§ 5705-01 — Storage and Use of Fuel Oil on Mobile Trailers for Heating and Power Generation

§ 5705-01 Storage and Use of Fuel Oil on Mobile Trailers for Heating and Power Generation.

(a) Scope. (1) This section sets forth standards, requirements and procedures for mobile trailers that store and use fuel oil for heating and generation of electrical power. (2) A mobile trailer equipped with a boiler, generator, or other equipment used for heating and power generation, upon which ten gallons or less of fuel oil (or no fuel oil) is stored (including within the heating or power generating equipment) is not subject to the provisions of this section. When the heating or power generating equipment on such a mobile trailer is fueled from an off-vehicle temporary fuel tank, the applicable permit requirement is the one for storage of combustible liquids generally (the third listed permit requirement for flammable or combustible liquid fuel set forth in FC 105.6), rather than the one applicable to mobile heating and generating trailers. (b) General Provisions. (1) Applicability. Mobile trailers that store and use more than 10 gallons of fuel oil for heating, including steam and hot water, and generation of electrical power, shall be designed, installed and operated in compliance with the requirements of the construction codes and this section. (2) Permit. A permit must be obtained for each mobile heating or power generating trailer as follows: (A) A citywide permit must be obtained for the transportation, storage, handling and use of combustible liquid on any mobile heating or power generating trailer that will be used at a location for 30 days or less, except as otherwise provided below. Issuance of a citywide permit for a mobile heating or power generating trailer allows the trailer to be parked at any lawful location (subject to any applicable Fire Code or rule restrictions) and to remain overnight at such location. (B) A site-specific permit must be obtained for the storage, handling and use of combustible liquid on any mobile heating and power generating trailer that will be used at a location for more than 30 days. (C) A site-specific permit must be obtained for the storage, handling and use of combustible liquid on any mobile heating and power generating trailer that will be used at a street fair, bazaar, carnival, concert, festival or similar public outdoor gathering. (3) Supervision. While in operation, mobile emergency heating and power generating trailers connected to a high pressure boiler must be under the personal supervision of a person holding a high pressure boiler operating engineer's license issued by the Department of Buildings. (4) Delivery of fuel oil. Only cargo tanks for which a permit has been issued may be used to deliver fuel oil to mobile heating and power generating trailers. (c) Design and Installation Requirements. Mobile heating and power generating trailers using fuel oil shall be designed and installed in compliance with the following requirements: (1) Fuel oil piping systems and boilers shall be designed and installed in compliance with the requirements of the Mechanical Code. The power-generating equipment, and all electrical devices, equipment and systems on the trailer shall be designed and installed in compliance with the requirements of the Building Code and the Electrical Code. Documentation of compliance with such codes shall be submitted to the Department in an approved form. (2) Fuel oil storage tanks shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Mechanical Code. No more than 1,200 gallons of fuel oil shall be stored on the trailer. Use of a mobile trailer with a fuel storage tank with a maximum fuel storage capacity exceeding 1,200 gallons may be authorized by the Department. The owner or operator of the mobile trailer shall first make application to the Technology Management Unit of the Bureau of Fire Prevention for review of the design of the mobile trailer, tank installation and/or heating or power-generating equipment or system and any other relevant considerations, and approval of its use. The Department may approve use of such a non-conforming mobile trailer subject to such terms and conditions as it may deem necessary and appropriate given the mobile trailer's excess fuel storage capacity, including requiring a site-specific permit, irrespective of the provisions of 3 RCNY § 5705-01(b)(2). (3) A clearly identified and readily accessible remote control shut-down switch for the oil burning equipment shall be provided inside the trailer, immediately accessible upon entry. (4) The chassis shall be designed and constructed to support the total load supported by the trailer, including all heating or power generating equipment. The Department may require a letter from the chassis manufacturer confirming such design capacity. (5) Fuel oil storage tanks shall be provided with secondary containment of liquid-tight construction. Such containment shall be constructed of metal, and have a capacity of not less than the maximum capacity of the fuel oil storage tanks. (6) Signs shall be posted on both sides of the trailer that read: "Mobile Heating Trailer" or "Mobile Power Generator", as applicable, in six (6) inch letters, and bear the name and address of the owner in two (2) inch letters. (7) The trailer and equipment shall be electrically grounded in an approved manner. (8) Each fuel oil storage tank fill line shall be provided with both a shut-off valve and a check valve. (9) Department of Buildings permits or other approvals shall be posted at a conspicuous location inside the trailer. (Amended City Record 2/10/2017, eff. 3/15/2017; renumbered and amended City Record 9/20/2023, eff. 10/20/2023)