[R.O. 2008 §525.010; Ord. No. 307 §701, 9-8-1980]
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.
[R.O. 2008 §525.020; Ord. No. 307 §702, 9-8-1980]
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.
[R.O. 2008 §525.030; Ord. No. 307 §703, 9-8-1980]
This Article shall not be so construed or applied as to prevent the continued operation and use of any plant, storage tank, building, or structure in existence at the time of the adoption of this Article which does not comply with the requirements thereof with respect to location, tank capacity, clearances, spacing between units, or between units and line of adjoining property; but all existing plants shall comply with all other requirements of this Title, including those relating to foundations and supports for aboveground tanks, grounding and bonding, venting or breathing, emergency vents for relief, control valves, tank connections and openings, piping, control of sources of ignition, ventilation and first aid fire control appliances. Existing plants, storage tanks, buildings or structures may be replaced in kind but shall not be enlarged.
[R.O. 2008 §525.040; Ord. No. 307 §704, 9-8-1980]
The term "flammable liquid" as used in this Article shall mean and include all liquids other than liquefied petroleum gases that have flash points below two hundred degrees Fahrenheit (200° F.) as determined by Tagliabue closed cup test in accordance with methods adopted by the American Society for Testing Materials and approved by the American Standards Association.
[R.O. 2008 §525.050; Ord. No. 307 §705, 9-8-1980]
A. 
For the purpose of this Article, flammable liquids are divided into three (3) classes as follows:
1. 
Class I shall include those having flash points at or below twenty degrees Fahrenheit (20° F.).
2. 
Class II shall include those having flash points above twenty degrees Fahrenheit (20° F.) but at or below seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70° F.).
3. 
Class III shall include those having flash points above seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70° F.) and below two hundred degrees (200°).
B. 
Representative examples of flammable liquids by classes are:
Class I
Class II
Class III
Ether
Ethyl Alcohol
Kerosene
Gasoline
Methyl Alcohol
Amy Alcohol
Naphtha
Toluol
Turpentine
Bensol
Ethyl Acetate
Fuel Oil
Acetone
Methyl Acetate
[R.O. 2008 §525.060; Ord. No. 307 §706, 9-8-1980]
A. 
No person, firm or corporation shall use, store or handle any flammable liquid in quantities in excess of that given in the following table unless a permit has been obtained from the Board of Aldermen:
Class I
(gallons)
Class II
(gallons)
Class III
(gallons)
Dwellings or other place of human habitation
1
3
10
Inside of other buildings
6
10
25
Outside of any building
10
25
60
B. 
The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to require a permit for the storage or use of flammable liquids in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motor boat, mobile power plant or mobile heating plant, nor for the storage or use of paints, oils, varnishes, or similar flammable mixtures when such liquids are stored for maintenance, painting, or similar purposes for a period of not more than thirty (30) days.
C. 
No permit shall be issued for the use, storage or handling of flammable liquids unless such use, storage or handling complies with the provisions of this Title.
[R.O. 2008 §525.070; Ord. No. 307 §707, 9-8-1980]
A. 
Except as otherwise provided for in Section 510.330, Retroactivity, of this Article, the storage and handling of flammable liquids shall conform with the provisions of this Article.
1. 
Aboveground tanks for the storage of Class I and Class II flammable liquids shall be prohibited inside of the fire limits.
2. 
No aboveground tank for the storage of flammable liquids shall be located within one hundred (100) feet of a then-existing school, theater, church, hospital, athletic field or other places of public gathering.
3. 
No aboveground tank for the storage of Class I and Class III flammable liquids shall be located inside of a building, except as provided in Section 510.480 of this Article.
4. 
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 distributing such flammable liquids by tank vessels, pipe lines, tank car, or tank vessel, shall be located within the fire limits.
[R.O. 2008 §525.080; Ord. No. 307 §708, 9-8-1980]
A. 
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
(gallons)
Class of Flammable Liquid
Minimum Separation by Distance
(feet)
0 to 275
III
0
276 to 750
III
5
0 to 750
I and II
10
751 to 12,000
III
10
751 to 12,000
I and II
15
12,001 to 24,000
I, II and III
15
24,001 to 30,000
I, II and III
20
30,001 to 50,000
I, II and III
25
B. 
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 ordinance for the storage, handling and use of flammable liquids published by the National Fire Protection Association (No. 20L) or similarly nationally recognized good practices satisfactory to the Chief of the Fire Department and Board.
C. 
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 tank shall not be less than one-half (1/2) the diameter of the smaller tank.
D. 
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 plants or processing plants, where necessary to operations, such tanks may be located at a higher level.
E. 
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-inch 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.
F. 
Aboveground tanks located inside of building 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 Chief of the Fire Department, the nominal gross capacity shall not exceed fifty thousand (50,000) gallons, with an individual tank capacity of not to exceed twenty-five thousand (25,000) gallons.
[R.O. 2008 §525.090; Ord. No. 307 §709, 9-8-1980]
A. 
Unless the top of any buried tank is below the floor of any story, cellar or basement of its own or adjacent buildings, it shall be located with reference to such adjacent buildings in accordance with the following:
Individual Capacity of Tank
(gallons)
Minimum Separation by Distance
(feet)
550
5
5,000
10
10,000
15
15,000
20
B. 
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 Board of Aldermen.
[R.O. 2008 §525.100; Ord. No. 307 §711, 9-8-1980]
A. 
Aboveground tanks shall rest directly on the ground or on foundations of supports of concrete, masonry, piling, or steel. Exposed piling or steel supports shall be protected by fire-resistive materials to provide a fire-resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours. Tanks located inside of buildings shall be securely supported to prevent settling, sliding or shifting, and shall be so installed that the bottom pitches to a draw-off or drain opening at a slope of not less than one-quarter (1/4) inch per foot of length.
B. 
Buried tanks shall set on a firm foundation and be surrounded with soft earth or sand well-tamped in place. When subject to traffic, tanks 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 or six (6) inches of reinforced concrete or its equivalent. When reinforced concrete or its equivalent 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.
C. 
Where a tank is located in an area that may be subject to flooding applicable precautions in accordance with suggested ordinance for the storage, handling and use of flammable liquids published by the National Fire Protection Association (No. 30L) or similarly nationally recognized good practices, satisfactory to the Chief of the Fire Department shall be taken.
D. 
Buried tanks and tanks located inside of buildings shall, before being covered or placed in use, be subjected to a test for tightness which shall include the tank and piping system.
[R.O. 2008 §525.110; Ord. No. 307 §712, 9-8-1980]
A. 
Storage tanks for flammable liquids shall not be located where, because of topography or nearness of streams, flammable liquids could drain or be carried to sites having structures of high values, places of habitation or public assembly unless such tanks are diked in a manner to prevent such drainage. Compliance with the provisions for dikes contained in the suggested ordinance for the storage, handling and use of flammable liquids (No. 30L) published by the National Fire Protection Association or other nationally recognized standard shall be deemed as complying with this requirement.
B. 
Where provision is made for draining rain water from diked areas, such drains shall normally be kept closed and shall be so designed that when in use, they will not permit flammable liquids to enter natural watercourses, public drains, if their presence would constitute a hazard.
[R.O. 2008 §525.120; Ord. No. 307 §713, 9-8-1980]
A. 
Each tank for the storage of flammable liquids shall be provided with an unobstructed vent, not less than one-fourth (1/4) inch nominal inside diameter which shall terminate outside of any building at a point above the filling pipe.
B. 
Vents for aboveground tanks outside of buildings storing Class I and Class II liquids shall be provided with either a pressure and vacuum relief device or an approved flame arrester. In addition, each such tank shall have a form of construction or a device that will relieve internal pressure caused by exposure to fires.
C. 
Vents for buried tanks storing Class I and Class II liquids shall have vent discharge openings not less than twelve (12) feet above adjacent level ground and if the vent pipe is less than ten (10) feet in length or greater than two (2) inches nominal inside diameter, shall be provided with a pressure and vacuum relief device or an approved flame arrester.
D. 
Vents for tanks storing Class III liquids, including tanks inside of buildings, shall have vents terminating above normal snow level, fitted to a return bend, coarse screen or other device to minimize ingress of foreign material.
E. 
Vent discharge openings shall be so located that flammable vapors will not enter building openings or be trapped under eaves or other obstructions and for Class I and Class II liquids shall discharge upward or horizontally.
F. 
Fill openings for tanks storing flammable liquids shall be not less than five (5) feet from any building door or cellar or basement opening. Fill and discharge openings for buried tanks shall enter through the top of the tank.
G. 
Gauge openings or test wells shall not be located or installed inside of buildings. Gauging devices such as liquid level indicators or signals shall be so installed so that oil or vapor will not be discharged into any building. Glass gauges, the breaking of which would allow the escape of liquid or vapor into a building, shall not be used.
H. 
Vents, relief devices, emergency reliefs, flame arresters, gauging devices and devices for the withdrawal of flammable liquids from storage tanks shall be in accordance with suggested ordinance published by the National Fire Protection Association (30L) or similarly nationally recognized good practices satisfactory to the Chief of the Fire Department.
[R.O. 2008 §525.130; Ord. No. 307 §714, 9-8-1980]
A. 
Piping, valves, and fittings for use in connection with the storage and handling of flammable liquids shall be designed for the working pressures and structural stresses for which they may be subjected.
B. 
Piping systems shall be substantially supported and protected against physical damage and excessive stresses arising from settlement, vibration, expansion or contraction.
C. 
Pipe systems shall contain a sufficient number of valves to operate the system properly and to protect the plant. Pipe systems in connection with pumps shall contain a sufficient number of valves to properly control the flow of liquid in normal operation and also in the event of physical damage. Check valves shall be provided for automatic protection against backflow from aboveground tanks where such tanks are filled by centrifugal pumps.
D. 
Each connection to an aboveground tank storing flammable liquids, located below normal liquid level, shall be provided with an internal control valve located as close as practicable to the shell of the tank, and in addition, there shall be an extra valve in each such connection installed on the inside of the tank which is operable both manually and by an effective heat-releasing device which will close to prevent the flow of liquid from the tank in case of fire, except that such valves shall not be required on a bulk-plant tank equipped with a swing line, and on tanks where transfer of products between tanks, in the event of fire, is practicable.
E. 
Heating and other devices using oil burners shall be installed, maintained and operated in accordance with nationally recognized safe practices. Storage tanks, burners and accessories such as piping, vents, filling connections and control devices complying with the National Fire Protection Association Standard for the "Installation of Oil-Burning Equipments" or a similarly nationally recognized standard shall be deemed to comply with this Section.
F. 
Fill and discharge openings for buried tanks storing flammable liquids, where practicable, shall enter tanks only through the top and connections shall be graded toward the tank.
G. 
Storage tanks for Class III flammable liquids located inside of a building shall be provided with draw-off or drain connection to provide a sum from which water or sediment can be drained readily.
[R.O. 2008 §525.140; Ord. No. 307 §715, 9-8-1980]
A. 
The withdrawal of flammable liquids from storage tanks located inside of buildings and from buried tanks shall, except as noted herein, be by an approved pump through continuous piping so as to avoid the exposure of the liquid or its vapors. Gravity feed of a flammable liquid inside of a building shall be limited to fuel oil from supply tanks not to exceed two hundred seventy-five (275) gallons' individual capacity nor five hundred fifty (550) gallons' aggregate capacity. Flammable liquids shall not be withdrawn from a tank which operates through pressure within a storage tank, unless the tank has been approved as a pressure vessel for the use to which it is subjected. In no case shall air or gas pressure be used for the withdrawal of a flammable liquid from a storage tank. Tanks operating at above atmospheric pressure shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Unfired Pressure Vessel Code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers or a similarly national recognized code satisfactory to the Chief of the Fire Department.
B. 
Pumps shall be of the type tested and listed by the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or a similarly nationally recognized testing laboratory satisfactory to the Chief of the Fire Department.
[R.O. 2008 §525.150; Ord. No. 307 §716, 9-8-1980]
A. 
Discharge devices for the use or dispensing of flammable liquids shall be of the type tested and listed by the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or a similarly nationally recognized testing laboratory satisfactory to the Chief of the Fire Department.
B. 
The installation of use of coin-operated dispensing devices for dispensing Class I flammable liquids is prohibited.
[R.O. 2008 §525.160; Ord. No. 307 §717, 9-8-1980]
A. 
The storage of portable containers for flammable liquids adjacent to schools, churches, hospitals, theaters, and places of public assembly shall be prohibited. The storage, handling and use of portable containers for flammable liquids outside of other buildings shall be as follows: Containers shall be separated by a clear space at least ten (10) feet in width from a street, alley, roadway or line of adjacent property which may be built upon. Special attention shall be given to routes of egress for building occupants, window and door openings and combustible walls, platforms, cornices, roofs and combustible exterior walls.
B. 
Containers piled one (1) upon the other shall be separated by dunnage sufficient to provide stability and to prevent excessive stress on container walls. The height of piles shall be limited to not over four (4) drums. Drums and barrels stored on their sides shall have their heads facing aisles so that leakage of bungs may be detected. Containers storing flammable liquids shall have the caps, plugs or bungs replaced immediately after use and when the container is empty.
C. 
The total aggregate capacity of flammable liquids in portable containers stored outside of buildings inside of the fire limits shall be five hundred fifty (550) gallons.
D. 
Where conditions warrant, such as in industrial plants, the limitation as to gross aggregate capacity of flammable liquids in portable containers may be increased.
[R.O. 2008 §525.170; Ord. No. 307 §718, 9-8-1980]
A. 
The storage and handling of flammable liquids in portable containers inside of buildings may be permitted in service stations, paint stores, hardware stores, materials supply houses and occupancies of similar nature under the following conditions: No Class I flammable liquid shall be stored or handled except packaged items received and resold in unbroken metallic containers of not over one (1) gallon capacity each; no Class II flammable liquids shall be stored or handled except in unbroken metallic containers of not over five (5) gallons' capacity each; no Class III flammable liquids may be stored or handled except in approved containers of not more than one hundred twenty (120) gallons' capacity each.
B. 
Except in drug stores, no Class I or Class II flammable liquids shall be dispensed or transferred for sale from one (1) container to another in any mercantile building, except that antifreeze may be dispensed in a building where there is no open flame-heating device lower than eight (8) feet above floor level. Class III flammable liquids may be dispensed inside of mercantile buildings from portable containers or not more than one hundred twenty (120) gallons' capacity each.
[R.O. 2008 §525.180; Ord. No. 307 §719, 9-8-1980]
In commercial and industrial establishments where essential operations require the use of larger quantities of flammable liquids than are otherwise permitted by this Title, application outlining the quantity required and the necessity therefor shall be filed with the Board of Aldermen, who may issue special permit therefor providing the conditions of such use and safeguards therefor are in conformity with requirements contained in the 1951 Suggested Ordinance of the National Fire Protection Association for the Storage, Handling and Use of Flammable Liquids, or other nationally recognized standards.
[R.O. 2008 §525.190; Ord. No. 307 §720, 9-8-1980]
All wiring and electrical equipment for handling Class I or Class II flammable liquids shall be designed and installed so as to not create an ignition hazard. Electrical equipment designed and installed in accordance with the Standard known as the National Fire Protection Association shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section.
[R.O. 2008 §525.200; Ord. No. 307 §721, 9-8-1980]
Class I and Class II flammable liquids shall not be handled, drawn or dispensed where flammable vapors may reach a source of ignition. Smoking where flammable liquids are handled, drawn or dispensed shall be prohibited and at such locations "No Smoking" signs shall be conspicuously posted.
[R.O. 2008 §525.210; Ord. No. 307 §722, 9-8-1980]
Suitable fire-control devices and equipment shall be available at locations where flammable liquids are stored, handled, dispensed or used in quantities requiring a permit under this Title, and such device and equipment shall be of a type and design satisfactory to the Chief of the Fire Department. Installation conforming with nationally recognized standards, such as the National Board of Fire Underwriters' Pamphlet No. 10 giving standards for installation of first aid appliances, shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section.