Extracts From NFPA 30 2008 Edition, Requirements for Storage Tanks, Liquids Class I and Class II

Minimum Safe distance & Conatinment Requirements for Storage Tanks

: As referred and applicable
A

Table 22.4.1.1(a) Stable liquids {Internal Pressure 2.5 psig (gauge pressure of 17.2 kPa) or Less}

Table 22.4.1.1.(b) Reference Table for use in Tables 22.4.1.1(a), 22.4.1.3, and 22.4.1.5

Table 22.4.1.3 Stable liquids {Internal Pressure Greater than 2.5 psig (gauge pressure of 17.2 kPa)}

Table 22.4.2.1 Minimum Shell-to-Shell Spacing of Aboveground Tanks

Type of Tank /
Capacity (gal) /
Others
Floating Roof

Minimum distance in feet from property line that is or can be

built upon, including the opposite side of a public way and
shall not be less than 5ft

Minimum distance in feet from nearest side of any

public way or from nearest important building on
the same property and shall not be less than 5ft

1/2 times diameter of tank

Diameter of tank but need not exceed 175 ft

1/6 times diameter of tank

1/6 times diameter of tank

1/2 times diameter of tank

1/6 times diameter of tank

Diameter of tank
2 times Diameter of tank but need not exceed 350 ft

1/3 times diameter of tank

1/3 times diameter of tank

For tanks over 150ft in diameter,

use Protection for Exposure" or
"None" as applicable
1

2 times Diameter of tank but need not exceed 350 ft

1/6 times diameter of tank

Approved inerting system on the

tank or approved foam system on
2
vertical tanks

1/2 times diameter of tank

1/2 times diameter of tank

Protection

A Protection For Exposures

None

Approved foam or inerting system

on tanks not exceeding 150ft 2
diameter
Protection For Exposures

Vertical with weak roof to

shell seam

None

A
Horizontal and vertical
tanks with emergency relief
venting to limit pressures to
2.5 psig

Protection For Exposures

None

Protected Aboveground

None

275 or less
276 to 750
751 to 12,000
12,001 to 30,000
30,001 to 50,000
50,001 to 100,000
100,001 to 500,000
500,001 to 1,000,000
1,000,001 to 2,000,000

B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

Column N/A

Prepared by: Zaheer Ahmed Sajid

Column N/A
Column N/A
Column N/A
Column N/A
Column N/A
Column N/A
Column N/A
Column N/A

1
2 times Table 22.4.1.1.(b)

Table 22.4.1.1.(b) { See

{ See B , as applicable}

1/2 x value in Table 22.4.1.1.(b)

5ft
10ft
15ft
20ft
30ft
50ft
80ft
100ft
135ft

Sheet 1 of 4

B
{ See

, as applicable}
Table 22.4.1.1.(b)

{ See

B , as applicable}

, as applicable}
5ft
5ft
5ft
5ft
10ft
15ft
25ft
35ft
45ft

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Extracts From NFPA 30 2008 Edition, Requirements for Storage Tanks, Liquids Class I and Class II
2,000,001 to 3,000,000
3,000,001 or more

Column N/A

165ft

55ft

Column N/A

175ft

60ft

Any type (Internal Press. C Protection For Exposures

permitted to exceed 2.5 psi
None

Minimum Shell to Shell Spacing of A/G Tanks

Type of Tank

All tanks not over 150 ft in diameter:

Tanks larger than 150 ft in diameter with Remote Impounding (as per 2.3.2.3.1) :
1 /6 sum of adjacent tank diameter
Tanks larger than 150 ft in diameter with Remote Impounding (as per 2.3.2.3.2) :
1 /6 sum of adjacent tank diameter
All tanks not over 150 ft in diameter:
1/6 sum of adjacent tank diameter but no less than 3 ft

Floating Roof
Fixed or Horizontal Tanks
(Class I or II Liquids)

1 1/2 x values Table 22.4.1.1.(b)(b)

but shall not be less tan 25ft

1 1 1/2 x values in Table 22.4.1.1.(b) but shall not be less tan 25ft
3 values in Table 22.4.1.1.(b) but shall not be less tan 50ft

Tanks storing crude

petroleum (As per 22.4.2.1.1)

1/6 sum of adjacent tank diameter but no less than 3 ft

Tanks larger than 150 ft in diameter with Remote Impounding (as per 2.3.2.3.1) :

1 /4 sum of adjacent tank diameter

Tanks larger than 150 ft in diameter with Remote Impounding (as per 2.3.2.3.2) :

1 /3 sum of adjacent tank diameter

Tanks have individual capacities not exceeding 126,000 gal and are located at production facilities in isolated location :

3 ft

Minimum horizontal separation shall be :

20 ft
Accumulation of Class I and Class II liquids prevented under adjacent LPG-Gas containers, by dikes, diversion curbs or grading.
LP-Gas container and a Class I
Where flammable or combustible liquid storage are within a diked area, LP-Gas container shall be outside dike area and at least 3ft away from centerline of dike
and Class II Storage Tanks (As
wall.
per 22.4.2.4.1)
Tank operates at pressure exceeding 2.5 psig or is equipped with E R Venting, it shall be separated from and Lp-Gas container by the distances as per 22.4.2.1
The above requirements shall not apply where LP-Gas container of 125 gal or less capacity are installed adjacent to fuel oil supply tanks of 660 gal or less
capacity.

Control of Spills

Type of Tank /Controls

Controls of Spills from Class I

Every tank shall be provided with means to prevent an accidental release of liquid from endangering important facilities and adjoining property, or reaching
and Class II Storage Tank (As
water ways. Such shall meet the requirements of 22.11.1, 22.11.3, or 22.11.4, whichever is applicable.
per 22.11)
Where control of spillage is by means of drainage to a remote impounding area, so that impounded liquid will not be held against tanks, shall comply:
(a) a slope of not less than 1% away from the tank shall be provided for at least 50 ft towards the impounding area.

Remote Impounding (As per

22.11.1)

(b) The impounding area shall have a capacity not less than that of the largest tank that can drain into it.
(c) The route of drainage system shall be so located that, if the liquid in the drainage system is ignited, the fire will no seriously expose tanks or adjoining
property.
(d) The confines of the impounding area shall be located so that, when filled to capacity, the liquid level will not be closer than 50 ft from any property line that
is
or can be built
upon or from
anyimpounding
tank. Whereand
"partial
" remote
used, thecan
liquid
level in the
partialthe
impounding
shall
the requirement of
Combination
of "Partial"
remote
diking
Havingimpounding
the requirediscapacity
be provided
to meet
requirement
ofmeet
22.11.1.2
Tank spacing shall be determined based on the diked tank provision of Table 22.4.2.1

Prepared by: Zaheer Ahmed Sajid

Sheet 2 of 4

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Extracts From NFPA 30 2008 Edition, Requirements for Storage Tanks, Liquids Class I and Class II
Impounding by diking around the tanks shall comply with the following:
(a) a slope of not less than 1% away from the tank shall be provided for at least 50 ft or to the dike base, whichever is less.
(b) The volumetric capacity of the diked area shall not be less than the greatest amount of liquid that can be released from the largest tank within the diked
area, assuming a full tank. To allow for volume occupied by tanks, the capacity of the diked area enclosing more than one tank shall be calculated after
deducting the volume of the tanks, other than the largest tank, below the height of the dike.
(c ) To permit access, the outside base of the dike at ground level shall be no closer than 10 st to any property line that is or can be built upon.
(d) Walls of the diked area shall be of earth, steel, concrete, or solid masonry designed to be liquid tight & to withstand a full hydrostatic head. Earthen walls
3 ft or more in height shall have a flat section at the top not less than 3 ft wide. The slope of an earthen wall shall be consistent with the handle of repose of
the material of which the wall is constructed.
(e) The walls of diked area shall be restricted to an average interior height of 6ft above interior grade.
Dikes shall be permitted to exceed this height where provisions are made for normal access and necessary emergency access to tanks, valves, and other
equipment, and safe egress from the diked enclosure and where the following requirements are met:
(a) Where the average height of the dike containing Class I liquid is over 12fthigh, measured from interior grade, or where the distance between any tank and
the top inside edge of the dike wall is less than the height of the dike wall, provision shall be made for normal operation of valves and for access to tank roof(s)
without entering below the top of the dike. These provisions shall be permitted to be met through the use of remote-operated valves, elevated walkways, or
similar arrangements.
(b) Piping passing through dike walls shall be designed to prevent excessive stresses as a result of settlement or fire exposure.

Impounding around Tanks by (c ) The minimum distance between tanks and toe of the interior dike walls shall be 5 ft.
Diking (as per 2.3.2.3.2)
(f) Each diked area containing two or more tanks shall be subdivided, preferably by drainage channels or at least by intermediate dikes, in order to prevent
spills from endangering adjacent tanks within the diked area as follows:
(1) Where storing normally stable liquids in vertical cone roof tanks constructed with weak roof to shell seams or in floating roof tanks, or when storing crude
petroleum in producing areas in any type of tank, one subdivision shall be provided for each tank greater than 4,20,033 gal capacity. In addition, one subdivision
shall be provided for each group of tanks {no individual tank exceeding 42033 gal capacity} having an aggregate capacity not greater than 630050 gal.
(2) Where storing normally stable liquids in tanks not covered in 2.3.2.3.2(f) (1), one subdivision shall be provided for each tank greater than 99,960 gal capacity.
In addition, one subdivision shall be provided for each group of tanks {no individual tank exceeding 99,960 gal capacity} having an aggregate capacity not greater
than 149,940 gal.
(3) Where storing unstable liquids in any type of tank, one subdivision shall be provided for each tank.
Tanks installed with drainage meeting the requirements of NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed System for fire Protection, need not meet this
requirement.
(4) Whenever tow or more tanks storing Class I liquids, any one of which is over 150ft in diameter, are located in a common diked area, intermediate dikes shall
be provided between adjacent tanks to hold at least 10% of the capacity of the tank so enclosed, not including the volume displaced by the tank.
(5) The drainage channels or intermediate dikes shall be located between tanks so as to take full advantage of the available space with due regard for the
individual tank capacities. Intermediate dikes, where used, shall be not less than 18 inches in height.
(g) Where provision is made for draining water from diked areas, such drains shall be controlled to prevent liquids from entering natural water courses,
public sewers, or public drains. Control of drainage shall be accessible under fire conditions from outside dike.
(h) Storage of combustible materials, empty or full drums, or barrels, shall not be permitted within diked area.

Prepared by: Zaheer Ahmed Sajid

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Extracts From NFPA 30 2008 Edition, Requirements for Storage Tanks, Liquids Class I and Class II
Where a secondary containment tank is used to prevent spill control, the tank shall meet all of the following requirements:
(a) The capacity of the tank shall not exceed 12,000 gal.
(b) All piping connections to the tank shall be made above the normal maximum liquid level.
(C ) Means shall be provided to prevent the release of liquid from the tank by siphon flow.
(d) Means shall be provided for determining the level of liquid in the tank. This means shall be accessible to the delivery operator.
(e) Means shall be provided to prevent overfilling by sounding an alarm when the liquid level in the tank reaches 90% of capacity and by automatically stopping
delivery of liquid to tank when the liquid level in the tank reaches 95% of capacity. In no case shall these provisions restrict or interfere with the proper
functioning of the normal vent or the emergency vent.

Secondary Containment
Tanks (As per 2.3.2.3.3)

(f) Spacing between adjacent tanks shall be not less than 3 ft.
(g) The tank shall be capable of resisting the damage from the impact of a motor vehicle or suitable collision barriers shall be provided.
(h) Where the means of secondary containment is enclosed, it shall be provided with emergency venting in accordance with 2.2.5.2.
(i) Means shall be provided to establish the integrity of the secondary containment, in accordance to 2.4.2.3 and 2.4.2.4. The secondary containment shall be
designed to withstand the hydrostatic head resulting from a leak from the primary tank of the maximum amount of liquid that can be stored in the primary tank.

Horizontal above ground

secondary containment ( As
per 2.4.2.3)
Vertical above ground
secondary containment ( As
per 2.4.2.4)

Tanks shall have the primary (inner) tank tested for 1 hour for the tightness either hydrostatically or with air pressure at not less than 3 to 5 psig. The
interstital space of such tank shall be tested pressure tested at 1.5 to 2.5 psig by water or air., by vacuum at 17.9 kPa, or in accordance with the tank's listing
or manufacturer's instructions.
Tanks shall have the primary (inner) tank tested for 1 hour for the tightness either hydrostatically or with air pressure at not less than 1.5 to 2.5 psig. The
interstital space of such tank shall be tested pressure tested at 1.5 to 2.5 psig by water or air., by vacuum at 17.9 kPa, or in accordance with the tank's listing
or manufacturer's instructions.

Protected aboveground tank

(As per 22.9 and 22.10)

Tested & listed ANSI/UL 2085, 2 hours fires resistive construction and Vents with limitation

Protection for Exposure

Fire protection for structures on property adjacent to liquid storage. Includes Facility having Fire Water System or the facility is located within the jurisdiction
of any public fire department or adjacent to plants having private fire brigades.

Approved foam or inerting

2
system

Prepared by: Zaheer Ahmed Sajid

As per NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention system.

Sheet 4 of 4

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