Perris Municipal Code Ch. 20.03 Liquefied Petroleum Gases

No person shall install or maintain any LP gas container in excess of 500 gallons water capacity, nor a series of interconnected containers whose aggregate volume exceeds 2,000 gallons water capacity, not a commercial installation, without first having obtained a permit from the fire chief and paid the fee set forth in this title.

(Code 1972, § 20.03.010; Ord. No. 1068(part), 1999)

All storage tanks shall be stored parallel to each other. The requirements for liquefied petroleum gas storage tanks with a capacity of 2,000 gallons or more shall be as follows:

(1) All lines of one-half inch or more used for unloading of liquefied petroleum gases from storage tanks shall be equipped with either an interval valve with excess flow features and a primary valve or an excess flow valve and a primary valve. Each of the above systems shall be capable of being closed remotely and with such control mechanisms, fitted with a fusible section having a melting point of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which will cause the valve to close automatically in case of fire.

(2) All liquid lines of one-half inch or more used for loading of LPG into bulk storage tanks shall be equipped with a back check valve and a primary valve.

(3) Remote control mechanisms for closing primary valves shall be clearly marked in four-inch letters on a contrasting background, "EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF." Condensed-type letters or extended-type letters shall be used in this sign.

(4) One super fire hydrant shall be installed in a location approved by the fire chief when aggregate capacity is 1,000 gallons or more. Hydrant shall provide a minimum fire flow of 1,000 gpm at 20 psi residual operating pressure. Hydrant shall be installed and operating prior to the introduction of any gas into the tank.

(Code 1972, § 20.03.020; Ord. No. 1068(part), 1999)

(a) Within the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested commercial areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity; provided, however, the capacity limit may be modified by the fire chief, after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy and proximity to buildings, capacity of proposed tanks, degree of private fire protection to be provided, and facilities of the local fire department.

(b) Multiple container installations with a total storage water capacity of more than 180,000 gallons shall be subdivided into groups, with a minimum separation between groups of at least 50 feet, unless the tanks are:

(1) Mounded in an approved manner;

(2) Protected with approved insulation in areas that may be subject to impingement of ignited gas from pipelines or other leakage;

(3) Protected by fire walls of approved constructions;

(4) Protected by an approved system for application of water; or

(5) Protected by other approved means.

Where one of these forms of protection is provided, the separation between container groups shall be at least 25 feet.

(c) Containers shall be located with respect to buildings or adjoining property lines and may be built in accordance with the following table; provided, however, that upon approval of the fire chief, containers of 2,000 gallons or less may be located a lesser distance from the buildings of not less than one hour construction, provided the above distance applied to openings in buildings is maintained, and the relief valves will not discharge in the direction of a means of egress or against the building.

(Code 1972, § 20.03.030; Ord. No. 1068(part), 1999)

(a) The parking and garaging of tank vehicles used for the transportation of liquefied petroleum gases shall be in accordance with the following:

(1) No person shall leave a tank vehicle unattended on any highway, street or alley, except that this shall not prevent:

a. The necessary absence of the driver in connection with loading or unloading the vehicle;

b. Stops for meals during the day or night if the street is well lighted at the point of parking;

c. When in case of accident or other emergency, the operator must leave to obtain assistance.

(2) No person shall park a tank vehicle at any one point for longer than one hour except:

a. Off of a street, highway or alley;

b. Inside a bulk plant and 25 feet from the property line or within a building approved for such use;

c. At other approved locations not less than 50 feet from any building, except those approved for the storage or servicing of such vehicle; or

d. When, in case of breakdown or other emergency, the operator must leave the vehicle to take necessary action to correct the emergency.

(3) Tank vehicles shall not be parked or garaged in any building other than those specifically approved for such use by the fire chief.

(b) During the unloading or transfer of liquefied petroleum gas, the tank shall be located or parked clear of a public thoroughfare, unless:

(1) The failure to transfer would create a hazard;

(2) It is impossible due to topography.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, during the unloading or transfer of liquefied petroleum gas, the tank truck shall be parked with the transfer point not less than 50 feet from the property line where the container to which the tank vehicle is connected has a capacity of over 2,000.

(d) During loading or unloading operations of liquefied petroleum gas, the tank truck shall be parked parallel to the storage tank.

(e) All tank truck vehicles, when parked in bulk plants, shall be parallel to storage tanks, and each other, with the closest vehicle parked a minimum of ten feet between vehicles.

(Code 1972, § 20.03.040; Ord. No. 1068(part), 1999)

(a) No person shall fill or maintain a liquefied petroleum gas container with liquefied petroleum gas in excess of the fixed gauge installed by the manufacturer or the weight stamped on the tank.

(b) Liquefied petroleum gas shall not be used for the purpose of operating any device or equipment unless such equipment or device is approved for use with liquefied petroleum gas.

(Code 1972, § 20.03.050; Ord. No. 1068(part), 1999)

(a) No person shall tamper with or make ineffective the safety devices of any liquefied petroleum gas container.

(b) In any area subject to freezing weather, all LP gas regulator breathing openings shall be adequately protected against stoppage by frozen moisture.

(Code 1972, § 20.03.060; Ord. No. 1068(part), 1999)

(a) No person shall smoke within 25 feet of any LP gas container of 1,200 gallons capacity or less, nor within 50 feet of any such container having a capacity of more than 1,200 gallons.

(b) No person shall install or maintain any open flame device outside of buildings within 25 feet of any LP gas container having capacity of 1,200 gallons or less, nor within 50 feet of any such container having a capacity of over 1,200 gallons.

(c) No person shall install or maintain any LP gas container with capacity of 1,200 gallons or less within 25 feet of any open flame device, or any such container with a capacity in excess of 1,200 gallons within 50 feet of any open flame device.

(d) All weeds, brush, trash or other combustible material shall be cleared a minimum of ten feet away from all LP gas tanks or containers.

(Code 1972, § 20.03.070; Ord. No. 1068(part), 1999)