Approved Document J and above ground diesel storage tanks

[kurnal]

One of my clients, a haulage business in England, wishes to install a 45000 litre container based combined DERV storage tank and pump facilty next to his warehouse.

The warehouse is just an empty shed in which lorries are sometimes unloaded and the contents decanted into smaller vans. The warehouse is a mix of brick and steel cladding. I am aware of environmental regulations but wish to discuss the fire aspects.

The landlord says he must conform to the FM Global risk data sheet 788 for above ground oil tanks which appears to require 25m spacing between tank and building. The yard is not that wide! I am looking to find a solution.

As far as I can see the relevant legislation is Building Regulation J6 and ADJ which allows storage up to 750mm from the building  (subject to a half hour fire wall and protection of eaves) with the purpose of preventing a fire in the buildng affecting the tank. ADJ points out that its guidance is intended to cover smaller tank up to 3500 Litres and for advice on tanks above this size I should contact the fire service.

Heres the question- on what guidance would the fire service base their advice? Is there any standard or guidance relevant to England that I have overlooked?

[steve walker]

Sounds like an interesting job. I would contact the local FRS and ask them. Sorry not to be more helpful.

Regards
Steve

[kurnal]

Thanks Steve.I have done some more digging and unearthed some more specific data - but all American I am afraid.

I am a bit reluctant to ask the local fire service because if they have no access to National Guidance (Because I believe there isnt any) then they will need time to consider, research or worse still make it up on the hoof. Well thats what I would have done.

For any one interested, in the US NFPA30, GAPS guidance and FM Global Datasheet 7-88 all cover this topic. NFPA does allow a double skinned tank (+caveats) within 1.5m of the building, but another issue that has arisen is that in the States a vehicle refuelling unit is considered a much higher risk than a static take off to a boiler. So they still require the wall to be upgraded.

Has anyone ever been to or heard of a fire that occurred during refuelling of a diesel vehicle?

These container based tank and pump units are actually temporary installations, they come on the back of a lorry and are dropped on the ground, connected to the electrical supply and when finished with craned back onto the lorry and taken away. So actually on further research Building Regs do not apply.