Commercial and Residential Underground & Aboveground LPGTank Requirements

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1 SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY FIRE MARSHAL Commercial and Residential Underground & Aboveground LPGTank Requirements 2/19/2013 [This document is designed to assist with the installation and inspection of above and below ground liquid propane tanks.]

2 Commercial and Residential Underground & Aboveground LPG Tank Requirements The following information is to be used whenever commercial or residential underground or aboveground propane tanks are installed. This information is to correlate with the International Fire Code and NFPA 58. Plans must be submitted and a permit secured prior to any underground or above ground LPG tank installation exceeding 125 gallons with the exception of 500 gallon or smaller LPG tanks installed at Single Family Residence occupancies. Permit Required, Construction Documents 1. An operational permit is required for the storage and use of LPG containers. However a permit is not 2. Plans and an application for permit shall comply with IFC Types of licenses Class I: A licensed dealer who is engaged in the business of installing gas appliances or systems for the use of LPG and who sells, fills, refills, delivers, or is permitted to deliver any LPG Class II: A business engaged in the sale, transportation, and exchange of cylinders, but not transporting or transferring gas in liquid Class III: A business not engaged in the sale of LPG, but engaged in the sale and installation of gas appliances, or LPG systems Class IV: Those businesses listed below: Dispensers Sale of containers greater than 96 pounds water capacity Other LPG businesses not listed above. Underground LPG Tanks 1. Installation of any LPG tank is only to be done by individuals and companies that are certified by the Utah State Fire Marshals Office. Ref. NFPA 58, 4.4* Qualification of Personnel Utah State, R Licensing. 2. Tank Capacities and Type 2

3 The maximum aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons. Tanks must be approved for underground installation. See IFC Underground Tank Sand Base Containers shall be set level and shall be surrounded by earth or sand firmly tamped in place. Ref. NFPA 58, (n) Recommended is a 6 to12 inch layer of coarse sand in the bottom of the hole before setting the tank. 4. Water Tables Underground LPG tanks are not allowed in areas with high water tables or in federal flood zones, unless approved by the Fire Marshal. If approved, underground tanks must be anchored or secured to a reinforced concrete foundation. Where straps come in contact with the tank, protection between the tank and the straps is to be provided. Thick tarpaper, celetex, etc. that is water resistant will suffice. NFPA 58, Snow Conditions In locations where monthly maximum depth of snow accumulation is more than the height of the aboveground LPG container,(excluding the dome cover) the following shall apply: i) A stake or other approved marking shall be installed higher than the average snow cover up to a height of 15 ft. ii) The container shall be installed to prevent movement from snow accumulation. 6. Corrosion Protection Equipment In order to reduce the problem of corrosion of underground tanks, sacrificial anodes are to be installed in the ground near the tank. The anodes are connected by a copper cable to the tank. Anodes are usually a soft metal, such as magnesium or zinc. They are made as solid rods or stakes, as well as soft powder in small bags. NFPA 58, (I).When tested the cathodic protection should read 0.8 Volts (DC) or more. If less more protection is required. 7. Tank Coating Underground tanks must be designed and coated for underground installation. They are usually factory coated. However, coatings may have been scratched off during transportation and installation. As a result, (if coating is damaged) the tank must be recoated onsite before it is installed in the ground. NFPA 58, (N) 8. Tank Depth The top of the tank when set in the hole must be at least six (6) inches below grade. If the tank is to be installed in an area where vehicles may travel over the top of the tank, the tank shall be set eighteen (18-inches) below grade. NFPA 58, (A), (B) 3

4 9. Backfill The hole is to be backfilled with rock free dirt or coarse sand. The tanks surface is not to be scratched. A minimum of twelve (12) inches of backfill is to be tamped down around the tank at any one time, and then an additional twelve inches is filled in and tamped, etc. until the hole if full. NFPA 58, (O) 10. Location of Containers The minimum separation between containers that are underground shall be three (3) feet, and the minimum distance from buildings, public ways, or lot lines of adjoining property shall be ten (10) feet from the outside surface of the container. See IFC Emergency Shutoff Valves Compressed gas systems conveying flammable gases shall be provided with approved manual or automatic emergency shutoff valves that can be activated at each point of use and at each source. See IFC For additional information see NFPA 58 Chapter 6 & ANNEX K Underground LPG Tank Inspection Checklist Plans are submitted and approved showing tank placement. Tank does not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity. Tank installed by a Utah Fire Marshals Office, licensed and certified company. Permit for tank installation on site. Tank must be ASME approved as indicated on the tank. Sand base provided. Concrete base with protected tie downs in areas with high water tables. (Must be approved prior to installation) Sacrificial anodes are installed in the ground near the tank. If scratched, tank must be recoated onsite before it is installed in the ground. Proper depth and compacted earth. Depth of tank is suitable for location. Shut off valve accessible. Aboveground LPG Tanks 1. Installer Certification Installation of any LPG tank is only to be done by individuals and companies that are certified by the Utah State Fire Marshals Office. 2. Tank Capacities The maximum aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons. See IFC Tank Locations 4

5 Consult IFC Table for location of LPG containers. In many instances tanks will have to be a minimum of 25 feet from buildings, public ways, or lot lines of adjoining property. NFPA & Annex I 4. Tank Security (Lid) Tank has a method of locking and securing the operational valves. See IFC Signs No smoking signs are posted on the tank. Sign to read, NO SMOKING WITHIN 15 FEET. See IFC Combustible Materials Weeds, grass, bush, trash and other combustible materials are kept a minimum of 10 feet away from LPG tanks. See IFC Guard Posts If exposed to vehicular damage due to proximity to alleys, driveways or parking areas, LPG tanks, regulators and piping shall be protected by guard posts constructed of steel, not less than 4 inches in diameter, filled with concrete. Posts are to be spaced not more than 4 feet apart, set not less than 3 feet deep in a concrete footing of not less than a 15-inch diameter. The top of the posts is not to be less than 3 feet above the ground, and located not less than 3 feet from the tank. Other means of tank protection if approved may consist of landscape type boulders, cement walls, etc. See IFC Underneath Buildings LPG containers and polyethylene gas lines cannot be installed underneath any building. See NFPA Painting The LPG tank shall be pained and marked to identify its content. The tank is to have a light color to prevent heat absorption. White, silver, etc. is acceptable. See NFPA 58. (Note: There is not a code governing any specific color or reflective material, NFPA 58, states: Aboveground containers shall be painted. It has been determined however that if containers are filled to the appropriate levels {80%} color is not an issue.) 10. An aboveground LP-Gas container and any of its parts shall not be located within 6 ft of a vertical plane beneath overhead electric power lines that are over 600 volts, nominal. NFPA 58, Installation Foundation Tanks shall be installed upon a firm foundation or be otherwise firmly secured. Recommended is a 4-inch think concrete pad with a minimum ½-inch x 6-inch grade 8 galvanized bolts. Specifically NFPA states, Horizontal ASME 5

6 containers shall be placed on masonry or other non combustible structural supports locatd on concrete or masonry foundations with the container supports. Aboveground LPG Tank Inspection Checklist Plans are submitted and approved showing tank placement. Tank does not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity. Tank installed by a Utah Fire Marshals Office, licensed and certified company. Permit for tank installation on site. Tank must be ASME approved as indicated on the tank. Tank is located per IFC Table Tank has a method of locking and securing the operational valves. (Lid) No smoking signs are posed on the tank. Weeds, grass, bush, trash and other combustible materials are kept a minimum of 10 feet away from the LPG tank. Guard posts are installed if necessary. LPG cylinders, or piping is not allowed to be installed underneath any building. The LPG tank shall be marked to identify its content. The LPG tank is located in relation to overhead power lines. Tanks shall be painted. Tank is installed upon a firm foundation and/or is firmly secured. Shut off valve accessible. Above Ground Installation 6

7 Above Ground Installation Underground Installation 7

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9 Cylinder Exchange Cabinet 1. Traffic protection to be not less than 4-inch steel piping 4 feet apart filled with and set in concrete, not less than 3 feet above grade level, or other approved types of protection. (Inspection will determine if required). IFC Cage to be located not less than 10 feet from all doorways, telephones and electrical outlets or electrical equipment, and combustible materials. 3. Cage to be located not less than 20 feet from automotive service station fuel dispenser. NFPA Provide an approved fire extinguisher with a current annual Utah State inspection tag, within 75 feet of cage location. Minimum size is a 10 lb. BC rated, 18 lb BC if aggregate is in excess of 720 lbs. (36 ea. 20 lb cylinders) NFPA Provide required signage. NO SMOKING FLAMMABLE GAS PROPANE. 9