Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-221.4 - Flammable or combustible liquids

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The IFC, 2024 edition, published by the ICC, Chapter 34 and references contained therein, and NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2024 edition, and references contained therein, subject to amendments that follow, are adopted by reference as the rules for transportation, storage, handling, and use of flammable or combustible liquids. In any case in which a provision of the IFC conflicts with a provision of NFPA 30, the NFPA provision controls. Any refinery shall comply with the provisions of this rule.

(1) Amendments to the IFC, 2024 edition, are as follows:

a. The category of combustible liquids does not include compressed gases or cryogenic fluids.

b. Delete the definition of refinery and insert in lieu thereof the following:

REFINERY. A plant in which flammable or combustible liquids are produced on a commercial scale from crude petroleum, natural gasoline or other sources.

c. Add the following new sections:

5703.6.12 Each connection to an aboveground tank through which liquid can normally flow shall be provided with an external control valve that is located as close as practical to the shell of the tank as well as an emergency internal check valve at each pipe connection to any tank opening below normal liquid level effectively located inside the tank shell and operable both manually and by an effective heat-activated device that, in case of fire, will automatically close the valve to prevent the flow of liquid from the tank even though the pipelines from the tank are broken.

5703.6.13 Any device dispensing Class I or Class II flammable liquids shall not be constructed or installed less than 100 feet from any existing dwelling unit.

d. Delete section 5704.2.9.2.2.1, introductory paragraph, and insert in lieu thereof the following:

5704.2.9.2.2.1 Foam fire protection shall:

a. If required, be provided in accordance with NFPA 11, 2024 edition, and be of a type or types and amount appropriate to suppress fires involving types and amounts of flammable or combustible liquids found on the premises.

b. Where the flammable or combustible liquid contains more than 10 percent alcohol, be alcohol-resistant and stored separately from any area in which flammable or combustible liquids are stored and, in an area, or areas that will be readily accessible to fire fighters responding to a fire at the facility.

e. Amend the exception to section 5704.2.9.2.2.1 by adding the following new numbered paragraphs:

6. The premises are not a refinery.

7. The premises do not include bulk storage of flammable or combustible liquids.

8. The premises do not contain total storage capacity to store one million gallons or more of flammable or combustible liquids.

f. Delete section 5704.3.1.1 and insert in lieu thereof the following:

5704.3.1.1 Approved containers. Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used, and no flammable or combustible liquid be placed into, stored in, or carried in any container other than one which is metal or hard plastic or be placed into, stored in, or carried in any temporary or disposable container.

(2) Amend NFPA 30, section 22.11.4, by adding the following new paragraphs:

(11) Each secondary containment tank shall have top-only openings and be either a steel double-walled tank or a steel inner tank with an outer containment tank wall constructed in accordance with nationally accepted industry standards, such as those codified by the American Petroleum Institute, the Steel Tank Institute and the American Concrete Institute. Each tank will be listed by an independent testing laboratory.

(12) Each fill opening in a secondary containment tank shall be provided with a spill container that will hold at least 5 gallons.

(13) For any secondary containment tank, interstitial tank space shall be monitored by an approved, continuous, automatic detection system that is capable of detecting liquids, including water. An automatic detection system may be either electronically or mechanically operated.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-221.4

ARC 7977B, IAB 7/29/09, effective 7/2/09; ARC 8114B, IAB 9/9/09, effective 9/1/09; ARC 9283B, IAB 12/15/10, effective 12/1/10; ARC 9620B, IAB 7/27/11, effective 9/1/11 Amended by IAB January 27, 2021/Volume XLIII, Number 16, effective 3/3/2021 Adopted by IAB April 30, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 22, effective 6/4/2025

State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.

The International Fire Code, 2006 edition, published by the ICC, Chapter 22 and references contained therein, and NFPA 30A, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, 2003 edition and references contained therein, are adopted by reference as the rules for motor fuel dispensing facilities and repair garages. If any provision of the International Fire Code adopted herein is in conflict with any provision of NFPA 30A, the International Fire Code provision shall apply. The International Fire Code, 2006 edition, Chapter 22, is adopted with the following amendments:

(1) Amend Table 2206.2.3 so that:

Each tank with a capacity of not more than 6,000 gallons for motor vehicle fuel dispensing systems and storing a Class I liquid, or with a capacity of not more than 12,000 gallons and storing a Class II or Class III liquid, that is located at a commercial, industrial, governmental, or manufacturing establishment, and that is intended for fueling vehicles used in connection with the establishment, is required to be located at least:

(a)40 feet away from the nearest important building on the same property;

Exception: Tanks may be located closer than 40 feet to a building of noncombustible construction.

(b) 40 feet away from any property that is or may be built upon, including the opposite side of a public way;

EXCEPTION: No minimum separation shall be required for any tank that complies with NFPA 30A, section 4.3.2.6.

(2) Add the following new sections:

2206.7.1.1 Dispensing of blended biofuels.

2206.7.1.1.1 Definitions.

"B-blend" means biodiesel blended fuel as defined in Iowa Code section 214A.1 with the blend including between 6 and 20 percent biodiesel, as defined in Iowa Code section 214A.1.

Note: For purposes of the rules contained in this chapter and other chapters of rules of the state fire marshal (661-Chapters 200 through 299 inclusive), diesel fuel may contain biodiesel provided that the concentration of biodiesel is less than 6 percent in accordance with rule 21-85.33 (214A,208A), which adopts by reference standards for the content of motor fuels established by ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials).

"E-10" means a blend of petroleum and ethanol including no more than 16 percent ethanol intended for use as a motor vehicle fuel.

"E-blend" means ablend of petroleum and ethanol including more than 16 percent ethanol intended for use as a motor vehicle fuel.

"Existing E-blend dispenser " means a dispenser installed on or before October 24, 2010, for use in dispensing E-blend.

2206.7.1.1.2 E-blend may be dispensed only if the dispenser is listed by an independent testing laboratory for use with E-blend or E-85.

2206.7.1.1.3 B-blend may be dispensed only if (1) and either (2), (3), (4), or (5) apply:

(1) Only a dispenser listed by an independent testing laboratory as compatible with diesel fuel shall be used to dispense B-blend.

(2) The owner or operator shall visually inspect the dispenser and the dispenser sump daily for leaks and equipment failure and maintain a record of such inspection for at least one year after the inspection. The record shall be located on the premises of the owner or operator and shall be made available to the department of natural resources or the state fire marshal upon request. If a leak is detected, the department of natural resources shall be notified pursuant to Iowa Code section 455B.386.

(3) The dispenser's manufacturer has submitted the dispenser to an independent testing laboratory to be listed as compatible for use with B-blend, and the owner or operator has installed an under-dispenser containment system with electronic monitoring.

(4) Information published or provided by the manufacturer of the dispenser is available stating that the dispenser is compatible with B-blend.

(5) The owner or operator of the dispenser has in force insurance for environmental liability in a minimum amount of $500,000, which would cover damage resulting from the operation of the dispenser and the owner or operator is able to produce documentation of the insurance coverage upon request from the state fire marshal or the department of natural resources.

Note: If option (2), (4), or (5) is used, under-dispenser containment shall be provided if otherwise required by the rules in this chapter, rules of the department of natural resources, or any other applicable provision of law.

This subrule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 101.1 and 455G.31.

(3) Add the following new section:

2206.7.10 Under dispenser containment (UDC). When installing a new motor fuel dispenser or replacing a motor fuel dispenser, UDC shall be installed whenever any of the following occurs:

(1) UDC is required by a rule adopted by the environmental protection commission. Note: See 567-subrule 135.3(9), paragraph"h. "

(2)A motor fuel dispenser is installed at a location where there previously was no dispenser; or

(3)An existing motor fuel dispenser is removed and replaced with another dispenser. UDC is not required when only the emergency shutoff, shear valves or check valves are replaced.

UDC shall:

* Be intact and liquid tight on its sides and bottom and at any penetrations;

* Be compatible with the substance conveyed by the piping; and

* Allow for visual inspection and monitoring and access to the components in the containment system.

Exception: UDC shall not be required for a dispenser which sits directly upon a solid concrete apron.

(4) Temporary storage in disaster emergencies. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary found in this chapter or found in the International Fire Code or NFPA 30A as adopted by reference herein, aboveground flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks may be used to store flammable or combustible liquids in motor fuel dispensing operations, provided that all of the following apply:

a. The facility is in an area covered by a disaster emergency proclamation issued by the governor pursuant to Iowa Code section 29C.6 or, if not in such an area, the facility has applied to the state fire marshal and has been approved for storage of flammable or combustible liquids in compliance with this subrule.

b. The facility has suffered damage which has rendered the storage tanks normally used by the facility for flammable or combustible liquids inoperable. Storage of flammable or combustible liquids in compliance with this subrule shall continue only for as long as the normal storage tanks are inoperable and in no event for more than 90 days.

EXCEPTION: In extraordinary circumstances, storage of flammable or combustible liquids in compliance with this subrule may continue for more than 90 days if the facility has sought and received specific written approval from the state fire marshal for such storage.

c. The facility has written confirmation from the facility's insurance provider that insurance coverage will apply while storage of flammable or combustible liquids in compliance with this subrule is occurring.

d. Any aboveground flammable or combustible liquid storage tank used pursuant to this subrule shall be rated or listed by an independent testing laboratory for aboveground storage of flammable or combustible liquids.

e. Any aboveground flammable or combustible liquid storage tank used pursuant to this subrule shall be of no more than 1,000 gallons capacity.

Exception: A storage tank larger than 1,000 gallons capacity may be used pursuant to this subrule if the facility has received specific written approval from the state fire marshal for its use. In reviewing such a request, the state fire marshal shall consider, but is not limited to considering, the following factors:

(1) Volume of throughput of the facility.

(2) Ability to meet setback requirements appropriate to the size of the tanks used.

f. All electrical service proximate to the storage area shall comply with applicable provisions of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2005 edition. An emergency shutoff control or electrical disconnect shall be installed no less than 20 feet nor more than 100 feet from any fuel-dispensing device at the facility. The control shall be clearly marked "Emergency Shutoff."

g. A 20-pound fire extinguisher with a minimum B:C rating of 40 shall be located no more than 50 feet from the location of any storage tank being used in compliance with this subrule.

h. Precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable or combustible liquids, including the conspicuous posting of warning signs saying "NO SMOKING" and "NO OPEN FLAME."

i. Aboveground flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks used pursuant to this subrule shall be plumbed into existing dispensers, if practical. If this is impractical, all fueling at the facility shall be by attendant only; no self-service dispensing shall be allowed at the facility.

j. Any aboveground flammable or combustible liquid storage tank used in compliance with this subrule shall be located so as to be protected from prospective damage from vehicle collisions and shall be located with due regard to vehicular traffic patterns and the location of property lines and significant buildings, particularly those which are frequently occupied by humans.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-221.4