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66.15 Outdoor Storage
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This section shall apply to the storage of liquids outdoors in the following:
- Drums or other containers that do not exceed 119 gal (450 L) individual capacity
- Portable tanks that do not exceed 660 gal (2500 L) individual capacity
- Intermediate bulk containers that do not exceed 793 gal (3000 L) individual capacity [30:15.1]
Outdoor storage of liquids in containers, intermediate bulk containers, and portable tanks shall comply with Table 66.15.3 and with all applicable requirements of this section. [30:15.3]
Table 66.15.3 Storage Limitations for Outside Storage
| Liquid Class | Containers | Portable Tanks and Metal IBCs | Rigid Plastic and Composite IBCs | Minimum Separation Distance (ft) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Quantity per Pile (gal)a,b,c | Maximum Storage Height (ft) | Maximum Quantity per Pile (gal) | Maximum Storage Height (ft) | Maximum Quantity per Pile (gal)a,c | Maximum Storage Height (ft) | Between Piles or Rack Sections | To Property Line That Is or Can Be Built Uponb,d | To Street, Alley, or Public Wayb | ||||
| IA | 1,100 | 10 | 2,200 | 7 | NP | NP | 5 | 50 | 10 | |||
| IB | 2,200 | 12 | 4,400 | 14 | NP | NP | 5 | 50 | 10 | |||
| IC | 4,400 | 12 | 8,800 | 14 | NP | NP | 5 | 50 | 10 | |||
| II | 8,800 | 12 | 17,600 | 14 | 8,800 | 14 | 5 | 25 | 5 | |||
| III | 22,000 | 18 | 44,000 | 14 | 22,000 | 18 | 5 | 10 | 5 | |||
| For SI units, 1 ft = 0.3 m; 1 gal = 3.8 L. | ||||||||||||
| NP: Not permitted. | ||||||||||||
| aSee 66.15.3.1 regarding mixed-class storage. | ||||||||||||
| bSee 66.15.3.4 for smaller pile sizes. | ||||||||||||
| cFor storage in racks, the quantity limits per pile do not apply, but the rack arrangements should be limited to a maximum of 50 ft (15 m) in length and two rows or 9 ft (2.7 m) in depth. | ||||||||||||
| dSee 66.15.3.3 regarding protection for exposures. [30: Table 15.3] | ||||||||||||
No container, intermediate bulk container, or portable tank in a pile shall be more than 200 ft (60 m) from a minimum 20 ft (6 m) wide access way to permit approach of fire control apparatus under all weather conditions. [30:15.3.2]
The distances specified in Table 66.15.3 shall apply to properties that have protection for exposures as defined. If there are exposures and protection for exposures does not exist, the distance to the property line that is or can be built upon shall be doubled. [30:15.3.3]
Where total quantity stored does not exceed 50 percent of the maximum quantity per pile, as specified in Table 66.15.3, the distances to a property line that is or can be built upon and to streets, alleys, or public ways shall be permitted to be reduced by 50 percent but in no case to less than 3 ft (0.9 m). [30:15.3.4]
The storage area shall be graded in a manner to divert possible spills away from buildings or other exposures or shall be surrounded by a curb at least 6 in. (150 mm) high. [30:15.3.5]
Where curbs are used, provisions shall be made to drain accumulations of groundwater or rainwater or spills of liquids. Drains shall terminate at a safe location and shall flow freely under fire conditions. [30:15.3.5.1]
When accessible to the public, the storage area shall be protected against tampering and trespassing. [30:15.3.6]
The storage area shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible materials not necessary to the storage for a distance of at least 10 ft (3 m) around the perimeter of the stored materials. [30:15.3.7]
The storage area shall be permitted to be protected from the weather by a canopy or roof that does not limit the dissipation of heat or dispersion of flammable vapors and does not restrict fire-fighting access and control. [30:15.3.8]
A maximum of 1100 gal (4160 L) of liquids in containers, intermediate bulk containers, or portable tanks shall be permitted to be stored adjacent to a building under the same management, provided the following conditions apply:
- The adjacent building wall has an exterior fire resistance rating of 2 hours.
- The adjacent building wall has no openings at grade or above grade that are within 10 ft (3 m) horizontally of the storage.
- The adjacent building wall has no openings directly above the storage.
- The adjacent building wall has no openings below grade within 50 ft (15 m) horizontally of the storage. [30:15.4.1]
The quantity of liquid stored adjacent to a building that meets the conditions of 66.15.4.1(1) through (4) shall be permitted to exceed that permitted in 66.15.4.1, provided the maximum quantity per pile does not exceed 1100 gal (4160 L) and each pile is separated by a 10 ft (3 m) minimum clear space along the common wall. [30:15.4.3]
The quantity of liquid stored shall be permitted to exceed the 1100 gal (4160 L) quantity specified by 66.15.4.1 where a minimum distance equal to that specified by Table 66.15.3 for distance to property line shall be maintained between buildings and the nearest container or portable tank. [30:15.4.4]
Where the provisions of 66.15.4.1 cannot be met, a minimum distance equal to that specified by Table 66.15.3 for distance to property line shall be maintained between buildings and the nearest container or portable tank. [30:15.4.5]