Township of Saddle Brook, NJ Chapter 143 Oil-Burning Equipment

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee (now the Township Council) of the Township of Saddle River (now the Township of Saddle Brook) 6-13-1947 by Ord. No. 287. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 143-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

FUEL OIL

Any liquid used as a fuel having a flash point not less than 100º F. (To determine the flash point, the method shall be in accordance with the method of test adopted by the American Society for Testing and Materials, and the tester shall be of the Pensky-Martins closed-cup type.)

OIL BURNER

Any device designed or arranged for the purpose of burning or preparing to burn fuel oil (except those using a wick and those having a tank of not more than six gallons]), having a tank or container attached thereto.

OIL-BURNING EQUIPMENT

Oil burner, piping, wiring, accessories and any and all equipment necessary or convenient installed with an oil burner.

§ 143-2 Office of Inspector created; compensation.

[Amended 4-23-1963 by Ord. No. 538]

The office of Inspector of Oil Burners and Oil-Burning Equipment, hereinafter referred to as "Inspector," is hereby created. The Inspector of Oil Burners and Oil-Burning Equipment shall be appointed annually by and he shall serve at the pleasure of the Township Council; provided, however, that, unless sooner removed, he shall hold office until January 1 next following his appointment. The Inspector shall be a practical engineer, contractor or mechanic having knowledge of the construction and installation of oil burners and oil-burning equipment sufficient to ensure the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter. The Inspector shall receive for compensation a sum equal to 50% of the amount received by the Township for fees for the issuance of permits, which compensation shall be paid monthly based on the fees received by the Township during the previous calendar month, upon presentation of a bill properly sworn to by the Inspector. All fees received by the Inspector for the previous calendar month pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be paid over by the Inspector to the Township Treasurer not later than the first regular meeting each month of the Township Council, together with a signed written report detailing the number of each permit issued, the name of the permittee, the location of the premises and nature of the installation and the amount of fee received. All permits shall be serially numbered commencing with the first permit issued.

§ 143-3 Laboratory approval of equipment.

No oil burner or oil-burning equipment shall hereafter be installed in this Township by any person, firm or corporation unless it has been listed as standard by Underwriters' Laboratories or has been listed and approved by some other laboratory of equal rating.

§ 143-4 Permit for installation; fee.

[Amended 4-23-1963 by Ord. No. 538; 5-10-2012 by Ord. No. 1528-12]

It shall be unlawful for any persons, firm or corporation to install an oil burner or any oil-burning equipment within the Township of Saddle Brook, Bergen County, without a permit. Written application for such permit shall be filed with the Building Department, together with a copy of the plans and specifications showing in detail the entire work to be done and the materials to furnished and the name and address of installer. A permit fee (see § 82-3) to cover the cost of the inspection hereinafter set forth and of the issuance of a permit shall be paid to the Township of Saddle Brook. All applications shall set forth the name and address of the contractor making the installation and shall be signed by the owner of the property where the installation is to be made, or if made by a lessee or other occupant of said property, such application shall be signed by such lessee or occupant and also have endorsed thereon the signed consent of the owner.

§ 143-5 Tank specifications.

A. Tanks shall be constructed of galvanized steel, open-hearth steel or wrought iron of a minimum gauge (U.S. Standard) or thickness depending on the capacity as given below:

Tank Capacity (gallons)	Thickness
1 to 285	14 gauge
286 to 560	12 gauge
561 to 1,100	10 gauge
1,101 to 4,000	3/16 inch
4,001 to 12,000	1/4 inch

B. For tanks of 1,100 gallons and more, a tolerance of 10% in capacity may be allowed.

C. All joints shall be riveted and caulked, brazed, welded or made tight by some equally satisfactory process. Tanks shall be tight and sufficiently strong to bear without injury the most-severe strains to which they may be subjected in practice. Shells of tanks shall be properly reinforced where connections are made. All connections shall be made through the top of the tank above the liquid level, except in tanks having a capacity of 275 gallons and less, where one connection, not larger than one-inch iron pipe size, may be made in the bottom of the tank. Unenclosed inside storage or gravity tanks of 275 gallons' capacity and less may be provided with an additional one-inch opening in the bottom of the tank for any approved key stem gate valve to aid in cleaning the tanks.

D. Underground tanks shall be thoroughly coated on the outside with tar, asphaltum or other suitable rust-resisting material. Inside and aboveground tanks shall be coated with a good-quality rust-resisting paint.

E. Before any underground tanks and inside tanks are installed, there shall be secured the approval of the American Insurance Association, which label of approval shall be affixed to each tank.

§ 143-6 Tank locations; capacity.

A. Inside storage and gravity tanks of the capacity of not more 275 gallons, not enclosed in masonry or concrete, shall be permitted, but not more than one such tank shall be permitted on any one premises. All tanks shall be substantially and rigidly mounted on noncombustible supports in such manner as to ensure protection against mechanical injury and shall be so secured as to avoid any strain on the piping attached thereto. No such tank shall be permitted unless it is located 10 feet or more, measured horizontally, away from any fire or source of flame; provided, however, that the Inspector may, in cases where there is not sufficient room for such installation, allow such tank to be not less than seven feet from the fire and source of flame. Tanks of 275 gallons' capacity and less may be used to supply oil to the burner by gravity, provided that there is an approved automatic safeguard to prevent abnormal discharge of oil at the burner. The piping connecting inside tanks with the oil burner must enter the ground directly underneath the tank and must be kept at least six inches underground until it reaches the pit. In cases where it is impossible to keep piping underground, it must be protected against injury in a manner satisfactory to the Inspector. Such tanks shall not be placed in the same corner as any gas or electric meter.

B. Storage tanks of over 275 gallons' capacity, when located above the floor level, shall be placed in an enclosure of inside dimensions of six inches greater on all sides than the outside dimension of the tank. The walls of the enclosure shall be constructed of masonry not less than eight inches in thickness or of concrete not less than six inches in thickness. The walls shall be bonded to the floor and carried up to a height not less than one foot above the tank, and the space between the tank and the wall and the top of the enclosure shall be completely filled with sand or well-tamped earth. The said enclosure shall be roofed over with reinforced concrete or equivalent construction in no case less than five inches in thickness and capable of sustaining a load of 250 pounds per square foot, except where construction immediately above the tank is of reinforced concrete or equivalent fire-resistive construction capable of sustaining 250 pounds per square foot.

C. When buried underneath a building, the tanks shall be buried with top of tanks not less than two feet below the level of the floor. The floor immediately above the tanks shall be of reinforced concrete at least six inches in thickness (for tanks of 1,500 gallons or less, four inches in thickness), or some other type of construction of equivalent strength and fire-resistance, extending at least one foot beyond the outline of tanks in all directions. All provisions applying to outdoor underground tanks shall apply to inside underground tanks except as provided by this section.

D. Tanks outside the building shall be buried with tops not less than two feet below the surface of the ground, except that in lieu of the two-foot cover, a tank may be buried under 12 inches of earth and a cover of reinforced concrete at least six inches in thickness, which shall extend at least one foot beyond the outline of the tank in all directions. Tanks shall be securely anchored or weighted in place to prevent floating where conditions warrant.

E. Where a tank cannot be entirely buried, it shall be covered with earth to a depth of at least two feet and sloped on all sides, slopes to be not less than 3:1. Such cases shall also be subject to any other requirements deemed necessary by the Inspector.

F. The gross capacity of tanks shall not exceed 4,000 gallons. For use of greater capacity, permission shall be obtained from the Township Council.

§ 143-7 Vent pipes.

A. All storage tanks shall have an open or automatically operated vent pipe of ample size to prevent abnormal pressures in cases of fire or when filling. In no case shall this be less than 1 1/4 inches' iron pipe size.

B. The lower end of the vent pipe shall extend through the top of the tank for a distance of not more than one inch.

C. Outer ends of vent pipes shall be provided with weatherproof hoods screened to prevent obstruction by insects and terminating at a point outside of the building, preferably not less than three feet, measured horizontally and/or vertically, from any window or other building opening.

§ 143-8 Piping, valves and switches.

A. Filling pipe. All filling pipes shall terminate outside of the building, shall be equipped with a waterproof metal cover or cap and shall be as remote as possible from doorways or other building openings.

B. Gauging device. No glass gauges or any gauges the breaking of which will permit oil to escape from the oil-burning equipment shall be used. Test wells shall not be located within buildings and shall be closed tight with a waterproof metal cap or cover at all times when not in actual use.

C. Scavenging line. A scavenging line installed in connection with tanks located within a building may be used and shall terminate outside the building. It shall be capped oiltight when not in use.

D. Piping. Standard full-weight wrought-iron, steel or brass pipe with substantial fittings or approved brass or copper tubing with approved fittings shall be used and shall be kept at least six inches underground in the building. In cases where it is impossible to keep piping underground in the building, it must be protected against injury in a manner satisfactory to the Inspector. In all piping systems, proper allowance shall be made for expansion and contraction, jarring and vibration.

E. Brass or copper tubing shall have a wall thickness of not less than 0.049 inch for small sizes and correspondingly heavier where necessary.

F. All piping shall be separated from electric wiring which is not enclosed, as provided in the Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association.

[Amended 3-26-1987 by Ord. No. 945]

G. Supply pipes shall be not less than 1/4 inch in diameter, iron pipe size; and when oil is pumped to burner, return pipes shall be at least the same size.

H. Openings for pipes through masonry walls below the ground level shall be made oiltight and watertight and securely packed with flexible material.

I. Valves. Readily accessible valves shall be provided near each burner and also close to the tank in the pipeline to burners. Control valves shall be of an approved type. Valves shall be designed to close against the supply and to prevent withdrawal of stem by continued operation of the hand wheel.

J. The electrical control switch or remote control switch shall be placed inside the entrance to the basement, latch side, at a height of approximately four feet above the floor level and within two feet of the door jamb. The electrical switch and switch box must be of metal construction. There shall also be an additional electrical switch for the same purpose placed on the electric meter board. Any approved type of flush or snap switch, 10 amperes, single-pole type, with the switch plate in red, will be approved.

K. All installations in steam boilers shall be equipped with a device which will automatically shut off the burner in case the water in the boiler reaches such a level that it becomes unsafe to operate the burner.

§ 143-9 Burner installation and operation.

A. All oil burners shall be equipped with a device, mechanical or electrical, which will automatically prevent an abnormal flow of oil.

B. All oil burners subject to automatic ignition must be provided with permanent automatic devices so designed that oil, upon being turned into the combustion chamber, will become ignited immediately or be shut off.

C. All oil burners shall be equipped with an automatic device to shut off the burner in the event of undue pressure in a steam boiler or overheating within a hot-water boiler or warm-air furnace.

D. For all oil burners installed there must be filed, within 30 days after installation, the electrical approval of the Underwriters' Association of the Middle Department. If the said approval is not furnished within 30 days after installation, the oil burner will be shut off from use unless and until said approval is received.

E. No oil burner shall be installed in any boiler or heater until such boiler or heater has been inspected by the oil burner installer and found safe for such installation.

F. No oil burner shall be installed in any boiler or heater unless said boiler or heater is connected with a chimney having sufficient draft at all time to ensure the safe operation of the burner.

G. All smoke pipe used in connection with the use and operation of oil burners must be equipped with an automatic draft-controlled unit, and this rule shall apply to replacement of said smoke pipe on oil burners already installed and in use as well as new installations.

H. All boiler or furnace rooms shall be provided with adequate ventilation to assure continuous complete combustion. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation or the tenant, lessee, occupier or owner of any premises to install any piping through which water is carried to or used in connection with an oil burner, or repair or have repairs made to such piping, unless such work is done by or under the supervision of a master plumber licensed by the Township.

§ 143-10 Firesafety.

A. The clear distance between smoke pipe connections of any boilers, furnaces or other heating apparatus to flues and combustible material shall not be less than 18 inches, except that this clearance may be reduced to nine inches where a baffle consisting of not less than No. 29 gauge sheet metal backed by one-fourth-inch-thick asbestos is placed two inches above and extending along the entire length of the smoke pipe connections and twice the width thereof and such baffle is securely fastened from the ceiling with substantial hangers. In lieu of such baffle, the combustible material may be covered with fire-retarding material as defined in these rules.

B. The clear distance between noninsulated heat-producing parts of boilers, furnaces or other heating apparatus and combustible material shall not be less than 24 inches. Where such parts are insulated by two inches of asbestos or equivalent, the clear distance shall be not less than 12 inches or, in lieu of such insulation, the combustible material shall be covered with fire-retarding material as defined in these rules, extending eight feet in front and four feet to side and rear of the apparatus.

C. No movable combustible material shall be stored or maintained within five feet of heating apparatus, except where same is protected by fire-retarding material.

D. Burners and all accessories, including tanks and piping, shall be maintained oiltight and kept clean at all times.

E. The floor beneath boiler or furnace and within five feet in all directions shall be of fireproof construction.

§ 143-11 Inspections; correction of defects.

A. It shall be the duty of the installer to be present at the inspection made by the Inspector, and at that time any defects shall be pointed out to the installer by the Inspector, who shall then wait 48 hours, unless sooner notified that the defects have been corrected, at which time the Inspector shall reinspect the job. If more than one reinspection is required, an additional fee of $1.50 for each reinspection shall be required, payable in advance, to cover the cost of same.

B. The Inspector may inspect any premises wherein an oil burner is installed between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and if the continued operation of said burner is a hazard, he shall issue a notice ordering said burner to be shut off. If a burner is shut off, it shall be unlawful for such burner to be used or operated again until the owner, lessee or occupant using said burner has notified the Inspector in writing that such hazard has been removed or corrected and has paid the required inspection fee in advance and the Inspector has issued a new certificate of inspection certifying to the removal or correction of such hazard.

§ 143-12 Air pollution.

It shall be unlawful for an person, firm or corporation or the tenant, lessee, occupier or owner of any premises to operate an oil burner if said burner is so regulated that it in any way pollutes the air with dust, soot or free oil.

§ 143-13 Violations and penalties.

Any person or persons, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 30 days, or both, in the discretion of the Judge before whom such conviction is obtained. Each day that a violation shall exist shall constitute a new and separate offense.