(A) Permit required. A permit will be required to be obtained from the Fire Marshal’s office for the removal or installation of new or existing aboveground or belowground storage tanks used for flammable, combustible liquids or hazardous materials.
(B) Permit issuance and fee. The permit fee will be based on the service and permit fee schedule. Once the plans are approved, then a permit will be issued to the contractor. Once the permit fee is paid, then a copy of the permit, along with the approved plans, will be returned to the contractor.
(C) New installations; application and plans required. Plans and a permit application shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s office for approval prior to issuance of the permit. A permit shall be obtained for the installation of stationary tanks for the storage of flammable and combustible liquids or hazardous materials. Plans shall be submitted with each permit application. The plans shall include the method of storage and dispensing, quantities and types of liquids to be stored, distances from tanks and dispensers to property lines, buildings, and rights-of-way, vehicle access, fire appliances, collision barriers, design and construction of tanks and tank supports, seismic design of tank supports, secondary containment, tank venting and vapor recovery provisions, emergency controls, and any additional information required by the Fire Official.
(D) Inter-departmental approval. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to obtain approval from the Planning and Inspection Department, if required by it, including, but not limited to, any electrical, building, plumbing, or mechanical permits, or any zoning approval and compliance. These approvals shall be required prior to any issuance of the tank permit.
(E) Inspections required. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to contact the Fire Marshal’s office at least 48 hours in advance to schedule an inspection.
(1) An inspection will be required on all rough-in wiring or piping prior to any concealment.
(2) Testing tank pressure and inspecting tanks (all underground tanks will require an inspection prior to and after installation into the excavated burial area).
(3) A final inspection will be conducted once the entire system is completed and ready for operation.
(4) A check of all devices will be required.
(5) The contractor shall conduct any tests deemed necessary by the Fire Official to determine the system operation capabilities.
(6) It will be the responsibility of the contractor to have the necessary personnel present to conduct the test.
(F) Materials test and certification. Once a system has been deemed approved by the Fire Marshal’s office, the contractor will be responsible for issuing a materials test and certification letter to the Fire Marshal’s office. This letter shall state that the system has been installed in accordance with the appropriate NFPA standards, state building codes, along with State Amendments to the State Building Code. The letter shall state that the system has been tested, all materials used are approved for their use, the system is in full operation and meets or exceeds the appropriate NFPA standards and state building codes. A letter shall be submitted for any new system, for any renovation work, or when a permit has been issued.
(G) Inspection report and finalization. An inspection report will be completed after each inspection has been conducted on the storage tank installation. A copy will be left with the contractor, with the remaining copies of the inspection report filed at the Fire Marshal’s office. Once all the necessary requirements have been met for the storage tank system, the inspector may then consider the permit complete and final, and may note as such on the permit. No permit may be considered final until all requirements, including receipt of the permit fee, are completed.
(H) State registration. All tanks installed underground shall be registered with the State Department of Environmental, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Management, Ground Water Section. A copy of the registration shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s office prior to the final inspection.
(I) Abandonment and removal. All storage tanks shall be abandoned or removed in accordance with the NCFC. A letter of certification of abandonment or removal shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s office, along with a copy of the soil testing and analysis. This information shall be submitted prior to final approval by the Fire Marshal’s office.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023)