MECHANICAL INSTALLATION — FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel Storage Regulations
Use extreme care when using, transporting, and storing fuel. Every measure should be taken to protect personnel and the environment from the dangers of fuel. Fuel supply tank design and installation in North America is controlled by regulations that are generally written for fire protection and environmental protection. It is very important to adopt safe methods of storing fuel and to meet all applicable codes and laws.
Fuel leaks and spills can cause environmental contamination. Make sure the area surrounding the fuel tanks and lines will prevent fuel from entering soil, sewers, and water.
Environmental Protection
Environmental protection regulations exist at both federal and state levels. Different sets of regulations apply to underground versus
OSHA Standards for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, exempts above ground installations made in accordance with NFPA 37. Exemption status from state regulation must be verified before installation.
Fire Protection
Fire protection regulations adopt by reference one or more of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. These standards cover the maximum amount of fuel that can be stored inside buildings, fuel piping systems, the design and construction of fuel tanks, fuel tank locations, drainage provisions, etc. Local fire marshals may have more restrictive requirements or interpretations of requirements than national standards.
Even when an installation is exempt from regulation, it should be recognized that cleanup expenses may be very costly for even small amounts of fuel spillage from leaks, overfilling, etc. The trend in diesel fuel storage for on- site gensets, both indoors and outdoors, has been towards Underwriter Laboratories Listed above ground
Additional references include:
zUL 142, Steel
zUniform Fire Code, Western Fire Chiefs Association and International Conference of Building Officials — This standard covers piping, valves, fittings, stationary storage tanks (above ground and underground; inside, under, and outside buildings), etc.
zAPI 1615, Installation of Underground Petroleum Product Storage Systems, American Petroleum Institute (API) — This standard covers pre- installation site analysis, material, and equipment requirements, removal and disposal of used storage systems, excavation, cathodic protection, detection of releases, piping, backfilling and vapor recovery.
INDUSTRIAL GENERATOR SETS — APPLICATION & INSTALLATION MANUAL — REV. #4 (09/07/07) — PAGE 45
