As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FUEL OIL
Includes any liquid or mobile mixtures, substances or compound derived from or including petroleum, which does not emit a flammable vapor below a temperature of one hundred thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit (135º F.). The Pensky-Martens closed-cup tester shall be authoritative. The test shall be made in accordance with the methods of test adopted by the American Society of Testing and Materials.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
OIL-HEATING BURNERS
Include any device designed and arranged for the purpose of burning or preparing to burn fuel oil, as specified in § 35-70 of this chapter, and having a tank or container for the storage of fuel oil connected thereto.
[Amended 5-18-2004 by L.L. No. 4-2004]
Only fuel-burning systems approved by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention Code and its referenced standards agencies (e.g., U.L., A.G.A., N.G.A., etc.) shall be installed.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
OIL-HEATING EQUIPMENT
Consists of the equipment connected with oil-heating burners and located within the building, including internal and external supply and storage tanks and provisions for filling and venting same, piping, electrical wiring and all accessories.
A. 
An application shall be filed with the Building Inspector previous to the installation of fuel-oil storage tanks, their auxiliaries, piping, burners, heaters and pumps, giving the following information:
[Amended 5-18-2004 by L.L. No. 4-2004]
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The location where oil-burning equipment is to be installed.
(3) 
The maximum quantity of fuel oil to be stored.
(4) 
The dimensions of the storage tank.
(5) 
The gauge of metal in the tanks.
(6) 
The name of the burner.
(7) 
Whether or not the burner has been approved by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention Code and its referenced standards agencies (e.g., U.L., A.G.A., N.G.A., etc.).
B. 
If, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, it is deemed necessary to furnish a detailed plan, the same shall be drawn to a scale of one-fourth (1/4) inch to the foot, showing clearly thereon the following:
(1) 
The location of the building or buildings where the burner or burners are to be located.
(2) 
The nature of construction, dimensions of buildings and use of same.
(3) 
The size and layout of all piping connected with the installation.
A. 
Tanks shall be constructed of galvanized steel, open-hearth steel or wrought iron of a minimum gauge, depending upon the capacity as follows:
Capacity
(gallons)
Thickness
Shell
Head
55
14-gauge
14-gauge
56 to 275
10-gauge
10-gauge
276 to 550
3/16 inch
3/16 inch
551 to 750
3/16 inch
3/16 inch
751 to 1,080
3/16 inch
3/16 inch
1,081 to 1,500
1/4 inch
1/4 inch
1,501 to 2,000
1/4 inch
5/16 inch
2,001 to 2,500
1/4 inch
5/16 inch
2,501 to 3,000
1/4 inch
5/16 inch
3,001 to 3,500
1/4 inch
5/16 inch
3,501 to 4,000
1/4 inch
5/16 inch
4,001 to 5,000
1/4 inch
5/16 inch
5,001 to 7,000
5/16 inch
3/8 inch
7,001 to 10,000
5/16 inch
3/8 inch
B. 
Air pressure test. All tanks and piping proposed to be used for the storage of any by-products of petroleum shall be subjected to an air or hydrostatic pressure test of ten (10) pounds per square inch for at least thirty (30) minutes and shall show no leaks.
C. 
Storage tanks for fuel oil shall be thoroughly coated on the outside with tar, asphaltum or other suitable rust-resisting material.
D. 
Joints and connections. 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, and all connections shall be made through the top of the tank.
E. 
Location of storage tanks. Storage tanks shall preferably be located outside, underground with the top of tank below the level of the burner. Where conditions are such that the top of the tank is above the burner, adequate provisions to prevent siphoning shall be provided.
F. 
When located inside a building or above ground, the aggregate capacity of the tanks shall not exceed two hundred seventy-five (275) gallons.
G. 
If soil conditions warrant, underground tanks shall be set on a concrete foundation not less than six (6) inches in thickness for tanks not exceeding one thousand eighty (1,080) gallons' capacity and eight (8) inches for tanks exceeding one thousand eighty (1,080) gallons' capacity.
H. 
Except with prior approval by the Fire Chief, no tank shall be placed nearer than five (5) feet to a foundation or bearing wall of a building, and the distance shall be increased proportionately depending upon the capacity of the tank, five (5) feet being the minimum for a tank of five hundred fifty (550) gallons' capacity with one (1) additional foot for each five hundred (500) gallons' capacity in excess thereof.
I. 
Where tanks in connection with a system exceed an aggregate capacity of two hundred seventy-five (275) gallons and cannot be buried either inside or outside of a building, they may be located in the lowest story of the building under the following conditions:
(1) 
They shall be placed in an enclosure, the walls and floor of which shall be constructed of reinforced concrete not less than four (4) inches in thickness, or of eight (8) inches of masonry, and of dimensions fifteen (15) inches greater on all sides than the outside dimensions of the tank. Where the said enclosure is constructed of concrete blocks, the same shall be filled with concrete to a height of not less than three (3) feet above the bottom of the tank; and where the said enclosure is constructed of either masonry or concrete blocks, the same shall be given a coat of waterproof cement to a height of not less than three (3) feet above the bottom of the tank.
(2) 
The walls of the enclosure shall be carried up to a height of not less than one (1) foot above the tank.
(3) 
A space of at least two (2) feet shall be maintained between the top of the enclosure and the ceiling immediately above.
(4) 
Not more than one (1) tank shall be placed in an enclosure.
A. 
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 carefully protected against mechanical injury in a manner satisfactory to authorities having jurisdiction. In all piping systems proper allowance shall be made for expansion and contraction, jarring and vibration.
B. 
All piping shall be separated from electric wiring not enclosed in approved conduit raceways or armored cable by some continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor creating a permanent separation as provided in the National Electrical Code.
C. 
Approved brass or copper tubing, where permitted by authorities having jurisdiction, shall have a wall thickness of not less than one-sixteenth (1/16) inch for small sizes and correspondingly heavier where necessary.
A. 
Piping shall run as directly as possible from the storage or supply tank to the burner without sags and shall be so laid that where possible, pipes shall pitch toward the supply tank without traps. Provision shall be made for expansion, contraction, jarring and vibration.
B. 
Cross-connections permitting gravity flow from one tank to another shall be prohibited.
C. 
Flexible metal hose and couplings, where used in connection with mechanical burners, shall be capable of withstanding a pressure equal to the piping to which it is connected and shall be constructed of fire-resisting materials. Hose shall be no longer than absolutely necessary.
D. 
Each fuel-oil tank shall be provided with a separate fill pipe two (2) inches or larger in diameter. Fill pipes, when installed near any building opening, shall be as remote therefrom as practicable so as to prevent liability of flow of oil or vapor through the building opening. It shall be laid at a descending grade to the storage tank except where the tank is located on higher elevation than the fill pipe terminal. In such cases a check and gate valve shall be placed as near the end of the terminal as it is practical to place it.
E. 
Terminals shall be outside of the building in a tight metal box or flush road box so designed as to make access difficult by unauthorized persons.
F. 
Where practicable, fill pipes shall terminate at the curbline. In locations where it is impracticable to extend the terminal to the curbline, such terminal shall terminate at such point as the Fire Chief shall designate. Fill pipe shall not be connected to any other pipe.
A. 
An open iron vent pipe without trap and draining to the tank shall be provided for each tank. The lower end of the vent pipe shall not extend through the top of the tank more than one (1) inch.
B. 
For all tanks located beneath the lowest story of the building or tanks located in the lowest story of the building, the vent pipe shall be two (2) inches in diameter and shall terminate in such a location as to be readily observed in the event of an overflow from the tank during filling operations.
C. 
Vent openings shall be equipped with a weatherproof hood and shall be of sufficient area to permit proper inflow of liquid during the filling operation.
D. 
Vent pipes shall terminate outside of the building above the street surface, not less than four (4) feet nor more than twelve (12) feet above the fill pipe. Such vent outlet shall not be located within three (3) feet in any direction of a window or other opening or an exterior stairway or fire escape, nor shall vent pipes be placed in elevator or dumbwaiter shafts or in any enclosed court.
E. 
If compelled, because of structural conditions, to carry the vent outlet higher than twelve (12) feet above the fill box and if the fill lines are connected to tank trucks by tight connections and filled by pressure, a one-inch line shall be connected to the tank and shall parallel the fill line and terminate in the fill box with unthreaded end. Check and gate valves shall be installed in the line so as to permit excess oil in the tank to flow to the fill box and shall be so set as to prevent the passage of vapor to the street.
F. 
Vent pipes shall be two (2) inches in diameter.
A. 
Readily accessible valves shall be provided near each burner and also close to the auxiliary tank in the line to the burner.
B. 
Control valves shall be of an approved type provided with a stuffing box of liberal size, containing a removable cupped gland designed to compress the packing against the valve stem and arranged so as to facilitate removal. Valves shall be so designed to close against the supply and to prevent withdrawal of the stem by continued operation of the handwheel. The use of packing affected by the oil or heat is prohibited.
C. 
A shutoff valve shall be provided in the discharge line as near the tank as practicable.
All outside piping shall be laid in solid earth or in a trench; and oil pipes shall not be located near or in the same trench with other pipes, except steam lines for the heating of oil. Propping of pipes on wooden blocks is prohibited. Pipes conveying oil, if laid inside of a building, shall be laid in a trench at least three (3) inches deep and cemented in after inspection, except where impracticable, when they shall be protected from mechanical injury. Suction and return lines shall run from tanks or pumps to the burner in the most direct manner. All pipes shall be painted.
A. 
No oil tanks or automatic oil pumps used in connection with oil-heating equipment shall be equipped with a gauge glass, or glass for demonstration purposes, the breaking of which will permit the oil to escape from the tank. If a gauging device is installed, it shall be so designed as to prevent at all times the escape of oil or vapor within the building. No test well shall be connected with a tank inside of a building. A test well connected with a tank outside of the building shall be so designed as to make access difficult by unauthorized persons.
B. 
A scavenging line installed in connection with a tank located within the building may be used and shall terminate outside the building. It shall be capped oiltight when not in use.
If used in any part of the installation, unions shall be of the ground-joint pattern and of the approved type. No right and left couplings shall be used.
Not an integral part of the oil burner, automatic pumps shall be approved by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. They shall be rigidly mounted and located at least seven (7) feet from a gas meter or furnace door.
A. 
Burners shall be equipped with a device, mechanical/electrical, which will automatically prevent an abnormal flow of oil.
B. 
All oil burners subject to automatic ignition must be provided with a permanent automatic ignition device so designed that oil being discharged into the combustion chamber will immediately become ignited or shut off.
C. 
Automatic systems, unless electrically ignited, shall be so designed that the pilot flame cannot be extinguished by the operation of the automatic control valve. A pilot light of adequate intensity shall be provided in each combustion chamber, so arranged as not to be easily extinguished.
D. 
All fuel-oil burners used in connection with hot-water, steam or warm-air heating boilers or furnaces shall be equipped with an automatic device so arranged as to extinguish the flame in the event of excessive pressure or overheating within the boiler or furnace.
E. 
Electrical installations used in connection with fuel-oil burners shall be installed in accordance with the National Electric Code.
F. 
No fuel-oil burner shall be installed in any boiler or heater unless said boiler or heater is connected with a chimney flue having a sufficient draft at all times to ensure the safe operation of the burner.
G. 
Gas or coal hot-water heating devices shall be adequately vented by a separate chimney flue leading to the outer air.
H. 
A remote control switch shall be placed as designated for each installation by the Fire Chief.
Cards giving complete instructions for the care and operation of the fuel-oil system shall be permanently fixed near the apparatus and maintained in a readable condition and shall state thereon the grade of oil to be used in the fuel-oil system installed on the premises.
A. 
No heat-producing equipment and/or system shall be installed or altered until an application therefor shall have been filed with and accepted by the Building Inspector and Fire Inspector, and the Building Inspector and Fire Inspector shall not approve the same unless a fusible valve is installed on the feed line at the burner.
[Amended 5-18-2004 by L.L. No. 4-2004]
B. 
No heat-producing equipment and/or system or altered heat-producing equipment and/or system shall be operated or fuel placed in the system until the same has been inspected and approved by the Building Inspector and Fire Inspector and a permit issued therefor by the Building Inspector and Fire Inspector, who shall require a certificate from an approved electrical inspection agency.
[Amended 5-18-2004 by L.L. No. 4-2004]
C. 
Dampers which may entirely close the chimney uptake are prohibited. The damper area should be carefully determined in each case, but in no case shall it be greater than seventy percent (70%) of the internal cross-section area of the uptake.
D. 
All boiler or furnace rooms shall be provided with adequate ventilation to assure continuous, complete combustion.