mgo7
Mechanical
- Jun 14, 2010
- 1
I am trying to determine if IFC 2006 requires a Foam Fire Protection System on a group of storage tanks.
The relevent paragraph in the code (in my opinion and that of my colleagues) is written poorly.
Now I understand the first part....if the fire code officail says you need foam systems...then you need a foam system. It is the remainig portion that is confusing to me. Can someone with experience with this clarify....in my opinion if you have tanks with 1,500 sq.ft or liquid surface area within 50 ft shell to shell (group of tanks for example touching a 50 ft radius) and there are Class I or Class II liquids...you need foam system.
It is the "other than" words that throw me off....
Thanks in advance!
Here it is:
International Fire Code, 2006
3404.2.9.1.1 Required foam fire protection system.
When required by the fire code official, foam fire protection shall be provided for above-ground tanks, other than pressure tanks operating at or above 1 pound per square inch gauge (psig) when such tank, or group of tanks spaced less than 50 feet apart measured shell to shell, has liquid surface area in excess of 1,500 square feet, and is in accordance with one of the following:
1. Used for storage of Class 1 or II liquids.
2. Used for the storage of crude oil.
3. Used for in-process products and is located within 100 feet of a fired still, heater, or related fractioning or processing apparatus or similar device at a processing plant or petroleum refinery as herin defined.
4. Considered by the fire code official as posing an unusual exposure hazard because of topographical conditions; nature or occupancy, proximity on the same or adjoining property, and height and character of liquids to be stored; degree of private fire protection to be provided;and facilities of the fire department to cope with flamable liquids.
The relevent paragraph in the code (in my opinion and that of my colleagues) is written poorly.
Now I understand the first part....if the fire code officail says you need foam systems...then you need a foam system. It is the remainig portion that is confusing to me. Can someone with experience with this clarify....in my opinion if you have tanks with 1,500 sq.ft or liquid surface area within 50 ft shell to shell (group of tanks for example touching a 50 ft radius) and there are Class I or Class II liquids...you need foam system.
It is the "other than" words that throw me off....
Thanks in advance!
Here it is:
International Fire Code, 2006
3404.2.9.1.1 Required foam fire protection system.
When required by the fire code official, foam fire protection shall be provided for above-ground tanks, other than pressure tanks operating at or above 1 pound per square inch gauge (psig) when such tank, or group of tanks spaced less than 50 feet apart measured shell to shell, has liquid surface area in excess of 1,500 square feet, and is in accordance with one of the following:
1. Used for storage of Class 1 or II liquids.
2. Used for the storage of crude oil.
3. Used for in-process products and is located within 100 feet of a fired still, heater, or related fractioning or processing apparatus or similar device at a processing plant or petroleum refinery as herin defined.
4. Considered by the fire code official as posing an unusual exposure hazard because of topographical conditions; nature or occupancy, proximity on the same or adjoining property, and height and character of liquids to be stored; degree of private fire protection to be provided;and facilities of the fire department to cope with flamable liquids.
