Have you ever walked up to a atmopsheric storage tank and seen the paint bubbling and the hazard signs/placards faded/peeling off? Look up and you will most likely see the atmopsheric vent line on that side of the tank. What are these indicators of? The tank being over filled, which is a serious event and is certainly a Loss of Primary Containment (LOPC) event. But these days, these events should be a thing of the past, as the IFC and most state Fire Codes now require these flammable liquid Storage Tanks to have “Overfill” safety systems.
(emphasis and revised structure by me)
|
5704.2.9.6.5 Overfill prevention. Protected above-ground tanks shall NOT be filled in excess of 95 per cent of their capacity. An overfill prevention system shall be provided for each tank. During tank-filling operations, the system shall comply with one of the following: 1. The system shall: 1.1 Provide an INDEPENDENT means of notifying the person filling the tank that the fluid level has reached 90 per cent of tank capacity by
or
1.2 Automatically shut off the flow of fuel to the tank when the quantity of liquid in the tank reaches 95 per cent of tank capacity.
2. The system shall
(i) 5704.2.9.6.5.1 Information signs. A permanent sign shall be provided AT THE FILL POINT FOR THE TANK, documenting
Exception: Where climatic conditions are such that the sign may be obscured by ice or snow, or weathered beyond readability or otherwise impaired, said procedures and chart shall be located in the office window, lock box or other area accessible to the person filling the tank. |