation shall be such that the percentage of flammable vapor present in any room or exhaust duct at any time shall not exceed one-fifth (1/5) the lower explosive limit and that toxicity will be reduced by dilution to a safe concentration. Exhaust openings shall be located at or adjoining the floor level near each open receptacle containing such liquid, or near each heated receptacle from which vapor may escape, and remote from any door or other air inlet.
(b) All discharge outlets of vent ducts shall be so located that they will neither be fire-hazardous to surrounding property nor create a nuisance.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
(a) Piping used for flammable liquid shall be suitable for the pressure to which it will be subjected. For working pressures in excess of one hundred (100) psi, approved heavy fittings shall be used.
(b) Before being placed in service, all piping shall be tested at a pressure not less than twice the pressure to which it will be subjected in use, and such tests shall be made in the presence of an authorized representative of the Division of Fire.
(c) Defective or leaking piping shall be made tight immediately or replaced.
(d) All piping shall be firmly supported. Outside exposed piping shall be protected against mechanical injury and shall be so located and arranged or diked that a break in the piping or leakage will be unlikely to result in flammable liquid flowing onto adjacent property, streets, alleys, thoroughfares, railroads, streams or into public sewers or against buildings.
(e) All piping and pumps shall be effectively grounded. All flanged gasketted connections which would otherwise prevent effective grounding of the pipe shall be jumpered and electrically bonded across the flange. The resistance to earth of any grounding connection shall not exceed five (5) ohms.
(f) Piping carrying flammable liquid with a flash point of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100°F) or less, unless without joints or connections, shall not extend through any room in which there is an open flame.
(g) The ends of filling pipes for underground or inside storage tanks for flammable liquid with a flash point of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100°F) or less shall be in approved locations outside of any building and not less than ten (10) feet from any entrance door or cellar opening, and shall be closed by a tight sealing cap.
(h) The terminals of vent pipes from tanks containing flammable liquid with a flash point of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100°F) or less shall be located outdoors above the liquid level of the highest reservoir from which the tank may be filled and not less than twelve (12) feet above grade level for outside underground tanks and not less than twelve (12) feet above the fill opening for other tanks, shall not discharge downward, and when deemed necessary by the Fire Chief, shall be equipped with approved flame arresters or with approved normally-closed vacuum and pressure relief devices.
(i) The terminals of vent pipes from tanks containing flammable liquid with a flash point over one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100°F) shall be located in a safe location above the liquid level of the highest reservoir from which the tank may be filled, and may be equipped with a return bend or approved weather cap or flame arrester. Unless otherwise specifically approved by the Chief, such vent terminal shall be located outdoors.
(j) All vent pipe terminals located outdoors shall be not less than six (6) feet from and not directly below any door, window or other opening in the exterior wall of a building and shall not be located where flammable vapor may be trapped under eaves or other projections.
(k) Deliveries of flammable liquid of Class I or Class II, wherever practical, shall be made directly to the storage tank through the filling pipe by means of a hose or pipe between the filling pipe and the barrel, tank truck or tank car from which such liquid is drawn.
(l) Except as permitted in subsection (n) hereof, or by special ruling of the Chief, flammable liquid shall be drawn for discharge from tanks only by means of approved pumps so constructed as to prevent leaking or splashing, with controlling apparatus and piping so arranged as to allow control of the amount of discharge and prevent leakage. When inside a building, the pump or other approved drawing-off device for Class I or II liquid shall, wherever practicable, be above the grade level, and preferably near an entrance or other source of positive ventilation.
(m) Except as permitted in subsection (n) hereof, no tank, drum or other container inside a building, or discharging inside a building, shall be provided with a faucet or other bottom-drawing device which will permit the gravity flow of liquid inside the building, and the discharge pipes shall not terminate at a point lower than the level of the source of supply.
(n) In specific instances, where deemed necessary for the manufacturing process, the Chief may approve the gravity discharge of flammable liquid in refineries and in manufacturing or jobbing plants when adequate and approved safeguards are provided. In any plant, when approved safeguards are provided, the Chief may also approve the gravity discharge of Class II or Class III liquid of a nature which does not permit pumping.
(o) Where gravity discharge of Class I liquid from tanks or containers located within a building is permitted, the contents of such tanks or containers shall be sufficient only for one (1) day’s operations. Such tanks or containers shall be stored and drawn from in a room conforming to the applicable provisions of Section 3129.43(c). However, the limitations and restrictions of this subsection (o) shall not apply in a building adequately isolated from adjacent buildings and occupied by only one (1) tenant, and used for manufacturing or processing flammable liquid.
(p) All drawing-off pipes from underground tanks and from outside above-ground tanks terminating inside of any building shall have valves at the discharge end, and a second valve located at a suitable remote point in the line for use in an emergency.
(q) Where tanks are above ground there shall be a valve located near the tank in each pipe. In case two (2) or more tanks are cross-connected there shall be a valve near each tank in each cross-connection.
(r) Except where specifically permitted and approved by the Chief, tanks containing flammable liquids of different classifications shall not be interconnected, or connected into a common header.
(s) At each pipeline connected below the liquid level to an above-ground storage tank for flammable liquid there shall be, in addition to the valves required by subsection (q) hereof, an emergency internal check valve installed on the inside of the tank and operable both manually and by an effective heat releasing device which will automatically prevent the flow of liquid from the tank in the event of fire even when pipe lines are broken from the tank. However, the Chief may permit the omission of such valves on tanks at refineries, on tanks equipped with an approved swing line, tanks where the transfer of products between tanks in the event of fire is practical and tanks where such valves would interfere with operation of the planned emergency procedure approved by the Chief.
(t) Whenever practicable, all valves on or adjacent to tanks for flammable liquid and located below the normal liquid level in the tank shall be of steel. Whenever steel valves cannot be used because of the character of the flammable liquid, valves which have less resistance to fire than steel valves shall be insulated and protected against fire as directed or approved by the Division.
(u) All gate valves on or adjacent to tanks used to control the flow of liquid to or from tanks shall be of the outside-screw-and-yoke type.
(v) Pumps delivering to or taking supply from above-ground storage tanks shall be provided with valves on both suction and discharge of pump, and when delivering to tanks, a check valve to prevent backflow of liquid. No internal combustion engines, and no electric motors except approved explosion-proof motors, shall be placed beneath tanks or elsewhere within the line of vapor travel.
(w) Compressed air or gas shall only be used for transporting flammable liquid when suitable approved safeguards are provided and then only when specifically approved by the Chief.
(Ord. No. 991-49. Passed 6-27-49, eff. 6-27-49)
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