standards and guidelines for communication sites - Radio And ...

STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNICATION SITES GENERATOR OUTPUT AND DERATING CONSIDERATIONS
• Gasoline is a poor fuel for remote generators, with a limited storage life and highly flammable
properties. Gasoline generators also have difficulty with remote starting.
• Liquid fuel storage tanks shall be equipped with secondary containment capable of retaining 110%
(or greater) of the maximum volume of fuel stored.
• The storage tank secondary containment shall be designed such that storm water and debris cannot
collect inside it.
• All fuel lines or other system components that extend beyond the storage tank secondary
containment area shall be designed with secondary containment.
• Local Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules shall be adhered to following a fuel spill. All
fuel spills shall be cleaned up.
• Fuel storage tanks are required for all fuels except natural gas, which is provided by a utility.
(However, a storage tank in conjunction with utility-provided natural gas provides additional
backup in the case of gas main breakage.) Manufacturer specifications as to size and length of fuel
supply lines as well as lift shall be followed.
• Fuel storage tanks located outside of a structure should be protected from damage and tampering,
and shall be enclosed within a fenced area. In many areas local codes require a double wall
construction for the tank or a catch basin to prevent fuel from contaminating the site. Minimum
recommended distance between the storage tank and fence is 1.2 m (4 ft.); minimum recommended
distance between the tank and site building is 3 m (10 ft.). See NFPA 58 for additional information.
• Fuel storage tanks shall be secured to concrete pads using captive hardware.
• LPG fuel tanks shall utilize a fuel vent pressure relief valve. The relief valve vent shall be directed
away from the tank, sources of ignition, and flammable material.
• Fuel lines shall be protected within the fuel storage area as well as along the route to the generator.
Location and installation of the fuel tank and fuel lines shall meet all applicable environmental,
building, and fire safety codes.
• All generator installations shall be equipped with secondary containment capable of retaining
110% of the volume of the largest tank within the containment structure, if the tanks system is a
single-wall system. Alternatively, if the tank system is a double-walled system, the system shall be
designed with interstitial monitoring devices that is capable of detecting a leak in the primary or
secondary containment system unless tertiary containment is provided (for example, a convault or
equivalent). Special tanks (double wall or fiberglass) and containment barriers are strongly
recommended. Earthquake prone areas may require special fuel line considerations. Local codes
and manufacturer's recommendations shall be followed.
• In potential flood zones, above ground fuel tanks should be secured with a safety cable around the
tank attached to an anchoring device in the soil. This helps prevent the tank from breaking loose
and floating away during a flood condition.
• Critical placement and orientation of the tank pressure relief valve is required. This is required, in
the case of a fire, to prevent an over-pressure gas release cloud from feeding its own fire.
68P81089E50-B 9/1/05 6-39