Propane Tank Clearances/Lot Line

11 years ago

Hi all,

A neighbor just installed 3 - 120 gallon (water gallons that is... they can hold up to 96 gal propane each)propane tanks that are ganged together--right on the other side of my board privacy fence. Actually, they are installed several inches over my lot line. (I had installed the fences about 1' on my side of the lot line). Besides the encroachment issue, their installer told them it was correct "code" to install these three tanks (totaling 360 gallons) with zero clearance to the lot line.

My oil/propane supplier said they "never" install on the lot line and in fact the code says 10' is the clearance. He cited the dangers, including that their supplier can't guarantee that there won't be a BBQ, lawn mover, etc. (i.e., a source of ignition) during transfer/fill-ups on MY side of the fence.

I have checked the NFPA's #58 code regarding propane installations, but it's very confusing on the subject of ganged (they call them "multicontainer") tank setups. One way it reads like you have to use the "aggregate total" of gas for all tanks ganged together (360 in this case), and another way makes it sound like there is zero clearance for tanks under 125 gallons.

The real problem is that I also need to use this corner of my property soon for a propane fired generator install... the code also seems to say that two different tank installations need to be minimum 25' apart (again, if I'm reading it correctly). So, their install might prevent me from installing my generator setup to code!

This was an odd coincidence because I had just researched propane installations because of my own generator plans, and was going to make sure that my own tank was 10' from the lot line.

There is about 24 feet from my house to the lot line. My generator needs to be 5' min' from the house... and my propane tank needs to be min' 10 feet from the generator. Things would be very close with the code clearances overlapping.

Any advice? Any specific sites that are specific--and clear--about the code? I live in a fairly rural town that has no specific codes about propane installs... the closest being that "structures" can't be built closer than 12' to a lot line.

Thanks for the help...

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Comments (5)

doug_gb
11 years ago
http://www.superiorpropane.com/data/1/rec_docs/247_Propane%20Tank%20Clearances.pdf
jca1
11 years ago
If your under the jurisdiction of NFPA58, tanks with capacities of 120 gallons can be installed with zero clearance to property lines, with up to four tanks tied together.
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bus_driver
11 years ago
To protect your property rights, consult a local real estate attorney about the long-term consequences of others encroaching on your property boundaries. Some nasty surprises could await you some years from now.
brickeyee
11 years ago
National codes AND local rules.
Northwester
9 years ago
I realize this is a late answer to your question, but perhaps it may help others.

The NFPA codes are strictly reference codes, except in the case of interstate transportation. Local and State codes always trump the NFPA. State law is the Ace of trumps.

That said, your state legislature may adopt any code they want to. If they decide to adopt the NFPA codes, so be it. If they decide to adopt the Uniform series of codes, such as the Uniform Fire Code (written by the Western Fire Chiefs Association) they can certainly do that. If they decide to write and adopt their own code, they can.

Another example is Washington State. The state has adopted the UFC as the Minimum code for the entire state, but state law allows for counties and municipalities to stiffen requirements beyond the minimum (never decrease them). The City of Seattle did just that, requiring fire sprinkler systems in 4-story residential occupancies (hotels, etc.) retroactively, following the Ozark hotel fire, which killed 23 people many years ago.

My point is that you need to know your local codes. Codes usually refer to the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) as the final arbiter of the code. In most cases involving the Fire Codes, this is your local Fire Marshal. Usually the AHJ must make a copy of the current code available for viewing. Your library may have copies, as well - just make sure you are reading the current local code.

I would start at your local fire station and go from there.

Rich (retired Fire Captain and Deputy Fire Marshal)