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// CODE SNIPPET

5704.2.9.6 Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings

California Fire Code 2019 > 57 Flammable and Combustible Liquids > 5704 Storage > 5704.2 Tank Storage > 5704.2.9 Above-Ground Tanks > 5704.2.9.6 Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings
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Above-ground tanks outside of buildings shall comply with Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 through 5704.2.9.6.3.

5704.2.9.6.1 Locations Where Above-Ground Tanks Are Prohibited

Storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited [JURISDICTION TO SPECIFY].

5704.2.9.6.1.1 Location of Tanks With Pressures 2.5 psig or Less

Above-ground tanks operating at pressures not exceeding 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa) for storage of Class I, II or IIIA liquids, which are designed with a floating roof, a weak roof-to-shell seam or equipped with emergency venting devices limiting pressure to 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa), shall be located in accordance with Table 22.4.1.1(a) of NFPA 30.

Exceptions:

  1. Vertical tanks having a weak roof-to-shell seam and storing Class IIIA liquids are allowed to be located at one-half the distances specified in Table 22.4.1.1(a) of NFPA 30, provided that the tanks are not within a diked area or drainage path for a tank storing Class I or II liquids.
  2. Liquids with boilover characteristics and unstable liquids in accordance with Sections 5704.2.9.6.1.3 and 5704.2.9.6.1.4.
  3. For protected above-ground tanks in accordance with Section 5704.2.9.7 and tanks in at-grade or above-grade vaults in accordance with Section 5704.2.8, the distances in Table 22.4.1.1(b) of NFPA 30 shall apply and shall be reduced by one-half, but not to less than 5 feet (1524 mm).

5704.2.9.6.1.2 Location of Tanks With Pressures Exceeding 2.5 psig

Above-ground tanks for the storage of Class I, II or IIIA liquids operating at pressures exceeding 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa) or equipped with emergency venting allowing pressures to exceed 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa) shall be located in accordance with Table 22.4.1.3 of NFPA 30.
Exception: Liquids with boilover characteristics and unstable liquids in accordance with Sections 5704.2.9.6.1.3 and 5704.2.9.6.1.4.

5704.2.9.6.1.3 Location of Tanks Storing Boilover Liquids

Above-ground tanks for storage of liquids with boilover characteristics shall be located in accordance with Table 22.4.1.4 of NFPA 30.

5704.2.9.6.1.4 Location of Tanks Storing Unstable Liquids

Above-ground tanks for the storage of unstable liquids shall be located in accordance with Table 22.4.1.5 of NFPA 30.

5704.2.9.6.1.5 Location of Tanks Storing Class IIIB Liquids

Above-ground tanks for the storage of Class IIIB liquids, excluding unstable liquids, shall be located in accordance with Table 22.4.1.6 of NFPA 30, except where located within a diked area or drainage path for a tank or tanks storing Class I or II liquids. Where a Class IIIB liquid storage tank is within the diked area or drainage path for a Class I or II liquid, distances required by Section 5704.2.9.6.1.1 shall apply.

5704.2.9.6.1.6 Reduction of Separation Distances to Adjacent Property

Where two tank properties of diverse ownership have a common boundary, the fire code official is authorized to, with the written consent of the owners of the two properties, apply the distances in Sections 5704.2.9.6.1.2 through 5704.2.9.6.1.5 assuming a single property.

5704.2.9.6.2 Separation Between Adjacent Stable or Unstable Liquid Tanks

The separation between tanks containing stable liquids shall be in accordance with Table 22.4.2.1 of NFPA 30. Where tanks are in a diked area containing Class I or II liquids, or in the drainage path of Class I or II liquids, and are compacted in three or more rows or in an irregular pattern, the fire code official is authorized to require greater separation than specified in Table 22.4.2.1 of NFPA 30 or other means to make tanks in the interior of the pattern open for fire-fighting purposes.

The separation between tanks containing unstable liquids shall be not less than one-half the sum of their diameters.

Exception: Tanks used for storing Class IIIB liquids are allowed to be spaced 3 feet (914 mm) apart unless within a diked area or drainage path for a tank storing Class I or II liquids.

5704.2.9.6.3 Separation Between Adjacent Tanks Containing Flammable or Combustible Liquids and LP-gas

The minimum horizontal separation between an LP-gas container and a Class I, II or IIIA liquid storage tank shall be 20 feet (6096 mm) except in the case of Class I, II or IIIA liquid tanks operating at pressures exceeding 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa) or equipped with emergency venting allowing pressures to exceed 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa), in which case the provisions of Section 5704.2.9.6.2 shall apply.

An approved means shall be provided to prevent the accumulation of Class I, II or IIIA liquids under adjacent LP-gas containers such as by dikes, diversion curbs or grading. Where flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks are within a diked area, the LP-gas containers shall be outside the diked area and not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) away from the centerline of the wall of the diked area.

Exceptions:

  1. Liquefied petroleum gas containers of 125 gallons (473 L) or less in capacity installed adjacent to fuel-oil supply tanks of 660 gallons (2498 L) or less in capacity.
  2. Horizontal separation is not required between above-ground LP-gas containers and underground flammable and combustible liquid tanks.

Related Code Sections


5704.2.9.6 Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings
Above-ground tanks outside of buildings shall comply with Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 through 5704.2.9.6.3 ...
California Fire Code 2019 > 57 Flammable and Combustible Liquids > 5704 Storage > 5704.2 Tank Storage > 5704.2.9 Above-Ground Tanks > 5704.2.9.6 Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings
5704.2.9.6 Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings
Above-ground tanks outside of buildings shall comply with Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 through 5704.2.9.6.3 ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 57 Flammable and Combustible Liquids > 5704 Storage > 5704.2 Tank Storage > 5704.2.9 Above-Ground Tanks > 5704.2.9.6 Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings
5704.2.9.6.3 Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Separation Between Adjacent Tanks Containing Flammable or Combustible Liquids and LP-gas
adjacent to fuel-oil supply tanks of 660 gallons (2498 L) or less in capacity. Horizontal separation is not required between above-ground LP-gas ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 57 Flammable and Combustible Liquids > 5704 Storage > 5704.2 Tank Storage > 5704.2.9 Above-Ground Tanks > 5704.2.9.6 Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings > 5704.2.9.6.3 Separation Between Adjacent Tanks Containing Flammable or Combustible Liquids and LP-gas
5704.2.9.6.1.1 Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Location of Tanks With Pressures 2.5 psig or Less
Above-ground tanks operating at pressures not exceeding 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa) for storage of Class I, II or IIIA liquids, which are designed ...
California Fire Code 2019 > 57 Flammable and Combustible Liquids > 5704 Storage > 5704.2 Tank Storage > 5704.2.9 Above-Ground Tanks > 5704.2.9.6 Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings > 5704.2.9.6.1 Locations Where Above-Ground Tanks Are Prohibited > 5704.2.9.6.1.1 Location of Tanks With Pressures 2.5 psig or Less
5704.2.9.6.1.1 Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Location of Tanks With Pressures 2.5 psig or Less
Above-ground tanks operating at pressures not exceeding 2.5 psig (17.2 kPa) for storage of Class I, II or IIIA liquids, which are designed ...
California Fire Code 2016 > 57 Flammable and Combustible Liquids > 5704 Storage > 5704.2 Tank Storage > 5704.2.9 Above-Ground Tanks > 5704.2.9.6 Above-Ground Tanks Outside of Buildings > 5704.2.9.6.1 Locations Where Above-Ground Tanks Are Prohibited > 5704.2.9.6.1.1 Location of Tanks With Pressures 2.5 psig or Less
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