[Amended 4-9-1984 by L.L. No. 4-1984]
This article shall apply to the installation and operation of oxygen-fuel
gas, gaseous fuels generated from flammable liquids under pressure or electric
arc welding or cutting or any combination thereof, or storage or distribution
of gases for welding, cutting or heat-treating. Liquefied petroleum gases
must conform to National Fire Protection Association Code 58.
Where liquid oxygen in a quantity exceeding 100 gallons is to be used
for welding and/or cutting, the container or containers shall be located outside
or in a special building having no other occupancy except that related to
the handling and gasification of the oxygen.
[Amended 4-9-1984 by L.L. No. 4-1984]
A. This shall apply to all storage and handling of liquefied
petroleum gas and the equipment pertinent to such uses. The requirements of
this section shall be in addition to the requirements of the standards of
the National Fire Protection Association in Circular Number 58, 1983, which
shall apply to all storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas.
B. Definitions. As used in this section the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS EQUIPMENT
All containers, apparatus, piping (not including utility gas distribution
piping systems) and equipment pertinent to the storage and handling of liquefied
petroleum gas. Gas-consuming appliances shall not be considered as being "liquefied
gas equipment." Containers shall include all vessels, whether portable or
stationary, such as tanks, cylinders or drums used for transportation or storage
of liquefied petroleum gas.
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM (LP) GAS
Any material which is composed predominantly of any of the following
hydrocarbons, or mixtures of them: propane and propylene butane (normal butane
or isobutane, and butylenes). When reference is made to gas in this section,
it shall refer to "liquefied petroleum gases" as defined herein.
C. Storage of containers awaiting use or resale.
(1) Containers in storage shall be located so as to minimize
exposure to excessive temperature rise, physical damage or tampering by unauthorized
persons.
(2) Containers when stored inside shall not be located within
10 feet of exits or stairways or in areas normally used or intended for the
safe exit of people.
(3) Containers (empty or filled) which require valve-protection
caps shall have such caps in place while in storage.
(4) The outlet valves of containers in storage shall be closed.
(5) Empty containers which have been in LP gas service should
preferably be stored in the open. When stored inside, they shall be considered
as full containers for the purpose of determining the maximum quantity of
LP gas permitted by this section.
(6) Storage within buildings frequented by the public. Storage
within buildings used as retail or wholesale outlets or mercantile establishments,
inclusive but not limited to hardware stores, department stores, sporting
goods stores, surplus outlets, small boat sales and supply outlets (exclusive
of marine supply outlets for ships), and similar occupancies, including service
stations, shall be limited to the following storage of LP gas:
(a) Maximum size containers shall be 21/2 pounds' water
capacity and shall be such as those with completely self-contained hand torches
and similar applications.
(b) The display of such containers shall be limited to a
total of 24 units of each brand and size.
(c) The maximum quantity of LP gas on display and in storage
shall not exceed 200 pounds in any building or fire area.
(d) In all residences same as Subsection
C(6)(a), 21/2 pounds.
D. Exception. Storage limits of LP gas or outlined in Subsection
C(6) shall not apply to containers stored at charging plants or at plants or outlets devoted primarily to the storage and distribution of LP gas or other gases used for welding, manufacturing or therapeutic processes or wholesale plumbing supply houses.
E. Storage of liquefied petroleum gas within buildings not
frequented by the public. Storage within buildings not frequented by the public,
such as industrial buildings, charging plants or plants devoted primarily
to the storage and distribution of LP gas or other gases used in industry
or for therapeutic purposes, shall not exceed 300 pounds [approximately 2,550
cubic feet in vapor form] except as follows:
(1) The quantity of LP gas stored in special buildings or
rooms considered as fire areas shall not exceed 10,000 pounds.
(2) The walls, floors and ceilings of container storage rooms
that are within or adjacent to other parts of the building shall be constructed
of material having at least two hours' fire rating, with all openings
from storage rooms to other parts of the building protected with fire-resistant
door assemblies having a resistant rating of 11/2.
(3) A portion of the exterior walls or roof shall have 10%
of the combined area of the enclosing walls and roof constructed of single-strength
glass or other similar explosion-relieving construction.
(4) Such rooms shall have no open flames for heating or lighting.
(5) Such rooms shall be adequately ventilated both top and
bottom to the outside only. The openings from such vents shall be at least
five feet away from any other opening (window, door, etc.) into any building.
(6) The floors of such rooms shall not be below ground level.
Any space below the floor shall be of solid fill or properly (adequately)
ventilated to the outer air.
(7) Such storage rooms shall not be located adjoining the
line of property occupied by schools, churches, hospitals, athletic fields
or other places of assembly.
(8) The electrical installations within the room shall be
in accordance with the National Electrical Code for hazardous locations.
F. Storage outside buildings.
(1) Storage shall not be located adjoining the line of property
occupied by schools, churches, hospitals, athletic fields or other places
of assembly.
(2) Containers shall be in a suitable enclosure or otherwise
protected against tampering.
(3) Valves and safety relief devices shall be protected against
accumulations of ice and snow. Protective caps shall be deemed adequate.
G. Containers inside buildings.
(1) Containers and first-stage regulating equipment shall
be located outside of buildings especially provided for this purpose upon
approval of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, except that containers and regulating
equipment may be used indoors under the following conditions:
(a) If temporarily used for demonstration purposes, and the
container has a maximum water capacity of 12 pounds.
(b) If used with a completely self-contained gas hand torch
or similar equipment, and the container has a maximum water capacity of 21/2
pounds.
(c) In industrial applications where oxygen is not required.
(e) In storage awaiting use or resale in compliance with
this section.
H. Location of the LP tanks. The tanks must be the same
distance from the building as they are from the property line. Under NFPA
No. 58-312-3120, 1981, aboveground outside distance:
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Number of Gallons
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Number of Feet From Building and Property Line
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125 - 500
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10
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501 - 2,000
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25
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Over 2,000
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50
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I. Installation of containers.
(1) Containers shall be installed in accordance with Subsection
I(1)(a) through (f):
(a) Department of Transportation cylinder specification containers
shall be installed only above the ground and shall be set upon a firm foundation
or otherwise firmly secured. Flexibility shall be provided in the connecting
piping.
(b) All containers shall be positioned so that the safety
relief valve is in direct communication with the vapor space of the container.
(c) Where physical damage to LP gas containers, or systems
of which they are a part, from vehicles is a possibility, precautions against
such damage shall be taken.
(d) The installation position of American Society of Mechanical
Engineers containers shall make all nonpressure parts, such as saddle plates,
wear plates or brackets applied by the container manufacturer.
(e) Aboveground containers shall be kept properly painted,
white, aluminum, bright yellow or other light color.
(2) Horizontal American Society of Mechanical Engineers containers
designed for permanent installation in stationary service above ground, except
as provided in Subsection I(2)(a)[2][b], shall be placed on substantial masonry
or noncombustible structural supports on concrete or firm masonry foundations
and supported as follows:
(a) Horizontal containers shall be mounted on saddles in such a manner as to permit expansion and contraction and not to cause an excessive concentration of stresses. Structural steel supports may be used if protected against fire in an approved manner or if in compliance with Subsection
I(2)(b) and as follows:
[1] Containers of more than 2,000 gallons' water capacity
shall be provided with concrete or masonry foundations formed to fit the container
contour or, if furnished with saddles in compliance, may be placed on flat-topped
foundations.
[2] Containers of 2,000 gallons' water capacity or less
may be installed on concrete or masonry foundations formed to fit the container
contour or, if equipped with attached supports complying, may be installed
as follows:
[a] If the bottoms of the horizontal members of the container
saddles, runners or skids are to be more than 12 inches above grade, fire-resistive
foundations shall be provided. A container shall not be mounted with the outside
bottom of the container shell more than five feet above the surface of the
ground.
[b] For temporary use at a given location not to exceed six
months, fire-resistive foundations or saddles are not required, provided that
the outside bottom of the container shell is not more than five feet above
the ground and that flexibility in the connecting piping is provided.
[3] Containers or container-pump assemblies mounted on a common base complying with Subsection
I(2)(b) may be placed on concrete pads at ground level or within two inches of ground level, provided that the liquid piping from the container is sufficiently flexible to minimize the possibilities of leakage or breakage in the event of the failure of the container supports.
(b) With the approval of the Town of Hamburg Code Enforcement
Officers, containers complying may be installed in isolated locations, with
nonfireproofed steel supports resting on concrete pads or footings, provided
that the outside bottom of the container shell is not more than five feet
above the ground level.
(c) Suitable means of preventing corrosion shall be provided
on that part of the container in contact with the saddles or foundations or
on that part of the container in contact with the masonry.
J. Fire protection. Storage locations of LP gas shall be
provided with approved portable fire extinguisher(s) and water spray fixed
systems for fire protection as required by the Bureau of Fire Prevention in
accordance with acceptable practices.
K. Deliveries regulated.
(1) No wholesale or retail bulk dealer, manufacturer or wholesale
package dealer shall deliver LP gas to any retail bulk dealer, manufacturer,
processing plant, service station, garage, construction contractor or storage
facility unless such recipient has a permit or license as required by this
code.
(2) No tank vehicle shall be used to discharge any LP gas
from its cargo tank to any portable container wherever located. In case of
an emergency, a quantity sufficient to dispel the emergency may be discharged
from a tank vehicle to a portable container, upon proper notification and
permission from the Fire Department.
L. LP gas storage tanks, permit procedure. A copy of the
survey of the property where the tank is to be located must be submitted with
all buildings on the survey, including the location of the proposed tank.
This is for tanks of 300 pounds or more to 2,000 gallons of LP gas. A letter
must be submitted from the company that fills the tanks covering all that
is required on Section 2-2-6 of the NFPA Code 58-31-1983.
M. Container markings.
(1) Containers shall be marked as provided in the regulations,
rules or code under which they are fabricated.
(2) When LP gas and one or more other compressed gases are
to be stored or used in the same area, the containers shall be marked "flammable"
and either "LP gas," "LPG," "propane" or "butane." Compliance with marking
requirements of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall meet this
provision.
(3) When being transported, portable Department of Transportation
containers shall be marked and labeled in accordance with Title 49 of the
Code of Federal Regulations.
(4) Portable Department of Transportation containers designed
to be filled by weight, including those optionally filled volumetrically but
which may require check weighting, shall be marked with:
(a) The water capacity of the container in pounds.
(b) The tare weight of the container in pounds, fitted for
service. The tare weight is the container weight plus the weight of all permanently
attached valves and other fittings, but does not include the weight of protecting
devices removed in order to load the container.
(c) Container must be plugged before transport.
(5) ASME containers shall be marked. The markings specified
shall be on a metal nameplate attached to the container, so located as to
remain visible after the container is installed.
(a) Service for which the container is designed, i.e., underground,
aboveground, or both.
(b) Name and address of container supplier or trade name
of container.
(c) Water capacity of container in pounds or United States
gallons.
(d) Design pressure in pounds per square inch gauge.
(e) The wording "This container shall not contain a product
having a vapor pressure in excess of..... psig at 100° F." (See Table
2.2.2.2.)
(f) Tare weight of container fitted for service for containers
to be filled by weight.
(g) Outside surface area in square feet.
N. Protection of valves on containers in storage. Container
valves shall be protected as required. Screw-on type caps or collars shall
be securely in place on all containers stored regardless of whether they are
full, partially full, or empty, and container outlet valves shall be closed
or plugged.
O. Safety relief devices.
(1) Containers shall be equipped with one or more safety
relief devices and shall be designed to relieve vapor.
(2) Department of Transportation containers shall be equipped
with safety relief valves or fusible plug safety relief devices as required
by DOT regulations.
(3) American Society of Mechanical Engineers containers for
LP gas shall be equipped with spring-loaded safety relief valves conforming
with applicable requirements of the Standard on Safety Relief Valves for Anhydrous
Ammonia and LP Gas, UL 132; Standards for Safety Relief Valves of the Factory
Mutual Research Corporation; or other equivalent safety relief valve standards.
The start-to-discharge setting of such safety relief valves, with relation
to the design pressure of the container, shall be in accordance with Table
2-2.
(4) Safety relief devices for American Society Mechanical Engineers containers shall also comply with Subsection
O(4)(a) through
(e).
(a) Safety relief devices shall be of sufficient individual
or aggregate capacity as to provide the rate of flow required for the container
on which they are installed and to discharge at not less than the rate indicated
before the pressure is in excess of 120% of the maximum (not start-to-discharge
pressure setting of the device). This provision is applicable to all containers
(including containers installed partially above ground) except containers
installed wholly underground.
(b) Each safety relief valve shall be plainly and permanently
marked with:
[1] The pressure in pounds per square inch gauge at which
the valve is set to discharge.
[2] The actual discharge rate in cubic feet per minute of
air at 60° F. and 14.7 pounds per square inch gauge.
[3] The manufacturer's name and catalog number. Example:
A safety relief valve is marked 250-4050 AIR. This indicates that the valve
is set to start-to-discharge at 250 pounds per square inch gauge and that
its rate of discharge is 4,050 cubic feet per minute of air.
(c) Shutoff valves shall not be located between a safety
relief device and the container, unless the arrangement is such that the relief
device capacity flow specified will be achieved through additional safety
relief devices which remain operative.
(d) Safety relief valves shall be so designed that the possibility
of tampering will be minimized. Externally set or adjusted valves shall be
provided with an approved means of sealing the adjustment.
(e) Fuse plugs, with a yield point of 208° F. minimum
and 220° F. maximum with a total discharge area not exceeding 0.25 square
inch, and which communicate directly with the vapor space of the container,
may be used in addition to the spring-loaded safety relief valves (as specified
in Table 2-2) for aboveground containers of 1,200 gallons' water capacity
or less.
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TABLE 2-2
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Container
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Minimum
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Maximum
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All ASME codes prior to the 1949 Edition, and the 1949 Edition, Paragraphs
U-68 and U-69
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110%
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125%*
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ASME Code, 1949 Edition, Paragraphs U-200 and U-201, and all ASME codes
later than 1949
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88%
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100%*
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*NOTE: Manufacturers of relief valves are allowed a plus tolerance not
exceeding 10% of the set pressure marked on the valve.
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P. Permit procedure.
(1) All these procedures and construction must be completed
and a fire prevention permit completely filled out, and an inspection must
be done by the Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Hamburg or a Fire Inspector
of the Town of Hamburg before the permit will be granted on existing tanks,
new tanks and permit obtained before installation.
(2) Minimum requirements. Four-inch steel pipe must be placed
four feet from tank, four feet on centers, four feet above grade, four feet
below grade in concrete, and pipe must be filled with concrete and painting
yellow or orange is recommended.
(3) Where vehicle travel, must have approved guardrail and
bumper weight.
(4) All permits required under the provisions of this section
shall be conspicuously displayed at the place of use, storage and handling.