3406.8 Vapor Recovery and Processing Systems for Use in Bulk Plants and Terminals

Vapor recovery and processing systems installed at bulk plants and terminals, including systems associated with piping, loading racks, dikes, fire detection and fire protection equipment, shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with FC 3406.8.1 through 3406.8.3. Such compliance shall be required for all vapor recovery processing systems, whether installed voluntarily or pursuant to the requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Coast Guard or New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The requirements of FC 3406.8 through 3406.8.3 apply to both new and existing facilities.

Vapor recovery and processing systems shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 30, except as otherwise provided in this section, the regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Coast Guard and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as applicable, and the following general requirements:

1. Electrical equipment shall comply with the requirements of the Electrical Code. Upon request, proof of compliance with the Electrical Code shall be filed with the department.
2. The installation of any refrigerating system shall comply with the requirements of FC Chapter 6 and the Mechanical Code.
3. All tanks and piping shall be grounded. Static bonding connections shall be made between loading arm, vehicle and vapor recovery unit. An interlock shall be provided to prevent pumping operations until properly grounded.
4. All product pumps and compressors shall be of a type approved for such use.
5. Pressure vessels shall conform to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. The manufacturer data sheet for the pressure vessel shall be maintained on the premises and made available for inspection to any representative of the department.
6. Knock-out vessels shall be provided with a high liquid level sensor that will initiate shutdown of the liquid transfer into the vessel and the vapor recovery or processing system.
7. A flame arrestor and mist eliminator element shall be provided at final emission vent.
8. A fire detection system shall be provided that will initiate shutdown of the vapor recovery and processing system in the event of fire.
9. An annunciator panel with audible and visible alarms shall be provided in the dispatcher's office. The annunciator panel shall monitor and shut down the vapor recovery and processing system upon any equipment malfunction, including a malfunction of the fire detection system.
10. Insulation material shall be noncombustible.
11. Lightning protection shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 780.
12. Pressure relief valves shall be provided on all pressure vessels and wherever else required by the system design, and shall be sized in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Pressure relief valves shall discharge to a safe location. No shutoff valve shall be installed in the line of relief. Tanks and equipment shall have independent venting for over-pressure or vacuum conditions that might occur from malfunction of the vapor recovery or recovery unit.
13. A reinforced concrete base shall be provided and approved by the agency having jurisdiction.
14. Vapor recovery and processing systems shall be placed in an unpierced dike of such construction and capacity as the commissioner may prescribe. No drains shall be allowed, and any drain pump used shall be manually activated.
15. Vapor recovery and processing systems shall be installed at least 25 feet (7620 mm) from bulk storage tanks, warehouses, loading racks, dispatchers' offices, transfer facilities, buildings housing fire protection systems, central heating plants or electrical distribution systems, other plant buildings, building lines and adjoining lot lines. When vessels in the vapor recovery and processing system operate in excess of 50 pounds per square inch gauge (psig)(345 kPa), but less than 150 pounds per square inch gauge (psig)(1034 kPa), the minimum distance shall be 50 feet (15 240 mm), unless a protective structure, such as masonry or concrete fire wall, is installed in the line of sight between such vessel and the exposure, in which case the minimum distance of 25 feet (7620 mm) shall be applicable.
16. Vents on vapor-processing equipment shall be not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from ground level, with outlets located and directed so that flammable vapors will disperse to below the lower flammable limit (LFL) before reaching a potential ignition source.
17. The vapor recovery and processing system shall be protected from physical damage, including damage by motor vehicles utilizing dikes, posts, or other approved means.
18. The entire vapor recovery and processing system shall be inspected for proper operation on a periodic basis, but not less than once every 6 months, by a qualified person. Such inspection shall be documented in a log book maintained at the facility for such purpose.
19. Durable signs reading "DANGER—NO SMOKING, MATCHES, OPEN LIGHTS OR SPARKING DEVICES AT THIS EQUIPMENT" shall be conspicuously posted at or near the vapor recovery and processing system in addition to the "No Smoking" signs required throughout the facility.
20. One or more foam hydrants, yard hydrants, monitor nozzles and portable fire extinguishers having a minimum 40-B:C rating, shall be provided within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of the vapor recovery and processing system and shall be readily available for use.
21. All piping associated with a vapor recovery and processing system, including piping connecting such system to storage tanks, shall be hydrostatically tested to a pressure of 100 pounds per square inch gauge (psig)(690 kPa) or one and one-half (1.5) times the maximum working pressure, whichever is greater, for a period of 2 hours, and shall show no leaks. Such hydrostatic testing shall be conducted at the owner's risk by his or her representative before a representative of the department. In lieu of such hydrostatic testing, the commissioner may accept an affidavit from the manufacturer attesting to the integrity of piping integral to the vapor recovery and processing system.
22. Where a storage tank is connected to a vapor recovery and processing system, a mist eliminator shall be provided in the vapor line at or adjacent to the tank to remove entrained liquid and return same to the tank or an approved collection system.
23. The vapor recovery and processing system shall be designed to minimize and dissipate static electricity in accordance with NFPA 77.

A vapor condenser system shall be placed in an unpierced dike or within a concrete trench of adequate width and depth to hold at least 1 hour's vapor recovery.

Absorption vapor recovery and processing systems shall comply with the following requirements:

1. A lean oil storage tank shall be protected by a foam fire extinguishing system.
2. The entire vapor recovery and processing system, including the lean oil storage tank, shall be placed in an unpierced dike. The height of the dike shall be based upon the size of the lean oil storage tank and shall have a capacity of at least 110 percent of such tank, but in any event not less than the maximum pumping capacity of the system for 20 minutes of operation.
3. Heaters used shall be of a type approved for such use and shall be equipped with an automatic shutoff device that activates upon reaching the high temperature limit for the absorption vapor recovery and processing system.
4. All absorbers, saturators, heat exchangers and condensers shall conform to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the provisions of FC Chapter 30.
5. A relief valve shall be provided for compressors, stripper columns and other pressure vessels.
6. Lean oil tanks and vapor vessels shall be constructed and installed in accordance with this chapter and API 650.
7. Upon installation, a vapor vessel bladder shall be pneumatically tested at one and one quarter times the maximum operating pressure for 4 hours without leakage. A retest shall be performed annually. All such tests shall be conducted at the owner's risk by his or her representative before a representative of the department.