East Palo Alto Municipal Code Art. XI Temporary and Permanent Abandonment of Tanks

A. Tanks which are to be taken out of service temporarily but which are intended to be returned to service shall be rendered safe by gas-freeing or by following the procedure outlined below:

1. All flammable liquid shall be removed that can be pumped out with the service pump.

2. The tank shall be flooded with water which contains a rust inhibitor.

3. The fill line and pump suction shall be capped and secured against tampering.

4. The vent line shall be left open.

B. Tanks which are to be abandoned shall be removed.

(Prior code § 4-2.1101)

No person shall store flammable liquids in any underground Class 1 flammable liquid tank if during the course of filling such tank, flammable liquids may be spilled until such preventive measures as are necessary are taken to keep such flammable liquids from flowing into or near any building, sewer or drain. Such preventive measures must be approved by the district fire marshal and shall be completed prior to filling any such tank. Such preventive measures may take the form of grading driveways, raising doorsills, constructing isolation walls or dikes, or other equally effective means; provided, however, that in no case shall crankcase drainings and flammable liquids be dumped into sewers or drains. There shall be no entrance within a protective dike to any sewer or storm drain or combined storm and sanitary sewer.

(Prior code § 4-2.1102)

At automotive service stations; suitable portable fire extinguishers of not less than 6 B-C rating shall be available within fifty (50) feet of any dispenser. Where a sales room is present, required extinguishers shall be mounted on the latch side of the door leading to the dispensers in any one bay which are within fifty (50) feet of said sales room. Where more than one bay is attached to a single sales room, an additional extinguisher of like rating shall be provided for each bay. Where dispensers are more than fifty (50) feet from a sales room, or where no sales room is present, extinguishers may be mounted on posts or on dispensers.

(Prior code § 4-2.1103)

A. No person shall store any flammable liquid in excess of one gallon in any building used for human habitation, including any attached garage or other attached structure. Any such storage shall be in a liquid-tight metal container, or other container not subject to breaking, and shall be securely capped. The container shall be clearly marked with the type of contents within.

B. Not more than ten gallons of flammable liquid shall be stored in any detached garage or other building accessory to a building used for human habitation, provided such detached building is not less than twenty-five (25) feet from any other building used for human habitation. Such storage shall be in a liquid-tight metal container or containers securely capped, The container shall be clearly marked with the type of contents within.

C. Not more than twenty-five (25) gallons of flammable liquids shall be stored in any other building or at any place within twenty-five (25) feet of any building used for human habitation. Such storage shall be in a metal container or containers which are liquid-tight and securely capped. The container shall be clearly marked with the type of contents within.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:

1. The storage of flammable liquids in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat, mobile power plant or mobile heating plant;

2. The storage of paints, oils, varnishes or similar flammable mixtures in covered containers, which are used for maintenance, painting or similar purposes;

3. The storage of fuel oil for use in oil burning equipment or the storage in underground tanks equipped with dispensing equipment intended for the dispensing of flammable liquids for the use of the owner outside of any building.

(Prior code § 4-2.1104)

For purposes of this Code, "flammable liquids" means any liquid having a flashpoint below one hundred forty (140) degrees.

(Prior code § 4-2.1105)

No person shall install, keep or maintain any above ground tank for the purpose of storing flammable liquids, except at approved bulk plants. All flammable liquid storage tanks not located at approved bulk plants shall be installed underground in locations approved by the district fire marshal. Notwithstanding the above, flammable liquids may be stored in above ground tanks in remote agricultural areas and at temporary construction projects if such flammable liquids are to be used only as motor fuel for actual farming or construction operations so long as, in each case, there is no threat of fire which may endanger life, safety or threaten nearby buildings, and provided that approval has been obtained from the district fire marshal prior to the installation of any such above ground tank.

(Prior code § 4-2.1106)