Signal Hill Municipal Code Ch. 16.25 Storage Facilities

If oil or other liquid storage facilities are established incidental to a producing well on a well or drill site, the total capacity of such storage facilities shall not exceed two thousand barrels per well.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. The minimum distance between any aboveground tank to the nearest property line, or public right-of-way shown on the city's official plan lines map, shall not be less than the height of the tank, or in any event, the minimum distance required in Chapter 15.08 of this code or Long Beach Fire Code, whichever provides the greater setback.

B. No building shall be erected closer than fifty feet from any storage tank. The director may permit this distance separation to be reduced for low occupancy industrial or warehouse buildings, subject to additional or special safety or fire systems requirements which may be approved and imposed by the Long Beach fire department.

C. Where tank locations of diverse ownership have a common boundary, the director and Long Beach fire department, with the written consent of the owners, may substitute the distances provided in Section 16.25.060 for the minimum distances specified in this section.

D. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any tank or related facility constructed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. The maximum height for tanks of crude oil on oil production-related sites shall be limited to sixteen feet. An additional three feet in height in excess of the maximum tank height otherwise permitted may be permitted and approved by the director for the following: appurtenant facilities, piping, safety rails, or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the tank; provided, that no space above the height limit otherwise set forth herein shall be used for tank storage.

B. The maximum height for wash tanks on oil production-related sites shall be limited to sixteen feet.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to replacement or presence of any tank constructed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. All tanks and attached fixtures shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with Title 15 of this code and with A.P.I., O.S.H.A., California Division of Industrial Safety, and E.P.A. standards.

B. Within one year of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title all aboveground tanks including production field tanks, storage tanks, and refinery tanks shall be inspected by the inspector, and if deemed necessary by the inspector, repainted with a top coat of a neutral nonreflective color paint.

C. Aluminum or stainless steel clad tanks need not be painted. Aboveground pipes less than four inches in diameter need not be painted.

D. Nothing shall preclude the inspector from requiring periodic repainting of any facility. In making his determination regarding the need for repainting, the inspector shall consider the location, degree of rust or stains, and condition of existing parts.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. Tanks shall rest directly on the ground or on foundations or supports of gravel, concrete, masonry, piling, or steel, designed and installed in accordance with Title 15 of this code. Supports for tanks storing Class I, II, or III-A liquids shall be of concrete, masonry, or protected steel.

B. Tank foundations shall be elevated, level, and larger in diameter than the tank itself.

C. Exposed piling or steel tank supports shall be protected by fire-resistive materials to provide a fire-resistance rating of not less than two hours.

D. Tank supports and connections shall be designed and installed to resist damage as a result of seismic activity.

E. Stairs, platforms, and walkways shall be non-combustible and constructed in accordance with Title 15 of this code, and D.O.G., A.P.I., O.S.H.A, and California Division of Industrial Safety standards.

F. Stairs, platforms and walkways in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall have a period of five years to come into compliance with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. No tank for the storage of any flammable, liquid shall be located closer than three feet to any other such tank.

B. For tanks above fifty thousand gallons individual capacity for the storage of any flammable liquid, except crude petroleum, the distance between such tanks shall not be less than one-half the diameter of the smaller tank.

C. Tanks for the storage of crude petroleum having capacities not exceeding one hundred twenty-six thousand gallons (three thousand barrels) shall not be less than three feet apart. Tanks having a capacity in excess of one hundred twenty-six thousand gallons (three thousand barrels) shall not be less than the diameter of the smaller tank apart.

D. The minimum separation between a liquefied petroleum gas container and any other tanks for the storage of any flammable liquids shall be twenty feet. Means shall be taken to prevent the accumulation of flammable liquids under adjacent liquefied petroleum gas containers such as by diking, diversion curbs, or grading, subject to the approval of the inspector. When flammable liquid storage tanks are diked, the liquefied petroleum gas containers shall be outside the diked area and at least ten feet away from the centerline of the dikes. The foregoing provision shall not apply when liquefied petroleum gas containers of one hundred twenty-five gallons or less capacity are installed adjacent to Class III flammable liquid storage tanks of two hundred seventy-five gallons or less capacity.

E. When tanks are in a diked area containing Class I or II liquids, or in the drainage path of Class I or II liquids, and are compacted in three or more rows or in an irregular pattern, greater spacing or other means may be required to make inside tanks accessible for fire fighting purposes.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. New tanks used for the storage of crude petroleum and other flammable liquids shall be diked or provided with diversion walls and catchment basins, or combinations thereof, subject to the approval of the inspector and shall meet the requirements of the D.O.G.

B. No catchment basin or diked impounding area shall be located closer to the outer boundary line or to any building designated for human occupancy than the diameter or height, whichever is greater, of the largest tank served by such basin or area.

C. The distance between the shell of any tank and the inside toe of any dike shall not be less than five feet for tanks not more than thirty feet in diameter and not less than ten feet for tanks in excess of thirty feet in diameter.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. Except as provided in subsection (B) of this section, the volumetric capacity of a diked area shall not be less than one and one-half times the capacity necessary to hold the full volume of the largest tank below the height of the dike.

B. The capacity of a separate catchment basin may not be used to reduce the required capacity of a diked impounding basin.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Signal Hill Municipal Code, walls of the diked area shall be of concrete, solid masonry or earth designed and maintained to be liquid-tight and to withstand a full hydrostatic head, except that within one year from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, all walls of diked areas in residential zones shall be solid masonry or poured in place concrete.

B. Except where permitted by the NFPA, the walls of the diked area shall not exceed six feet above the interior grade of the diked area. All dikes over thirty-six inches in height shall be engineered and constructed in accordance with Title 15 of this code to withstand a full hydrostatic head. Except as provided herein, all dikes comply with minimum yard setback requirements contained in Title 20 of this code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where any storage tank or related facility approved prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title is located in such required setback area, such tank or facility shall be diked in accordance with this chapter, provided that such dike wall does not extend into a public right-of-way.

C. All masonry dikes shall be solid grouted. Exterior walls shall be painted or color coated subject to the approval of the planning director.

D. Where two or more tanks within a common diked area may cause mutual exposure from spills, spill dividers shall be provided between tanks of ten thousand barrels or greater individual capacity. Groups of tanks of less than ten thousand barrels individual capacity and not in excess of fifteen thousand barrels aggregate capacity may be enclosed within a single spill dike.

E. All catchment basins shall be of concrete, designed to be liquid-tight, except that fiberglass or steel basins may be used if designed to meet the design requirements for hazardous materials when approved by the department.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

All earthen dikes shall be constructed and maintained as follows:

A. The minimum height of all earthen dikes shall be two feet.

B. Earthen dikes three feet or more in height shall have a flat section at the top or crown of the dike not less than two feet wide.

C. The sloped wall of the dike shall be consistent with the angle of repose of the material of which the walls are constructed, provided that all slopes shall be flat and no slope shall have a gradient steeper than a one foot rise in a two foot horizontal measurement. Diked slope walls shall not be stepped at less than three foot intervals.

D. Prior to surfacing of the earthen dike, the subgrade shall be thoroughly cleaned of organic base material and compacted sufficiently to ensure the stability of side slopes and to withstand a full hydrostatic head. The subgrade shall be trimmed before, during, and after compaction, as necessary to make the subgrade surface smooth and uniform and to give the completed structure the required grade and cross section. Where vegetation is present, the subgrade shall be treated with a soil sterilant to protect against weeds.

E. A firm aggregate foundation base shall be compacted and shaped to a uniform smooth surface, consistent with subsection (D) of this section. Aggregate base may consist of crushed stone, rock, gravel, natural or manufactured sand, or a similar material, as accepted by the department, provided that at least fifty percent of the combined aggregate is rock or gravel.

F. Asphaltic surfacing on all earthen dikes shall be required. Surfacing shall be impervious, prevent leaching through pavement, and shall be stable enough to support a full hydrostatic head. Pavement surface shall be maintained impervious, free from holes and cracks.

G. The top (crests) and bottom edges (toes) of all dike slopes shall be designed so that they will not be damaged by water runoff and to prevent surface runoff from seeping into subgrade under the asphalt boating. The toe embankment should be curved to eliminate possible surfacing weaknesses at critical points. If the embankment toe cannot be curved, a wedge should be placed and compacted to ensure water tightness at the toe.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. Drainage shall be provided at a consistent slope of not less than one percent away from tanks and fittings to a sump, drain box, or other safe means of disposal located within the diked impounding area and at the greatest possible distance from the shell of the tank to provide drainage sufficient to prevent overflow of the dike and to effectively control the flow of fluids and runoff. Traps shall be provided with no less than six inches of liquid seal provided between the sumps, drain boxes, or drains intended for the disposal of spills. Catch basins or traps used for tank farm drainage shall not connect directly to the city sewer system. Fluids shall be pumped or gravity fed into a tank, interceptor outside of the tank containment, or diked area or directly into a pipeline for that purpose.

B. Drains shall not discharge to adjoining property, public sewers, or drainage ways unless the drain is designed to prevent the release of flammable or combustible liquids.

C. A valve, operable from outside the dike, shall be provided in the drain system and shall normally be kept closed.

D. Control of drainage shall be accessible under fire conditions. This includes, where deemed necessary by the inspector, installation of piping accessible to the public right-of-way for removal of firefighting waters from diked areas.

E. Approved provisions shall be made for disposing of water and of oil retained by dikes or impounding or catchment basins.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

All tank piping, valves, fittings, and connections, including normal and emergency relief venting, shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Title 15 of this code and current A.P.I. standards.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

In addition to any venting requirements of the fire department, all storage tanks and loading on unloading facilities containing flammable or combustible liquids shall be equipped with approved vapor recovery systems in accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District requirements.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

Any open, accessible, surface, or subsurface installation used for the disposal of permitted waste liquids shall be fenced in accordance with Chapter 16.20 and any other state, federal, or local requirements.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

A. Existing gasoline or refined products handling facilities with a capacity greater than two thousand barrels shall be equipped with fire suppression systems within three years of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title. All newly installed facilities shall be installed with fire suppression systems. Said systems shall be installed according to plans approved by the Long Beach fire department. The provisions of this section shall not apply to crude oil, gas and water loading or unloading facilities. Such facilities shall comply with the requirements of the Long Beach fire department.

B. Tank vehicle loading racks, loading platforms, or moveable loading spouts or arms dispensing flammable liquids shall be separated from tanks, warehouses, other buildings, public streets, and nearest line of property that may be built upon by a clear distance of not less than one hundred feet, measured from the center of any fill stem or pipe. This distance may be reduced to twenty-five feet if overhead foam fire protection is provided as approved by the Long Beach fire department. In an emergency, these provisions may be waived by the inspector. Buildings for pumps or for shelter of loading personnel may be part of the loading rack or platform.

C. Within three years from the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this title, all loading rack areas shall include an approved catchment basin, treatment facility, or containment systems designed to hold the maximum capacity of any single compartment of a tank truck, or be abandoned.

D. No persons shall load or unload, or permit the loading or unloading of a tank vehicle unless such vehicle is located outside of any public street right-of-way.

E. During the loading or unloading of any tank vehicle, a trained employee or driver shall be at the loading or unloading controls. Provision shall be made for the safe disposal of the oils released by overflow and from loading spouts or lines.

F. All other requirements contained in Chapter 15.08 of this code shall be complied with.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part)).

Fire protection systems shall be located, installed, and maintained when required by the Long Beach fire department pursuant to Chapter 15.08 of this code.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

Air quality emission systems shall be located, installed and maintained when required by the Air Quality Management District.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))

Title 20 of this code shall be applicable to the construction, operation, and maintenance of any structure or facility to be used for the storing or handling of oil or any flammable liquid, unless exempted by Title 20 of this code or provisions contained in this title.

(Ord. 90-08-1074 § 4 (part))