Generator Fuel tank

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sajid khan

Sajid khan

Senior Member
Location
Pakistan
I have a generator 250 kVA prime rating with 800 Gallons fuel tank.

Can i place the Fuel tank in Generator room or is prohibited by code..

Thanks

Sent from my GT-I9300I using Tapatalk
 
It can be in the room, but the vents must be properly piped to the exterior.
 
I don't know the codes on this, but generator or not, just having the fuel tank inside probably creates many other requirements for fire safety reasons and is usually preferred to have fuel tank outdoors.
 
kwired said:
I don't know the codes on this, but generator or not, just having the fuel tank inside probably creates many other requirements for fire safety reasons and is usually preferred to have fuel tank outdoors.
Click to expand...
Actually i want to placed the fuel tank in a separate room due to saftey reasons as u mentioed but the architect has a concern on the space.. so i placed the tank in the genset room... Just want to check if it is a code violation or not.
If have a code reference can easily convence the architect.

Sent from my GT-I9300I using Tapatalk
 
kwired said:
I don't know the codes on this, but generator or not, just having the fuel tank inside probably creates many other requirements for fire safety reasons and is usually preferred to have fuel tank outdoors.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'd say there is a good chance that 800 gal of fuel is going to exceed the allowed limit for an inside storage. It could be tough to fill an indoor tank also. Wouldn't want to drag a fill hose halfway through a building.

Common practice is to have a much smaller day tank in the generator room, with a bulk fuel tank outside, with a transfer pump.
 
That's not a NEC question, but there are other NFPA codes that apply. A call to your fire marshal and building official will sort it out for you.
Diesel fuel is not considered flammable so that's a plus for you.
 
tom baker said:
That's not a NEC question, but there are other NFPA codes that apply. A call to your fire marshal and building official will sort it out for you.
Diesel fuel is not considered flammable so that's a plus for you.
Click to expand...

Yes, but it is still a combustible Class II liquid. One reference is that the IBC limits the quantity to 120 gallons. (Which could be increased to 240 gal. in an approved day tank, or 480 gal with an approved day tank and a sprinklered bldg.).

But that is just one example of a code reference. I'm sure there are probably other codes and restrictions that also apply.

gadfly56 said:
Yes, because buried fuel tanks never have issues of their own...:roll:
Click to expand...

But it could be an outdoor underground storage tank. Although, around here it has to be a double walled tank with leak detection in the space between the walls.
 
gadfly56 said:
Yes, because buried fuel tanks never have issues of their own...:roll:
Click to expand...

I never stated they did, just that from a safety standpoint underground would be safer than in the generator room. Steve 66's reply leads me to believe that underground would be considerably more expensive than above ground
 
JFletcher said:
I never stated they did, just that from a safety standpoint underground would be safer than in the generator room. Steve 66's reply leads me to believe that underground would be considerably more expensive than above ground
Click to expand...

Its definitely not uncommon to put them underground. Every gas station does it for their bulk storage.

And I suspect that the underground tanks are mostly plastic, so it may not be too much more expensive.

For an emergency generator, it can make the installation more reliable also, depending on where you live. An emergency generator doesn't do much good if a tornado carries your fuel away. But during the New Orleans flood, I think a lot of fuel got ruined because the water levels got above the vent pipes. So it depends on what hazards are more likely in a particular area.

FEMA has lots of good info on designing for hazards like FEMA 577.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top