1 Scope

1.1 This Standard sets forth minimum design and construction requirements for fibre reinforced plastic, non-pressure tanks that are used for the underground storage of flammable and combustible liquids, such as:

a) Petroleum products, including petroleum hydrocarbon fuels with low-biofuels blends, per specifications, and similar flammable or combustible liquid petroleum derivatives, such as fuel components (cetane, hexane, heptane), and oils (lubricating, hydraulic, machine);

b) Oxygenated fuel blends, including all "petroleum product" liquids plus petroleum hydrocarbon fuels with low-biofuels blends;

c) Oxygenates, including all “petroleum product” and "oxygenated fuel blends" liquids plus pure/denatured or highest oxygenated blend stocks for use in mixing of dispensed lower fuel-blends and components, such as biodiesel and ethanol; and

d) Other flammable and combustible liquids (for which the test fuels in Appendix a are not considered to be sufficient or applicable) that can be demonstrated or determined to be compatible with the reinforced plastic underground tank materials as determined by the certifier.

In addition to this Standard's traditional safety requirements for underground fiber reinforced plastic tanks that primarily evaluate structural integrity, material compatibility and mitigate environmental hazards from loss of liquid containment under expected normal conditions; optional construction and/or performance requirements, and associated ratings, intended to address more severe conditions associated with the effects of Climate Change are included in Appendix F.

NOTE: The test fuels in Appendix a are considered to be sufficient and representative for US or Canadian approved motor fuels, off-road fuels, gasoline from renewable and petroleum feedstocks, diesel, renewable diesel, synthetic diesel, biodiesel, kerosene, aviation fuels, jet fuels, fuel oil and heating oil as referenced in (a), (b), and (c).

1.2 This Standard covers tanks of either single, double or multiple wall construction.

1.3 Tanks covered by this Standard are fabricated, inspected, and tested for leakage prior to shipment from the factory as completely assembled vessels.

1.4 This Standard covers tanks where the primary tank may have a single compartment or have multiple compartments.

1.5 These tanks are intended for installation and use in accordance with applicable documents in the following list:

a) In Canada:

1) National Fire Code of Canada;

2) CAN/CSA-B139, Installation code for oil-burning equipment;

3) CCME PN1326, Environmental Code of Practice for Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank Systems Containing Petroleum and Allied Petroleum Products;

4) Regulations of the authority having jurisdiction; and

b) In the United States:

1) Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment, NFPA 31;

2) Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA 30; and

3) Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, NFPA 30A, as applicable.

1.6 Accessories, such as, ladders, tank sumps, risers, and guide lugs, that do not affect tank performance and are attached to the tank internally or externally during manufacture are permitted but not covered by this standard.

1.7 Except for optional Climate Change Adaptation requirements in Appendix F, these requirements do not cover special evaluations for resistance to, or use after earthquakes, floods, high wind events, or other natural disasters.

NOTE: See the Note at the beginning of Appendix F for further information on the terms "Adaptation" and "Mitigation", as they pertain to Climate Change.

Summary of Topics

This March 2019 revision of UL/ULC 1316 has been issued as part of the project to support the National Research Council of Canada program to address Climate Change Adaptation in Canadian Codes and Standards.