[Ord. No. 650 Ch. 15 Art. 7 §33, 11-15-1960]
This Article shall apply to all persons, firms, corporations, co-partnerships, governmental agencies other than Federal, and voluntary associations storing, handling or using flammable liquids, and to the owner or lessee of any building, premises, or equipment in which flammable liquids are stored, handled, or used.
[Ord. No. 650 Ch. 15 Art. 7 §34, 11-15-1960]
This Article shall apply to flammable liquids as hereinafter defined; except that it shall not apply to the transportation of liquids in bulk or to transportation when in conformity with Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, or regulations lawfully on file with and approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Flammable liquids those liquids as defined by the most current issue of Booklet 30 of the National Fire Protection Association entitled Flammable and Combustible Liquid Code.
[Ord. No. 650 Ch. 15 Art. 7 §39, 11-15-1960]
A. 
Aboveground tanks for the storage of Class I and Class II flammable liquids shall be prohibited inside of the fire limits.
B. 
No aboveground tank for the storage of flammable liquids shall be located within one hundred (100) feet of a then existing school, theatre, church, hospital, athletic field or other places of public gathering.
C. 
No aboveground tank for the storage of Class I and Class II flammable liquids shall be located inside of a building.
D. 
No facilities where flammable liquids are received by tank vessels, pipe lines, tank car or tank vehicle, or are stored or blended for the purpose of distribution of such flammable liquids by tank vessels, pipe lines, tank car, or tank vessel, shall be located within the fire limits.
[Ord. No. 650 Ch 15 Art 7 §40, 11-15-1960]
The location of aboveground tanks for the storage of flammable liquids as permitted by this Article shall not be less in separation by distance from the line of adjoining property which may be built upon nor from the nearest existing habitational, mercantile or industrial building than that set forth in the following table:
Capacity of Tank
Class of Flammable Liquid
Minimum Separation by Distance in Feet
0 to 275 gals.
III
0 feet
276 to 750 gals.
III
5 feet
0 to 750 gals.
I and II
10 feet
751 to 12,000 gals.
III
10 feet
751 to 12,000 gals.
I and II
15 feet
12,001 to 24,000 gals.
I, II and III
15 feet
24,001 to 30,000 gals.
I, II and III
20 feet
30,001 to 50,000 gals.
I, II and III
25 feet
Tanks in excess of fifty thousand (50,000) gallons individual capacity and all tanks for the storage of crude petroleum shall be located in accordance with suggested code for the storage, handling and use of flammable liquids published by the National Fire Protection Association (No. 30) or similarly nationally recognized good practices satisfactory to the Codes Enforcement Officer and his designee.
The location of a tank for the storage of any flammable liquid with respect to any other such tank shall be such that the distance between them shall be not less than three (3) feet. For tanks above fifty thousand (50,000) gallons individual capacity storing any flammable liquid the distance between tanks shall not be less than one-half (½) the diameter of the smaller tank.
Aboveground tanks for Class III flammable liquids inside of buildings shall conform with the following. Such liquids may be stored inside of buildings providing the individual capacity of the tank does not exceed two hundred seventy-five (275) gallons and the aggregate total capacity of such tanks does not exceed five hundred fifty (550) gallons, and provided further that the tanks are located in the lowest story, cellar or basement of the building. In industrial plans or processing plants, where necessary to operations, such tanks may be located at a higher level.
Individual tanks for Class III flammable liquids having a capacity in excess of two hundred seventy-five (275) gallons may be located inside of a building not higher than the lowest story, cellar or basement providing such tanks are located inside of an enclosure conforming with not less than the following: Walls six (6) inch reinforced concrete or eight (8) inch brick bonded to the floor: Floor, concrete: Top, reinforced concrete at least five (5) inches thick. Floor construction equivalent in fire-resistance located above the enclosure may be accepted provided the walls of the enclosure are carried up to and are bonded to such a floor. Any openings to enclosures for aboveground tanks inside of buildings shall be protected with approved fire doors suitable for protection of openings in fire wall; such door normally to be kept in a closed position. A sill of material equivalent to wall of enclosure and at least six (6) inches high shall be provided at each such opening. Provision shall be made for the adequate ventilation of such enclosures prior to entering for inspection and repairs on tanks.
Aboveground tanks located inside of buildings for the storage of Class III flammable liquids shall have individual capacities and nominal gross capacities limited to the following: In buildings of ordinary construction, the nominal gross capacity of tanks shall not exceed five thousand (5,000) gallons. In fire-resistive buildings the nominal gross capacity shall not exceed fifteen thousand (15,000) gallons. In any building, if in a fire-resistive or detached room, cut off vertically and horizontally in an approved manner satisfactory to the Codes Enforcement Officer or his designee the nominal gross capacity shall not exceed fifty thousand (50,000) gallons, with an individual tank capacity of not to exceed twenty-five (25,000) gallons.
[Ord. No. 650 Ch 15 Art 7 §41, 11-15-1960]
A flammable liquid storage tank may be located underground, outside of or under a building, if such installation meets the requirements of this Section. The tank shall be so located with respect to existing building foundations and supports that the loads carried by the latter cannot be transmitted to the tank. The distance from any part of a tank storing Class III liquids to the nearest wall of any basement, pit cellar or property line shall not be less than one (1) foot. The distance from any part of a tank storing Class I or II liquids to the nearest wall of any basement, pit or cellar shall not be less than one (1) foot, and from any property line that may be built upon, not less than three (3) feet.
Excavation for underground storage tanks shall be made with due care to avoid undermining of foundations of existing structures. Underground tanks shall be set on firm foundation and surrounded with soft earth or sand well-tamped in place. Tanks shall be covered with a minimum of two (2) feet of earth, or shall be covered with not less than one (1) foot of earth on top of which shall be placed a slab of reinforced concrete not less than four (4) inches thick. When underground tanks are or are likely to be subjected to traffic, they shall be protected against damage from vehicles passing over them by at least three (3) feet of earth cover, or eighteen (18) inches of well-tamped earth, plus six (6) inches of reinforced concrete or eight (8) inches of asphaltic concrete. When asphaltic or reinforced concrete paving is used as part of the protection it shall extend at least one (1) foot horizontally beyond the outline of the tank in all directions.
Where a tank is located in an area that may be subject to flooding applicable precautions in accordance with suggested code for the storage, handling and use of flammable liquids published by the National Fire Protection Association (No. 30) or similarly nationally recognized good practices, satisfactory to the Codes Enforcement Officer or his designee.
Buried tanks of capacities in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) gallons will require a special permit to be issued only after a review of conditions surrounding such proposed installation by the Codes Enforcement Officer or his designee.
Buried tanks and tanks located inside of buildings shall be subjected to a test for tightness, which shall include the tank and piping system, before being covered or placed in use.