N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC G307: Section BC G307: Tanks

G307.1 Underground tanks.

Underground tanks in special flood hazard areas shall be designed, constructed, installed, and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement resulting from hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of flooding to the design flood elevation, in accordance with ASCE 24.

G307.2 Above-ground tanks.

Above-ground tanks in special flood hazard areas shall be:

1. Elevated to or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1; or

2. Designed, constructed, installed, and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of flooding to the design flood elevation, in accordance with ASCE 24.

G307.3 Tank inlets and vents.

In special flood hazard areas, tank inlets, fill openings, outlets and vents shall be:

1. Installed at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1, or designed to prevent the inflow of floodwater and outflow of the contents of the tanks during conditions of flooding to the design flood elevation, in accordance with ASCE 24; and

2. Anchored to prevent lateral movement resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of flooding to the design flood elevation, in accordance with ASCE 24.

G307.4 Additional fuel-oil storage capacity.

Fuel-oil storage capacity in special flood hazard areas and shaded X-Zones shall comply with the following:

1. In special flood hazard areas, fuel oil on the lowest story having its floor above the applicable design flood elevation shall be limited to 3,000 gallons (11 356 L) and no storage tank may exceed the lesser of 1,500 gallons (5678 L) or the quantity of fuel-oil needed to operate the emergency or standby generator(s) served by such tank for 24 hours and

2. In shaded X-Zones, fuel oil on the lowest story having its floor above the 500-year flood elevation shall be limited to 3,000 gallons (11 356 L) and no storage tank may exceed the lesser of 1,500 gallons (5678 L) or the quantity of fuel-oil needed to operate the emergency or standby generator(s) served by such tank for 24 hours.

G307.4.1 Additional requirements.

Where fuel-oil storage capacity exceeds the quantity set forth in Section 1305.11.1.3 of the New York City Mechanical Code, the fuel-oil storage shall comply with Sections G307.4.1.1 and G307.4.1.2 in addition to Section 1305 of the New York City Mechanical Code.

G307.4.1.1 Vault.

Each fuel-oil storage tank shall be separately enclosed in a vault complying with all of the following requirements:

1. The walls, floor, and top of such vault shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3 hours;

2. The walls of such vault shall be bonded to the floor of such vault;

3. The top and walls of such vault shall be independent of the building structure;

4. An exterior building wall having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3 hours shall be permitted to serve as a wall of such vault; and

5. The vault shall be located in a dedicated room or area of the building that is separated vertically and horizontally from other areas of the building by construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.

G307.4.1.2 Extinguishing system.

Fuel-oil storage shall be protected with an alternative automatic fire-extinguishing system complying with Section 904.

G307.5 Elevation of certain tanks and containers serving flood design class 4 buildings.

The following tanks and containers shall be located at or above the design flood elevation specified in ASCE 24, Table 7-1, when serving flood design class 4 buildings. Such tanks and containers must be designed to maintain service to such structure during flood conditions and shall comply with Section 9.7 of ASCE 24:

1. Medical and compressed gas storage tanks, oxygen tanks, and other cryogenic system storage tanks;

2. Hazardous material storage tanks;

3. Stationary compressed gas containers;

4. Stationary cryogenic containers and

5. Stationary flammable gas storage containers.