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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2g: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Storage Tank at 801 Singing Wood Drive (2).FROM: Tony L. Trabbie, Fire Chief /1 t- By: Mark Krikorian, Fire Marshal SUBJECT- APPROVE A NEW 499-GALLON LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS STORAGE TANK FOR EMERGENCY POWER GENERATION AT B01 SINGING WOOD DRIVE, A REAL PROPERTY ZONED AS R-0 Recommended Action: Conditional Approval SUMMARY The applicant is requesting approval of a new 499-gallon liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage tank for emergency power generation on real property zoned as First One- Family (R-O), Arcadia Municipal Code Section 3141.2 limits storage of LPG outdoors in a R�O zone to 10 gallons- Arcadia Municipal Code Section 3141.3 allows the City set forth by Section 3141 .2. An aerial photo of the site, a diagram of the LPG storage tank, and a letter of application are attached with this staff report. It is recommended that the City Council conditionally approve this application. BACKGROUND Historically, LPG has been used for cooking and heating purposes in residential settings, although in this incident the applicant intends to use LPG for emergency power generation only. A hazard posed • storage of LPG is a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE), which is an explosion caused by the rupture of a vessel containing a pressurized liquid above its boiling point. Due to large fire losses in the 1950's, many safety precautions were gradually introduced into gas containers, such as stronger steel shells and pressure relief valves, As a result, today's LPG containers are much safer, Fire loss data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that from 20;00-2004, 23 civilian deaths were caused • LP gas related fires- However, a majority of these were due to cooking fires utilizing barbeques, hibachis, and grills. No fire loss due to LPG being utilized for emergency power generation was reported. The City • Arcadia has regulated the use • flammable liq ds • private property since the passage of Ordinance 199 in 1927. In 1949, regulation of LPG in residential zones began with the passage • Ordinance 758. In 1992, the present LPG storage quantity limitation of 10 gallons in residential areas began with the passage of Ordinance 1970 (Arcadia Municipal Code Section 3141.2). LPG Tank Installation Application — 801 Singing Wood Drive January 15, 2013 Page 2 of 3 The California Fire Code (CFC) was created in 1927 and has, reg,ulated the use and storage of LPG with the issuance of an operational permit. An operational permit regulates the use and storage of LPG containers with respect to setbacks, signage, safety devices, and fire protection. Traditionally, the: maximum size of LPG container that was regu:lated and required an operational permit was between 120 to 125 gallons. However, the 2007 CFC introduced a new permit exception for storage of 500 gallons or less LPG tanks for R-3 (single-family dwelling) occupancies. This exception was continued in the 2010 CFC but has not been granted in the City of Arcadia due to the more stringent requirement of AMC 3141.2. Commercial use and storage of LPG allows no quantity exception and all CFC requirements are applied. APPLICANT: Robert Y11 LOCATION: 801 Singing Wood Drivvt REQUEST: Approval of a new 499-gallon LPG storage tank for the purpose of emergency power generation SITE AREA: 168,224 square feet (3.86 acre) EXISTING LAND USE & ZONING. The site is developed with a two-story, 12,939 square-foot single-family dwelling built in 1997. The property is zoned R-0, or First One- Family Zone. The proposal is to install a 499-gallon LPG tank in the rear yard' of the property, not visible from the street. It wilt • utilized as a fuel' source for a 48-kilowatt generator. The generator will provide emergency power to the single-famiily dwelling in the case of a power outage. The LPG tank will be set back from the single-family dwelling to the south for approximately 100 feet, This property is not located in the City's Wildland's Urban Interface. Since the 2011 wind storm, the Fire Department has received multiple inquiries into the use of LPG for residential emergency power generation though no formal applications were submitted. Due to this interest, it is the intent of the Fire Department to explore the possibility of modifying AMC 3141.2 to allow greater quantities of LPG to be used solely for emergency power generation with certain safeguards adopted. This would occur during the adoption of the 2013 Code cycle and would go into effect on January 1, 2014. As conditions of approval for this application, it is recommended that the fo:lloiwing criteria must be met. First, CFC requirements for LPG storage must be applied even thoug;h the size of the tank is below the operational permit threshold- Setback requirements with respect to property lines and buildings, though currently met • the installation location, must be ensured should any future development take place on the LPG Tank Installation Application — 801 Singing Wood Drive January 15, 2013 Page 3 of 3 applicant's property. Secondly, signage shall be provided to aid emergency personnel in identifying the contents of the tank and therefore allow the appropriate hazard response. Moreover, clearance to combustibles shall be provided to protect the tank from exposure fires. I'n addition, an appropriate fire extinguisher shall be provided to allow the applicant the ability to protect the tank from exposure fire. Finally, refueling of the tank shall be conducted with the safeguards required by the CFC. A letter of understanding from the applicant should be attained listing the requirements set forth. 1aMOIA100,911M It is recommended that the City Council approve this application, subject to the following conditions: a. A minimum 10-foot setback shall be maintained between the tank and all buildings in perpetuity, as required by CFC Chapter 38. All future developments on the property shall be subject to this requirement. b. Signage shall be provided on the tank indicating its contents and also warning of "NO SMOKING WITHIN 25 FEET." c. Weeds, grass, brush, trash, and other combustible materials shall be kept a minimum of 10 feet from the tank. d. A minimum 6A:80BC fire extinguisher shall be provided within 50 feet of the tank. It shall be the applicant's responsibility to have the fire extinguisher serviced by a qualified contractor on an annual basis. e. During refueling, the LP tank vehicle shall not be left unattended at any time. MGM= Dominic Laz'z6"'retto City Manager Attachments- Aerial photo of subject property LPG tank diagram Letter of application fTl C NrA w • ffla