Appeal 34811

Portland/Oregon Fire Code, Section 5704.2.7.5.6

Remote fuel fill stations for remote generator fuel tank must be located outside and five feet from a building opening.

This appeal requests approval to locate a new remote fuel fill station inside the existing parking garage access/loading dock area 15’-6” from the face of the building due to the lack of façade area to locate the fill station outside and greater than 5 feet from an opening.

The high-rise building has an existing emergency backup power generator located in the below-grade parking garage. As part of a project to enclose the existing generator in a 2-hour fire-rated enclosure, a remote fuel fill station is needed to facilitate safe refueling. Due to the remote location of the generator and limited available façade area, the fuel fill station is proposed to be located 15’-6” from the exterior façade inside an oversized parking garage access and loading dock area in direct line of sight of the fuel truck. The fill station will be located not more than five feet above the finished floor and is protected from vehicular impact by the existing concrete wall below.
The proposed location is within non-combustible construction with a 1-hour or greater fire-resistance rating and concrete and CMU as the primary finishes in proximity. The building is served by an existing NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system, and the area is well ventilated with a garage opening greater than 230 square feet. The mesh garage door will remain open during refueling.
Remote fuel fill station specifications:

• Integral sump for spill containment to manage potential fuel spillage during refueling.
• Lockable
• Integral check valve and shut-off valve
• Tank filling warning light and alarm horn.

See Exhibit A for proposed location.

The existing high-rise building is constructed with zero setback, fills the entire urban lot, and has inadequate façade area to locate an exterior fill station 5-feet from an opening.

Reference City of Portland appeals with similar condition: Appeal ID# 13726, 8/2/2016; Appeal ID# 15017, 4/25/2017; Appeal ID# 23557, 3/12/2020; Appeal ID# 31732, 7/13/2023.

7.9.12.1

7.9.12.1: “A minimum clearance of 0.9 m (36 in.) shall be maintained on all sides.” [In regards to listed generator subbase secondary containment fuel tanks]

The intent of this appeal is to allow for a reduced clearance from structure on two sides of the subbase fuel tank due to existing conditions.

The existing generator is installed on a UL-listed, 375-gallon subbase secondary containment fuel tank. The fuel tank is located approximately 28 in. from an existing column to the west of the tank. A 2-hour rated enclosure will be constructed around the existing generator, with the west wall aligning with the existing column. To maintain maximum two-way drive aisle clearance in the existing parking garage, the south wall of the enclosure is proposed to be located 25 in. from the fuel tank. A 80”W x 80”H removable louver on the south side of the enclosure will allow for unobstructed tank access. The proposed enclosure will provide 40 in. of clearance on the north side and 46 in. of clearance on the east side of the tank. The generator’s electrical and control panels will have more than 40 in. of clearance to structure, which exceeds the code minimum. The entire generator enclosure will be equipped with a fire suppression system that will provide coverage of all sides of the fuel tank. (See Exhibit B floor plan)

The current generator location being 28 in. from the column allows for ample clearance for visual inspection and maintenance. The reduced clearance of 25 in. on the south side will still allow for visual inspection and maintenance, with a removable louver providing unobstructed access for future fuel tank service or replacement. Fuel tank connections and electrical/control panels will all be located on the north and east sides of the tank, with greater than 36 in. of clearance from structure. The generator enclosure will not be used for storage, and will not contain any items that are not necessary for generator operation.