Fire Code Requirements for Petroleum Aboveground Storage Tanks
UFC 2000
Article 52: Motor Vehicle Fuel-Dispensing Stations: Public and Private Operations
Section 5201: General Requirements
1) Dispensing units shall not be located in buildings.
2) Dispensing devices shall be located as follows:
a. 10 feet or more from property lines.
b. 10 feet or more from buildings having combustible exterior wall surfaces.
c. Such that the nozzle, when hose if fully extended, will not reach within 5 feet of building openings.
d. Such that all portions of the vehicle being fueled is located on the premises of the dispensing station.
e. Twenty feet or more from fixed ignition sources.
3) Installation of Dispensing Devices
a. Dispensers shall be protected from physical damage from vehicles by mounting on a concrete island at least 6 inches, or other approved method.
b. Emergency shutdown devices shall be provided, and shall be located within 100 feet, but not less than 20 feet from the dispenser.
c. An electrical disconnect shall be provided for all dispensers.
Section 5202: Flammab le and Combustible Liquid Motor- Vehicle Fuel Dispensing Stations.
1) Equipment, appliances used for the storage at dispensing shall be approved or listed.
2) Storage of fuel shall be in:
a. Closed containers
b. In tanks located underground
c. In special enclosures
d. In protected aboveground tanks, when approved
e. In below-grade vaults, when approved
3) Protected aboveground tanks:
a. Primary tanks shall not exceed 12,000 gallons or 48,000 gallons aggregate.
b. Fuel dispensing devices are allowed to be installed on top of or immediately adjacent to protected aboveground tanks.
Article 79—Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Section 7902.1.9 Additional requirements for protected aboveground tanks
1) Design and construction shall be according to recognized good engineering practice and nationally recognized standards. Protected tanks shall be according to UFC standard 79-7 and labeled accordingly.
2) Normal and emergency venting shall be provided.
3) Approved flame arresters or pressure-vacuum valves shall be installed in normal vents.
4) Tanks shall have secondary containment, drainage control, or diking.
5) If subject to vehicular impact, tanks shall be provided with impact protection.
6) Tanks shall not be filled in excess of 90 percent of their capacity. An overfill prevention system shall be provided for each tank and shall:
a. Provide a means of notifying the person filling the tank when filled to 85% of capacity by providing a visual or audible alarm signal, OR Providing a tank level gage marked at 85% of tank capacity OR Other approved means.
b. Automatically shut off flow of fuel to the tank when the quantity of liquid in the tank reaches 90 % of tank capacity.
7) Tanks shall have a minimum of a 5 gallon spill container for each fill connection. Containers shall be made of noncombustible material and have a drain valve.
8) Tank openings shall be through the top only.