California Code of Regulations › Title 19 - Public Safety › Division 1 - State Fire Marshal › Chapter 11.5 - Gasoline Vapor Control Systems › Article 4 - Installation-Vapor Recovery › Section 1918.35 - Piping

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
Piping shall comply with the following:
(a) Non-metallic piping, if used, shall be
				  installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation
				  instructions.
(b) All vapor return
				  piping and tank vents shall be installed so as to drain toward the gasoline
				  storage tanks. There shall be no sags or traps in the vapor return piping in
				  which any liquid may become trapped. Condensate tanks, if utilized, shall be
				  installed and maintained so as to preclude the blocking of the vapor return
				  lines by liquid.
(c) All vapor
				  return and vent piping shall be provided with swing joints or any other State
				  Fire Marshal approved connector at the base of the riser to each dispensing
				  unit, at each tank connection, and at the base of the vent riser where it
				  fastens to a building or other structure. When a swing joint is used in a riser
				  containing a shear section, the riser must be rigidly supported.
(d) Tank vent pipes two inches or less in
				  nominal inside diameter shall not be obstructed by any device unless the tank
				  and its associated piping and other equipment is protected to limit back
				  pressure development to less than the maximum working pressure of the tank, its
				  associated piping and other equipment. Protection shall be afforded by the
				  installation of one of the following approved items: Pressure/vacuum vents,
				  rupture disks or other tank venting devices installed in the tank vent
				  pipes.
(e) Tank vent pipes shall
				  terminate into the open atmosphere and shall be at least 12 feet above the
				  adjacent ground level. The outlet shall vent upward or horizontally and be
				  located so as to eliminate the possibility of vapors accumulating or traveling
				  to a source of ignition or entering adjacent buildings.
(f) Vent pipes from tanks storing the same
				  class of liquids may be connected into one outlet pipe. The vapor discharge
				  capacity of manifolded vent piping shall be sufficient to limit back pressure
				  development to less than the maximum working pressure of tanks, associated
				  piping and other equipment when two tanks are filled simultaneously.
(g) Vent pipes shall be adequately supported
				  throughout their length. When they are supporting weights in addition to their
				  own, additional supports may be required.
(h) Piping systems servicing vapor balance
				  recovery systems, installed after September 1, 1977 shall be pneumatically
				  tested to 75 psig. Test pressure shall be maintained for at least 30 minutes,
				  with the system sealed, and with a pressure loss not to exceed 3
				  psig.
(j) When there is any
				  indication of a leak in an existing underground storage tank or piping system,
				  the system shall be tested in accordance with and shall meet the criteria of
				  2001 Edition of the California Fire Code §
										7901.11.
(k) Vapor pipes shall enter tanks only
				  through the top of the tank. The end of vapor pipes shall not extend into the
				  tank more than one inch. Float check valves attached to such vapor pipes may
				  extend into the tank without distance restrictions.
1. Amendment
					 of subsection (j) filed 11-13-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register
					 80, No. 46).
2. Amendment filed 9-27-85; effective thirtieth day
					 thereafter (Register 85, No. 41).
3. Amendment of subsection (j)
					 filed 10-28-2004; operative 10-28-2004 pursuant to Government Code section
					 11343.4
					 (Register 2004, No. 44).
Note: Authority cited: Section
						41956,
						Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections
						41956
						and
						41958,
						Health and Safety Code.