HomeMy WebLinkAbout402.003 - Diesel Fuel Supplies for Emergency Power Generators with Integral TanksEffective Date: March 2015 Darla J. Scott, Supervising Fire Inspector
Current Revision Date: 6/26/2025 Section 402.003
Next Revision Date: 6/26/2028 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 402.003 DIESEL FUEL SUPPLIES FOR EMERGENCY POWER
GENERATORS WITH INTEGRAL TANKS
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the requirements for diesel generator sets (gen-
sets) with protected or unprotected base tanks with a capacity of up to six hundred
sixty (660) gallons of fuel.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to those installing diesel powered generator sets (gen-sets) within
the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or Department) jurisdiction.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse
service delivery area, and after careful deliberation, the Department has determined
the following:
Non-integral base tanks for supplying gen-sets will be UL 2085 fire resistive tanks or
underground tanks installed per the California Fire Code (CFC).
Exterior installation of gen-sets requires a revised site plan or conditional use permit
entitlement as mandated by the Planning and Development Department. This
entitlement submittal is routed to FFD for review to determine FFD has the required
site access and water supply.
All gen-set installations require a plan submittal and installation permit from the
Planning and Development Department, Building Section. This building submittal is
routed to the FFD for review and shall include a copy of the approved Planning
entitlement submittal, the manufacturer’s details, and the UL listing of the fuel tank.
In addition to the building plan submittal, a separate deferred above ground tank
installation permit is required to be obtained from FFD when the diesel fuel tank
capacity is in excess of sixty (60) gallons. Plans are required to be submitted to FFD
for review and the FFD installation permit shall be finalized before finalizing the
Building permit.
Installation Requirements:
The fuel tank vent line will terminate a minimum of twelve (12) feet above grade.
Effective Date: March 2015 Darla J. Scott, Supervising Fire Inspector
Current Revision Date: 6/26/2025 Section 402.003
Next Revision Date: 6/26/2028 Page 2 of 3
Exterior installations will be protected from vehicle impact by bollards or other
approved protection.
Diesel engines will comply with the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District
requirements for stationary installations.
The UL 142 fuel tanks will have integral secondary containment.
A minimum clear space of three (3) feet to walls or other obstructions will be provided
around the gen-set for the purposes of maintenance and inspection.
Exterior gen-set locations will be as follows:
1. Gen-sets with base tanks of two hundred seventy-five (275) gallons or less will
be located a minimum of five (5) feet from property lines and the roof drip line
of buildings.
2. Gen-sets with base tanks of two hundred seventy-six through six hundred sixty
(276-660) gallons will be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from property lines,
and the roof drip line of a building.
3. The distances specified in No. 1 and No. 2 may be modified in accordance with
any of the following exceptions:
Exception 1: Distance from buildings may be reduced to three (3) feet for
buildings having walls with a minimum one (1) hour rating including protected
openings within ten (10) feet of the gen-set.
Exception 2: Distance from buildings may be reduced to three (3) feet from
fire sprinklered buildings with non-fire rated exterior walls when exterior
exposure fire sprinkler heads are provided and there are no building
penetrations within ten (10) feet of the gen-set.
Exception 3: Distances may be reduced to three (3) feet from property lines,
when a minimum six (6)-foot high concrete block screen wall is provided. This
wall will extend five (5) feet linearly from the ends of the gen-set.
Exception 4: Distances may be reduced to five (5) feet if the base tank is UL
2085 listed.
Other standards regarding gen-set installation include NFPA 37 “Installation and Use
of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines” and NFPA 110 “Emergency and
Standby Power Systems”.
Effective Date: March 2015 Darla J. Scott, Supervising Fire Inspector
Current Revision Date: 6/26/2025 Section 402.003
Next Revision Date: 6/26/2028 Page 3 of 3
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
The Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) prohibits the installation of above-ground tanks for
Class I and II liquids outside of bulk plants and terminals, refineries, standby
generators and tanks at farm and construction sites, except for protected tanks (UL
2085) installed in accordance with the CFC.
Increased demand for reliable standby power has resulted in an expansion of options
available to the purchaser for the fuel supply. Fuel tanks are available as UL 142 non-
fire protected tanks and as UL 2085 fire resistive tanks. This policy should be followed
in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety and meet the intent of the FMC to
limit the size of above ground fuel tanks in order to minimize the associated fire risk
to the community. Gen-set placement relative to buildings and property lines is based
on CFC requirements for above ground tanks and portable containers of Class II
combustible liquids.
PROCESS
This section intentionally left blank.
INFORMATION
Once the installation permit is approved, a hazardous materials use permit is required
to be obtained from FFD for all diesel fuel tanks in excess of sixty (60) gallons capacity.
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code, current edition
Fresno Municipal Code
NFPA 37
Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines
NFPA 110
Emergency and Standby Power Systems