Regulations pertaining to the installation and registration of aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) are documented within the Alberta Fire Code (AFC), Section IV. The following information draws attention to only selected sections of frequently asked questions relevant to the topic. Copies of the Code can be acquired from Learning Resources Distribution Centre by calling 780-427-5775 or online at www.lrc.learning.gov.ab.ca.
What kind of tanks can be installed?
The AFC specifies that ASTs approved for installation must be designed, constructed and meet applicable ULC (Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada) or API (American Petroleum Institute) standards. Acceptable tanks will be stamped with a ULC or API label and will be listed in the Alberta Fire Code. The maximum capacity for ASTs used exclusively at a fuel dispensing station is 50,000 litres per tank; this includes multi-compartment tanks where the total of both compartments cannot exceed 50,000 litres. An aggregate capacity of 150,000 litres is allowed at fuel dispensing stations. Fuel dispensing facilities refers to any place where fuel is put in vehicles, airplanes and watercraft and includes retail, cardlock and personal / commercial use. Tanks typically referred to as ‘farm tanks’ mounted on stands do not meet the Fire Code. The PTMAA has a brochure illustrating all of the reasons farm tanks are not acceptable.
What approvals are necessary prior to installation?
Every storage tank installation requires pre-approval from the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Please refer to the PTMAA website to determine the Authority Having Jurisdiction for your area or call the PTMAA office for more information. The AFC mandates that a professional engineer design all aboveground tank installations. As an Authority Having Jurisdiction, the PTMAA requires a completed permit application and three sets of engineered drawings stamped by a professional engineer licensed to practice in Alberta be submitted to the PTMAA office.
Can I install a tank myself or do I need an approved installer?
ASTs that are fully equipped do not require a certified installer to be present at time of installation. However, when equipment such as, but not limited to, piping, fittings, valves or dispenser connections are made, an approved contractor is required to do the installation. A list of approved contractors is on the PTMAA website.
Do I need to register the tank?
Registration is the last part of the approval process. ASTs of 2500 litres or greater capacity containing flammable or combustible liquids must be registered. The AFC mandates that no person shall use or remove flammable or combustible liquids from a storage tank unless it is registered. Registration applications are available from our website by contacting the PTMAA office. Tanks that do not meet the Fire Code requirements, as confirmed by a Safety Codes Officer, will not be registered. It is unlawful to use or to fill a storage tank that is not registered.
What are the distance requirements?
Minimum distance requirements (in meters) for an AST to a building are listed in the table below.
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Unprotected Tank
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Protected Tank1
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1 Protected Tanks meet the standards of ULC142.16 with a capacity of <50,000 litres. These tanks are totally enclosed in steel, or concrete which is a fire, impact and ballistic resistive encasement.
Tanks <250,000 L must be situated a minimum distance of 3 meters from any property line. More distance is required for tanks that exceed 250,000L and you are advised to contact our office for those requirements.
The minimum distance between every combination of 2 ASTs shall be 1 meter unless one or more of the tanks has a capacity of 250,000 litres or more. When tanks are >250,000 litres, the required spacing would be .25 times the sum of their diameters. Where end failures of a horizontal tank may endanger an adjacent property, the tank should be placed with the longitudinal axis parallel to the adjacent property.
ASTs must be installed at least 6 meters from propane or other liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. The centre line of secondary containment walls shall not be less than 3 meters from LPG cylinders and 6 meters from LPG tanks.
ASTs can be placed on the ground or foundations, supports or pilings. Steel supports >300 mm in height must have a 2-hour fire resistance rating. Installing supports on firm foundations will minimize uneven tank settling and corrosion on areas of the tank resting on the foundation.
Tank Construction
- Tank Vents: Special attention should also be focused on vapors released from tank vents. Ensure vapors will not enter building openings or be trapped near any part of a building. Vent openings must be located at least 1.5 meters from any building opening. Tanks storing flammable products must have a vent pipe extending not less than 3.5 meters above ground level whereas combustible products (diesel, used oil) require the vent pipe to be 2 meters above grade. Double-wall tanks should be fitted with both an emergency and a normal vapor vent.
- Valves: Piping connections to ASTs at any level below the maximum product level shall be provided with a steel shutoff valve or anti-siphon valve.
- Overfill Prevention Requirements: ASTs must be protected against overfilling by having an overfill protection device installed on the tank or continuous supervision of the filling operations by qualified personnel. Make sure the overfill device is approved for aboveground storage tank use.
Secondary Containment to Contain Accidental Spillage
Secondary containment can be achieved by using a double wall tank or a single wall tank placed in a conventional dike system. The walls and base of a conventional dike shall be made of non-combustible materials and provide a permeability of not more than 10-6 cm/sec. Impermeable dike liners conforming to ULC/ORD-C58.9 standards form the base of the dike to achieve the impermeability. The liner must also be covered with a noncombustible material and thickness (sand or gravel) to prevent failure if exposed to fire. The total dike area shall be constructed to accommodate spilled product. Single tanks placed in a dike must be capable of containing 110% capacity of the tank. If there is more than one tank, the volumetric capacity of the dike would be the volume of the largest tank plus 10% of the capacity of the largest tank or 10% of the aggregate capacity of all remaining tanks, whichever is greater. Dike walls shall be placed no less than 1.5 meters from the tank outer shell. Containment areas should not permit an accumulation of precipitation or liquids. A low point in the secondary containment shall be used to draw liquid from the containment area in a safe manner. The contained space shall not be used for storage purposes.
Collision Protection
If the potential for vehicular damage to a double-wall tank system exists, collision protection is required. Most popular types of collision protection are concrete filled steel posts placed 1 meter from outer edge of the tank shell and 1.5 meters apart. Concrete “New Jersey Turnpike” barriers 750mm high and wide spaced 500 mm from the tank shell are also accepted. Please call the PTMAA office for detail regarding acceptable methods of collision protection.
Dispensing Systems
If your tank system is configured with underground piping to a remote dispenser system, engineered drawing detail must be provided in accordance with the Alberta Fire Code. An acceptable piping system will include a transition sump where steel piping is connected to double-walled plastic piping and to a dispenser, which is mounted on an island with an under-dispenser sump. Typically, both sumps would include sensors to detect a piping, turbine or pump leak.
Can my AST be installed indoors?
ASTs can be located inside a building if absolutely necessary and if a tight fill is used so vapors do not get into the building. The tank must be properly vented to the outside. Please call our office to discuss requirements for installations of this nature.
The Final Steps
Don’t forget underground piping must be precision tested after final groundcover and a copy of the results submitted to the PTMAA with your completed registration application.