Purpose:

To establish a set of procedures for the issuance of fire department permits for the removal or abandonment of below ground or above ground tanks storing flammable or combustible liquids.

Procedure:

1. Fire department permits issued for the removal or abandonment of below ground or above ground tanks storing flammable or combustible liquids shall be issued in the field at the location of the job.
2. For tank removals, the Fire Inspector's responsibility at the site shall be to confirm that that tank has been emptied of all material and that the tank has been properly purged of flammable/combustible vapors. At the inspector's discretion, he or she may require to witness a vapor test to confirm that the remaining vapors are at or below the maximum allowed percentage of the "lower explosive limit" of the material in the tank.
3. For tanks being "abandoned in place", the Fire Inspector shall confirm that:
   1. All flammable and combustible liquids have been removed from the tank and connected piping.
   2. The suction, inlet, gauge, vapor return and vapor lines have been disconnected.
   3. The tank has been filled completely with an "approved" inert solid material.
   4. The remaining underground piping has been capped or plugged.
   5. A record indicating size of tank(s) and date of abandonment is maintained as required by the North Carolina Fire Code
4. At the time of the site visit(s), the Fire Inspector shall complete the two-part form titled: "Charlotte Fire Department Requirement for Tank Installations and Removals/Abandonments" and the "On Site Permit" form. The contractor shall initial and sign the applicable sections of both forms and be supplied with the yellow copies.
5. Once the job is complete, the Fire Inspector shall provide a written request to the office assistant in charge of permit data entry to permanently delete the tanks that have been removed or abandoned from the fire department "Operational Permit" chemical listing. Note: If tanks are being replaced, the inspector shall:
   1. Take necessary steps to ensure that the Operational Permit chemical listing is changed accordingly if applicable (different size tanks, above ground replacing below ground, etc.), and
   2. Follow procedures outlined in SOP for "Above and Below Ground Tank Installations" for the installation of the new tank(s).