SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Building Regulations: Technical Standards

OIL STORAGE

(F7.1) The requirements of F7.1 will be met where the tank is

a. constructed in accordance with -

i. for a steel tank, BS799: Part 5: 1987,

ii. for a polyethylene tank with or without integral bunding, OFTEC Technical Standard OFS T100,

iii. a European harmonised product standard and assessed by a notified body; and

b. installed, together with the fuel feed system from the tank to the combustion appliance, in accordance with -

i. for a tank with a capacity more than 3 500 litres, BS5410: Part 2: 1978,

ii. for a tank with a capacity not more than 3 500 litres, BS5410: Part 1: 1997.

(F7.2) The requirements of F7.2a and b will be met where the tank with a capacity -

a. more than 3 500 litres, is located in accordance with Clauses 45.2 and 45.3 of BS5410: Part 2: 1978;

b. not more than 3 500 litres and located within a building, is installed within a place of special fire risk ventilated to the external air and having

i. an outward opening door that is readily openable, without a key, from the side approached by people making an escape, and

ii. sufficient space for access to the tank and its mountings and fittings;

c. not more than 3 500 litres and not located within a building, is installed in accordance with the table to this specification -

Table to (F7.2b): Location of an oil storage tank not more than 3 500 litres capacity

Note:

1. In the table -

NON-COMBUSTIBLE BASE means a solid base of concrete or of paving slabs at least 42mm thick that extends at least 300mm beyond all sides of the tank,

except -

where the tank is not more than 300mm from a wall having 30 minutes fire resistance or boundary wall, the base need only extend as far as the wall;

BARRIER means an imperforate, non-combustible wall or screen at least 300mm higher and wider than any part of the tank, constructed so as to prevent the passage of direct radiated heat to the tank;

BOUNDARY WALL means a wall on a boundary having at least 30 minutes fire resistance from both sides for loadbearing capacity, integrity and insulation and extending 300mm higher and wider than any part of the tank.

The requirements of F7.2c will be met where the catchpit is provided in accordance with the requirements of Clause 6.5 of BS5410: Part 1: 1997 and the table to this specification -

Table to (F7.2c): Provision of catchpits

Notes:

1. In the table -

CATCHPIT means a pit, without a drain, which is capable of containing the contents of the tank, plus 10%;

INTEGRALLY BUNDED TANK is a tank, together with a catchpit, manufactured as a self-contained unit complete with a removable lid and designed to contain the escape of any liquid escaping from the tank in an overfill situation.

2. Every tank located not more than 50 m from a spring or bore hole, 10 m from controlled waters or where it is likely to constitute a hazard as decided by a risk assessment described in OFTEC Technical Information Note TI/133 requires a catchpit or should be of the integrally bunded type.

(F7.3) The requirements of F7.3 will be met where the fire valve is installed in accordance with -

a. for tanks more than 3 500 litres, Clause 67 of BS5410: Part 2: 1978;

b. for tanks not more than 3 500 litres, Clause 8.3 of 5410: Part 1: 1997.

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS STORAGE

(F7.4) The requirements of F7.4 will be met where the installation is constructed and installed in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive.

(F7.5) The requirements of F7.5a will be met by a container -

a. constructed in accordance with the requirements set out in Section 3.1 of the LPGA Code of Practice 1: ‘Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations’: Part 1; and

b. installed in accordance with -

i. for fixed storage tank(s), the LPGA Code of Practice 1: ‘Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations’: Part 1,

ii. for cylinder(s), the LPGA Code of Practice 24: ‘Use of LPG cylinders’: Parts 1 and 2.

The requirements of F7.5b will be met where the tank(s) is located in accordance with the table and Diagram 1 to this specification -

Table to (F7.5b): Separation distances for liquefied petroleum gas storage tanks

Notes:

1. In the table -

FIRE WALL means a wall or screen having at least 30 minutes fire resistance from both sides for loadbearing capacity, integrity and insulation, located between 1 m and 1.5 m from the tank and extending -

a. longitudinally: so that the distance specified above without the fire wall is maintained when measured around the ends of the fire wall; and

b. vertically: 2 m or the height to the top of the pressure relief valve, whichever is greater,

except -

where the tank capacity is not more than 2 500 litres, the fire wall need be no higher than the top of the pressure relief valve and may form part of the site boundary.

2. Where a tank(s) not more than 2 500 litres total capacity is located closer to a building than the separation distance in column A, the fire wall should form part of the wall of the building in accordance with Diagram 2 to this specification.

3. Motor vehicles under the control of the site occupier should be parked at least 6 m from LPG tanks or the separation distance in column A of Table to (F7.5b), whichever is the smaller. This does not apply to the loading/unloading of vehicles. Motor vehicles not under site control (eg those belonging to members of the public) should be parked no closer than the separation distance in column A to Table to (F7.5b).

Diagram 1 to (F7.5b): Separation or shielding of a liquefied petroleum gas tank from a building, boundary or fixed source of ignition

Diagram

Diagram 2 to (F7.5b): Small liquefied petroleum gas storage tank close to a building

Diagram

The requirements of F7.5c will be met where the number of tanks in a group is not more than six.

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