Flammable & Combustible Storage Tank Removal

Content

All underground storage tanks that will not be reused, or have been out of service for three years must be removed. For removals of residential use tanks, a site drawing and tank location must be submitted to the Fire Prevention Division. All removal and installations must comply with the British Columbia Fire Code and Municipal By-law regulations. Notification of three working days prior to tank removal is required in order to arrange on-site inspections. The tank is not to be removed or backfilled prior to Fire Department inspections. Permit fee is $20.00 per tank

Municipal Bylaw

Municipal By-Law No. 4111-1988

Section XIV:  Underground Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks

86.  When underground storage tanks will not be reused, or have been out of service for three years, whichever comes first.

• The authority having jurisdiction shall be notified in writing;
• Flammable and combustible liquids shall be removed from the storage tanks, connected piping and dispensing equipment;
• Storage tanks shall be removed from the ground and purged of vapors;
• The piping shall be removed from the ground or shall be purged of flammable liquids and vapor, and the ends of the piping shall be permanently sealed by capping or plugging, and
• If the soil around and under the storage tank is contaminated with liquid, it shall be replaced with clean fill to a degree acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

87.  All used tanks removed from the ground shall be destroyed or disposed of in a manner approved by an officer.

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British Columbia Fire Code

4.3.8.  Installation of Underground Storage Tanks

4.3.8.5.  Installation

1. Underground steel storage tanks shall be installed in conformance with Appendix B of CAN.ULC-S603.1. "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids."
2. Underground reinforced plastic storage tanks shall be installed in conformance with Appendix A of CAN4-S615-M, "Reinforced Plastic Underground Tanks for Petroleum Products."
3. Underground storage tanks shall not be placed in direct contact with reinforced concrete slabs but shall be separated by not less than 150 mm of sand or other suitable material to distribute evenly the weight of the tank on the supporting base.

Section 4.10.  Withdrawal of Storage Tanks from Service

4.10.1.- Scope

4.10.1.1.  Application

1. This Section applies to the procedures to be followed when storage tanks for flammable liquids or combustible liquids are removed, abandoned or temporarily taken out of service.

4.10.2.  Rendering Storage Tanks Temporarily Out of Service

4.10.2.1.  Underground Storage Tanks

1. When underground storage tanks will be out of service for a period not exceeding 180 days

• the liquid level in the storage tank shall be measured at intervals not greater than one month and a record of such measurements shall be retained for inspection.
• fill pipe covers and covers over openings to measure liquid levels, dispensers and power controls shall be kept locked when not in use, and
• vent piping shall be kept open

4.10.3.  Removal of Underground Storage Tanks

4.10.3.1.  Removal

1. When underground storage tanks have no further use or have been out of service for 2 years, such tanks, together with connected piping and dispensers, shall

• have all flammable liquids and combustible liquids removed from them
• be purged of vapours, and
• except as permitted in Article 4.10.3.2., be removed from the ground.

    2.   If contaminated, soil surrounding the storage tanks described in Sentence (1) shall be replaced with clean fill.

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