5005.2.1.4 Secondary Containment for Hazardous Material Liquids

Tanks for the storage of hazardous materials in liquid form inside buildings shall be provided with any of the following:

1. A normally closed remotely activated valve.
2. An automatic-closing heat-activated valve.
3. An approved device on each liquid transfer connection below the liquid level that shall provide a quick cut-off of flow in the event of fire.

When there is a possibility of water intruding into the space between the primary tank and secondary containment by precipitation, infiltration, or other means, the facility shall be designed and constructed with the capability to monitor and remove such water intrusion. Secondary containment systems shall have a nationally recognized testing laboratory listing or a Los Angeles Fire Department Equipment Approval.

All underground piping in connection with underground tanks shall comply with the following:

1. Piping shall lead out of the top.
2. Piping shall be covered with at least 1 foot (305 mm) of earth or 4 inches (100 mm) of earth and 4 inches (100 mm) of concrete except for necessary riser pipes.
3. Piping shall be equipped with means for disconnection.
4. At any point of change from the vertical to the horizontal or from the horizontal to the vertical, there shall be installed an approved flex connector assembly.

Fill pipes of underground tanks shall not exceed 8 inches (203 mm) inside diameter and shall be kept closed with a tight-fitting cap. Every fill opening shall be located in a fill box outside of buildings except openings for underground waste oil tanks used in connection with public garages or auto fueling stations inside buildings. Fill openings inside buildings shall be equipped in a manner to prevent escape of vapors to the inside of the buildings.

Atmospheric tanks containing hazardous materials may be insulated by the application of insulating material approved by the Chief. Insulating materials shall be fire resistant and shall not decompose rapidly if exposed to fire.

Tanks, pressure vessels, vaporizers and associated equipment used in conjunction with liquid or gaseous hazardous materials at ambient temperatures and pressures in excess of 0.5 psig shall be in accordance with Sections 5003.2.4.3.1 through 5003.2.4.3.6.

Above-ground tanks and pressure vessels used to store liquid or gaseous hazardous materials at ambient temperatures and pressures in excess of 0.5 psig shall be in accordance with the following:

1. Tanks and pressure vessels installed aboveground shall be provided with substantial masonry or noncombustible structural supports so installed as to prevent accidental movement.
2. Horizontal, above-ground tanks and pressure vessels shall be mounted on saddles in such a manner as to permit expansion and contraction, not only of the container but also of the connected piping. Only two such saddles shall be used and every container shall be supported to prevent the concentration of excessive loads on the supporting portion of the shell.

Underground tanks and pressure vessels used to store liquid or gaseous hazardous materials at ambient temperatures and pressures in excess of 0.5 psig shall be in accordance with Sections 5003.2.4.3.2.1 through 5003.2.4.3.2.8.

Storage containers or regulating equipment shall not be buried below ground unless written approval is first obtained from the Chief.

Every storage container installed underground shall be buried not less than 6 inches (150 mm) below the surface of the natural grade level except where the container might be subject to abrasive action or physical damage due to vehicular traffic or other causes in which case it shall be:

    Installed not less than 2 feet (610 mm) below the surface of the natural grade level; or otherwise protected against physical damage.

The exterior surfaces of every such container shall be covered with an approved corrosion-resistant coating material applied in an approved manner.

Every such vessel shall be set on a 6-inch (150 mm) thick bedding of water-washed sand (beach sand shall not be used) free from soil, rock, or gravel. Before any back filling is done, the position of the vessel and the sand bedding shall be approved by the Chief. After such approval, the excavation shall be back filled with the same quality water-washed sand in such a manner that the sand back fill on the sides, ends, and the top of such vessel shall be at least 6 inches (150 mm) thick.

Every opening for the attachment of piping and appurtenant equipment shall be in the top of such vessel. No pipe or equipment connection to any such vessel shall be buried underground, but shall be above ground, connected to a dome or manway which is an integral part of the vessel, or shall be in a valve pit constructed as provided in Section 5003.2.4.3.2.6.

No pit shall be used or maintained in connection with any underground vessel which is greater than 2 feet (610 mm) in depth or contains in excess of 18 cubic feet (0.51 m³) of space.

A collision barrier and a security fence, constructed as provided in Section 312, shall be installed and maintained to provide a minimum clearance of 5 feet (1525 mm) from the outer portion of every pit, vaporizer, pump, valve, or pipe riser.

All buried containers shall be completely uncovered for an inspection of all external surfaces at least once every 3 years. The intervals may be changed at the discretion of the Chief if a test plate is buried adjacent to the container and shows no appreciable corrosion on inspection by the Department after 3 years of service; provided, however, that every container shall be uncovered at least every 15 years. The test plates shall be of the same material as the shell of the tank and shall be at least one-fourth of the container diameter in length and 6 inches (150 mm) wide, and shall be buried in the water-washed sand at least as deep as the lowest surface of the container and shall not be coated. Test plates shall be provided in accordance with the following:

1. Containers 10 feet (3050 mm) or less in length—one test plate.
2. Containers more than 10 feet (3050 mm) but less than 20 feet (9096 mm) in length—two test plates, one on each side near opposite ends.
3. Containers 20 feet (9096 mm) or more in length—one test plate for each 10 feet (3050 mm) of length, placed on alternate sides at 10-foot (3050 mm) intervals.

The filling pipe inlet connections for tanks filled on consumer's premises shall not be located less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from any opening into or under a building where such opening is below the level of the filling connections; and in no case shall the filling pipe inlet connection be located less than 10 feet (3050 mm) from any building, street, or alley.

Indirect fired vaporizers shall be equipped with the following safeguards:

1. The device that supplies the necessary heat for producing steam, hot water, or other heating medium shall be separated from all rooms containing vaporizers, pumps, and central gas mixing devices by a vapor-tight 1-hour fire-resistive separation.
2. Gas-fired heating systems supplying heat exclusively for vaporization purposes shall be equipped with automatic safety devices to shut off the flow of gas to main burners, if the pilot light should fail.
3. A shut-off valve shall be installed on the liquid line to the vaporizer unit outside of any vaporizer room or building.

Direct-fired vaporizers shall be equipped with the following safeguards:

1. Every direct-fired vaporizer shall be marked with the name of the manufacturer, the rated BTU input to the burners, the area of the heat exchange surface of the vaporizer in square feet, the outside surface area in square feet, and the maximum vaporizing capacity in gallons per hour.
2. Direct-fired vaporizers shall be separated from storage vessels, buildings, streets, and adjacent property lines that may be built upon in accordance with Table 5003.2.4.3.5.
3. Every direct-fired vaporizer shall be located not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from filling connections.
4. Direct fired vaporizers shall be provided with a means for shutting off the fuel to the main burner and pilot from outside the vaporizer housing.

TABLE 5003.2.4.3.5
REQUIRED SEPARATIONS FOR VAPORIZERS

VAPORIZING CAPACITY IN GALLONS PER HOUR	BUILDINGS, STREETS, & ADJACENT PROPERTY LINES THAT MAY BE BUILT UPON (feet)	STORAGE VESSELS (feet)
Less Than 25	25	5
25 — 100	40	5
More Than 100	50	5

Where the relief of excess pressure from process vessels might result in undue hazard to persons or property through excessive release of flammable or toxic materials, the Chief may require the operating pressure of process vessels to be a suitable margin below the design pressure. In determining the required margin, due consideration shall be given to the operating characteristics of the processes and of the facilities for relieving excess pressure. As an alternative thereto, the Chief may permit a system for safe disposal of materials vented from the facilities for relieving excess pressure.

Each manifold system and the piping connected to systems utilizing hazardous materials shall be inspected yearly by a qualified installer or representative of the gas supplier and certified free of defects. Such certification shall be in writing, and these records shall be open to examination by the Chief.

Underground tanks may be repaired in a method approved by the Chief and in accordance with the following provisions:

1. Before such repair, a soils investigation shall be conducted to determine if an unauthorized release has occurred.
2. A permit shall be issued in accordance with Section 105.7 of this article.
3. After such repair, the tank shall be tested in a method approved by the Chief.

Any person who has knowledge of an unauthorized release of a hazardous substance shall notify the Chief immediately. A written report shall be submitted by the owner, operator, or permittee within 10 days after the escape of a hazardous substance from a primary container when the unauthorized release:

1. Has occurred or has the potential to enter groundwater.
2. Could endanger life, property, or the environment.
3. Is contained by secondary containment.

    The written report shall provide information to the Department relating to the ability of the permittee to contain and dispose of the hazardous substance, the estimated time it will take to achieve this, and the degree of hazard created. The Chief may verify that the hazardous substance is being contained and appropriately disposed of. If at any time it is determined that the permittee is not adequately containing and disposing of such hazardous substance, the Chief shall have the power and authority to initiate and direct an emergency response in order to protect the public safety, health and welfare, public and private property, wildlife, marine fisheries, wet lands or ocean resources, or natural environment. The permittee shall be liable for reimbursement to the Department for all emergency response costs incurred.

In addition to the signage required in Section 5003.5, additional signage shall be provided in accordance with Sections 5003.5.2.1 through 5003.5.2.2.

Wherever corrosive materials are stored or processed, signs with letters not less than 3 inches (76 mm) high on contrasting background stating "WARNING—CORROSIVE MATERIALS" shall be posted at any location within a building and at any location within an area outside of a building where such materials are processed or stored, and at such other locations as may be required by the Chief.

Whenever hazardous materials (water-reactive materials, acidreactive materials, and air-reactive materials) are processed or stored signs with letters not less than 3 inches (76 mm) high on contrasting background stating, "WATER-REACTIVE MATERIAL," "ACID-REACTIVE MATERIAL," and/or "AIR-REACTIVE MATERIAL," appropriately identifying that type of hazard or hazards involved, shall be posted at any location inside a building and at any location within an area outside of a building where such materials are stored or processed, and at such other locations as may be required by the Chief.

No person shall handle hazardous materials in a manner that will give rise to an unreasonable danger to life or property by reason of chemical action, fire or explosion.

Hazardous materials falling within the scope of "Dangerous Cargo" as defined by Coast Guard regulations shall comply with Harbor and Fire Department regulations for their handling in the Los Angeles Harbor Area.