1. (a) Every aboveground tank for the storage of Category 1, 2, 3 or 4 flammable liquids, except those liquids with boil-over characteristics and unstable liquids, operating at pressures not in excess of 2.5 psig and designed with a weak roof-to-shell seam or equipped with emergency venting devices which will not permit pressures to exceed 2.5 psig, shall be located in accordance with Table FL-10.

   1. (1) For the purpose of this Section, a floating roof tank is one which incorporates a pontoon or double deck roof in an open top tank in accordance with API Standard 650, or one which incorporates an internal all-metal (except for seals) floating cover with a fixed metal roof with adequate ventilation at the eaves of the roof. Tanks with internal floating covers incorporating nonmetallic construction, such as plastics, shall be treated as cone roof tanks.
2. (b) Every aboveground tank for the storage of Category 1, 2, 3 or 4 flammable liquids, except those liquids with boil-over characteristics and unstable flammable or combustible liquids, operating at pressures exceeding 2.5 psig or equipped with emergency venting which will permit pressures to exceed 2.5 psig shall be located in accordance with Table FL-11.
3. (c) Every aboveground tank for the storage of Category 1, 2, 3 or 4 flammable liquids with boil-over characteristics shall be located in accordance with Table FL-12.
4. (d) Every aboveground tank for the storage of unstable liquids shall be located in accordance with Table FL-13.
5. (e) Every aboveground tank for the storage of liquids with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) (formerly designated Class IIIB Combustible liquids), excluding unstable liquids, shall be located in accordance with Table FL-14 except when located within a diked area or drainage path for a tank or tanks storing a Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquid. When a combustible liquid (formerly designated Class IIIB liquid) storage tank is within the diked area or drainage path for a Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquid, (a) or (b) shall apply.
6. (f) Reference minimum distances for use in Tables FL-10 to FL-13, inclusive.

7. (g) Where end failure of horizontal pressure tanks and vessels may expose property, the tank shall be placed with the longitudinal axis parallel to the nearest important building.

   Table FL-10

   Type of Tank

   Protection

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Property Line Which May Be Built Upon, Including the Opposite Side of a Public Way and Shall Be Not Less Than Five (5) Feet

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Nearest Side of Any Public Way or From Nearest Important Building and Shall Be Not Less Than Five (5) Feet

   Floating Roof

   Protection for Exposures

   ½ times diameter of tank but need not exeed 90 feet

   ¹/₆ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 30 feet

   None

   Diameter of tank but need not exceed 175 feet

   ¹/₆ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 30 feet

   Vertical with Weak Roof to Shell Seam

   Approved foam or inerting system on the tank

   ½ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 90 feet

   ¹/₆ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 30 feet

   Protection for Exposures

   Diameter of tank but need not exceed 175 feet

   ⅓ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 60 feet

   None

   2 times diameter of tank but need not exceed 350 feet

   ⅓ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 60 feet

   Horizontal and Vertical, with Emergency Relief Venting to Limit Pressures to 2.5 psig

   Approved inerting system on the tank or approved foam system on vertical tanks

   ½ times Table FL-15

   ½ times Table FL-15

   Protection for Exposures

   Table FL-15

   Table FL-15

   None

   2 times Table FL-15

   Table FL-15

   Table FL-11

   Type of Tank

   Protection

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Property Line Which May Be Built Upon, Including the Opposite Side of a Public Way

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Nearest Side of Any Public Way or From Nearest Important Building

   Any Type

   Protection for Exposures

   1 ½ times Table FL-15 but shall not be less than 25 feet

   1 ½ times Table FL-15 but shall not be less than 25 feet

   None

   3 times Table FL-15 but shall not be less than 50 feet

   1 ½ times Table FL-15 but shall not be less than 25 feet

   Table FL-12

   Type of Tank

   Protection

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Property Line Which May Be Built Upon, Including the Opposite Side of a Public Way

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Nearest Side of Any Public Way or From Nearest Important Building

   Floating Roof

   Protection for Exposures

   ½ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 90 feet

   ¹/₆ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 30 feet

   None

   Diameter of tank but need not exceed 175 feet

   ¹/₆ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 30 feet

   Fixed Roof

   Approved foam or inerting system

   Diameter of tank but need not exceed 175 feet

   ⅓ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 60 feet

   Protection for Exposures

   2 times diameter of tank but need not exceed 350 feet

   ²/₃ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 120 feet

   None

   4 times diameter of tank but need not exceed 350 feet

   ²/₃ times diameter of tank but need not exceed 120 feet

   Table FL-13

   Type of Tank

   Protection

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Property Line Which May Be Built Upon, Including the Opposite Side of a Public Way

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Nearest Side of Any Public Way or From Nearest Important Building

   Horizontal and Vertical Tanks With Emergency Relief Venting to Permit Pressure Not in Excess of 2.5 psig

   Tank protected with any one of the following: Approved water spray, Approved inerting, Approved insulation and refrigeration, Approved barricade

   Table FL-15 but not less than 25 feet

   Not less than 25 feet

   Protection for Exposures

   2 ½ times Table FL-15 but not less than 50 feet

   Not less than 50 feet

   None

   5 times Table FL-15 but not less than 100 feet

   Not less than 100 feet

   Horizontal and Vertical Tanks With Emergency Relief Venting to Permit Pressure

   Tank protected with any one of the following: Approved water spray, Approved inerting, Approved insulation and refrigeration, Approved barricade

   2 times Table FL-15 but not less than 50 feet

   Not less than 50 feet

   Protection for Exposures

   4 times Table FL-15 but not less than 100 feet

   Not less than 100 feet

   None

   8 times Table FL-15 but not less than 150 feet

   Not less than 150 feet

   Table FL-14

   Capacity Gallons

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Property Line Which May Be Built Upon, Including the Opposite Side of a Public Way

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Nearest Side of Any Public Way or From Nearest Important Building

   12,000 or less

   5

   5

   12,001 to 30,000

   10

   5

   30,001 to 50,000

   10

   10

   50,001 to 100,000

   15

   10

   100,001 or more

   15

   15

   Table FL-15

   Capacity Tank Gallons

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Property Line Which May Be Built Upon, Including the Opposite Side of a Public Way

   Minimum Distance in Feet From Nearest Side of Any Public Way or From Nearest Important Building

   275 or less

   5

   5

   276 to 750

   10

   5

   751 to 12,000

   15

   5

   12,001 to 30,000

   20

   5

   30,001 to 50,000

   30

   10

   50,001 to 100,000

   50

   15

   100,001 to 500,000

   80

   25

   500,001 to 1,000,000

   100

   35

   1,000,001 to 2,000,000

   135

   45

   2,000,001 to 3,000,000

   165

   55

   3,000,001 or more

   175

   60

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

History

1. Amendment of subsection (e) and Table FL-11 filed 12-19-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 1).

2. Amendment of subsections (a), (b) and (e) and amendment of Note filed 5-5-2014; operative 5-6-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 19).