How to refuel a diesel generator installed on a roof 6

[Gene M.]

Looking for some advice/opinion on an unusual situation...

A standby diesel generator is to be installed on top of a 7-story residential building. The original designer of this setup had put a storage tank at grade level on an elevated platform (high risk of flooding - why the gen is on the roof to begin with) and a pump set to provide fuel for it.

Unfortunately this person did not properly figure for the required property line and building setbacks for fuel storage tanks, so the AHJ will not approve it. It's been decided that the generator's 55-gallon day tank would be the only fuel supply. (The generator has already been purchased and everything else, except for the grade level storage tank/pumps and the generator itself, is already installed)

So now the problem I've been given to address is how to refuel the generator's day tank. Fire marshal will understandably not accept carrying cans of diesel up to the roof. We cannot have any storage at or below grade, both for lack of clearance and flooding concerns.

Is it possible, or sensible, to have a delivery truck pump the approximately 80 feet up to the generator's 55-gallon day tank? I've only ever dealt with gravity filled tanks so while I'm sure a delivery truck can provide the ~35PSIG it doesn't really feel right. Ideally I would at least have a small intermediate tank and pump set but there's no obvious place to put it.

Has anyone else ever had a situation with a fuel tank on a highrise roof? How was that install handled?

 

[CWB1]

They could always store a few drums on the roof, the only real downside being the shelf life given that this is a backup system that likely would see limited run-time. In an emergency I'd volunteer that the only fuel source you can count on is one which you own.

 

[Sparweb]

Then get a generator that runs on natural gas instead. Install several tanks for the natural gas (or propane) on the roof for the generator to use.
There should be a schedule to run the generator to prove it works before needed in any emergency. At this time the natural gas tanks could be inspected/topped up too.
If the building already has a supply of natural gas for the tenants to use, this fuel supply is MUCH more convenient for everyone.
I still don't like the generator on the roof. It and the fuel tanks need to be raised and lowered by crane, therefore in the event of a failure the system is out of service much longer.
Install it as close to ground level as possible - how high is the flood line?

http://www.sparweb.ca

 

[RossABQ]

What is the standby load? Any chance a bank of PowerWall batteries could do the job? Is the genset to allow indefinite continued operation, or an orderly shutdown/evacuation (keeping the elevators operational)?

 

[moon161]

Diesel Fridays: Employees can dress casual and join the pizza party if they bring diesel fuel to the roof.

 

[MintJulep]

Roof deck bar/restaurant.

Use the fryer oil as bio diesel.

Claim LEED.

 

[SnTMan]

Now we're getting somewhere

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[SuperSalad]

Yes......but how to deliver the fryer oil?

Andrew H.

http://www.MotoTribology.com

 

[SnTMan]

One gallon cover charge?

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand