Page 454 - 2018_IFC

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS

5703.6.2 Design and fabrication of piping systems and valves or fittings subject to vehicular damage in accor-
components. Piping system components shall be designed dance with Section 312.
and fabricated in accordance with the applicable standard 5703.6.5 Protection from external corrosion and gal-
listed in Table 5703.6.2 and Chapter 27 of NFPA 30, vanic action. Where subject to external corrosion, piping,
except as modified by Section 5703.6.2.1. related fluid-handling components and supports for both
TABLE 5703.6.2 underground and above-ground applications shall be fabri-
PIPING STANDARDS cated from noncorrosive materials, and coated or provided
PIPING USE STANDARD with corrosion protection. Dissimilar metallic parts that
Power Piping ASME B31.1 promote galvanic action shall not be joined.
Process Piping ASME B31.3 5703.6.6 Valves. Piping systems shall contain a sufficient
Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid number of manual control valves and check valves to
ASME B31.4
Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids operate the system properly and to protect the plant under
both normal and emergency conditions. Piping systems in
Building Services Piping ASME B31.9
connection with pumps shall contain a sufficient number
5703.6.2.1 Special materials. Low-melting-point of such valves to control properly the flow of liquids in
materials (such as aluminum, copper or brass), materi- normal operation and in the event of physical damage or
als that soften on fire exposure (such as nonmetallic fire exposure.
materials) and nonductile material (such as cast iron) 5703.6.6.1 Backflow protections. Connections to
shall be acceptable for use underground in accordance pipelines or piping by which equipment (such as tank
with the applicable standard listed in Table 5703.6.2. cars, tank vehicles or marine vessels) discharges liquids
Where such materials are used outdoors in above- into storage tanks shall be provided with check valves
ground piping systems or within buildings, they shall or block valves for automatic protection against back-
be in accordance with the applicable standard listed in flow where the piping arrangement is such that back-
Table 5703.6.2 and one of the following: flow from the system is possible. Where loading and
1. Suitably protected against fire exposure. unloading is done through a common pipe system, a
check valve is not required. However, a block valve,
2. Located where leakage from failure would not
unduly expose people or structures. located in an area where it is provided with ready
access or remotely operable, shall be provided.
3. Located where leakage can be readily controlled
by operation of remotely located valves in a loca- 5703.6.6.2 Manual drainage. Manual drainage-control
tion provided with ready access. valves shall be located at approved locations remote
from the tanks, diked area, drainage system and
In all cases, nonmetallic piping shall be used in impounding basin to ensure their operation in a fire
accordance with Section 27.4.6 of NFPA 30. condition.
5703.6.3 Testing. Unless tested in accordance with the 5703.6.7 Connections. Above-ground tanks with connec-
applicable section of ASME B31.9, piping, before being tions located below normal liquid level shall be provided
covered, enclosed or placed in use, shall be hydrostatically with internal or external isolation valves located as close
tested to 150 percent of the maximum anticipated pressure as practical to the shell of the tank. Except for liquids
of the system, or pneumatically tested to 110 percent of whose chemical characteristics are incompatible with
the maximum anticipated pressure of the system, but not steel, such valves, where external, and their connections to
less than 5 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (34.47 the tank shall be of steel.
kPa) at the highest point of the system. This test shall be
maintained for a sufficient time period to complete visual 5703.6.8 Piping supports. Piping systems shall be sub-
inspection of joints and connections. For not less than 10 stantially supported and protected against physical damage
minutes, there shall be no leakage or permanent distortion. and excessive stresses arising from settlement, vibration,
Care shall be exercised to ensure that these pressures are expansion, contraction or exposure to fire. The supports
not applied to vented storage tanks. Such storage tanks shall be protected against exposure to fire by one of the
shall be tested independently from the piping. following:
1. Draining liquid away from the piping system at a
5703.6.3.1 Existing piping. Existing piping shall be
tested in accordance with this section where the fire minimum slope of not less than 1 percent.
code official has reasonable cause to believe that a leak 2. Providing protection with a fire-resistance rating of
exists. Piping that could contain flammable or combus- not less than 2 hours.
tible liquids shall not be tested pneumatically. Such 3. Other approved methods.
tests shall be at the expense of the owner or operator.
5703.6.9 Flexible joints. Flexible joints shall be listed and
Exception: Vapor-recovery piping is allowed to be approved and shall be installed on underground liquid,
tested using an inert gas.
vapor and vent piping at all of the following locations:
5703.6.4 Protection from vehicles. Guard posts or other 1. Where piping connects to underground tanks.
approved means shall be provided to protect piping,
2. Where piping ends at pump islands and vent risers.

2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ® 421
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