§ 8332-01 Storage of Cryogenic Fluids in Pre-Existing Facilities.
RCNY § 8332-01
(a)Scope. This section consolidates the Fire Prevention Code and former Fire Department rules in effect on June 30, 2008, that are applicable to the design and installation of cryogenic fluid installations in pre-existing facilities.
(b)Definitions. [Reserved.] (c) General Provisions. Pre-existing facilities with cryogenic fluid installations the design and installation of which would not be allowed or approved under the Fire Code, but which, pursuant to FC 102.3 and 3 RCNY § 102-01, may be continued with respect to such cryogenic fluid installations under the applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect prior to the Fire Code, shall continue to comply with the provisions of such laws, rules and regulations, including former Fire Department rule § 23-03, until such time as such facilities may be required to comply with the Fire Code and rules with respect to such cryogenic fluid installations.
(d)Liquefied Natural Gas.
(1)Former Fire Department Rule § 23-03 § 23-03 Manufacture, Storage, Transportation, Delivery and Processing of Liquefied Natural Gas.
(i)LNG storage vessels. LNG vessels or containers of more than 2,500 gallons capacity operating at not more than 2.5 PSIG.
(ii)Process, satellite, or similar tanks. LNG vessels or containers with a capacity of 2,500 gallons or less.
(c)Plant site.
2.Or one and a quarter tank diameters, whichever is greater, except that tanks of not more than 2,500 gallons shall be spaced according to the diameter criteria, but not less than 100 feet.
3.Except where a four-hour unpierced wall separates the control room from flammable liquid handling and explosion venting is provided.
4.For vessels up to 30,000 bbls. cap. Increase to 200 feet for vessels up to 50,000 bbls. and increase to 300 feet for vessels in excess of 50,000 bbls.
5.Or one tank diameter, which ever is greater.
6.Includes cold box.
(2)Site plans.
(3)Facility description. A complete description of the facility shall be filed with the site plan, indicating LNG tanks and sizes, method of liquefaction and vaporization, other methods of acquiring LNG, and fire extinguishing systems. Also included shall be a detailed analysis of the typical product to be stored.
(4)Roads. At least two all-weather roads shall be provided at least 20 feet in width providing access to all areas of the facility. The roads shall be designed in accordance with the specifications of the American Association of State Highway Officials for a uniformly distributed load of 600 pounds per square foot or for the maximum vehicular wheel load that could be imposed thereon, whichever develops the greater stresses. Such design shall take into consideration the weight, height, and turning radius of the heaviest vehicles of the fire department which may have occasion to use the roads. Current specifications of such vehicles shall be obtained from the fire department. Equipment shall be provided to maintain the roads free of snow and ice accumulations and shall at all times be maintained in serviceable condition. Entry gates at least as wide as the road shall be located remote from each other to provide alternate means of access to the plant.
(5)Fences. A protective fence of incombustible material shall be erected at the property line, at least eight feet in height, having locked gates openable only to authorized persons on proper identification.
(e)Impounding areas, berms, dikes. Every LNG container shall be located within both primary and secondary impounding areas or dikes, except that tanks with capacity of not over 2,500 gallons need only a primary impounding area or dike.
(6)Dikes.
(iii)Secondary impounding areas shall be provided for each tank over 2,500 gallon capacity.
(7)Surrounding areas.
(f)Spacing of equipment and structures. Minimum clearances shall be maintained for equipment and structures as noted in this subdivision (f). All equipment and structures referred to in this subdivision (f) shall conform to the minimum clearances as presented in Figure 1.
(8)Boil-off compressors. Boil-off compressors shall be located at least 200 feet from marine transfer facilities and at least 100 feet from storage tanks, vaporizers, process control houses, fire pump house, service building, critical occupancy, property lines, or navigable waters, or to flare stacks or ignition sources.
(9)Process control houses. Process control houses shall be located at least 500 feet from LNG containers; 250 feet from any impounding area, marine transfer facility, flare stack or ignition source; 200 feet from any vaporizer; 150 feet from critical occupancy; and 100 feet from service buildings, boil-off compressors or process equipment.
(10)Fire protection. Fire pump house and fire protection control facilities shall be located at least 500 feet from LNG containers; 250 feet from any impounding area, marine transfer facility, flare stack or ignition source; 200 feet from any vaporizer; and 100 feet from critical occupancy or service buildings.
(g)Buildings and structures.
(h)Process systems.
(iv)Vent and relief valves. Each pump shall be provided with an adequate vent and relief valve which will prevent over- pressuring the pump casing during the maximum possible rate of cooldown.
(v)Pump installation. Pumps used for transfer of liquids at temperatures below -20 degrees Fahrenheit shall be provided with suitable means of precooling to reduce the effect of thermal shock.
(vi)Foundation and sumps. The foundations and sumps for cryogenic pumps shall be of incombustible construction, designed and constructed to prevent frost heaving.
(j)Metal containers.
(k)Concrete containers. Prestressed concrete containers. This subdivision k applies to the design and construction of prestressed concrete containers for any operating pressure, whether externally or internally insulated and for prestressed concrete walls or berms surrounding any container. Non-metallic tanks shall be prefabricated or poured in place reinforced concrete. After the concrete has attained 90 per cent of 28-day strength the tank shall be post-stressed with steel wires, both vertically and circumferentially for tank walls and floors to assure that concrete will remain in compression during all phases of tank operation. Except as modified in these regulations, construction, materials, and tests shall be in accord with applicable ACI, ASTM, and API specifications enumerated in §§ 423 and 424 of Standard 59A-1975 of the NFPA code. The Department of Buildings or Department of [Ports and Trade] Small Business Services shall provide surveillance and inspection to insure compliance with the applicable requirements and shall require such tests and engineering data as it deems necessary and appropriate.
(l)Container purging.
(m)Cooldown procedure.
(n)Pressure and vacuum control.
(o)Vaporization.
(vii)Derime heater shut-off valves. If natural gas is used with a derime heater, shut-off valves shall be provided to both feed and discharge lines, located at least fifty feet from the heater.
(viii)Relief devices. (A) Each vaporizer and/or heater shall be provided with a safety relief valve providing an effective rate of discharge. Relief valve calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and acceptance and shall include allowance for pressures developed due to fire exposure. The relief valve capacity of vaporizers shall be such that the relief valve(s) will discharge 150% of rated vaporizer natural gas flow capacity without allowing the pressure to rise more than 10% above the vaporizer maximum allowable working pressure. (B) Relief valves on heated vaporizers shall be located so that they are not subjected to normal operating temperatures in excess of their design temperature.
(ix)Vary burner gas and air input with LNG flow rate to maintain output process temperature within prescribed limits. (Automatic proportional temperature control).
(x)Alert manager of the plant in event the door is opened for any reason, by means of a tamper control with supervisory signal to be provided in the electrical panel box. (This is to guard against by-passing of controls by any operator).
(xi)Prevent over firing of unit by use of a combustion air blower designed with limited capacity.
(p)Piping.
(11)Pipe supports and piping insulation.
(12)Pipe identification. Process, fuel, high pressure steam, fire protection and other critical piping shall be identified by color coding, painting or labeling, subject to the approval of the Fire Department.
(13)Welding.
(14)Weld identification. Weld identification markings for pipe which will be subject to service temperatures below -20 degrees Fahrenheit shall comply with the following: (i) Marking shall be made with a material compatible with the basic material or with a round-bottom low stress die, except that materials less than one-quarter inch thick shall not be die-stamped.
(15)Testing of piping.
(16)Purging of piping systems. Purging of air or gas shall be done in a safe manner. ANSI B31.8, Section 841.285 may be used as a guide. Blow down and purge connections shall be provided to facilitate purging of process and flammable gas piping.
(17)Corrosion control.
(q)Instrumentation and electrical services.
78.An affidavit shall be filed to this effect with the Fire Department.
(r)Transfer of LNG and refrigerants.
(xii)Hose testing. Hoses shall be tested at least semi-annually to the maximum pump pressure of relief valve setting and shall be visibly inspected before each use for damage or defects.
(xiii)Vessel transfer precautions. Prior to transfers, an English-speaking officer of the vessel in charge of cargo transfer and the shore terminal supervisor shall personally inspect their respective facilities to ensure that transfer equipment is in proper working condition. After being satisfied that their inspections disclose no defect or cause for concern, they shall agree on safe transfer procedures and review the emergency procedures, including verification of ship-to-shore communications.
(s)Testing and testing procedures. Testing and testing procedures shall conform to the requirements of this subdivision (s).
(u)Requirements for Plans, Approvals, Affidavits and Documentation. Specific data is required by the Fire Department to support certification of LNG facilities.
