Farm Fuel Tanks

This page provides links and information associated with storage tank regulations specifically for farms.

Until 1991, farms historically had been excluded from the more comprehensive building and fire codes that commercial industry and business must comply with. Increasing environmental consciousness and increasing experiences of farm well contamination resulting from petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants became the catalyst for expanding fuel storage requirements into the farm sector. Bulk vehicle fuel storage on farms can pose a significant exposure factor in fire spread. The rural location and additional time required for fire department response will impact on efficient fire control.

Definition of a "farm tank" is a tank located on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising animals, including fish, and associated residences and improvements. A farm tank shall be located on the farm property. "Farm" includes fish hatcheries, rangeland and nurseries with growing operations. A tank located on a property that includes both farm and commercial business with fuel being dispensed into vehicles with commercial license plates would be considered a "commercial tank"and not a farm tank.

"Commercial" tanks must comply with the more restrictive code requirements. Underground tanks (USTs) used for commercial purposes are also federally regulated tanks. The type of storage tank system allowed on farms is dependent upon the distance of the tank from a building and/or the size of the tank.