§ 5809-01 Sanitary Landfill Methane Gas Recovery Facilities.
RCNY § 5809-01
(a)Scope. This section sets forth standards, requirements and procedures for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of methane recovery facilities that recover methane gas from sanitary landfills, process such gas to remove impurities, and/or compress, flare and odorize such gas.
(b)General Provisions.
(1)Applicable provisions of law. Pursuant to FC 5809.1, methane gas recovery facilities at sanitary landfills must be designed, installed, operated and maintained in compliance with the requirements of the Fire Code, this section, the Construction Codes and the Electrical Code.
(2)Design and installation documents. Design and installation documents for the facility, detailing the methane recovery process and fire protection systems, including a process flow diagram showing all vessels and instrumentation, shall be filed with the Department of Buildings and the Bureau of Fire Prevention, together with supporting information and documentation.
(3)Supervision. The facility shall be under the continuous personal supervision (on a 24 hour, seven-day-a-week basis), by at least one (1) person holding a certificate of fitness for supervision of sanitary landfill methane recovery facilities, which qualifies the holder to perform or supervise gas compressing, fire alarm maintenance, and operation of a refrigerating system, at a sanitary landfill methane recovery facility.
(c)Design and Installation Requirements.
(4)All valves on piping containing flammable gas or liquids or combustible liquids shall be of steel construction (5) Gaskets on piping containing flammable gases or flammable liquids shall be of the compressed noncombustible type.
(6)Piping insulation shall be of a noncombustible material. (C) Pipe connections.
(5)Emergency shut down of process equipment. (A) The process equipment shall be provided with an emergency shut-down system capable of automatic and manual operation. The emergency shut-down system shall initiate upon the following activation: (1) Manual activation of the system at the process control center.
(7)Yard hydrant system. The facility shall be provided with a yard hydrant system designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of FC 508 and the Building Code. The yard hydrant system shall be designed and installed in compliance with the following requirements: (A) Hydrants shall be a type complying with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection and have Fire Department approved threads; (B) The hydrant system piping shall be a minimum eight (8) inches in diameter; (C) Fire Department connections to the hydrant system piping shall be provided at one (1) or more approved locations; (D) The system shall be supplied water from a source capable of providing a minimum of 2,500 gpm; (E) A hydrant loop grid system shall be provided with block valves at one (1) or more approved locations for emergency and maintenance purposes; (F) Hose reels and nozzles shall be provided at one (1) or more approved locations and shall be readily available for use; and (G) Where required by the Department, fire water monitors shall be provided at one (1) or more approved locations.
(8)Fire extinguishing systems. If a fire extinguishing system other than a sprinkler system is installed in an interior motor control room, it shall be of an approved type, and shall comply with FC 904 and the Building Code.
(9)Odorant room. (A) A sprinkler system or other approved non-water fire extinguishing system designed and installed in accordance with FC Chapter 9 and the Building Code shall be provided for protection of a gas odorant room. (B) A fire detection system shall be provided in the odorant room. Activation of the fire detection system shall cause the gas valves to close gas valves and initiate audible and visible alarms locally and in the control center. (C) A flammable gas detection system shall be provided in the odorant room. Activation of the flammable gas detection system shall initiate audible and visible alarms locally and in the control center. (D) The odorant room shall be equipped with absorbing or neutralizing equipment to prevent escape of any odorant to the atmosphere.
(10)Lightning Protection and Grounding. (A) The highest structural steel, process vessels and columns shall be provided with lightning protection in accordance with the Electrical Code. (B) All process equipment and piping shall be electrically grounded.
(11)Flammable and combustible liquids. Flammable and combustible liquids, in the gas recovery and treatment system, and in stationary tanks, shall be stored, handled and used in compliance with the requirements of FC Chapter 34 and the rules. Solvents with low flash points and solvents used at a temperature above their flash points may be used only when approved.
(12)Compressor enclosures. Natural gas compressors shall be located outdoors, except that such compressors may be partially enclosed in light-weight noncombustible construction for protection against the weather, provided such enclosure is open at the top and bottom in an approved manner that provides for adequate ventilation and explosion venting.
(13)Flaring systems. The design and installation of any flaring system shall be approved.
(14)Markings. Process, fire protection and other critical piping shall be identified in accordance with FC Chapters 9 and 27.
(15)Security. A fence constructed of noncombustible material shall be provided around the perimeter of the facility, at least 25 feet away from any process equipment.
(16)Fire apparatus. At least two (2) means of fire apparatus access shall be provided to the methane gas recovery facility.
(17)Space heating systems. Only hot water space heating systems may be installed within the facility. The location of any space heating plant shall be approved.
(d)Operational and Maintenance Requirements.
(f)Portable Fire Extinguisher Requirements. The facility shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers having at least a 40-B:C rating. The maximum travel distance to such extinguishers shall not exceed 30 feet. (Renumbered City Record 9/20/2023, eff. 10/20/2023)
