Distances vary according tank size the larger the tank, the further it has to be and whether your tank is aboveground. Api standard 650, welded steel tanks ul 58, underground tanks. Propane tank distance requirements propane is a highly flammable gas and although propane itself is the cause of very few accidents most propane related accidents are caused by sparks, lack of ventilation or inadequate fittings federal, state and local regulations exist to minimize accident risks. Disconnected containers in the 2017 edition, the nfpa 58 committee has added requirements for asme containers disconnected from use. Homeowners who decide to install a propane tank on their property need to be aware of a few safety guidelines.
The bottom of all propane cylinders are required to have a foot ring. Most state regulatory agencies have their own rule addressing this particular issue but the national code declares that lp gas containers must be. Weeds, grass, brush, trash and other combustible material shall be kept not less than 10feet from lp tanks. Nfpa 58, liquefied petroleum gas code, selfadhesive index tabs. National fire protection association, nfpa 58, nfpa s technical committee, richard fredenburg and posted in current issue, featured. As posted by gold digger the regulator is threaded and can be exstended to surpass the distance requirements. Tanks are permitted to be placed under an overhang provided the area is open on at least 50% of the sides. One of the most important dimensions given is the distance to a source of ignition. Annex i of nfpa 58 2008 has informative diagrams that can be used for reference.
California code of regulations, title 8, section 477. The use of metal pipe, metal tubing, pvc meeting the requirements of ul 651 or flexible pipe meeting the requirements of. Technical requirements for aboveground storage tanks. C reliefvalve capacity and installation shall be that which is required for aboveground containers and shall comply with nfpa 58, section 32. Asme tanks, code violations, john mccoy, nfpa 58, propane industry, propane lawsuit. Nfpa liquefied petroleum gas code 58 fire safety analysis. Cylinders from nfpa 58, appendix g federal, state, and local ordinances and regulations should be observed at all times. Propane tank installation commercial installation only. An updated liquefied petroleum gas code nfpa 58 was released by. The point often missed is the tank setback requirement is from adjoining property. Distance from the occupancy andor building to the propane tank. Instructions for propane storage systems 2012 instructor. Nfpa 58 code confirm distance between rail carbulk 30,000 lp bulk tank. Distance rules are applicable to propane tanks and their connections in relation to what surrounds them, whether its a house or another propane tank.
These distance requirements pertain to ignition sources, ventair intakes, building openings below level of propane gas discharge, and property linesimportant buildings. Second stage propane regulator vent distances home. Verify that the containers you inspect are properly located in accordance with nfpa58. Propane, propylene, butane, butylene hydrocarbons and any mixtures of these for any vapor or liquid transfer or stroage operations are addressed.
D all containerliquid and vaportransfer openings shall be fitted with pneumaticallycontrolled internaltype valves incorporating excessflow protection or. There should be a table in nfpa 58 for size and distances for above ground and below ground tanks. Can the propane regulator vent horizontal separation per nfpa 58 2008 table 6. Standards for installtion of propane tanks nfpa 58 table 6. Assume a 100gallon total water capacity tank for aboveground storage. The following link connects to the electronic code of. It is my recollection that a commercial operation with less than 4000 gallons of propane storage used for refilling fork lifts was exempt from previous versions of nfpa 58 regulations except for distance of storage tank from building, windows, etc. What is the code for a propane tank placement at the rear of a house.
Propane tank distance requirements find the best propane. How far can a gallon propane tank be from a property line. All tanks are rated in terms of water capacity by weight. I have the 2004 edition of the nfpa 58 regulations on lpgas codes. According to the national fire protection association, tanks with a capacity of 501 gallons to 2,000 gallons cannot be placed closer than 25 feet to.
I am looking for a code in nfpa58, if there is one, for the distance a rail car full of lumber can be parked from a bulk 30,000 gallon. The fire safety analysis shall be an evaluation of the. What is the required horizontal and vertical safety separation distance between the lpg tanks and medium and high voltage lines. National fire protection agency nfpa 58 liquefied petroleum gas code 2008 edition. The total quantity stored is limited to 200 pounds of propane. Therefore, the ubiquitous 100lb tank will hold 238lbs of water at about 8.
These stipulate the minimum distance between a tank and a property line. One of the most visited subjects in the propane industry is distance requirements for propane tanks. Most, if not all, communities have property line setback restrictions for propane tanks. Nfpa 58 would tell you the proper distance from building and property line for that tank which then may lead you have it moved with the proper permits. Also verify that the container location is accessible for safe filling from the bulk delivery truck. Furthermore, if tanks are relined, the documentation must indicate that the relining material is compatible with the contents to be stored in the tank. According to nfpa 58 appendix i, propane tanks are legally required to be certain distances from air conditioning compressors, window air conditioners, fans, direct vent appliances, windows, buildings and adjoining properties. Here is a good summary of the requirements propane tank distance rules and requirements rick. This essential companion book is a powerful tool for mitigating lpgas hazards to help prevent system failures, leaks, tampering, fires, and explosions. The graphic below depicts common residential container distances required by the nfpa. This distance may be reduced to no less than 10 ft for a.
Bury at least 6 below grade, 18 if under parking lot, add bollards around valve cover. Shasta gas propane redding, ca anderson, ca shasta. Question asked by trappintrucker on jan 25, 2017 latest reply on jan 26, 2017 by trappintrucker. Propane tank may not be under or against buildings. Vehicle barrier protection among new nfpa 58 edition updates. Requirements for the clearance around propane tanks ehow.
All lp tanks shall be installed in accordance to nfpa 58 and the international fire code. One of the most important dimensions given is the distance to a. Vehicle impact bollards no longer required for cylinder. Storage, handling and transportation of liquefied petroleum gas lpgas and the installation of lpgas equipment pertinent to systems for such uses shall comply with this rule and nfpa 58 as listed in rule 1.
Propane tank distance rules and requirements propane 101. Existing plants, appliances, equipment, buildings, structures, and installations for the storage, handling or use of lpgas, which were in compliance with the current provisions of the national fire protection association standard for the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases nfpa no. Distances for mounded or underground tanks shall be measured from the pressure relief valve and the filling connection. Complying with nfpa 58 transfer area and bulk plant liquid. Under nfpa code 58, the minimum separation distance required for. National fuel gas code, rrc adopted 2006 edition on february 1, 2008 the regulations for the transportation of lpgas include the requirements of code of federal regulations cfr title 49. There are standards for asme above ground containers, asme underground containers, and dot cylinders.
Since the separation distance imposed by nfpa 58 compliance is sufficient to ensure the safety of hudassisted projects, increasing the size of tank covered by this exception will reduce regulatory and cost burden on even more projects and communities without any significant additional risk. The regulator vent must be piped to the out doors per nfpa 58. Richard fredenburg explains what propane retailers should expect from. Close the gas shutoff valve on the propane tank or cylinder. Burial guide gallon underground installation location of a. Buildings not frequented by the public are limited to a maximum quantity of 300 pounds of propane. Because safety relief valves release excess pressure from the tank in the form of propane gas, they must be placed away from potential sources of ignition and must not be obstructed. The foot ring ensures that the cylinder stands in an upright and level position.
Vehicle barrier protection among new nfpa 58 edition updates the national fire protection association nfpa technical committees work was complete last january for the 2014 edition of nfpa 58, the liquefied petroleum gas code. The national fire protection agency nfpa has established a set of rules that govern the requirements for the clearance around propane tanks in the nfpa 58 liquefied petroleum gas code. Additional information dispensers designated for retail sales must comply with the national institute of standards and technology handbook 44, as well as all other requirements based on the location of the. New propane bulk plants and tank installations and for asme tank installations on roofs, must complete an fsa before completion of the new facility. This edition of nfpa 58, liquefied petroleum gas code, was prepared by the technical com mittee on. Nfpa 58 states that propane containers must be painted a heat reflective color. Protection shall be provided for the fitting housing, housing cover, tank connections, and piping against vehicular damage. The newly revised nfpa 58 lpgas code handbook is the only publication for assisting lpgas propane users, installers, ahjs, inspectors, and enforcers in understanding and applying the code. Richard fredenburg explains what propane retailers should expect from the 2020 edition of the liquefied petroleum gas code nfpa 58. The national fire protection association pamphlet 58 nfpa 58 provides minimum distance requirements for setting various types of propane containers on a customers property. Specific rules about the placement of lpgas containers can be found in the national fire protection associations nfpa 58. Vehicle impact bollards no longer required for cylinder storage and exchange cabinets.
Tank and dispensing unit shall be assembled and installed in accordance in nfpa 58, nfpa 30a, and the ahj authorities having jurisdiction. Acceptable separation distance standards for residential. With propane installations nfpa 58 governs the tank, first regulator, up to the second regulator and from the second regulator throughout the structure ifgc and nfpa 54 or irc govern the rest of the instalation. Liquefied petroleum gas code, rrc adopted 2008 edition on february 1, 2008 nfpa 54.
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