City of Quincy, MA Flammable Liquids

This article shall apply to all new plants, stores, equipment and installations and to existing plants, stores, equipment and installations which constitute a distinct hazard to adjoining property due to their failure to comply with the provisions of this article, insofar as the intent of such provisions can reasonably be fulfilled. All persons and businesses storing, handling or using flammable liquids shall be governed by this article.

§ 175-2 Classification of flammable liquids.

For the purpose of this article, flammable liquids are divided into two classes, according to their flash point, as follows:

(1)

Class I: liquids with a flash point below 115° F. closed cup test, except liquefied gases which are stored under pressure.

(2)

Class II: liquids with a flash point above that for Class I and below 350° F. closed cup test.

Flash point determinations made with the Tagliabue closed cup tester (standardized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology) shall be authoritative.

[Amended 6-1-2020 by Order No. 2020-012]

§ 175-3 Manufactured liquids.

Any manufactured liquid which contains a flammable liquid shall be considered a flammable liquid and shall be classed by § 175-2 according to the flash point of the mixture.

§ 175-4 Covering of equipment; notification; inspection.

[Amended 6-1-2020 by Order No. 2020-012]

Before any equipment or installation to be used for storing or handling of the flammable liquids within the provisions of this article or any lawful rule, order or regulation of the Chief of the Fire Department is covered from sight, a notification in writing by registered mail shall be given the Chief of the Fire Department. The Chief of the Fire Department shall, within 72 hours after the receipt of such notification, inspect the equipment or installation and give his written approval or disapproval. Upon failure of the Chief of the Fire Department to inspect within the specified time, the equipment or installation may be covered but shall be subject to inspection by the Chief of the Fire Department at the expense of the City.

§ 175-5 Aboveground tanks.

Distance from adjoining property. In case of aboveground tanks and containers for the storage of Class I and Class II flammable fluids in quantities, the distance from tanks or from diked areas surrounding the tanks to the line of adjoining property which may be built upon shall in no case be less than that set forth in Table I, and not less than twice these distances in the case of playgrounds, parks, schools and churches, or in the case of tanks for the storage of crude petroleum.

Table I
Capacity of Tank or Tanks Within Diked Area (gallons)	Minimum Distance From Dike to Line of Adjoining Property Which May Be Built Upon for Other Than Oil Storage Purposes (feet)
1,000 to 10,000	75
10,001 to 50,000	100
50,001 to 200,000	150
200,001 to 750,000	200
750,001 to 2,500,000	250
2,500,001 and over	300

Distance between tanks. Aboveground tanks for the storage of flammable liquids shall be separated by a space not less than that given in Table II.

Table II
Capacity of Tank or the Larger of the Two Tanks Between Which the Distance Is To Be Established (gallons)	Minimum Space Between Nearest Points Of Tanks (feet)
1,000 to 10,000	10
10,001 to 50,000	15
50,001 to 200,000	25
200,001 and above	Equal to the diameter of the greatest horizontal dimension of the larger of the 2 tanks between which the distance is to be established.

Distance from tank car loading racks. Tank car or tank truck loading or unloading racks shall be separated from aboveground storage tanks for flammable liquids, warehouses and other buildings upon the premises by distances at least equal to those given in Table II. Such racks shall also be located not closer than 50 feet to the line of adjoining property which may be built upon and shall be sufficiently enclosed by raised curbs or low retaining walls to prevent the spread of moderate quantities of spilled liquids.

Diking. All aboveground tanks with a capacity greater than 100 gallons for the storage of Class I flammable liquids and all aboveground tanks with a capacity greater than 1,000 gallons for the storage of Class II flammable liquids shall be diked or provided with other suitable means for the retaining of liquids within the limits specified in Table I of Subsection A. Every tank having a capacity in excess of 200,000 gallons for the storage of flammable liquids shall be in a separate diked area.

Capacity limitations. The total storage capacity of any tank or tanks supported above ground level by any material other than earth or solid masonry and within a single diked area shall not exceed 50,000 gallons.

§ 175-6 Tanks and equipment.

Foundations incombustible. Foundations for tanks and supports for pumps, piping and other fixed equipment for the storing or handling of flammable liquids shall be incombustible.

Electrical grounding. All aboveground tanks, piping and metallic equipment, as well as all metal buildings or other metal structures on the premises within 200 feet of any tanks or equipment for the storage or handling of flammable liquids, shall be electrically grounded to permanent moisture. Telephone poles or other projections liable to act as lightning discharge points shall be kept as far as practicable from tanks. All steel work of reinforced concrete tanks shall be interconnected and grounded.

§ 175-7 Dikes and walls; construction standards; capacity.

Dikes or walls required by § 175-5D shall be of earth or masonry of a capacity not less than equal in volume to that of the tank or tanks surrounded and of a construction and strength to retain liquids safely to their required capacity and without leakage.

Dikes for tanks for the storage of crude petroleum shall have a capacity of at least 1 1/2 times that of the tank or tanks enclosed.

The capacity of dikes required by this article shall be maintained at all times.

§ 175-8 Foam system.

When required. At all plants, stores, equipment and installations where Class I flammable liquids are stored and handled in aboveground tanks and equipment in quantities exceeding 1,000 gallons, or Class II flammable liquids are stored or handled in aboveground tanks and equipment in quantities exceeding 10,000 gallons, suitable foam generating equipment of either portable or fixed types shall be provided to fulfill the requirements of Subsections B through F inclusive.

Permanent pipe system; when required. Each aboveground tank over 25,000 gallons in capacity for the storage of flammable liquids, except ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol or acetone, shall be equipped with a permanently piped foam extinguishing system in a manner approved by the Chief of the Fire Department. The foam system may be of the two solution or of the dry powder type.

Permanent pipe system; minimum delivery capacity. Foam solution pumps or dry powder foam generators shall be provided in sufficient capacity, and shall be arranged with suitable piping and auxiliary equipment, so that in 10 minutes of operation at least one cubic foot of foam will be delivered for each square foot of the largest surface of flammable liquid in any tank protected in accordance with Subsection B.

Supply requirements. Sufficient supplies of powder for operating foam solution pumps or of water for operating dry powder foam generators shall be available at all times on the premises.

Maintenance; component quantities. Foam solutions or foam powder and the necessary pumps, generators and auxiliary equipment shall be kept on the premises, in good condition, and in a number or quantity at least sufficient to produce and deliver five cubic feet of foam for each square foot of the largest diked area, including the ground area occupied by tanks, in which is located any tank or group of tanks for the storage of flammable liquids.

Location; rate. The foam system, including piping and auxiliary equipment, shall be so proportioned and located, and so equipped with outlets, hydrants and suitable hose for manual use, that at least the maximum rate of foam production specified by Subsection C can be applied to any area enclosed by a dike required by this article.

Location requirements. Foam generators, foam solution pumps, foam powder, foam solutions, controlling valves and other equipment and accessories which must be accessible during firefighting shall be located outside of, and at least 50 feet from, dikes surrounding tanks for the storage of flammable liquids.

§ 175-9 Powers of Fire Chief; enforcement.

Powers; additional protective measures. The Chief of the Fire Department shall have the power to require fire protective measures in addition to those specified in this article if, after consideration of special features affecting the fire or explosion hazards, he determines further safeguards to be necessary.

Enforcement. This article shall be enforced by the Chief of the Fire Department or by any officer, member or inspector of the Fire Department specially deputized by the Chief of the Fire Department to act for him.