Administrative Rule Adopted by Portland Fire & Rescue Pursuant to Rule-Making Authority
ARB-FIR-7.01
I. SCOPE
A. This policy is established January 4, 1991.
B. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the safeguarding of removal of abandoned flammable liquid storage tanks.
C. This policy applies within all areas in which Portland Fire & Rescue has fire prevention authority. Exception: This policy does not apply to single-family residences.
D. A storage tank is considered abandoned when the owner has shown an intention to abandon the tank accompanied by some act by which the tank is actually abandoned.
E. Tanks being removed or abandoned in place, other than at a single-family residence, shall require a permit from the Portland Fire Marshal’s Office.
II. SPECIFIC
A. References
1. 2016 Portland Fire Code
III. GUIDANCE
A. A tank is considered abandoned when:
1. It is observed that that tank has not been used in more than a year.
2. Dispensing equipment has been removed. Note: The transfer of flammable liquids is illegal without fixed dispensers.
3. The State of Oregon, Weights and Measures verifies the tank has not been used.
4. The business or structure is gone.
B. All tanks taken out of service must be abandoned under benefit of permit in one of the following ways:
1. Underground tanks temporarily out of service for 90 days: Underground tanks not used for a period of 90 days shall be safeguarded in accordance with all the following or be removed.
a. Flammable or combustible liquids shall be removed from the tank.
b. All piping, including tank fill line, gauge opening, vapor return and pump
connection, shall be capped or plugged and secured from tampering.
c. Vent lines shall remain open and be maintained.
2. Underground tanks out of service for one year: Underground tanks that have been
out of service for a period of one year shall be removed from the ground.
3. Underground tanks abandoned in place:
a. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be removed from the tank and
connected piping.
b. The suction, inlet, gauge, vapor return and vapor lines shall be disconnected.
c. The tank shall be filled completely with an approved inert solid material.
d. Remaining underground piping shall be capped or plugged.
e. A record of tank size, location and date of abandonment shall be retained.
f. All exterior above-grade fill piping shall be permanently removed when tanks are
abandoned or removed.
4. Aboveground tanks temporarily out of service: Aboveground tanks temporarily out
of service shall have all connecting lines isolated from the tank and be secured against
tampering.
5. Aboveground tanks not used for a period of 90 days / out of service for 90 days:
Aboveground tanks not used for a period of 90 days shall be safeguarded in
accordance with all the following or be removed.
a. Flammable or combustible liquids shall be removed from the tank.
b. All piping, including tank fill line, gauge opening, vapor return and pump
connection, shall be capped or plugged and secured from tampering.
c. Vent lines shall remain open and be maintained.
6. Aboveground tanks out of service for one year: Above-ground tanks that have been
out of service for a period of one year shall be removed from the ground.