Questions regarding Article 4.2.7 of the Building Code
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Code for Building Design 4.2.7: Question 1: Paragraphs regarding storage tanks for Class A and B liquids mention dome-shaped tanks and floating roof tanks, but not horizontal storage tanks. This is a serious issue; the owner has found a loophole, and there is indeed no reason to object! Question 2: Section 4.1.4 states that storage areas for liquids of categories A, B, and C should be located separately from the loading and unloading areas. The loading situation at the site is as follows. For vehicle-fed material transfer, a pump is connected via a quick connector to feed the material into the storage tank; as a result, there is no need for a pump room or loading/unloading nozzles, so clause 4.2.7 does not apply in this case. What is the distance between this feeding pump and the tank area?
Regarding Article 4.2.7 of the building codes, you need to refer to Note 1; generally, horizontal storage tanks fall under the scope of Note 1, and the fire separation distance can be reduced by 25% as specified.
There is no fire separation distance required for Class A and B horizontal storage tanks, so how can there be a 25% reduction? Therefore, it can only be assumed that what is being referred to is the reduction in the fire separation distance between the two tanks indicated on the table. This doesn’t prove anything. Thank you for continuing to follow
You need to check Note 1! Horizontal storage tanks are also classified as storage tanks for Class A and B liquids! Regarding the second question, see note 2: which is safer, a quick connector or a loading/unloading hose? What is the difference between one pump and multiple pumps? It can be considered based on the spacing between the flexibles. Many property owners like to take advantage of loopholes. But the regulations are not there to give them loopholes; they are there to ensure their safety!
First: Note 1 states that the fire separation distance for Class A and B liquid storage tanks is reduced by 25% according to the table. What is the fire separation distance for horizontal Class A and B storage tanks? Should it be a dome tank or a floating roof tank? The table doesn’t mention it, so there’s a problem with this table! Are horizontal storage tanks considered dome tanks? Secondly: Owners might like to take advantage of loopholes, but upon closer consideration, can many of the so-called safety measures truly ensure safety? Because many of them are artificially imposed; have they been certified? In many cases, the regulations don’t mention it at all. Therefore, it is necessary to have experts conduct a demonstration. After all, it’s more reliable to have things written down in black and white. Thank you for continuing to follow
Refer to the petrochemical regulations; in the case described by the original poster, simply put, the distance between the horizontal storage tank and the unloading pump in the loading/unloading facilities can be determined according to Table 4.2.12. The distance between the horizontal tank and the Class A or B loading/unloading stations should be 10 meters, while for Class C stations this distance should be reduced by 25%.