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Where can I find Pennsylvania code reqs for residential basement oil tanks?

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mrblint
mrblint Member Posts: 44

I am looking for PA code for residential heating oil tanks in basements. Specifically how close they can be to a stone/mortar wall. I'm finding things online that say no closer than one (1) foot but I'm not sure they apply to residential. If that is indeed the case, then I may have to cancel the installation of the new tank.

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Comments

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,244

    who is the local authority having jurisdiction?

    contact them

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,120

    Most state use NFPA 31.

    I have never heard of any requirement for a space from a stone/mortar wall. 2-3" should be fine.

    I wouldn't worry about it. Its your installers problem anyhow. If you get into it it will be your problem. You are overthinking it.

    PC7060
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,253

    Oil Tech Talk...Alan Mercurio...The Guru of things heating oil...he's in Penna too! Great guy. Mad Dog

    mrblint
  • HydronicMike
    HydronicMike Member Posts: 71

    You’ll pretty much find no help from any local building inspector.
    Best to check NFPA and use that as a guideline or a tank manufacturers website.

    The two main codes are no less than 5 feet from the burner and not against the wall.

  • mrblint
    mrblint Member Posts: 44

    I will be without an oil tank and will have no hot water if something goes wrong since it's an indirect. The family have grown accustomed to warm showers and baths.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,244
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,253

    Home Depot & Lowes have instantaneous electric water heaters not much larger than a 5 Gallon Bucket that are great temporary hot water units. Good enough for hot showers. Mad Dog

    PC7060
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,120

    @mrblint

    I skimmed through NFPA 31. There is NO mention of any tank distance from a stone/masonry wall. Common sense is to not have the tank touching the wall space it out 2-3 " or so.

    I am sure the installers are licensed and getting a permit if the city/state require that and if they are installing tanks and boilers/burners they will be aware of any local regulations.

    Mad Dog_2
  • mrblint
    mrblint Member Posts: 44

    I was just responding to the statement that it's the installer's problem if the tank installation doesn't meet code. It would be our problem too. If they remove the old oil tank, and install the new tank in a manner that doesn't pass code, any delay until they found a workaround would have us without hot water until the boiler was operational again.

    If the solution entailed getting a smaller tank because the bigger one was too close to something (doorway, electrical panel, window, clothes dryer, whatever) we could be without hot water for a week or more. So I just wanted to review the code requirements.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,120

    The only clearance I am aware of with regards to an indoor oil tank are:

    5' from the boiler or furnace

    Electrical panel needs a clearance of a minimum width in front of the panel of 30" or the width of the panel if the panel is more than 30" wide. 36" from the panel cover out into the room. No other clearance required from the tank

    The fill and vent pipes on the outside of the building need to be at least 2' from any operable window or building opening.

    Obviously the tank cannot block a doorway there is no clearance from a clothes dryer.

    mrblint

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